Education
Curriculum
The School of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine curriculum is comprised of a 4-year course of study with the final year dedicated to applied learning through clinical core and elective rotations and externships.
The first year is devoted to the building of strong basic sciences foundation courses such as basic principles of anatomy, physiology, research, cellular structure, and molecular science virology, bacteriology, and mycology along with skills in physical examination, clinical reasoning, and ethics and business management.
The second year focuses on core courses that deal with normal physiological principles in health and disease and integrates materials from year 1. Courses include pathology, pharmacology, toxicology, nutrition, and principles of surgery, internal medicine, anesthesia, and diagnostic imaging, as well as clinical pathology. During this year, students will have the opportunity to rotate in the VTH as part of their introduction to clinical training.
Third year courses enhance clinical skills training and professional development while expanding on experiential learning and integration of the content into principles of clinical practice. These courses include veterinary dentistry, SA internal medicine and surgery, LA internal medicine, theriogenology, LA surgery, farm animal medicine and Licensing Examination course. During this year, students will have the opportunity to rotate in the VTH.
Fourth year students will enroll in their clinical rotations to put into practice the veterinary concepts and skills acquired during the pre-clinical years.
Electives - The curriculum provides a variety of content and supplemental topics not taught in the core curriculum. These incorporate applied and experiential learning, allowing students to develop areas of their professional interest.
Courses
- Click here to view he Curriculum PDF, effective August 2024.
Clinical Year
The clinical year program will consist of 48 weeks rotations, with a total of 48 credits, encompassing 12 rotations of 2 weeks duration each semester. Students will take a 2-week mid-rotation break to have the opportunity to participate in clinical externships. The VTH will serve as the main resource for pre-clinical and clinical rotation experiences. Students will be exposed to diverse clinical scenarios, such as wellness examinations and emergencies to enhance their communication skills through student-client interactions in exam rooms with post-interaction evaluations by SVM specialty teaching faculty. Students will also experience patient handling and history taking, as well as participating in the clinician’s approach to the patients’ individual case, during the diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and discharge instructions to the owners, with the support of experience clinical faculty.
Currently, UAGM SVM has established communication with AVMA accredited Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospitals in the United States which have expressed interest in hosting UAGM SVM senior students for their clinical rotations. Furthermore, UAGM SVM has secured partnerships with clinical specialty centers. These efforts will guarantee our students the necessary exposure to a diverse case load, inclusive of normal and diseased animals from various domestic and exotic species as either clinical patients or teaching animals.
The UAGM SVM Graduate Program is designed to provide students in the DVM program the opportunity to pursue a graduate degree. Our graduate program takes a holistic approach at preparing DVM students with additional knowledge and critical thinking skills to advance and make an impact in the veterinary medicine profession. The graduate program supports students to successfully complete both degrees in a timely and integrated manner. Presently, the graduate program at the SVM provides students the opportunity to enroll in one of two dual degree programs. Additionally, the graduate program intends to propose new graduate programs for all students. Faculty from all academic departments will supervise each student’s graduate education.
DVM/MPH
Curriculum
The DVM/MPH dual degree program is designed for students who would like to pursue a Master’s in Public Health in addition to the Doctor in Veterinary Medicine degree. DVM students will be able to validate at least 15 credits from the DVM program to offset core courses within the MPH degree requirements. Students enrolled in the DVM/MPH program will have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of current issues in global health, health promotion, disease prevention and surveillance, as it relates to animal health and its impact on human health. Students who enroll in this dual dree program will be required to successfully complete a Master level research project on a topic relevant to veterinary Public Health. UAGM MPH program is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is planning to seek accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health.
DVM/MSc Environmental Sciences
Curriculum
The DVM/MSc dual degree is designed for students who would like to pursue a Master’s in Environmental Sciences with a focus on Environmental Management or Environmental Analysis. DVM students will be able to validate at least 15 credits from the DVM program to offset electives courses from the MSc degree requirement. Students who enroll in this dual dree program will be required to successfully complete a Master level research project on a topic relevant to environmental and veterinary science. UAGM MSc in Environmental Sciences program is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
MSc in One Health
Curriculum