2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/veterinary/clinical-medicine-ms/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/

for the degree of Master of Science in Veterinary Medical Science - Veterinary Clinical Medicine

The Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine offers a graduate program leading to the degree of Master of Science. The primary goal of graduate programs in veterinary clinical medicine is to prepare students for careers involving research and/or teaching in a specialty area. Graduate work in veterinary clinical medicine may be pursued in several areas, including:

• anesthesiology
• equine medicine and surgery
• equine theriogeneology
• farm animal reproduction (theriogenology)
• medicine
• surgery
• imaging/radiation therapy
• small animal medicine (emergency and critical care, internal medicine)
• small animal surgery
• specialty medicine (cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, oncology, ophthalmology)
• zoological medicine

The department, with the teaching hospital, has facilities and equipment for studying the health and diseases of animals.

After completing graduate work, the student will be able to conduct research both independently and as a team member. Adequate training in planning research projects and writing research proposals will give the student the ability to function with teams of scientists from various areas of the biomedical field. Experience in clinical teaching and literature study will form the basis for the student's development of teaching programs within his or her discipline.

A residency program, designed to train a veterinarian for specialty clinical practice, can be combined with the graduate program. While a graduate program can be accomplished in a shorter time period, the duration of combined programs is usually three years, reflecting the time required to satisfy the objective of each program. Details of the residency program can be obtained from the Program Secretary of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine.

Admission

Admission requirements include a doctor of veterinary medicine (D.V.M.) degree or equivalent. By petition, non-D.V.M.s may be admitted. Applicants for graduate study in veterinary clinical medicine must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0). Admission averages are computed from the entire professional curriculum or from the last 60 hours of undergraduate studies for those without the D.V.M. degree. Applicants with a grade point average between 2.5 and 3.0 may be considered for admission on limited status on the basis of individual merit. Applicants who have a prior graduate degree or who have completed some graduate course work will be evaluated on the basis of their graduate work as well as their under-graduate or professional records. Acceptance of students must be approved by the department's Graduate Committee.

International applicants must submit evidence of satisfactory performance on TOEFL or other tests designed to test proficiency in English. International students must also submit evidence of financial support.

Graduate Teaching Experience

Experience in teaching is considered a vital part of the graduate program and is required as part of the academic work of all M.S. candidates in this program.

Financial Aid

A limited number of research associate positions are available.

for the degree of Master of Science in Veterinary Medical Science - Veterinary Clinical Medicine

The requirements for this degree include completion of a thesis that conforms to the requirements of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine. The non-thesis option requires departmental approval.

The candidate must complete all requirements of the department and the Graduate College and pass the stipulated examinations. The final M.S. examination consists of a presentation of the thesis in the form of a departmental seminar (VCM 590). The seminar is followed by an oral examination administered by the candidate's committee and the department head. The student must demonstrate the ability to design and conduct independent research in order to be granted the M.S. degree.

For additional details and requirements refer to the department's graduate degree requirements and the Graduate College Handbook.

This degree program can be completed with or without a thesis, the requirements are listed below:

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Thesis Option: | | | | Total Hours | Thesis Option | 32 | | One statistics course | | | | VCM 590 | Seminar | 1 | | Graduate electives at the 400 or 500 level in consultation with your advisor | | 8 | | VCM 592 | Special Problems (optional, max 12) | 12 | | VCM 593 | Adv Topics Vet Clin Med (optional, max 8) | 8 | | VCM 599 | Thesis Research (min/max applied toward degree) | 0-12 | | | | | | | | | | Manuscript Based (Non-Thesis) Option | | | | VCM 590 | Seminar | 0 to 1 | | Graduate electives at the 400 or 500 level in consultation with your advisor | | 8 | | VCM 592 | Special Problems | 1 to 4 | | VCM 593 | Adv Topics Vet Clin Med | 1 to 4 | | VCM 598 | Manuscript Research | 0 to 12 | | Total Hours | Non-Thesis Option | 32 |

Other Requirements

Grad Other Degree Requirements

for the degree of Master of Science in Veterinary Medical Science - Veterinary Clinical Medicine

Graduates of the MS program in Veterinary Clinical Medicine will:

1. Be life-long learners in careers involving specialty clinical practice, teaching, industry, government, or research related to the field of veterinary medicine
2. Understand the pathologic mechanisms for common clinical disease manifestations encountered in veterinary medicine
3. Develop a foundational molecular knowledge base pertaining to veterinary clinical diseases
4. Cultivate an appreciation for scientific literature evaluation
5. Gain oratory skills required for scientific audience public speaking

for the degree of Master of Science in Veterinary Medical Science - Veterinary Clinical Medicine

Graduate Degree Programs in Veterinary Clinical Medicine

• VMS-Veterinary Clinical Medicine, MS
• Veterinary Clinical Medicine Research Scholars

for the degree of Master of Science in Veterinary Medical Science - Veterinary Clinical Medicine

College of Veterinary Medicine

College of Veterinary Medicine website\ Dean: Peter D. Constable\ 242 Small Animal Clinic\ 1008 West Hazelwood Drive\ Urbana, IL 61802\ 217-333-5310

Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine

Interim Department Head: Anne M. Barger\ Director of Graduate Studies: Timothy M. Fan\ Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine website

Admissions

Veterinary Clinical Medicine: vcmgradprogram@vetmed.illinois.edu\ Graduate College Admissions & Requirements