The Department of Veterinary Pathology offers a combined DVM/PhD program. It is designed for completion of course in the PhD program simultaneously with study in the professional curriculum in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

To complete the PhD in Veterinary Pathology through this combined program, you are required to complete the following steps:

  1. Approved acceptance into program by Department Chair and Departmental DOGE. This generally requires identification of a potential major professor.

  2. Obtain Admission to the Graduate College of the University

  3. Notify the CVM Assoc. Dean for Academic and Student Affairs of your intent

  4. Develop a mentor and 3-person Mentoring Committee for the 1st year of the program

  5. Construct with your committee a time plan including courses and research for summer sessions

  6. Prepare a course of study that satisfies Departmental PhD requirements

  7. Complete the Program of Study (POS) form and have it approved

  8. Assemble your graduate committee: the Program of Study Committee

The Program of Study Committee

The POS committee must be composed of 5 members of the graduate faculty; at least two must be outside the declared major or area of study, and one of the two must be outside the major department. The PhD degree in Veterinary Pathology requires a minimum of 72 graduate credits including at least 12 graduate credits earned outside the Department. A minor is encouraged, but not required. A significant number of credits as research (VPTH 699) is required.

Course Requirements for the MS and PhD:

See those listed for MS and PhD degrees.

Dual listed courses:

The Department of Veterinary Pathology can offer dually listed courses, if arranged with the instructor in advance of the course.

  • VPTH 342 (VPTH 542) 3 cr.
  • VPTH 376 (VPTH 576) 4 cr.

Other departments in the College of Veterinary Medicine also offer dually listed courses and whether or not these can be used by students in the combined DVM/PhD program is dependent upon approval by the POS committee and the Department Chair.


Revised 9/15/03


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