Colorado State DVM/PhD Program

We have made many new and exciting changes in the DVM/PhD Program at Colorado State University. We recognize that DVM/PhD students have needs that differ from those of conventional graduate or professional veterinary students and have revised our Program to accommodate these needs in a coordinated fashion. Key updates include an improved administrative structure, a completely redesigned curriculum that better integrates training for the PhD and DVM degrees, the creation of an interactive seminar series/journal club specific for dual-degree students, and new financial incentives.

OVERVIEW

I. Administration:

This body will provide overall leadership, recruiting, planning and assessment for all aspects of the DVM/PhD Program in order to attain its objectives.

• Program Director: Dr. Jeffrey Wilusz

• Steering Committee: A seven member body that consists of representatives from all CVMBS Departments and the Dean's Office

• Admissions committee: a subcommittee of the PVM Admission's Committee plus the DVM/PhD Program Director

II. Recruitment Information

Our goal is to recruit a critical mass of highly competitive, motivated students who will serve as the cornerstone of the translational research mission of our school.

• Class Size: CSU is committed to attracting at least four highly qualified applicants to the Program per year.

• Admission Policy: Candidates are specifically offered acceptance to the DVM-PhD dual degree program. Should a student withdraw from this program, s/he will have to re-apply for admission to the professional veterinary medicine program or the graduate school.

• Financial Incentives: Full tuition and a graduate stipend will be provided in Year 1 of the Program. Additional stipend and tuition support for PhD training is expected to be provided by the sponsoring research laboratory. Students will be responsible for all tuition and fees associated with the professional veterinary medical program.  However, following Year 1 of the DVM-PhD Program, it is anticipated that non-sponsored students will be eligible to establish domicile in the state of Colorado and subsequently receive a Colorado position in the veterinary program.  Establishing Colorado domicile will substantially reduce the cost of tuition to the Professional Veterinary Medical Program.

III. Proposed Pathway to Dual Degree

The program outlined is designed to provide integration where possible between the PVM and PhD portions of the training regimen while ensuring adequate focus to afford maximum student productivity. In addition to what is described below, attendance at a twice-monthly DVM/PhD Seminar/Journal Club series is mandatory in the Program. For further information on the PVM curriculum, please consult the PVM website.

• Year 1: Graduate “Core” Courses and Lab rotations

  -Note: We have created a unified interdepartmental graduate program for the DVM/PhD Students. This will provide consistency in the core curriculum, allow time for elective courses in the specialty area of the student's choice, a common qualifying examination, and effective oversight of student performance.

• Year 2: PVM 1 (and graduate electives)

• Year 3: PVM 2 (and graduate electives; Qualifying Exam in the Summer)

• Years 4-5: Dissertation Research

• Year 6: PVM 3

• Year 7: PVM 4

IV. Research Opportunities at CSU

Colorado State is extremely proud of its research facilities and faculty that have consistently ranked it at or near the top in extramural funding for research. Please visit the departmental websites of our college to find out more about the numerous opportunities to perform world class research at our school.

Questions:

Please contact Dr. Jeffrey Wilusz at Jeffrey.Wilusz@colostate.edu

To pursue admission to this program, you must apply to the PVM Program and complete the DVM/PhD section of the Colorado Supplemental Veterinary Program application.

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