The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

Office for Research and Graduate Affairs

Veterinary Medical Scientist Training Program

General Applicant Information

Combined Veterinary (D.V.M) and Graduate (Ph.D.) Training - click here to download the program brochure [PDF].

Click here for a list of frequently-asked questions about the combined DVM-PhD program.

Clinical Training and Applied Research Basic Research

Program

Future veterinarians seeking to become biomedical researchers, who bridge the human/animal interface, are encouraged to seek research training by acquiring a PhD. Training in both veterinary medicine and a basic science discipline will result in an exceptionally qualified individual that is able to practice both clinical veterinary medicine and perform biomedical research relevant to human and animal health.

The College of Veterinary Medicine has developed its Veterinary Medical Scientist Training Program (VMSTP) to enhance the career development of scholars who wish to pursue both the DVM and PhD degrees. The philosophy of this program is “One Medicine,” where veterinary medicine interacts with human medicine, and both interdigitate with basic research to contribute to the advancement of biomedical research. Graduates of the VMSTP will be well-positioned to have productive careers as biomedical researchers in academia and industry.

The VMSTP is open to any student pursuing the DVM and PhD degree. However, DVM financial support and ranking for available research training grants is determined on a competitive basis once annually. DVM courses are taken at the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens, Georgia. PhD courses are fulfilled in graduate departments of the University of Georgia and affiliated sites.

Both the DVM and the PhD programs of the University of Georgia have very rigorous admission and graduation criteria. Candidates for the VMSTP must have high academic credentials and a documented interest in biomedical research. Although there are many routes to obtain both the DVM and PhD degrees, candidates that are recruited from baccalaureate programs are encouraged to initiate training in the PhD curriculum prior to entering the DVM program. A well-structured graduate program, with cutting-edge research training, will greatly enhance the career development of young scientists.

Research Facilities

State-of-the-art research facilities are available at the University of Georgia research campus. In addition, a number of course facilities aid in important key technologies, including DNA sequencing, peptide synthesis and sequencing, peptide expression and purification, monoclonal antibody, X-ray crystallography, GC-MS and magnetic resonance facilities. Glycoprotein analysis equipment and expertise is available at the Complex Carbohydrate Center. Transgenic and cloned animal as well as stem cell research is conducted in multiple sites on campus, most notably the Regenerative Biosciences Center.

The College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Teaching Hospital provides state-of-the-art clinical veterinary training and support for client-owned patients and for these animal-related research endeavors. High-level biological containment facilities are available in the Animal Health Research Center, adjacent to the College.

The libraries of state research campuses are connected through the World Wide Web and share information on periodicals and publications. The Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute (BHSI) coordinates research and teaching activities involving faculties interested in all areas of biomedical research including the current construction of the Paul W. Coverdell Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences, located across the street from the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Financial Aid

Support is available for up to two new VMSTP fellowships per year to cover $10,000 per year of expenses during the four years of DVM training in the program. This stipend will be awarded as a scholarship grant. VMSTP fellows will also be eligible for support of PhD stipend and fees through graduate assistantships supported through a variety of mechanisms including a veterinary graduate assistantship from the College of Veterinary Medicine, university-wide, departmental, training grant, individual graduate research or teaching assistantships, or mentor research support. Please consult with the program director to discuss current possibilities. It is important to recognize that while the number of funded slots for the DVM training stipends is limited to two, students interested in pursuit of both degrees will still be coordinated through the College’s VMSTP Director.

Cost of Study

For current tuition and fees tables for the DVM program, visit:

http://www.vet.uga.edu/admissions/fees.php

and for PhD programs, please visit:

http://www.uga.edu/gradschool/financial/tuition.html

Opportunities for graduate research assistantships with associated in-state tuition waiver will be available to students in the VMSTP. Students or potential graduate program mentors should contact the Director for details on currently available programs.

Student Group

The VMSTP program began in Fall 2005 with the first admitted group of two students. Eligible applicants come from undergraduate programs, or have already entered graduate or DVM curricula. Students applying from graduate programs other than those at UGA should consult with the VMSTP program director regarding appropriate graduate department contacts for course equivalence and credit.

Location

DVM courses are taken at the College of Veterinary Medicine, located on the main Athens campus of the University of Georgia. PhD courses are fulfilled in graduate departments of the University and affiliated sites. Click to find out more about the University of Georgia and the Graduate School. Finally, the University of Georgia libraries have compiled a site with a lot of useful information about Athens, Georgia.

The College

Created in 1946, the College of Veterinary Medicine has been in its current location on the south side of the UGA campus in Athens since 1951. Visit www.vet.uga.edu/aboutus.php for a more detailed history of the College.

For information about specific graduate programs based in departments of the College of Veterinary Medicine, please see:

http://www.vet.uga.edu/research/students/gradstudents.php

Applying

SPECIAL NOTE: Students applying to the VMSTP require significant prior research experience in addition to in-depth experience (300+ hours) in at least one clinical field (e.g. small animal medicine, large animal medicine, wildlife and zoo medicine, laboratory medicine), preferably under the guidance of a veterinarian.

Three separate applications are required to be considered for VMSTP financial support:

1. Veterinary College: Deadline October 1 (VMCAS and supplemental UGA form). Please review our admissions page: www.vet.uga.edu/admissions/applications.php

You can obtain an application for the veterinary program only from the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) web site: www.aavmc.org/vmcas/vmcas.htm

The deadline for submitting the VMCAS application is October 1. Applications must be submitted online or mailed to VMCAS and postmarked by this date. Evaluation forms also must be sent to VMCAS postmarked by this date. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education the applicant attended must also be sent to the College by October 1.

2. Veterinary Medical Scientist Training Program Supplemental Application: Deadline November 1 [See form below]

The VMSTP is open to any student concurrently pursuing the DVM and PhD degree. However, DVM year financial support and ranking for available research training grants is determined on a competitive basis once annually.

The supplemental form [see below] for the VMSTP should be directly mailed or e-mailed to the VMSTP Director by November 1. However, candidates are requested to submit a letter or e-mail of intent to apply by October 1 to the VMSTP Director, Dr. Margie Lee. This will facilitate follow-up by the Director to the candidates for VMSTP and graduate school application information.

3. Graduate School: Deadline for full consideration for VMSTP or graduate assistantships November 1

Application to the Graduate School should also be completed by November 1. The graduate degree objective must be the Ph.D. Formal application is limited to two Ph.D. departments.

Visit the Graduate School Web site for forms and up-to-date information: http://www.uga.edu/gradschool/admissions/requirements.html

It is recommended that all interested applicants communicate with the Director with questions about graduate departments. This will facilitate coordination of consideration for admission to both degree objectives. If specific graduate department or departments are of known interest, please make these clear in the letter of intent to the Director.

Transcript and Score Reporting (note that separate reports are needed):
a. VMCAS and CVM deadline for transcripts: October 1
b. VMCAS deadline for general GRE scores: October 1
c. Graduate school deadline for transcripts, General GRE score receipt: November 1
d. General GRE and GRE Biology scores received by CVM (institution code 5752): December 31

For students already admitted to the CVM or a Graduate School Ph.D. program, the same deadlines will apply for relevant program applications.

Official transcripts of grades obtained in the Fall term after the application deadline must be received by the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Graduate School by February 1.

Students already admitted to the College as veterinary students may apply for admission during the Fall of their first or second years in the DVM curriculum for entry into the VMSTP and Graduate School. Students already admitted to a Ph.D. program may apply during their second year to the DVM program noting interest for consideration for the VMSTP. Note that the same deadlines will apply.

Supplemental Application Form

For students applying to the Veterinary Medical Scientist Training Program (D.V.M./Ph.D. Dual Degree Program)

Click here to download the PDF version, which can be filled in online and printed.

Cover Page

Name (Last, First, Middle Initial)

Social Security Number

State of Residence Address

Preferred Contact Mailing Address

Preferred E-mail Address (REQUIRED)

Race/Ethnic Information (optional)

Undergraduate Degree and Instiution, City and State

Undergraduate Major(s)

*Undergraduate GPA (include scale)

*GRE Scores:

Quantative

Verbal

Writing

Area of Research Interest: Graduate Department(s) at UGA - list up to 3

*Please note: all grade and test transcripts must be submitted formally by the institution or testing agency to both VMCAS and the UGA graduate school.

VMSTP Supplemental Application Requirements

Must be received by November 1. Mail or e-mail to the contact address below (except for letters of recommendation).

1. Provide a typed resume including all research publications – Report any relevant employment or volunteer activities, research activities, research abstracts, manuscripts and presentations. Provide copies of any published articles you have authored or co-authored.

2. Personal Statement (restricted to 500 words or less) describing your reasons to obtain both the D.V.M. and Ph.D. degrees, and why you have chosen the particular fields of interest. State your longterm career goals.

Submit the cover page and items 1 and 2 of the supplemental application directly to the VMSTP Director at the provided address. E-mailed forms are encouraged if they will be followed by original paper versions, signed by the applicant, sent via regular mail. If you do not receive e-mail confirmation of receipt, please e-mail the VMSTP office to confirm receipt of your application.

3. Copies of the three letters of recommendation submitted to the Graduate School also should be submitted to the Director of the VMSTP program by November 1. Candidates are encouraged to solicit letters from individuals who have experience with the candidate and can comment on your potential as a researcher. These will also serve as the Graduate School letters, but are in addition to the letters provided through the VMCAS or CVM application process.

Frequently asked questions

A list of answers to frequently-asked questions can be found by following this link.

Correspondence and Information

Dr. Margie D. Lee
Coordinator of Combined (DVM/PhD) and College-wide Graduate Programs
Office of Assoc. Dean of Research and Graduate Affairs
The University of Georgia
College of Veterinary Medicine
Athens, GA 30602
E-mail: vetgrad@uga.edu
Phone: 706.583.0797
Fax: 706.542.8254

This page was last updated May 21, 2008.