Combined Programs

Dual Master of Public Health (MPH)– Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dual Master of Science (Animal Science) – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dual Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Center for Experimental and Comparative Medicine Summer Research Experience and Research Day

First and second year students have the opportunity to apply for and participate in ongoing research during the summer periods. All students engage in Research Day in the fall, when veterinary students, graduate students and selected faculty present their work.

Special Programs/Entrance Pathways

Summer Veterinary Experience
- The Veterinary Summer Experience Program seeks to provide opportunities for current high school students interested in veterinary medicine. To this end, the program is designed to provide valuable educational experiences and acquaint students with all facets of our exciting profession. Students will be assigned paid observational opportunities in their local veterinary practices for five weeks, followed by one week at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. While at the veterinary college, students will participate in various educational and leadership programs including lectures, laboratories, and clinical rotations.
Three-plus-one Entry
- The College of Veterinary Medicine participates in three-plus-1 programs that award a Bachelor’s Degree to students who have met the requirements of their program and attained sufficient credits for graduation when considering the first-year professional curriculum.
  A contract between individual colleges is required for participation. Current contracts are in place with UTK and Maryville College.
Curriculum Statement
- The primary objective of the college is to enable students to attain essential knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors to meet the varied needs of society and the veterinary profession. The professional curriculum provides an excellent basic science education in addition to comprehensive training in diagnosis, disease prevention, medical treatment, and surgery. Development of a strong basic science foundation is emphasized in the first two semesters. Courses consist mostly of pre-clinical subjects of anatomy (gross and microscopic), physiology, immunology, bacteriology, virology, and parasitology. Also included in the first year are clinical subjects of physical diagnosis and normal radiology, along with beginning clinical and professional skills that include finance, business, ethics, and communication skills. Considerable integration of subject matter is incorporated during this year. The third through fifth semesters include the study of diseases, their causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention, and courses are team-taught on an organ system basis. The final four semesters are devoted to intensive education in solving animal disease problems involving extensive clinical experience in the Veterinary Medical Center. Each student will participate in clinical rotations in the Veterinary Medical Center and in required externships (preferably off-campus), with options to participate in research and alternative career studies. The curriculum is a systems-based curriculum that combines different instructional modalities from problem-based learning, standard lecture formats, laboratories, simulations, and clinical training.
Clinical Clerkships
- Beginning with the Class of 2022, the final four semesters (6-9) begin immediately following semester five in January of year 3. Students participate exclusively in experiential learning through clinical clerkships. The 68-week clinical program (36 weeks of 163 core rotations and 26 weeks of elective rotations, and 6 weeks of vacation) is conducted in the Veterinary Medical Center, satellite centers, and in 6 to 16 weeks of required off-campus externships. The clinical program does not include a specific tracking curriculum, but allows students to develop individual areas of focus based on their interest and career aspirations. The college has unique programs in zoo, avian, and exotic animal medicine and surgery, cancer diagnosis and therapy, minimally invasive surgery (laser lithotripsy, endoscopy, otoscopy), and rehabilitation/physical therapy.
Highlights
- Innovative features of this curriculum include student-centered, small group, applied learning exercises in semesters one through four; dedicated clinical experiences in the Veterinary Medical Center in semesters one through four; and elective course opportunities in semesters two through nine which allow students to focus on individual educational/career goals. Students enrolled in the DVM program may register for up to 10 hours of graduate courses, and these hours will be credited toward the DVM. Elective study offers a unique educational alternative for students in the College of Veterinary Medicine and is intended to enhance professional growth, concentration in an area of interest, and career opportunities.

University of Tennessee

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