DVM/PhD Program
COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
MEDICAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Brief Description
The Veterinary Medical Scholars Program (VMSP) is a combined degree program leading to both the DVM and PhD degrees. The program is similar to the UIUC Medical Scholars Program in that exceptional students are encouraged to pursue graduate research education along with the professional curriculum. Credit for both programs can be earned concurrently or concentrated in one or other of the degree programs without jeopardizing standing in the other. Recommendation for approval of the VMSP was received from the Executive Committee of the Graduate College of March 17, 1989 with an effective date of January 1, 1990. The Program is administered by the Associate Dean for Research and Advanced Studies under advisement by a steering committee consisting of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the department heads, and departmental directors of graduate studies.
Justification
Many universities, government agencies and industries are increasingly recruiting veterinarians with advanced research expertise and experience. The increasing diversity of the veterinary profession and growing interests in animal models for human disease place high demands for trained veterinary scientists. The admixture of veterinary and graduate education provides a more integrated experience than what would be obtained by sequential programs. An advantage of the combined program, therefore, is that veterinary students with a strong aptitude and motivation for research and graduate education can avail themselves of these opportunities as they pursue the professional degree.
Guidelines and Requirements for Admission
The high demands of a dual degree program require that VMSP Scholars possess qualifications that surpass those required by either of the programs separately. Pre-veterinary students wishing to be considered for admission into a combined degree program must demonstrate exceptional promise and clear potential for success in both components of the dual program. Requirements for admission to the VMSP include but are not restricted to the normal admissions requirements of each program: a BS degree in an area relevant to the graduate program and all requirements for admission to veterinary program. Admission to the VMSP will only be granted to students with outstanding credentials and who demonstrate exceptional research promise. In addition to the letters of recommendation needed for admission to the graduate or veterinary professional programs, the VMSP requires at least one supporting letter demonstrating research aptitude and commitment to the area of research and graduate education. The graduate department is required to provide evidence of research support of a 25% Assistantship during enrollment in the DVM curriculum and a 50% Research or Teaching Assistantship while the student is enrolled as a full time graduate student. (A limited number of 25% Research Assistantships are available from the Associate Dean for Research and Advanced Studies for VMSP students in VM1 and VM4.
To be considered for the VMSP, application must be made in writing one month after veterinary applications are due. The VMSP application is in addition to the separate applications to the graduate program and the veterinary program. A specific VMSP letter of recommendation from a qualified individual must address the research experience, potential and commitment to the dual degree program. All credentials, including notice of acceptance into the departmental graduate program as a VMSP scholar and approval by the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs (ADASA), will then be forwarded to the Associate Dean for Research and Advanced Studies (ADRAS). The ADRAS will present the documents to the Dean and the Dean’s Advisory Committee for final approval. Notice of acceptance will be provided to the student, graduate department, Office of Academic and Student Affairs and the Graduate College.
Occasionally, students in the veterinary professional program or students who are already in a graduate program wish to become Veterinary Medical Scholars and pursue dual degrees. Optimally, such a decision should come at an early stage in the student's program to maximize the benefits of the integrated experience. The requirements described in the preceding paragraphs, including a mentor letter, will also govern the shift to the combined program except that current grades will also be considered. Grades in the first degree program and the student's motivation must be high enough to convince both the graduate department and the ADASA that a dual program is warranted. The department head and the ADASA must communicate with each other to assure that VMSP candidates will be able to excel in spite of the rigors of the combined degrees. Both the graduate department and the ADASA must agree that entry into the VMSP is in the best interest of the candidate, the department and the college.
Course of Study
The course of study will be determined by the specific needs of the student and the requirements of the two individual programs. Normally, some graduate courses can be taking during full time veterinary enrollment and during the first summers as a registered graduate student. It is expected that VMSP students will begin research and graduate coursework while in the veterinary curriculum. Unique to the VMSP, up to 12 hours of core courses from one program may be used as electives in the other program. Some basic veterinary courses (if approved for graduate credit) may be used to satisfy non core graduate requirements or graduate courses may be used to satisfy non core veterinary courses, provided that minimum credit requirements for each degree are completed. A tentative course of study must be provided by the student’s major advisor during the first semester in the dual program to both the ADASA and the graduate department along with any request for dual credit. Dual credit is approved by the College of Veterinary Medicine Courses and Curriculum Committee. Both degrees must be awarded simultaneously. Veterinary Medical Scholars are eligible for tuition waivers equal to the prevailing instate rate. When Scholars are enrolled as veterinary students, the Office of Research and Advanced Studies, departments or mentors are responsible for providing a 25% assistantship and a 50% assistantship when not enrolled in the veterinary curriculum. Instate veterinary tuition will be waived by the Dean. Students are responsible for the difference between instate and out of state rates and any university fees. Tuition cannot be paid from grants according to University policy. When enrolled as graduate students only and have an assistantship, Scholars are eligible for a base tuition and fee waiver provided through the Graduate College.
It is anticipated that a student may have to temporarily drop out of one or the other of the programs to concentrate on a particular course sequence or program requirements. Because of the time constraints in the VM4 year, all graduate courses and thesis research must be completed before the beginning of the final veterinary clinical rotations in May. If courses must be taken or research completed after the third year in the professional curriculum, the student must withdraw from the professional curriculum and register as a graduate student until all these graduate requirements have been completed. Please check with individual departments about their particular graduate requirements. If all these requirements are completed, the student may continue into the VM4 year and receive a tuition and fee waiver.
Reporting of Progress
Annual reports of the student’s progress in both programs must be provided to the ADRAS each May for review by the VMSP Steering Committee. The report should include grades in both the veterinary curriculum and graduate program, results of graduate research exams and reports of annual graduate review committees. Both the graduate department head and the ADASA must certify that the student is making adequate progress in the program. The ADRAS and ADASA will meet with the student and graduate mentor annually to review progress in the two degree programs. A summary of this review will be provided to the student, major professor, graduate department and to the VMSP Steering Committee.
Contacts and Information
Information about the VMSP can be obtained from:
Associate Dean for Research and Advanced Studies
College of Veterinary Medicine
2001 South Lincoln Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-4291
Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs
College of Veterinary Medicine
2001 South Lincoln Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-1192
Questions about graduate programs should be directed to the graduate individual departments of interest. Graduate departments that have never had a VMSP student should contact the Associate Dean for Research and Advanced Studies at the College of Veterinary Medicine for further information and answers to any questions.