VMS Graduate Program

The Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery offers graduate training leading to the master of science degree through the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Emphasis Area in the Biomedical Sciences Degree Program. The Department’s graduate faculty comprises more than 30 members with dynamic and diverse research programs. Research areas include comparative orthopaedics and oncology, food animal, equine, and small animal medicine and surgery, physiology, pharmacology, cell and molecular biology, imaging, neurology, nuclear medicine, ophthalmology, and tissue engineering, among others. Department research projects are supported by federal grants, state funds, foundation awards and grants, corporate grants and contracts, and intramural funds.

Admission Requirements

Requirements for admission to the graduate degree program of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery are as follows:

  • Identification of a faculty advisor within the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
  • Completion of a Bachelor’s or Professional degree (or equivalent degree as approved by the VMS Graduate Committee)
  • Acceptance by the MU Graduate Studies http://gradstudies.missouri.edu/
  • Identification of funding for the period of study and research
  • Enrollment in the MU System
  • When appropriate, a score of 220 or greater on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) exam
  • All non-native English speaking applicants must submit either a TOEFL with a minimum total score of 550 on a paper-based test (PBT) or 80 (out of 120) on an internet-based test (IBT), or, an IELTS (academic version) with a minimum total score of 6.5 prior to admission. In addition, it is expected that applicants will achieve subsection minimums of no less than 17 on IBT, 52 on PBT or 6.0 on IELTS (subsections: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing). Please note that Institutional TOEFL (TOEFL ITP) results from schools or institutions other than the University of Missouri are not acceptable. Other English competency test accepted are Pearson Test of English (PTE) minimum score of 59 or Cambridge C1 Advanced Examination (C1 Advanced) minimum score of 180.

The VMS Graduate Committee reserves the right to waive any of these requirements on an individual basis.

Once enrolled, the graduate student, together with the student’s major advisor, is responsible for seeing to the student’s successful completion of the degree program.  This includes the formation of an appropriate individual graduate committee as well as an outlined course of study sufficient to meet the requirements for granting of a degree.  Additionally, it is the responsibility of the student to see that necessary forms are completed in a timely manner, and that appropriate signatures are obtained and requirements are fulfilled.

Of Note

The vast majority of the graduate students in the emphasis area of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery hold a DVM or equivalent degree. They are typically concurrently completing clinical residency programs in the Veterinary Health Center. Most are chosen for the clinical residency program first and only then apply to the graduate degree program. Many of the residency programs choose applicants through the “matching” program administered through the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians (http://www.virmp.org/virmp/). Prospective graduate students who are not simultaneously participating in a residency program must identify a willing graduate mentor first prior to application for our graduate program.

1. Meet with your faculty advisor to discuss initial course work, complete initial paperwork, determine a program of study, a thesis committee, and initial research plan outline.

2. Register for classes- New students should receive a packet with information and pin number to register by phone; however, students applying for graduate status on short notice usually have to pick up the information at the MU Graduate Studies.

Permission numbers are usually required for graduate classes and may be obtained in the respective department offering the course. Information on dates and deadlines can be found through the Registrar’s office (click here for the Registrar’s office).

3. One of the benefits for Resident Veterinarians with clinical duties in the Veterinary Health Centerl is an Educational Assistance allowance which provides a 75% discount on 1-6 credits per semester. Summer session is an exception in that only 3 credits may qualify for the 75% discount. The student pays for the remaining 25% and any activity fees.

NOTE: All interns and residents receive full benefits, including the option of health coverage. You will want to be certain you do not pay for an additional health benefit supplied by the MU Graduate Studies as part of your activity fees. As a Resident Veterinarian, you will be paying in-state tuition fees for graduate coursework.

The Educational Assistance and Tuition Reduction on-line form may be found at the bottom of the HR webpage: https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/rules/hrm/hr300/hr303.

4. Complete forms M-1 (Program of Study), and M-2 (Thesis Committee). They will require the signature of the director of VMS Graduate Studies, Dr. Bryan. All MS (M forms) and PhD (D forms) can be found at Grad Studies Forms

5. Schedule a meeting of your thesis committee within the first two months you are here.