Admission Requirements

With the recommendation of the unit, direct entry Ph.D. admission is available to exceptionally strong students, who show great promise in terms of academic accomplishments and potential for research.

  • A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree
  • A cumulative weighted average of at least 80% (U of S grade system equivalent) in the last two years of undergraduate study (i.e. 60 credit units of course work).
  • Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.

For more information on language proficiency requirements, see the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Academic Policies.

Degree Requirements

Students must maintain continuous registration in 996 course.

  • At least 6 credit units of course work at the graduate level must be successfully completed in the first year of the program.
  • GPS 960.0
  • GPS 961.0, if research involves human subjects
  • GPS 962.0, if research involves animal subjects
  • VSAC 990.0
  • VSAC 996.0
  • a minimum of 12 credit units at the 800-level
  • doctoral candidacy assessment
  • write and successfully defend a dissertation based on original investigation.