The Department of Clinical Studies offers graduate programs leading to MSc and DVSc degrees.

The Department of Clinical Studies also participates in the course-based Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) program.

Administrative Staff

Chair
Christopher Riley (2141 CS, Ext. 54051)
criley03@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Adronie Verbrugghe (2148 OVC Bldg. 49, Ext. 54034)
averbrug@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Fiona James (2156 Clinical Studies)
jamesf@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Naya Shah (2509 Stewart Building, Ext. 54406)
csgrad@uoguelph.ca

Graduate Faculty

This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.

MSc Program

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have either an honours baccalaureate degree in a relevant field with at least a B- (70% Ontario equivalent) over the last 2 years of full-time study, or a DVM (or equivalent) degree with at least an overall B- (70% Ontario equivalent) in the DVM program; licensure to practice veterinary medicine in Ontario is not required. 

Candidates are accepted based on adequate background preparation and availability of an advisor in the area of interest. Applicants should contact potential faculty advisors with established research programs listed in the department website. 

Acceptance into the MSc by thesis program will be dependent on stipend funding opportunities that may be available through faculty advisors, scholarships or sponsorship. There is usually no stipend support for MSc course work students.

Program Requirements

Students enrol in one of two study options:

1. thesis, or
2. course work and major research paper.

Thesis

The thesis option requires a minimum of 6 semesters (2 years) of full time study. The program provides focused research training in areas related to veterinary medicine. Research projects may examine aspects of clinical practice or concepts but are not considered discipline or specialty training. 

The program involves a minimum of three 0.50 credit graduate level courses, totaling a minimum of 1.50 credits overall. Candidates are required to carry out an independent research study and produce a thesis.  The course selection will be made by the student in consultation with the advisory committee and tailored to the student’s particular research interest, and will be approved by the Graduate Program Coordinator, on behalf of the Departmental Graduate Studies and Research Committee.

Course Work and Major Research Project (MRP)

The course work option requires a minimum of 3 semesters (1 year) of full-time study. The program provides course work and focused research training in areas related to veterinary medicine. Research projects may examine aspects of clinical practice or concepts but are not considered discipline or specialty training.

The course work plus major project option will comprise a minimum of 4.0 credits, including six 0.5-credit graduate courses and a mandatory 1.0 credit, multi-semester major project course. The major project course will be supervised by the student’s advisory committee, and will consist of a literature review, participation in a research project related to veterinary medicine, preparation of a manuscript suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, and presentation in a Departmental seminar. A mark will be assigned by the advisory committee, based on the manuscript and oral presentation.

There are no required courses beyond the 1.0 credit project course. The remaining courses will be chosen from courses within the Department of Clinical Studies and other courses provided across the University. The course selection will be made by the student in consultation with the advisory committee and tailored to the student’s particular research interest, and will be approved by the Graduate Program Coordinator, on behalf of the Departmental Graduate Studies and Research Committee.

DVSc Program

The Doctor of Veterinary Science (DVSc) degree is offered in large animal surgery, small animal surgery, large animal medicine, small animal medicine, anesthesiology, cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, radiology, emergency and critical care, companion animal nutrition, and oncology, depending upon availability. The program provides advanced academic preparation in both clinical training and research and is a unique post-professional doctoral-level degree. The DVSc differs from PhD training by emphasizing the development of both clinical research and applied skills in the various areas of clinical specialization appropriate for preparation for Specialty Board Certification.

DVSc positions are usually funded positions, and are typically advertised and selected through the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians' website at https://www.virmp.org/ which can be accessed in early October. The start date of DVSc positions is typically early August. Occasionally specialty training positions become available outside this timeline and are advertised on our website and through appropriate veterinary channels.

The DVSc is currently an interdepartmental program and receives input from all academic departments in the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC):

• Biomedical Sciences,
• Clinical Studies,
• Pathobiology and
• Population Medicine.

Admission Requirements

Minimum of Ontario Equivalent average of 'B' (73% minimum) or GPA 3.0/4.0 in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program or equivalent. Applicants must be eligible for licensure by College of Veterinarians of Ontario. In addition, a completed internship or equivalent is usually required.

Program Requirements

This program involves two-thirds of the time in applied clinical practice. and one-third of the time taking a minimum of five 0.5-credit graduate courses, conducting a research project related to the veterinary specialty, a written and oral qualifying exam to be taken before the end of the 6^th semester, writing a thesis in a publication ready format, and a thesis defense in front of an examination committee. Candidates are required to develop investigative skills in their chosen area of specialization by carrying out an original study, generally related to animal health. The results of the research must make a significant contribution to the candidate's area of specialization and be written up as a thesis. 

Collaborative Specializations

Neuroscience

The Department of Clinical Studies participates in the Master’s and Doctoral collaborative specialization in neuroscience. Please consult the Neuroscience listing for a detailed description of the Master’s and Doctoral collaborative specialization.

One Health

The Department of Clinical Studies participates in the collaborative specialization in One Health. Master’s and Doctoral students wishing to undertake thesis research or their major research paper/project with an emphasis on one health are eligible to apply to register concurrently in Clinical Studies and the collaborative specialization. Students should consult the One Health listing for more information.

Regenerative Medicine

The DVSc program participates in the collaborative specialization in Regenerative Medicine. DVSc students wishing to undertake thesis research with an emphasis on regenerative medicine are eligible to apply to register concurrently in the DVSc program and the collaborative specialization. Students should consult the Regenerative Medicine listing for more information.

Courses