Certificate Program Graduate Certificate in Essentials in Veterinary Medicine
Establish a foundation in animal behavior, ethics, law and welfare, clinical anatomy of domestic animals, imaging diagnostics, toxicology, and clinical pharmacology as they apply to common disorders of domestic animals in veterinary medicine. You will have the opportunity to complete the Fear Free Veterinary Professional Certification – Canine & Feline.
Following completion of the essentials in veterinary medicine graduate certificate, you will be able to:
- Evaluate animal behavior and Fear Free techniques in a clinical setting.
- Assess animal welfare and ethical situations as they relate to veterinary medicine.
- Evaluate canine and feline animal anatomy and differentiate situations that require clinical intervention.
- Apply animal anatomy to normal diagnostic imaging of dogs and cats.
- Differentiate toxins that affect small animal veterinary patients and provide differential diagnoses for clinical scenarios.
- Formulate pharmacological solution to various differential diagnoses in small animal medicine.
Required coursework (completed in two semesters, 10 total credits):
- VS 501 Animal Behavior and Welfare (2 credits) – first semester
- VS 502 Clinical Anatomy (2 credits) – first semester
- VS 503 Principles of Radiology and Ultrasound (2 credits) – first semester
- VS 522 Toxicology (1 credit) – second semester
- VS 523 Clinical Pharmacology (3 credits) – second semester
Clinical Sciences
The Department of Clinical Sciences offers high-quality education programs for professional veterinary medical students, graduate veterinarians, and the public through the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, a faculty and veterinary medical center of excellence. Faculty and staff are dedicated to advanced medicine, excellent teaching, compassionate care, and discoveries benefiting the health of pets and people.
Application Information and Deadlines
Admission requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree completed at an institution accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation; a bachelor’s degree in science is not necessary if the prerequisite courses are fulfilled
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; exceptions may be made for applicants in the 2.5-2.99 range (there are a few strategies to bolster an application when the undergraduate GPA is between 2.5-2.99; contact the student success coordinator for details)
- Official transcripts
- Prerequisite courses
- Summary of experience (detailed resume-style document)
- Two essays, maximum of 3,000 characters each; one personal experience essay, and one online learning experience essay
- $60 application fee (the application fee covers processing for all applications regardless of admissions outcome; the fee cannot be waived and is non-refundable)
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| April 1 | Application deadline (for Fall 2026 start date) |
Tuition and Financial Aid
Visit the Office of Financial Aid to apply for financial aid opportunities like scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment, understand tuition, fees, and the billing process, establish residency, and find other financial aid resources.
Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins blends education and industry, hard work and outdoor recreation, tradition and progress. If you’re looking for a college experience with the perfect fusion of culture, opportunity and adventure, Fort Collins is where you’ll find it.
Located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Fort Collins provides extensive access to hundreds of miles of trails for biking and hiking, world-class fishing and rock climbing, and camping, all in an area with over 300 days of sun per year.