Degree Program Master of Science in Veterinary Clinical Care
Build on your undergraduate training in life sciences and gain the advanced knowledge and technical skills necessary to be competent in administering routine veterinary care to cats and dogs. Designed to be completed in five semesters, your training covers infectious, metabolic, neoplastic, and degenerative disease and helps you develop expertise in basic medical and surgical skills, as well as communication and leadership skills.
Learn from world-class faculty in the Department of Clinical Sciences and practice technical skills at the Veterinary Health and Education Complex.
The Master of Science in Veterinary Clinical Care equips graduates to pursue licensing as veterinary professional associates (VPA) in the state of Colorado, through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). VPAs are intended to work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, with a focus on front-line assessments including identification of abnormal findings on physical examinations and diagnostic tests.
Learn about the technical requirements for the online portion of this program.
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
We are finalizing our application process now, with a goal to enroll our first cohort in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026. A final determination on that date will be communicated once our application opens this summer.
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
- Minimum of 150 hours of verifiable post-high school veterinary work or volunteer experience at the time of application submission
- Prerequisite courses
- Summary of experience (detailed resume-style document) that describes the types of experiences you have had that relate to your goal of becoming a veterinary professional associate
- Minimum two references; one reference must be from a person who has recently supervised your veterinary experience
- Lived experience statement
- Three essays, maximum of 3,000 characters each; one veterinary experience essay, one personal experience essay, and one online learning experience essay
- Application fee; the Graduate School offers application fee waivers to participants in specific, eligible programs, as well as Free Graduate Application Days throughout the year (the application fee covers processing for all applications regardless of admissions outcome; the fee cannot be waived and is non-refundable)
Applications that are incorrect, incomplete, and/or have items missing at the deadline may not be included for admissions consideration.
International applicants:
Applications from international students are accepted provided they meet all admission requirements plus those regulations established by the university for foreign students. Students must also include proof of financial backing for the duration of the program.
English proficiency requirements:
- TOEFL: Minimum score of 550 (paper test), 213 (computer-based test), or 80 (internet)
- IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| TBD | Application deadline |
| July 15 | Final transcripts due (for provisionally admitted students) |
Contact Us
Have questions about the program, minimum requirements, application process, or tuition and financial aid? Fill out the contact form to get in touch with our program staff.
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.