Curriculum

Our curriculum is grounded in the academic rigor of CSU’s top-ranked D.V.M. Program, with course content informed by the same high standards for instruction and assessment. Course objectives have been refined to reflect VPA competencies, and the program’s online content was intentionally designed for distance learning. The curriculum also draws on best practices from other healthcare professions, particularly the physician assistant model in human medicine.

Learn from world-class faculty in CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences’ Department of Clinical Sciences. Practice technical skills in facilities that are setting new standards for veterinary education and clinical care – like the Veterinary Health and Education Complex. Students in the M.S. in veterinary clinical care program complete the same veterinary communications training as CSU D.V.M. students, ensuring a shared foundation in client communication, professionalism, and team-based care.

The master’s degree in veterinary clinical care is a hybrid program, combining online and hands-on instruction:

• Semesters one through three include online synchronous courses (Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8 a.m.-noon MT)
• Semester four includes 416 hours of in-person training at CSU’s state-of-the-art Veterinary Health and Education Complex in Fort Collins, CO
• Semester five includes a 540-hour clinical internship at an approved community partner (shelter or practice)

Learn about the technical requirements for the online portion of this program.

You’ll also earn the following professional certifications:

• Fear Free Veterinary Professional Certification – Canine & Feline
• Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy Peaceful Euthanasia Certification

Courses

View detailed program overview and course requirements in the CSU General Catalog.

For the first three semesters of the program, students must be available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 8 a.m.-12 p.m. MT to participate in mandatory synchronous sessions. An attendance policy will be enforced for these sessions.