Dual DVM/PhD Degree

The Comparative and Molecular Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine programs offer a dual degree program, the D.V.M./Ph.D. Extensive information about the D.V.M./Ph.D. program is found below. 

D.V.M./Ph.D.  Program
The most significant discoveries in medicine result from collaboration between the basic sciences and clinical medicine. Clinician scientists play a unique role in this process. As biotechnology and basic science research are increasingly applied to animal health systems, industry and training institutions require individuals skilled in both hypothesis-based research and clinical practice to address basic health issues in veterinary medicine and food safety. We seek students who are intelligent, enthusiastic, and have a passion for science. Our graduates will become the leaders in veterinary health and animal agricultural sciences.

The combined degree program at the College of Veterinary Medicine is the only formal D.V.M./Ph.D. training program that offers rigorous training for careers at the interface between basic science and veterinary medicine. The challenging curriculum requires completion of all professional degree requirements as well as further graduate study and bench research leading to completion of a Ph.D. thesis. The College is part of the Academic Health Center of the University of Minnesota and is located in a major metropolitan area. This alignment with medical sciences provides for broad training in mechanisms of health and disease and facilitates interdisciplinary interactions. Moreover, the Veterinary Medical Center is one of the nation's largest and most modern veterinary health facilities. Thus, our students are uniquely prepared for academic or industrial careers in veterinary medical sciences.

Admission
Begun in 1996, this program offers several options for completing the requirements for both degrees. All students must first be accepted into the professional or residency program prior to consideration for the Ph.D. training program. Only students with outstanding grades and prior research experience are accepted.

There are two options for meeting the dual degree requirements:

Concurrent dual degree option: Students who select this option will complete their first two years of the D.V.M. curriculum prior to entry into the graduate program. Following completion of the Ph.D. thesis requirements, students return to the professional curriculum. Students are selected based on GPA and participation in summer research within the College of Veterinary Medicine following their first and second year of professional degree studies.
Sequential dual degree option: Students currently within the professional program are selected based on GPA and participation in summer research within the College of Veterinary Medicine following their first and second year of professional degree studies. However, students who select this option will first complete the requirements for the D.V.M. degree prior to beginning their graduate studies.

Financial Aid
No support is provided to combined degree students during their first two years in the professional curriculum or during intervening summers.  Support during the graduate training portion of the combined degree program is the responsibility of the advisor.  Financial reward for successful D.V.M./Ph.D. students is provided for the third and fourth years of the professional curriculum based on completion of the research requirements for the Ph.D. thesis.  No tuition remission is provided to students who have not defended their Ph.D. thesis prior to the start of their senior year in the professional curriculum.  Upon defense, the CVM contribution will be applied toward tuition and fees on a semester basis.

Research Opportunities
Our program brings together both basic and clinical scientists to: a) provide students with cutting edge biomedical research training and, b) to help students apply new knowledge to the understanding of animal disease, animal populations, comparative aspects of biology and pathology across species, and animal models of human disease. Participating faculty are internationally recognized for their contributions to basic and applied aspects of animal health and disease, and their research activities are well supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the United States Department of Agriculture, as well as from animal producer groups and private industry.

Current and Recent Combined Degree Students
The dual degree option accepts only the most capable of students. Scientific training will lead to a career as an independent investigator in industry, clinician scientist, or academic veterinarian. The following is a list of our current students and alumni:

Meggan Bandrick- current VMED Ph.D. student
Laurie Brewer—D.V.M. awarded Spring 2006; Ph.D. in CMB awarded Summer 2004.
Laura Eckmeier —D.V.M. awarded Spring 2006; Ph.D. in CMB awarded Fall 2004.
Kari Ekenstedt—D.V.M. awarded Spring 2005; Ph.D. anticipated Summer 2009.
Aric Frantz - current CMB Ph.D. student
Kimberly Ham—D.V.M. awarded Spring 2005; Ph.D. in CMB awarded Summer 2003.
Sara Shepard - current CMB Ph.D. student
Dewayne Townsend — D.V.M.-Ph.D. in CMB awarded Spring 2003. Currently a faculty member, Integrative Biology/Physiology, U of MN.
Tara Ward — D.V.M. awarded Spring 2005; Ph.D. in CMB awarded Fall 2003. Currently employed by Medtronic.

Program Guidelines

Contact
For information concerning the Dual Degree Program, contact:
Dr. Mark Rutherford
Associate Dean for Graduate Programs
1988 Fitch Ave., 295 AS/VM
St. Paul, MN 55108
ruthe003@umn.edu

For information concerning the D.V.M. professional program, contact:
Academic and Student Affairs
1964 Fitch Avenue, 108 Pomeroy Center
St. Paul, MN 55108
612-624-4747
dvminfo@umn.edu