Graduate Education (MS & PhD)
Mission StatementThe Veterinary Medical Sciences and Environmental Toxicology Graduate Programs of the College will provide advanced educational opportunities for students in a broad range of biomedical and veterinary sciences. These opportunities provide training for the next generation of scientists and educators who will be leaders in biomedical and veterinary research and education. Our faculty model for our students a passion for learning, collaboration, compassion for animals, sound ethical principles, and critical thinking skills.
General Information
Programs of Study
Graduate Student Handbook (PDF)
Financial Aid
How to Apply
Application Deadlines
Contacts
The College of Veterinary Medicine, MSU, graduated its first class of veterinarians in 1981. Shortly thereafter the college initiated its graduate program in Veterinary Medical Sciences (VMS). The program provides advanced, specialized training in the broad areas of fish and poultry health, infectious diseases, food safety, environmental health sciences, and biomedical research, especially focused on animal models. In 1995 the college was approved to offer graduate training leading to a Ph.D. in environmental toxicology (ENVT). The graduate programs of the college have grown to more than 60 students pursuing a M.S. or Ph.D. degree. We are committed to increasing our graduate student enrollment to meet the human resource demands of veterinary and biomedical research required to advance science and reduce or eliminate suffering due to disease and illness. The Center for Environmental Health Sciences (CEHS, a college center) initiated by Dr. Jan Chambers and the Institute for Digital Biology (IDB, a university institute) co-initiated by Dr. Shane Burgess are performing cutting edge research and training future scientists in these areas. The cross-cutting nature of these center/institute efforts provides graduate students with opportunities to investigate questions in our broader scientific focus areas while applying the tools and methodologies available through the CEHS and IDB. Our graduate program provides training in basic and applied veterinary medical and environmental toxicology research.
Programs of StudyThe college has two graduate programs, i.e., Veterinary Medical Sciences (VMS) and Environmental Toxicology (ENVT). The Master of Science (thesis and non-thesis) and Doctor of Philosophy are awarded through the VMS program and the Ph.D. through the ENVT program. Admission to either program requires a B.S., M.S. or D.V.M. or equivalent degrees. Because our programs are college oriented (rather than departmental), faculty in the three departments of the college, Basic Sciences, Clinical Sciences, and Pathobiology and Population Medicine, can participate in either program. A minimum of thirty hours of graduate work beyond the B.S. or D.V.M degree are required for the M.S. and 90 hours beyond the B.S. or D.V.M. usually requiring two years or 60 hours beyond the M.S. are required for the Ph.D. degree, which typically takes four years to complete. Students with appropriate academic records can bypass the M.S. degree and pursue the Ph.D. directly. A specific program of study (courses required for completion of the degree) is determined in a mutual fashion by the student in consultation with his/her major professor (advisor) and the student’s graduate committee. Students in our VMS program specialize in disciplines such as bacteriology, virology, parasitology, immunology, epidemiology, and toxicology to name a few.
A student in our DVM professional curriculum can simultaneously pursue the M.S. or Ph.D. degree while working toward completion of the D.V.M. degree (combined programs). Students wishing to pursue the D.V.M. and a graduate degree simultaneously are carefully screened for admission because of the rigorous requirements and time commitments necessary to work on two degrees simultaneously. Students working on a D.V.M./M.S. complete the D.V.M. degree in four years and routinely require one additional year beyond the D.V.M. degree to complete the M.S. Completion of the Ph.D. usually requires 2 – 3 years after completion of the D.V.M.
Financial AidStudents are encouraged to seek external sources of financial aid. A limited number of graduate research assistantships (GRA) are supported by the college. College supported GRAs are awarded to graduate faculty who then recruit graduate students. College-funded GRA are reserved currently for students pursuing a Ph.D. degree. Faculty of the college also provide GRAs to students through externally funded grants and contracts. A completed application for admissions is required to be considered for a college or faculty supported GRA.
How to ApplyAdmissions to the graduate programs of the College of Veterinary Medicine require completion and submission of an application to the Graduate School of MSU. Application materials can be obtained from the MSU Graduate School webpage and may be submitted electronically.
To gain acceptance into a graduate program leading to a M.S. or a Ph.D. degree, a student must have the following qualifications: 1) a bachelor's degree from a fully recognized 4-year institution of higher learning that is unconditionally accredited by appropriate regional accrediting agencies and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00/4.00; or 2) a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent from a recognized college of veterinary medicine and a cumulative GPA of 2.75/4.00 in the last 2 years of her/his professional degree program.
Application Deadlines (Preferred)| For U.S. citizens | For Int'l students |
| Fall Term - March | Fall Term - January |
| Spring Term - August | Spring Term - July |
| Summer term - January | Summer term - November |
Correspondence and Information
Office for Research and Graduate Studies
P.O. Box 6100
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Campus address: R2000 Wise Center
Phone: 662/325-1417
Fax: 662/325-1193
** Do not send inquires for information about becoming a veterinarian to the Office for Research and Graduate Studies. For information about becoming a veterinarian go to the Student Admissions webpage,
Tia Peay, Administrative Assistant
Office for Research and Graduate Studies
R2002 Wise Center
Phone: 662/325-1417
Fax: 662/325-1193
e-mail: peay@cvm.msstate.edu
Veterinary Medical Sciences Graduate Program
Department of Basic SciencesDr. Larry Hanson, Graduate Coordinator
R1011b Wise Center
Phone: 662/325-1202; Fax: 662/325-1031
e-mail: hanson@cvm.msstate.edu
Department of Clinical Sciences
Dr. Andrew Mackin, Graduate Coordinator
R2012d Wise Center
Phone: 662/325-6631; Fax: 662/325-4011
e-mail: mackin@cvm.msstate.edu
Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine
Dr. Hart Bailey, Graduate Coordinator
R1007b Wise Center
Phone: 662/325-7726; Fax: 662/325-1031
e-mail: rhbailey@cvm.msstate.edu
Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program
Dr. Janice Chambers
R1102a Wise Center
Phone: 662/325-1255; Fax: 662/325-1031
e-mail:chambers@cvm.msstate.edu
