Small Animal Surgery Program

The Department of Small Animal Surgery offers a master's degree program. Residents enrolled in the graduate program (MS/PhD) are encouraged to seek guidance from the surgery section's representative to the Graduate Studies Committee by the end of their first quarter at OSU.

Applicant requirements

Enrollment in a graduate program is required; a graduate degree (MS/PhD) may be combined with the funded residency program. Individuals with MS or PhD degrees may not need to enroll in the graduate program.

Appointment

Students are appointed as 'graduate research associate' rather than 'clinical instructor - house staff,' but are still termed "resident" in the department and hospital.

Enrollment in graduate school

• Not encouraged until after the first 12 weeks of service. Foreign students may immediately enroll in graduate school only if required by their visa.
• All matched residents are admitted into the MS graduate program. No entrance requirements or Graduate Residency Committee approval is necessary. Exceptions include: foreign students and individuals that already possess MS or PhD degrees.
• Graduate School Fees:
  Paid by the department for all university-funded residents.
  Non-funded residents must pay the fees themselves.

Advisor & committee

• Academic advisor should be a level II member of the graduate faculty. An academic co-advisor should be assigned if the advisor is not a member of the graduate faculty.
• Where the graduate student/resident project is outside the SAS section, there must be an academic co-advisor within the section.

Area of study

Graduate student/fesident and the academic advisor determine the area of study. The master's degree committee, in cooperation with the advisor and the student, identifies the specific course work and thesis.

Attendance

The graduate student must attend the resident didactic program unless there are scheduled class conflicts that are approved in advance by the surgery section.

Master's thesis

The master's thesis may be used as the basis for the required publication.

Didactic program

Didactic program - see departmental handout entitled, "Course Requirements for Master's Degree in Veterinary Clinical Sciences."

Note: Please see Clinical Sciences graduate program handbook for details of requirements/programs offered.