Biological and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program

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Cornell Combined DVM/PhD Degree Program


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The Components of the Curriculum

Program Overview

Beginning in 2009, students admitted to the DVM/PhD program in the College of Veterinary Medicine will select one of two integrated training programs. The programs, which are designated Track 1 or Track 2 (see description and timeline below), provide different options regarding the sequencing of time devoted to the DVM curriculum (as a veterinary student) and to PhD research and associated coursework (as a graduate student).

Students in Track 1 will enroll initially in the DVM curriculum and will complete at least 1.5 years of courses in that curriculum. Track 1 students are expected to pursue research laboratory rotations during the summer prior to entering the program and during the summer following the first year of the DVM curriculum. After completing three laboratory rotations, students will be able to select a research mentor and laboratory shortly after entering the PhD portion of the program. Once enrolled as a graduate student, the student will take their PhD qualifying exam (A-exam) and complete the PhD degree (B-exam) before returning to the final two years of the DVM curriculum. Track 1 is structured as a 2+3+2 year program, but because a PhD degree is results-based, rather than time-based, the period of time to its completion may vary.

Students in Track 2 will enroll initially in the DVM curriculum and will complete their DVM degree requirements before entering the PhD portion of the program. They are expected to pursue research during the summers prior to their first year in the DVM curriculum and during the following two summers. In addition, they are expected to take graduate courses, as feasible, while they are in the DVM curriculum. The research experiences and completion of graduate courses while a veterinary student are expected to accelerate completion of the PhD degree. Track 2 is structured as a 4+3 year program, but again, because a PhD degree is based on successful research, the period until its completion may vary.

Timelines for Track 1 and Track 2

Schedule

Year-by-Year Academic Schedules
(PDF document)

The foundation of the Combined DVM/PhD Degree Program lies in the strength and scope of the educational opportunities it provides. There are five components of the curriculum:

Funding: DVM/PhD degree students will receive substantial financial incentives to complete both degrees. Stipends will be paid during summer laboratory rotations and throughout the PhD portion of the program. Tuition and fees will be paid during the PhD portion of the program, but the student will be responsible for these costs during the time they are enrolled in the DVM curriculum. The student will receive a college loan to support the DVM tuition and, based on an individual financial aid application, additional funding for living expenses. If the student completes both degree programs, the CVM will forgive the college loan directly associated with the Cornell DVM tuition. Health insurance, through Cornell's SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan), will be provided throughout the seven years of training.