MS & PhD Degree Programs

Our Graduate Program

The School of Veterinary Medicine offers advanced studies in Biomedical and Veterinary Medical Sciences leading to an MS or PhD degree (Graduate Academic Programs) and specialized advanced professional training in one or more clinical specialties of veterinary medicine (Graduate Professional Programs). Specific research training opportunities vary in each of the three departments and are summarized below by department. All aspects of the Graduate Academic Program are in compliance with current regulations and requirements of the LSU Graduate School. The school’s three departments have some additional distinct requirements. Graduate Professional Programs in some clinical sciences, pathology, and laboratory animal medicine may also require completion of a graduate degree.

We offer MS and PhD degrees in biological and veterinary medical sciences. Please note that MS and PhD candidates do not need to have a research interest in veterinary medicine and research does not need to benefit animals. LSU Vet Med is a biomedical research institution as well as a veterinary school. Our researchers' investigations cover a wide range of disciplines, including cancer biology, disease processes, cardiovascular disease, infectious and parasitic diseases, neurosciences, toxicology, bacteriology, and more. We also offer a dual track DVM/PhD program and a combined DVM/MPH program.

Areas of Specialization

Graduate degrees are offered by LSU Vet Med in its three departments. These include: the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences (MS, PhD), the Department of Pathobiological Sciences (MS, PhD), and the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (MS, PhD). 

Admissions

If you wish to apply for admission to the graduate program, you should apply online to the Graduate School (Louisiana State University Graduate School, 114 David Boyd Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803). Do not send applications to the department to which admission is sought; individual SVM departments do not have application materials.

Graduate Student Responsibilities

Interns and Residents

The Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences provides graduate professional training to interns and residents through the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Interns and residents are recruited and selected through the Veterinary Intern and Resident Matching Program (VIRMP). One-year rotating internships are available in companion animal medicine and surgery and large animal medicine and surgery (equine emphasis). Two- or three-year residency programs are available in companion animal medicine, companion animal surgery, dermatology, equine medicine, equine surgery, theriogenology, and zoological medicine. Concurrent graduate academic studies leading to the MS degree may be arranged in a variety of concentrations.

The Department of Pathobiological Sciences provides residency training in morphological and clinical pathology and also laboratory animal medicine through the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine. Residency training programs are designed to prepare you to meet the requirements for certification in the corresponding veterinary specialty. Residents in this program generally complete an MS or PhD degree in veterinary medical sciences.