Education Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG)
LSU 1 Semester Clinical Training Program for ECFVG Candidates
Program Description
The LSU Vet Med Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, offers a two semester clinical training program for ECFVG candidates designed to meet the needs of graduates of non-AVMA accredited veterinary schools who wish to:
- Prepare for the ECFVG Clinical Proficiency Examination
- Increase veterinary knowledge and skills applicable to North America
- Become familiar with the culture of practice in North America
- Improve communication in veterinary professional terminology
- Develop skills in client communication in the U.S.
Required Coursework
The one-semester (approximately 24 weeks) LSU Clinical Training Program consists of 6 blocks (a block rotation is typically 4 weeks and a half-block is typically 2 weeks). Required coursework must be taken as listed below. Electives allow participants to have a focus area.
| Coursework | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Special Topics | ~ 4 week (2 half-blocks) |
| Small Animal Surgery - Soft Tissue | ~ 2 weeks (1 half-block) |
| Small Animal Medicine | ~ 2 weeks (1 half-block) |
| Equine Medicine and Surgery | ~ 2 weeks (1 half-block) |
| Food Animal Medicine and Surgery | ~ 2 weeks (1 half-block) |
| Anesthesiology | ~ 2 weeks (1 half-block) |
| Radiology | ~ 2 weeks (1 half-block) |
| Diagnostic Pathology/Anatomic Pathology/Microbiology/Parasitology | ~ 4 weeks (2 half-blocks) |
| Electives | ~ 4 weeks (2 half-blocks) |
Instruction in additional disciplines such as Oncology, Cardiology, Dermatology, Theriogenology, Exotics, Emergency Medicine, Ophthalmology, Ambulatory Practice, Laboratory Animal Medicine, Fish Medicine, Externships and others may be covered during the Elective rotations. A full listing of elective offerings may be obtained from the LSU Vet Med Office of Admissions and Student Success.
Up to 2 half-blocks (approximately 4 weeks) may be taken as externships. During the externship phase, enrolled trainees may gain further professional experience in veterinary practices and establishments. Externship locations must be preapproved and they must be in the U.S.
Trainees will be enrolled as full-time students at LSU. If the participant is in the U.S. on a visa, externships must follow immediately after the completion of Part 1 in order to maintain visa status. The program will be offered each year on a competitive basis.
Acceptance Criteria
Candidates must be fluent in both written and spoken English, have graduated from an AVMA recognized school of veterinary medicine within the last 10 years and have received a passing score on the PAVE Qualifying Exam or completed Step 3 of the ECFVG program. Applicants will be accepted based on merit.
| Start Date | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| mid-January (Block 9) | September 1 |
| mid-May (Block 1) | January 2 |
| early September (Block 5) | April 1 |
Materials to Submit Prior to Application Deadline
All materials should be mailed to the LSU Vet Med Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (see "Mailing Address").
Please do not staple your documents.
Required Materials:
- A non-refundable application fee of $50* is required in the form of bank check or money order made payable to “Veterinary Clinical Sciences" or paid with a credit card. There is a 2.75% processing fee for credit card payments.
PAY APPLICATION FEE VIA CREDIT CARD using https://commerce.cashnet.com/LSUVETMED
- Completed application form
- Letter of intent
- Curriculum vitae
- Copy of passport
- Photocopy of DVM (or equivalent) degree
- Transcript of grades from veterinary school (translated)
- Copy of BCSE or NAVLE test score results
- Photocopy of TOEFL test results (or equivalent) or proof of high school education in English
- Three letters of recommendation from instructors at your veterinary school or veterinary professionals you have worked with since graduation**
*If an applicant is not accepted for the initial term, the $50 application fee will be rolled over for 2 more terms. After this time, an applicant must resubmit their application packet and a new $50 application fee.
**Letters of reference should accompany the application materials.
Mailing Address
ECFVG-PAVE Program
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine
1909 Skip Bertman Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70803-8410
USA
Acceptance/Selection
Application materials received before the deadline will be considered by a selection committee. During consideration of the package, individuals who provide references may be contacted to obtain information about the candidate and the candidate may be called for a telephone interview.
Enrollment, Visa, and Work Permits
Participants will be enrolled in LSU as full-time students. Assistance in acquisition of a Form I-20 through the LSU International Services Office will be available for participants eligible for an F-1 student visa. All visa expenses are the responsibility of the candidate. In order to apply for an OPT visa you must be enrolled in two consecutive, full time semesters (2 semester ECFVG Program available, see PAVE page).
Fees
Participants will pay the LSU non-resident Veterinary Medicine tuition fee for two semesters. The current best-estimate of fees can be viewed at the LSU Tuition & Fees webpage (or search LSU webpage for "Tuition & Fees"). This rate does not include additional student fees and it is subject to change. Fees must be paid in full at the beginning of each semester in the program. The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine does not handle loan applications. Dismissal from the program will not qualify participants for a refund of fees.
After students have been officially accepted into the PAVE or ECFVG program, a non-refundable down payment of $500 must be sent to the LSU SVM Office of Admissions and Student Success with the Admissions Form made payable to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine (money order or cashier's check) or click here to pay with a credit card. Payment must be received within five days of being accepted into the program. The $500 fee will be applied to the program tuition. Should there be a postponement of the program the $500 deposit will be lost, however the application packet and application fee will be carried over to the following program start date, however another $500 tuition deposit will be required.
Scheduling
During the training period at LSU, trainees will rotate through various clinical disciplines on a regular basis. The sequence of rotation through the various clinical disciplines is dependent on scheduling limitations. For the Externship phase of the program, students must present the name, address, letter of offer, and job description of potential employers to LSU for prior approval. An externship will not be allowed unless the candidate has shown satisfactory clinical proficiency and professionalism.
Responsibilities
During the time at LSU, trainees will accept the same duties as those required of LSU students in the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. During the externship phase of the program, trainees are expected to follow the standards of behavior and performance as set by the individual practices/facilities they are assigned to.
Attendance/Leave
During the Clinical Training Program, trainees must fulfill the requirements of each block rotation including the requirement for perfect attendance. Participants must recognize that they will be enrolled in courses as a full-time student. Failure to comply with attendance regulations could result in dismissal from the program with loss of visa status and no recourse for reimbursement of fees. For foreign nationals, unauthorized absences longer than 3 days must be reported to the LSU International Services Office and the Department of Homeland Security.
Orientation and Probationary Period
LSU recognizes that it takes time to organize personal matters such as accommodation, transportation, etc. when first arriving in Baton Rouge. For this reason, participants are expected to arrive and be present for orientation 1 week prior to the start date of their training program. Following the start of the program, participants will be observed for a 4 week probationary period. Satisfactory performance during this period will result in final acceptance into the program.
Performance Evaluation
As enrolled full-time students, participants will be evaluated at the end of each clinical rotation and externship phase. No diploma or certification from LSU will be issued at the end of the Clinical Training Program.
International Hospitality Foundation
The International Hospitality Foundation (IHF) links the Baton Rouge community and LSU's international students in friendship and intercultural exchange. Founded in 1960 as a non-profit organization, IHF has fostered global understanding for more than 50 years through its programs:
- Matches Friendship Families with students in non-residential program (hosts invite students for a meal, include them in activities approximately monthly, as time permits for student and host),
- Organizes party to welcome new students in the fall and spring semesters,
- Arranges for students to address local clubs, schools, and churches about their home culture,
- Coordinates community orientation/shopping tours each semester and
- Sponsors a Loan Closet for students to borrow or purchase at minimal cost household items during their stay here. Donations of good serviceable items from the community are needed.
Disclaimer
The Clinical Training Program is designed to assist participants in their preparation for the ECFVG Clinical Proficiency Examination. However, Louisiana State University, the School of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences do not guarantee that participants will pass the CPE and accept no responsibility for participants who fail the CPE. Program requirements may change with annual review.