Program Overview

Master of Science in Veterinary Clinical Care, Plan B

The Master of Science in Veterinary Clinical Care, Plan B, is a graduate program designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and technical skills in the administration of routine veterinary care to small companion animals, specifically dogs and cats. The program builds upon a student's undergraduate training in the life sciences, utilizing the facilities and expertise in CSU's Department of Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, CSU SPUR campus, and other qualified facilities.

Program Description

The curriculum includes instruction in infectious, metabolic, neoplastic, and degenerative diseases, as well as the development of expertise in technical, communication, and leadership skills. The program aims to equip students with the necessary skills to provide competent care to small companion animals.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Apply expert knowledge in technical and medical communication by exhibiting successful veterinary medical case management with clients and colleagues.
2. Demonstrate leadership skills through successful completion of individual and group work and cooperative case management.
3. Utilize critical thinking, analytical skills, and clinical reasoning to address patient and client needs as an individual and as a member of a team.
4. Apply knowledge of the spectrum of health and disease to develop, implement, document, and monitor effectiveness of patient management plans.
5. Interpret data based on patient information, current scientific evidence, and clinical judgment to make informed decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
6. Prioritize proficiency to perform all medical, diagnostic, and surgical procedures considered essential to the role of the veterinary professional associate (VPA).
7. Work effectively with DVMs and other veterinary health professionals to provide collaborative, patient-centered care to increase efficiency in the delivery of veterinary services.
8. Generate a climate of mutual respect, dignity, diversity, ethical integrity, and trust in the delivery of veterinary services.

Plan B Requirements

The Plan B degree does not require a thesis; instead, either a scholarly paper, exam, portfolio, or similar project is required. In semester 4, students are required to complete a case study project and common exam. The common exam will be rigorous and cumulative for the entire program, representing subjects and clinical situations that incorporate knowledge accumulated throughout the program that demonstrates clinical competency.

Case Study Project

The case study project will be a detailed case study on a patient, including an accumulation of skills that demonstrates:

• History taking
• Medical records
• Clinical reasoning
• Client communication
• Surgical plan
• Anesthetic plan
• Drug calculations
• Follow-up care
• Written and verbal communication
• Organizational skills
• Conflict resolution
• Case management improvements

Common Exam

The common exam will assess mastery of program learning objectives. Students must receive a 70% or above grade on the exam to pass the course and graduate. A failing grade on the exam can be replaced by a makeup exam grade, with only one makeup exam allowed per student. If a student fails the exam twice, they must retake the exam after 2 months.

Program Structure

The program consists of 65 credits, spread over three years. The course structure is as follows:

• First Year:
  • Fall: 14 credits
    • VS 501: Animal Behavior and Welfare (2 credits)
    • VS 502: Clinical Anatomy (2 credits)
    • VS 503: Principles of Radiology and Ultrasound (2 credits)
    • VS 504: Infectious Pathogens and Parasites (3 credits)
    • VS 506: Pathologic Basis of Disease (3 credits)
    • VS 526: Foundations I (2 credits)
  • Spring: 13 credits
    • VS 521: Nutrition and Metabolism (2 credits)
    • VS 522: Toxicology (1 credit)
    • VS 523: Clinical Pharmacology (3 credits)
    • VS 527: Foundations II (2 credits)
    • VS 535: Practice Management and Team Leadership (2 credits)
    • VS 547: Common Diseases of Body Systems I (3 credits)
• Second Year:
  • Fall: 13 credits
    • VS 528: Foundations III (2 credits)
    • VS 541: Fundamentals of Shelter Medicine (1 credit)
    • VS 542: Principles of Anesthesia (2 credits)
    • VS 543: Principles of Surgery (2 credits)
    • VS 544: Preventative Medicine (2 credits)
    • VS 545: Issues in Veterinary Medicine (1 credit)
    • VS 548: Common Diseases of Body Systems II (3 credits)
  • Spring: 13 credits
    • VS 601: Physical Exam and Routine Care Lab (2 credits)
    • VS 603: Anesthesia Lab (2 credits)
    • VS 604: Diagnostics Lab (2 credits)
    • VS 607: Clinical Skills Lab (2 credits)
    • VS 608: Communications Lab (1 credit)
    • VS 609: Surgical Skills Lab (2 credits)
    • VS 610: Dentistry Skills Lab (2 credits)
    • Case Study Project and Common Exam (1 credit)
• Third Year:
  • Fall: 12 credits
    • VS 687: Clinical Internship (12 credits)

Graduation Requirements

A minimum of 65 credits are required to complete the program. Students must also complete a case study project and common exam in semester 4, with a minimum grade of 70% on the common exam to pass the course and graduate.