Program Overview

Master in Medicina Comportamentale degli Animali da Compagna: Diagnosi, Terapia e Riabilitazione

The Master in Medicina Comportamentale degli Animali da Compagna: Diagnosi, Terapia e Riabilitazione is a second-level university master's degree program offered by the Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna. The program is designed to provide advanced training in behavioral medicine for companion animals, with a focus on diagnosis, therapy, and rehabilitation.

Program Details

• Code: 5932
• Academic Year:
• Disciplinary Area: Medical
• Campus: Bologna
• Level: Second
• Director: Pier Attilio Accorsi
• Duration: Part-time, two years
• Teaching Method: Conventional
• Language: Italian
• Cost: €5,200.00
• Payment Terms:
  • First installment: €2,600 (to be paid by December 18, 2025)
  • Second installment: €2,600 (to be paid by March 31, 2026)
• Application Deadline: November 10, 2025 (Expired)
• Enrollment Period: November 28, 2025, to December 18, 2025

Proponent Structure

The program is proposed by the Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie (DIMEVET) of the Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna.

Professional Profile

The program aims to train veterinary medicine experts in behavioral medicine, recognized as a professional figure by the Federazione Nazionale Ordini Veterinari Italiani (FNOVI) since 2011. Graduates will be able to work in teams or as freelancers, playing an essential role in preventing, diagnosing, and treating behavioral disorders in companion animals.

Number of Participants

• Minimum: 18
• Maximum: 40

Credits

• Total Credits: 60

Admission Requirements

• Qualifications: Master's degrees or single-cycle master's degrees in the following disciplinary areas/classes of degrees: LM42 - Medicina Veterinaria
• Foreign Qualifications: Master's degrees obtained abroad in the indicated disciplinary areas, recognized as valid for admission to the Master's program
• Other Requirements: Registration with the Order of Veterinarians
• Additional Requirements: Graduates in Veterinary Medicine who are not yet registered with the Professional Association of Veterinarians may also apply, provided they register within 12 months of graduation

Selection Criteria

• Selection Method: Selection by title
• Minimum Score: 18
• Maximum Score: 30
• Tie-Breaking Criteria: In case of a tie, the candidate with the highest score in the thesis or exams will be preferred. If the tie persists, the younger candidate will be preferred

Selection Date

• Date: November 10, 2025

Lesson Venue

• Location: Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie (DIMEVET) - Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia - Bologna

Didactic Plan

1. Introduction to Behavioral Medicine, Neurophysiological Bases - SSD: VET/01 – CFU: 4 - Teacher: Cristiano Bombardi
2. Breed Characteristics in Dogs - SSD: AGR/19 - CFU: 1 - Teacher: Giovanna Martelli
3. Basic Pedagogy and Communication in Dogs - SSD: VET/02 - CFU: 2 - Teacher: Chiara Mariti
4. Relational Dimension and Educational Bases of Dogs - SSD: VET/08 - CFU: 1 - Teacher: Marzia Possenti
5. Breed Characteristics, Behavioral Development of Cats - SSD: VET/02 - CFU: 2 - Teacher: Ludovica Pierantoni
6. Propaedeutic Bases of Behavioral Medicine - SSD: VET/01 - CFU: 2 - Teacher: Manuel Mengoli
7. Diagnosis and Therapy in Behavioral Pathology 1 - SSD: VET/08 - CFU: 2 - Teacher: Clara Palestrini
8. Diagnosis and Therapy in Behavioral Pathology 2 - SSD: VET/08 - CFU: 2 - Teacher: Raffaella Cocco
9. Behavioral Disorders in Elderly Dogs and Behavioral Medicine in Cats - SSD: VET/08 - CFU: 3 - Teacher: Stefania Uccheddu
10. Differential Behavioral Diagnosis 1 - SSD: VET/08 - CFU: 3 - Teacher: Gualtiero Gandini
11. Differential Behavioral Diagnosis 2 - SSD: VET/08 - CFU: 2 - Teacher: Giacomo Biagi
12. Differential Diagnosis in Behavioral Medicine 3 - SSD: VET/10 - CFU: 2 - Teacher: Daniele Zambelli
13. Pharmacology and Therapy in Behavioral Medicine 1 - SSD: VET/07 - CFU: 3 - Teacher: Anna Zaghini
14. Pharmacology and Therapy in Behavioral Medicine 2 - SSD: VET/07 - CFU: 2 - Teacher: Anna Zaghini
15. Emotional Aspects of Dogs and Cats, Behavioral Visit, and Rehabilitation Training - SSD: VET/08 - CFU: 1 - Teacher: Roberto Marchesini
16. Effective Communication and Forensic Medicine in Behavioral Medicine - SSD: M-PSI/01 - CFU: 2 - Teacher: Monica Martoni
17. Structural Organization of Kennels and Catteries, Adoptability Index, and Behavioral Evaluation and Aggression - SSD: VET/02 - CFU: 1 - Teacher: Michela Michelazzi
18. Predatory Behavior, Sensory Deficits, and Rehabilitation Activities - SSD: VET/02 - CFU: 1 - Teacher: Pier Attilio Accorsi
19. Anatomy, Physiology, and Behavioral Pathology of New Companion Animals (NAC) - SSD: VET/05 - CFU: 3 - Teacher: Marzia Possenti

Attendance Requirements

• Minimum Attendance: 80%

Internship

• Internship Hours: 475 hours
• CFU: 19

Final Exam

• CFU: 2

Notes

• Technical Administrative and CEL Personnel: 2 places are available with exemption from paying the enrollment contribution, net of fixed costs.
• Alumni: 2 places are available with a reduced fee (20% less than the enrollment contribution) for Alumni (former students of the Alma Mater Studiorum) registered with the Almae Matris Alumni Association.
• Auditors: A percentage of auditors not exceeding 20% of enrolled students is allowed, in accordance with Article 8 of the admission announcement. Interested parties must express their intention to the master's didactic secretariat by the enrollment deadline. The acceptance of the request will be communicated by December 18, 2025. If not all auditor places are filled by the deadline, the direction reserves the right to evaluate applications received after the deadline, until the available places are filled and in any case not later than the start of lessons.