Program Overview

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University offers a range of programs for students interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.

Admissions

• Applying: The application process for the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine involves submitting an application through the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) Application Service (VMSAS).
• D.V.M. Admissions: The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) program is a four-year program that prepares students for a career in veterinary medicine.
• Graduate Admissions: The school also offers graduate programs in fields such as infectious disease and global health, and biomedical sciences.
• Technical Standards: Applicants must meet certain technical standards to be considered for admission to the program.
• Virtual Tour: Prospective students can take a virtual tour of the school to learn more about its facilities and programs.
• Visits & Tours: The school also offers in-person visits and tours for prospective students.

Academics

• D.V.M. Program Overview: The D.V.M. program is a four-year program that includes both classroom and clinical instruction.
• Dual Degree Programs: The school offers dual degree programs that allow students to earn both a D.V.M. and a master's degree in a related field.
• Entrance Requirements: Applicants must meet certain entrance requirements, including completing a set of prerequisite courses and earning a minimum GPA.
• Legacy D.V.M. Curriculum: The school's legacy D.V.M. curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the principles of veterinary medicine.
• New D.V.M. Curriculum: The school has also introduced a new D.V.M. curriculum that includes more emphasis on clinical skills and hands-on learning.
• Special Programs: The school offers special programs for students who are interested in pursuing a career in a specific area of veterinary medicine, such as zoological medicine or laboratory animal medicine.
• Veterinary Licensure: Graduates of the D.V.M. program are eligible to take the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) to become licensed veterinarians.

Graduate Programs

• Masters Programs: The school offers master's programs in fields such as infectious disease and global health, and biomedical sciences.
• Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences: The school also offers a Ph.D. program in biomedical sciences for students who are interested in pursuing a career in research.
• Advanced Clinical Training: The school offers advanced clinical training programs for veterinarians who are interested in pursuing a career in a specific area of veterinary medicine.
• Residencies & Internships: The school offers residencies and internships for veterinarians who are interested in pursuing a career in a specific area of veterinary medicine.
• Continuing Education: The school offers continuing education programs for veterinarians who are interested in staying up-to-date on the latest developments in veterinary medicine.

Research

• Research: The school is involved in a range of research projects, including studies on infectious diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders.
• Centers & Groups: The school has a number of research centers and groups, including the Center for Animals and Public Policy, and the Center for Conservation Medicine.
• Clinical Trials: The school is involved in a number of clinical trials, including studies on new treatments for diseases such as cancer and arthritis.
• Services for Researchers: The school offers a range of services for researchers, including access to laboratory facilities and equipment.

Hospitals & Clinics

• Locations: The school has a number of hospitals and clinics, including the Foster Hospital for Small Animals, and the Hospital for Large Animals.
• Emergency Care: The school offers emergency care services for animals, including a 24-hour emergency room.
• Hospital Services: The school offers a range of hospital services, including surgery, dentistry, and diagnostic imaging.
• Explore by Animal Type: The school offers services for a range of animal types, including dogs, cats, horses, and exotic animals.

Community Outreach

• Education: The school offers educational programs for the community, including programs for children and adults.
• Community Resources: The school offers a range of community resources, including a pet loss support helpline, and a found wildlife hotline.
• Volunteer: The school offers volunteer opportunities for members of the community who are interested in getting involved in animal care and welfare.

Career Opportunities in the M.S.-IDGH Program

A Master of Science in Infectious Disease and Global Health from Cummings School prepares students to join the workforce where substantial knowledge and specialized skills in infectious diseases are required, such as in the laboratory, clinical, or academic setting.

Graduates are more competitive for various career paths:

• Biopharma industry
• Basic and applied research
• Clinical research
• Biodefense and biocontainment
• National and international organizations such as the CDC, USDA, FDA, USAMRID, USAID, and WHO
• Safety officer, biosafety officer, and laboratory manager positions
• Academia

Furthermore, graduates are more competitive for admission to graduate studies, including D.V.M., M.D., D.O., P.A., and Ph.D. programs.

Alumni Success

M.S.-IDGH graduates have been successful in securing employment aligned with their career goals. Our graduates reflect on how the program assisted them in achieving their career goals:

"The [M.S.-IDGH] program provided me with lab research experience, both in vivo and in vitro. Over the course of the year, I worked in the lab with multiple projects that included cell culturing, RNA/DNA extraction and purification, flow cytometry, enzyme characterization, RNA silencing, and many more. Currently, I am working with RNA extraction, RNA silencing, cell culturing and animal models, techniques that were improved with help from the IDGH program."

Griselle Martinez, Research Associate, UTMB Galveston

"Many of the [M.S.-IDGH] classes provided me with a solid foundation for classes I have taken or will take in veterinary school, such as immunology, bacteriology, virology, and parasitology. I also learned a lot about time management and was able to gain a good background in laboratory research."

Megan Ellis, veterinary student, Colorado State University

"Upon graduation, I was hired by the University of South Florida working in their Biosafety department as a safety and compliance officer. The [M.S.-IDGH] program provided me [with the background needed to secure] this opportunity and I am very grateful for it."

Dylan Champer, Safety and Compliance Officer, University of South Florida