DVM/PhD - Veterinary Medical Scholars Program (VMSP)
Nationally, there is a critical need for veterinary scientists who have earned a doctoral-level veterinary degree and also have the research expertise required to make significant contributions to advancing biomedical scientific knowledge. The goal of the Veterinary Medical Scholars Program (VMSP) is to train highly motivated students in veterinary clinical medicine and in cutting-edge scientific research approaches and methods. With this combined training, program graduates will be highly competitive in their pursuit of a career in biomedical research.
Students who are initially applying to the veterinary professional (DVM) program, as well as students already in the DVM program, are eligible to apply for the VMSP. To be a VMSP student, you must be accepted to both the VMSP and to the DVM program. Information regarding application to the DVM program can be found here. A link to the online VMSP application is below. The VMSP application requires two recommendation letters beyond those provided for the DVM application. The recommendation letters should address the student's research experience and potential, as well as commitment to pursuing graduate education and a research-focused career.
The timeline of the VMSP is flexible to address the specific needs of the student and research mentor. VMSP students typically require 6 - 8 years to complete both the DVM and PhD degrees. Both degrees must be awarded simultaneously. Graduate courses and thesis research must be completed before beginning veterinary clinical rotations in the final year of the program. However, VMSP students are strongly encouraged to complete no more than 2 years in the DVM program before completing the PhD. The student and mentor, in consultation with the student's graduate advisory committee, determine the PhD course of study and overall program timeline.
VMSP students can select a research mentor from any campus department. VSMP applicants are expected to explore university web pages to identify faculty members who share their research interests and to contact potential mentors before applying for the program. In addition to the standard VMSP application, VMSP applicants must also submit an application to the graduate program(s) in which potential mentors are located.
VMSP students in good academic standing in both the DVM and PhD programs are eligible for a DVM tuition waiver. Financial support during graduate studies must be negotiated with the graduate program in which the VMSP student is enrolled. It is typical for VMSP students to receive a graduate studies tuition waiver and 50% research assistantship while enrolled in the PhD portion of the program. Ideally, VMSP students will serve as a teaching assistant for at least one semester in a veterinary curriculum course that they have already completed. VMSP students are encouraged to pursue fellowship support opportunities to fund their program of study.
Prospective VMSP applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Lois Hoyer, Associate Dean for Research and Advanced Studies, at vmsp@vetmed.illinois.edu.
The VMSP will not be accepting applications for the fall semester 2012 because the program is undergoing administrative reorganization. Applications will be accepted for fall semester 2013. Please check back on this website in June 2012 for updated application instructions.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Annual Security Report
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Annual Security Report is available. This report includes statistics from the previous three years concerning reported crime that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and other safety information. You may obtain a paper copy of this report by contacting the Division of Public Safety or by accessing the following Web site: http://www.dps.illinois.edu/clery.htm