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VLCS Graduate Student Guidelines

Information for Prospective Graduate Students in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences

A. Degree Programs

  1. The Department offers the following degree programs:
    1. PhD in Biomedical Sciences
      1. 64-hour PhD curriculum for those possessing DVM/VMD/BVSc or MS degrees from Texas A&M University-approved institutions
      2. 96-hour PhD for others
    2. MS in Biomedical Sciences
    3. MS in Biomedical Sciences (non-thesis)
  2. Areas of emphasis in the Department currently include
    1. Equine reproduction
    2. Large and small ruminant reproduction
    3. Equine infectious diseases
    4. Clinical epidemiology and patient-based studies
    5. Spatial analysis of health outcomes
  3. Opportunities for working in other areas of applied clinical and translational research exist, particularly for veterinarians and clinical residents

B. Admissions

  1. General information
    1. The Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences (VLCS) expects successful applicants to our graduate programs to possess a strong background in biomedical sciences, veterinary medicine, or both.
    2. The applicant MUST IDENTIFY A FACULTY MENTOR IN VLCS WILLING TO SERVE AS MENTOR/MAJOR PROFESSOR FOR THE STUDENT prior to completing the application process.
    3. The application packet from each applicant will be evaluated by members of the VLCS graduate faculty on the basis of the following: i) previous academic performance; ii) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores; iii) research experience; iv) clinical experience; and, letters of recommendation (see below for further details).
      1. Previous academic performance: Field of study, courses completed, institutions attended, degrees obtained, and grade-point average (GPA) will be considered; although no minimum GPA is stipulated, those with GPA < 3.0 will be less competitive
      2. GRE scores: Competitive students will have GRE scores > 299, including a quantitative reasoning score > 147. GRE testing should be within the 5-year period prior to application. GRE scores may be waived for qualified veterinarians.
      3. Research experience: Evidence of prior research experience, including prior publication or presentation of research, is highly desirable.
      4. Clinical experience: Prior experience with clinical veterinary medicine is highly desirable.
      5. Letters of recommendation: Three (3) letters of reference that describe the applicant's analytical abilities, potential as a graduate student, research experience, clinical experience, and general strengths and weaknesses are required.
    4. Requirements for international students: Texas A&M University requires verification of proficiency in English language skills. English language verification is defined as meeting one of the following:
      1. TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) scores of internet-based > 80, paper-based (PBT) > 500, computer-based > 213;
      2. An IELTS score of at least 6.0 overall band;
      3. A GRE verbal score of at least 400;
      4. A GMAT verbal score of at least 22; or,
      5. Obtaining a Bachelor's or Master's degree through study solely in the U.S. at a U.S. university or college
  2. Process
    1. The applicant MUST IDENTIFY A FACULTY MENTOR IN VLCS prior to completing the application process.
    2. Applications must be submitted online at https://www.applytexas.org
    3. Specify the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences for proper routing
    4. The following items will need to be provided to the Office of Admissions at Texas A&M University (http://admissions.tamu.edu)
      1. Appropriate fees
      2. Official copy of GRE taken within the 5-year period prior to application
      3. Official transcripts of all college coursework and degrees earned
      4. Official TOEFL test score, if required
      5. A resumé
      6. Letters of recommendation
      7. Meningitis vaccination (for those for whom this is required by Texas A&M University)
      8. For further details, please contact:
        • Texas A&M University
          Office of Admissions and Records
          College Station, Texas 77843-0100
          USA
          http://admissions.tamu.edu
        • Texas A&M University
          Office of Graduate Studies
          302 Jack K. Williams Administration Building
          College Station, TX 77843-1113
          phone (979) 845-3631; (979) 862-1692
          http://ogs.tamu.edu
    5. Deadlines for domestic students:
      • Fall semester - July 15th
      • Spring semester - November 1st
      • Summer semester - April 1st
    6. Deadlines for international students: PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK WITH THE OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES at Texas A&M University; in general we recommend the following deadlines:
      • Fall semester - March 1st
      • Spring semester - August 1st
      • Summer semester - March 1st

C. Graduate Advisors

Faculty Advisor

Noah D. Cohen, VMD, MPH, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM-LA
Professor
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-4475
Telephone: (979) 845-0741 Fax: (979) 847-8863
Email: ncohen@cvm.tamu.edu

Staff Advisor

Rachael Sears
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-4475
Telephone: (979) 845-4731 Fax: (979) 847-8863
Email: rsears@cvm.tamu.edu

D. Faculty Research Interests

Please see listings for individual faculty members at /vlcs/people/department-faculty