Doctor of Veterinary Studies

Specialise in your veterinary career

Why study this course?

CSU's Doctor of Veterinary Studies is a professional doctorate that satisfies level 10 professional doctorate requirements, with emphasis on research skills for specialist veterinary professional practice. The doctorate is designed to provide advanced research and clinical specialty training in a chosen discipline in veterinary science, develop systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and critical reflection on veterinary professional practice, and make a significant and original contribution to knowledge in that discipline. You will develop analytical, problem solving, research and technical skills that will fulfil the requirements to attain specialty status. The course also offers strong links to undergraduate veterinary teaching and research.

Course structure

This course is a three-year full-time on campus structured postgraduate program, comprised of clinical research subjects and specialty training. Candidates will complete a research plan and research internship in the first year, concluding with a dissertation completed over three sessions. Clinical training is provided in one or more of the veterinary enterprises at CSU and also through one or more externships. 

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Assessment

To facilitate the processes of focused and contextually bound enquiry and development of specialty knowledge and skills in veterinary science, the Doctor of Veterinary Studies incorporates assessments that are different from that of a PhD. These include contributions to scholarly enquiry, undergraduate didactic and/or clinical teaching and clinical practice, generation and delivery of professional presentations and reports, and production of peer-reviewed publications. This is aligned with the candidates' needs and the development of specialists in their designated veterinary science discipline, and the in vivo nature of their profession. These strategies are considered most relevant for achievement of the outcomes appropriate for a professional doctorate program of study.

Career opportunities

On completion of the degree, you will have a distinctive postgraduate research qualification in the veterinary profession and will have undertaken the training to be eligible to undertake Australasian and/or European and/or American specialist examinations in the chosen discipline.

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Facilities

Candidates will have access to the impressive state-of-the-art facilities at CSU's Wagga Wagga Campus, including veterinary clinical and pre-clinical centres, a veterinary diagnostic laboratory and an Equine Centre.

Graduation requirements

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.