Master of Veterinary Studies

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Undergraduate courses in Animal Science, Equine Science and Veterinary Science and a Graduate Certificate in Captive Vertebrate Management.

Advance your professional veterinary career

CSU's Master of Veterinary Studies is designed to enhance veterinary practice through developing substantial knowledge in a selected discipline, and meet the requirements for recognition in Australia and overseas.

Why study this degree?

CSU's Master of Veterinary Studies advances professional practice in veterinary science through the acquisition of organised and critical understanding of substantial knowledge in the selected discipline. Students also develop skills in critical reflection, clinical research methodology and skills, and advanced communication skills. This course fulfills requirements for Australasian membership and/or European or United States recognition in certain fields.

These objectives will be achieved through:

  • the extension of students' knowledge of the selected and related veterinary science disciplines that underpin their professional practice, presented in a professional portfolio
  • the development of clinical research knowledge and skills required to successfully identify, investigate, manage and resolve problems encountered in the selected discipline
  • successful completion by the student of clinical research or investigation of an issue relevant to the selected discipline, presented in a dissertation and dissemination of the findings by oral presentation.

This course is available for study on campus at CSU's Wagga Wagga Campus, or by distance education.

Assessment

Methods of assessment include written reports, reflective diaries, seminar/conference presentations, written research project proposals, contributions to didactic undergraduate teaching, compilation of a portfolio of clinical training and a dissertation of the clinical research project. The Dissertation subject undertaken at the end of the candidature is the major research output and will bind the chapters and/or publications arising from the clinical research project.

Students will complete a research internship, during which they will gain practical skills and have the opportunity to complete research to support their dissertation.

Study by distance education

CSU is a leading provider of distance education in Australia. Study by distance education allows you to fit study around your existing work and lifestyle commitments, through a supported online environment. Many of your course materials will be provided online, and you will have the opportunity to interact with other students and staff using communication tools such as online forums, telephone, email and Skype.

More about distance education

Course structure

Each subject within the Master of Veterinary Studies must be passed to be able to complete the course.

Students will undertake two subjects, Masters Research and Clinical Research Internship, in their first year and will be unable to progress without having successfully completed these subjects.

More about Course structure

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 outlines and in course materials.


Candidates must successfully complete 96 points made up of the following subjects:

VSC612 Masters Research
VSC613 Veterinary Masters Dissertation
VSC614 Clinical Research Internship
VSC511 Veterinary Clinical Skills OR [VSC507 Clinical related Disciplines Practicum AND VSC508 Clinical Practicum 1 AND VSC509 Clinical Practicum 2]

VSC501 can substitute for VSC509 

Enrolment pattern

Session 1
VSC612 Masters Research (16 pts)
VSC614 Clinical Research Internship (16 pts)

Session 2
Choice of 2 options:
Option 1:
VSC511 Veterinary Clinical Skills (32 pts)
Option 2:
VSC507 Clinical related Disciplines Practicum  (16 pts)
VSC508 Clinical Practicum 1 (8pts)
VSC509 Clinical Practicum 2 (8pts) OR VSC501 Herd and Flock Consultancy (8pts)

Session 3
VSC613 Veterinary Masters Dissertation (32 pts)

Admission requirements

For admission to the Master of Veterinary Studies, applicants would need to demonstrate that they:

  • have a veterinary science degree to enable registration by the Veterinary Practitioners Board of New South Wales 
  • have a minimum of two years' veterinary professional experience.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

 

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

  • have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
  • were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
  • have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
    or
  • have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

  • an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
  • a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
  • a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
  • a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
  • a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
  • a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
  • completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
  • a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
  • completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
  • completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
  • successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
  • a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
  • a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
  • IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.


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Australian and New Zealand students

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On campus - GMVS

Distance education - EMVS

International Students

This course is not available to international students.

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