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College of Veterinary Medicine
BUILDING THE FUTURE OF MISSISSIPPI'S VETERINARY INDUSTRY
Since the first class was admitted in 1977, the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has remained a top choice for thousands of veterinary students across the United States. With four different degrees offered, students encounter a wide range of studies before entering the professional field. CVM is the only health science professional school at the university, and graduates get real-world experience in research, practice and diagnostics through clinical medicine, toxicology, infectious diseases and more.
Today, CVM is home to more than 500 students earning their bachelor’s in veterinary medical technology, master’s, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and doctorate degrees. With three main academic departments and CVM’s Office of Research and Graduate Studies, students get a broadspectrum, hands-on education through the college’s six clinics and labs across the state.
CVM is one of 32 colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S., and for the past eight years, it is one of only seven North American colleges of veterinary medicine that has averaged a greater than 70 percent success rate for graduates matching in internship and residency. It continues to grow and be an integral part of Mississippi’s veterinary education and industry. Graduates are practice-ready after leaving MSU and work worldwide in many fields.
“From the beginning, CVM has been known for innovation and creativity,” said Dr. Kent Hoblet, dean of the college. “Our college was the first to require students to have a computer and remains one of only a few to have two full years of mentored clinical instruction. Our graduates continually set the bar high. As our college grows and the profession of veterinary medicine advances, our faculty and students continue to live out our motto of ‘earning respect by exceeding expectations.’”
TAKING THE LEAD
MSU CVM students get a robust educational experience during their time with the college. The curriculum prepares them through lectures, labs, clinical rotations and electives. In years one and two, or phase 1, students get core instruction to set them up for success in the clinical years. Years three and four, or phase 2, students head into clinical rotations and electives on multiple species. Here students can begin finding their special interests.
On average, the typical student will complete more than 50 surgeries by graduation. They also have consistently maintained a 98 percent passage rate on the national board examination (NAVLE), well above the national average of 94 percent, over the past several years. Through an acknowledged rigorous curriculum, the college immerses students in an environment that combines the foundational knowledge and experiential training needed to produce a practice-ready graduate.
“Our graduates often stand out from graduates of other colleges of veterinary medicine due in part to the amount of hands-on clinical instruction our curriculum provides, allowing for 24 months of mentored clinical experience in our teaching hospital, affiliate sites and elective experience offerings,” said Dr. Jack Smith, associate dean for academic affairs and professor. “Students can participate in up to 26 weeks of elective experiences in their final year of training—allowing them to build upon the foundation laid by core rotation requirements, while also pursuing individual interests in a wide variety of fields across many disciplines. This creates a well-rounded graduate with a diverse background upon leaving our program.”
Every year more than 120 high school seniors from across the nation apply to the college's highly competitive Early Entry Program (EEP), and up to 30 applicants are accepted into the college’s DVM program upon graduating from high school. While there is no pre-veterinary medicine major at MSU, EEP (and
other undergraduate students planning to apply to CVM) can choose any major that includes the required prerequisites. Many students spend their undergraduate time studying biochemistry, food science technology, wildlife and fisheries, animal dairy science, poultry science and more.
“Our Early Entry Program allows very high achieving high school seniors an opportunity to gain provisional acceptance into our veterinary program and bypass much of the traditional admissions process,” said Smith. “Following a rigorous selection process, chosen students can focus on their undergraduate courses and gain additional veterinary experiences without many hurdles encountered by individuals matriculating into the DVM programs via the traditional route.”
Since the 1990s, the college has had a partnership with many of the state’s animal shelters. The Shelter Medicine Program is a premier program of the college, which enables students to work on humane education and surgical skills. Students performed the 100,000th surgery on humane society animals earlier this year.
“We take great pride in knowing that our college is well-known for preparing our students to be practiceready on day one,” said Dr. Brittany Moore-Henderson, director of admissions and recruitment. “In addition to scoring well above average on the national board examination, data from AVMA over the past five years also indicates that MSU graduates going into practice boasted starting salaries exceeding the national average by nine percent. MSU CVM students are among the most prepared and sought-after individuals in the veterinary field.”
SETTING THE FOUNDATION
In its 40-plus year history, CVM has built its program from the experienced faculty and staff that have taught throughout the years. The faculty channels their passions for education and animals to shape the next generation of veterinarians. As the college grows and new innovations are made within the field, CVM works to maintain its competitive edge and attract and retain faculty to maintain this standard of excellence.
Currently, there are four endowed faculty members within the college who collectively represent an expansive knowledge base and range of experience and specialization. These endowments help CVM continue to be a top choice across the board. The Dr. Hugh G. Ward Chair in Veterinary Medicine, the Marcia Lane Chair in Humane Ethics & Animal Welfare, the Terri Nusz Equine Professorship and the Dr. P. Mikell and Mary Cheek Hall Davis Professorship in Veterinary Medicine all help to distinguish MSU CVM from other programs across the nation. But as the field of veterinary medicine evolves, so must the expertise and knowledge of the faculty.
“Endowed positions have helped CVM attract and retain valuable leaders in several specialties,” said Dr. Ron McLaughlin, associate dean for administration and professor. “Several of our endowed faculty positions have existed for more than 10 years, and the programs led by these endowed faculty are among the very best in U.S. colleges of veterinary medicine.”
THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
CVM provides a diverse educational environment for students in a variety of locations. From Starkville to the Jackson metro area, and the Gulf Coast to the Delta, students gain exposure to the broad range of veterinary medical experiences they would see in the professional field.
“We continue to improve CVM facilities to meet demands and current safety standards and to ensure that our students have a safe, comfortable and adequate learning environment,” said Dr. Joey Burt, assistant dean for clinical services. “We have accomplished state-of-the-art renovations in recent years including an expansion of the Intensive Care Unit and the oncology treatment area. The anatomy laboratory and the student surgical suite have also been remodeled and a space was repurposed to create a spay and neuter facility for the Shelter Medicine Program.”
As the college continues to progress and enhance its learning environments, private support plays a critical role. In addition to the larger renovations, generous gifts have also facilitated beneficial updates to client consultation rooms, examination rooms, the Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences Pharmacy and other vital areas. Currently, a 14,000-square-foot expansion of the Animal Emergency and Referral Center located in Flowood is underway, which includes on-site student housing.
The official home of the college is the Wise Center, located on MSU’s main campus. The 403,000 squarefoot facility is adjacent to the university’s South Farm properties, where students get hands-on practice and instruction in large animal medicine. The Wise Center encompasses the CVM library, classrooms, educational and research wings and the primary teaching hospital, the Animal Health Center (AHC).
AHC is where third- and fourth-year students receive the majority of their clinical experience. It is open to the public and provides emergency, specialty and referral care for companion animals, horses and livestock. Many postgraduates complete their residencies or internships in the teaching hospital.
Also located in Starkville is the Veterinary Specialty Center (VSC), a satellite facility that offers specialty and advanced care, including advanced imaging, radiation therapy, neurological and ophthalmological care. With state-of-the-art equipment, animals receive the best specialized care possible.
CVM’s partnership with the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) in Gulfport also provides
students hands-on learning experiences in marine animal rescue and rehabilitation, conservation and research. The college is one of two university veterinary medicine programs in the United States that offer all students marine animal medicine training. Students get exposure working with marine animals like bottle-nosed dolphins, Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and California sea lions, while gaining valuable experience with protecting and advocating for marine life.
The college also has a comprehensive diagnostic laboratory system that serves the entire state. Accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, this network is comprised of four laboratories: the CVM Diagnostic and Aquatic Labs, Mississippi Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Lab, Poultry Research and Diagnostic Lab and Aquatic Research and Diagnostic Lab. Here students work directly with microbiology, anatomic pathology, molecular diagnostics, serology, virology and more.
BUILDING AN ENDURING LEGACY
The college has produced more than 2,200 veterinarians and 215 veterinary medical technologists who are improving the field of veterinary medicine throughout the state and around the world. These graduates are well-equipped with the necessary skills to advance in the professional world and greatly benefit from the competitive advantage fostered by their MSU CVM experience. Through progressive and ongoing collaborations among top-tier educators, researchers and students, MSU CVM can continue to pioneer developing technologies and opportunities for the future. “As our profession grows and evolves, it will be imperative for MSU CVM to continue to adapt and advance our curriculum and services,” said Hoblet. “Facility upgrades, like expansions to the animal hospital and academic wings of our buildings, will allow for our services to treat more patients and accommodate more students while maintaining the pillars of teaching, discovery, outreach and service. Continued support from alumni and friends of the college will ensure that our faculty, staff and students are equipped to advance veterinary medicine for years to come.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CVM AND GIVING OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT THE COLLEGE AND ITS PROGRAMMING, CONTACT JIMMY KIGHT, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, AT 662-325-5893 OR JKIGHT@FOUNDATION.MSSTATE.EDU
STORY ASHLEIGH LEE PHOTOGRAPHY OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
