Master's in Veterinary Science

The program is founded on the strength, diversity, and expertise of the TTU SVM faculty. The master’s degree in veterinary sciences (MVS) offers students the unique opportunity to build their educational experience based on their interests. Through the different coursework opportunities offered to graduate students, this program will prepare them to further their education in careers such as animal science, veterinary medicine, public health, and other related disciplines.

The MVS program provides access to the students to state-of-the-art laboratories and cutting-edge equipment, enabling them to gain hands-on experience with the latest technologies and techniques used in animal health care and research. Conveniently located in the heart of Texas’s animal industry and adjacent to the TTU Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) in Amarillo, our program offers unique opportunities to study diverse animal populations and collaborate not only with highly skilled scientists, but with local ranchers and veterinary professionals, enhancing students' real-world experience. This combination of advanced resources and strategic location prepares graduates to excel in both clinical and research-based veterinary careers.

Goals of the MS in Veterinary Sciences

Educate and train a new generation of scholars in veterinary sciences.
Enhance veterinary education by applying expertise and critical evaluations to develop evidence-based practices that advance veterinary education.
Enable research leading to discoveries benefiting veterinary medicine and the one-health arena (animals, humans, ecosystems) at regional, national, and international levels.

Key features of the MS in Veterinary Sciences

Students, with their mentors, can choose and design a research path that aligns with Veterinary Sciences.
Conduct cutting-edge research in our state-of-the-art laboratories.
Our research‐intensive veterinary school allows for close linkages to the Davis College of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy at TTUHSC, as well as collaboration with governmental and non-governmental agencies and partner practices.
Engaged scholarship that enriches students' educational experience, instills life-long learning skills and discovers and translates new knowledge that benefits animals, humans, and our ecosystem health, the profession, and society more broadly.

MS in Veterinary Science Course Requirements

The MS in Veterinary Science is a thesis option degree that requires a total of 36 credit hours to graduate.

Core courses (9 credits): The core courses emphasize the skills required for scientific and professional development in veterinary sciences. Students are required to register in Statistics (3 CH), Applied Science* (3 CH), Seminar (2 CH), and Journal Club (1 CH).

*Applied Science consists of one course relevant to the research focus and path selected by the student. Examples include Immunology, Microbiology, One Health Concepts and Practice, Food Safety, Public Health, among others. The Graduate Program Coordinators and the graduate student’s Advisor must approve the course, which should be stated in the degree plan.

Master Thesis (6 credits): Students must enroll in a total of 6 master thesis credits to support successful progress on their research.

Electives (21 credits): Students will complete at least an additional 15 credits of committee-approved electives, which may include special topics courses and research

All requirements for the master’s program must be completed within no more than 3 consecutive calendar years.

For a more detailed description of the program and its requirements, read the MS in Veterinary Science Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine Graduate Student Handbook.