Curriculum

The certificate program includes 8 units of required courses, clerkships, and externships and 7 units of electives selected from 12 units of elective offerings. All required and elective credits also fulfill credits toward the DVM degree with the exception of 1 unit of elective credit for attending shelter medicine‐related continuing education, which does not count toward the degree.

Certificate course offerings span all four years of the curriculum and are offered at least once each year. Students must enroll in the certificate program by the end of the junior year, but are encouraged to enroll as soon as they identify interest in the program. A faculty advisor from the Shelter Medicine Program will be appointed for each enrolled student.  The Shelter Medicine Program will maintain a database of each student’s progress and will report completed certificates to the Office of Instruction.

Certificate programs are unique to the University of Florida. The Certificate in Shelter Medicine is the fourth such offering, joining other intensive programs in International Veterinary Medicine, Food Animal Medicine, and Aquatic Animal Health.

If you are a current student, and would like to apply, please fill out the online application.