The Emerging LMU College of Veterinary and Comparative Medicine

The CVCM recognizes the intensely practical nature of veterinary medicine; the successful veterinarian must be able to integrate knowledge with a broad array of clinical skills in order to successfully diagnose and treat disease.  Therefore, as part of the “clinical immersion” concept, the CVCM places a high emphasis on the development of clinical skills during the final three semesters of the curriculum. 

The process begins at the LMU campus in Harrogate, where under the tutelage of the faculty, students will participate in structured laboratory sessions in order to develop diverse clinical skills such as physical examination and additional diagnostic skills, and expertise in surgical and other therapeutic skills for the treatment of disease.  This in-house phase of clinical experience begins in the first semester and builds throughout the pre-clinical courses.  In the Fall term of the third year, and the 8 week Winter “Mini-Semester” (Semester 5 and the first half of Semester 6), students will undergo a phase of comprehensive review and honing of their clinical and surgical skills in preparation for the distributed clinical portion of the curriculum. 

During the final 2 ½ semesters, beginning in the second half of Semester 6 and continuing through until the completion of the program, students are sent to distributed clinical sites throughout the region and nation to continue to hone their knowledge and clinical skills.   The distributed clinical sites have been carefully chosen by the CVCM; participating mentors are adjunct members of the CVCM faculty. These highly experienced and dedicated veterinarians have a demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and in mentoring the next generation of veterinarians.