Programs

UF Shelter Medicine Online

Master’s Degree

The online master’s degree in shelter medicine provides comprehensive training in how to manage, treat, and prevent infectious diseases that are unique to overpopulated animal shelters. Currently, there are few opportunities for veterinarians and shelter operation professionals to experience advanced studies in critical shelter care topics. UF makes it possible to acquire the skills needed to become a qualified professional in this emerging field.

Note: Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA in the program

Master’s Degree Benefits

  • Completely online, interactive courses
  • Flexible for working professionals
  • Earn a degree in as little as two years
  • Build core skills in shelter animal physical health,  behavior and welfare, population management, public health and safety, veterinary forensic sciences, and animal shelter leadership and management

Why Shelter Medicine?

More dogs and cats die each year as a result of homelessness than any other cause of death, but shelter medicine can make a difference for these animals. Be a part of this exciting, emerging veterinary field. Promote animal welfare and help save their lives.

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Graduate Certificate

The online graduate certificate in shelter medicine prepares working shelter professionals to play a vital role in the emerging veterinary field of shelter medicine. Students will advance their knowledge of best practices for preventing infectious diseases, protecting animal welfare, and managing populations in animal shelters.

Note: Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA in the program

Graduate Certificate Benefits

  • Completely online, interactive courses
  • Earn a certificate in as little as one year
  • Transfer credits earned with a “B” or higher to the master’s degree later
  • Learning life-saving skills and knowledge that will help you advance in your career working with shelter pets

Make a Big Impact in Shelter Medicine

Animal shelters can save more lives when their staff institute best practices for managing large populations of dogs and cats. Veterinarians and other shelter professionals who are skilled in shelter medicine play a vital role in effective leadership and management of modern animal shelters.

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Continuing Education

What does it mean to be a Continuing Education seeking student?

UF’s online shelter medicine program offers the opportunity to enroll in one course (up to 3 credits) as a non-degree seeking continuing education student. This gives professionals the chance to sharpen skills and focus on areas of interest specific to their line of work, without the demand of a full degree curriculum. All courses are open and available for non-degree enrollment. Credits earned are fully transferable towards the graduate certificate or master’s degree in shelter medicine for students who wish to further their education.

What will you learn?

Non-degree seeking students can choose from the entire catalog of Shelter Medicine courses. These courses offer a wide range of topics for animal welfare professionals to hone in on skills or areas of interest specific to their role. Topics range from:

  • Shelter health, behavior, and welfare
  • Animal cruelty, forensics and crime scene processing
  • Non-profit leadership, management, and fundraising
  • Veterinary public health, disease control, and disaster response

Are continuing education (CE) credits available for veterinarians?

Yes! Each course counts for 45 contact hours of continuing education for veterinarians in the state of Florida. Each state has its own guidelines, so it’s important to check your state’s requirements. The College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida can provide any required documentation to submit the courses you take for CE credits in your state.

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UF Shelter Medicine Online