Why Shelter Medicine?
The discipline of Shelter Medicine has emerged as a novel specialty recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). In the present climate, there exists a substantial demand for adept veterinarians and other professionals engaged in animal welfare to navigate and resolve the multitude of challenges confronting animal shelters. Currently, there are limited avenues for scholars to deeply engage with advanced academic coursework within this burgeoning field of expertise.
At the University of Florida, you have the opportunity to further your education in shelter medicine. Furthermore, credits earned through the Graduate Certificate can be seamlessly transferred toward a Master’s Degree in shelter medicine, provided you are admitted.
What is this program?
The UF Veterinary Shelter Medicine Online program is offered through the Maples Center for Forensic Medicine in partnership with the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine. The certificate consists of 5 fully online courses, and it can be completed in as little as 1 year.
Why a Graduate Certificate?
The Graduate Certificate is a way to gain credentials and learn about the growing field of shelter medicine. It is made up of 5 courses:
| Course # | Course Name | Credits | Type | Fall | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VME6810* | Integrating Veterinary Medicine with Shelter Systems* | 3 | Core | X | X | X |
| VME6811 | Shelter Animal Physical Health | 3 | Core | X | X | |
| VME6813 | Behavioral Health for Shelter Dogs and Cats | 3 | Core | X | X | |
| VME6815 | Animal Shelter Population Management by the Metrics | 3 | Core | X | X | |
| VME6816 | The Role of the Animal Shelter in Protecting Community and Public Health | 3 | Core | X | X |
You will learn how to make evidence-based population management decisions, manage infectious diseases, prevent animal homelessness, and expand your knowledge base as a compassionate animal welfare professional.
Credits from the Graduate Certificate in Shelter Medicine can be transferred toward UF’s online Master of Science in Shelter Medicine—if admitted. In order to transfer credit, you must complete maintain a B average or higher in each course.
Note: Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA in the program
Who is this program for?
This graduate certificate is beneficial for:
- Veterinary students
- Veterinarians
- Veterinary technicians
- Shelter operations staff
- Animal welfare professionals
- Shelter volunteers
How much does it cost?
The tuition is $525 per credit hour plus fees. The approximate cost to complete the graduate certificate is $7,875.
Click here to learn more about tuition.
Learn More
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An Application Coordinator will contact you with all the details about the online graduate program in Online Shelter Medicine.
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