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Doctor of Veterinary Studies

Doctorate (PhD)

The Doctor of Veterinary Studies at Charles Sturt University equips veterinarians with advanced clinical and research skills for specialist practice. It offers opportunities for original research contributions and is the highest qualification in the field.

Key details

Degree Type

Doctorate (PhD)

Duration

3 years full-time

Study Mode

In person

Intake Months

Mar, Jul

Domestic Fees

$12,800 per year

About this course

Overview

Establish yourself as an expert in the management, care and welfare of animals. The Doctor of Veterinary Studies from Charles Sturt University provides clinical and research skills and knowledge to prepare you for specialist veterinary practice of a national and international standard.

The highest qualification available in the profession, the Doctor of Veterinary Studies provides a unique opportunity for practising veterinarians to gain a critical understanding in a complex field and conduct research that makes an original contribution to your discipline.

This course is part of an articulated program of study. Articulated programs allow you to build on your study to achieve the right level of qualification for you.

Entry requirements

The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of the University holds the delegated authority to approval for admission to a research higher degree program.

Basis of Approval for Admission to the Doctor of Veterinary Studies The RAC shall base its decision on admission to a proposed Doctor of Veterinary Studies candidature upon the following evidence, that:

the proposed area of research falls within an approved University field of research for admission to a higher degree by research;
the proposed supervisors are sufficiently expert in the area of research, and have the time and commitment to be able to provide appropriate supervision, and that adequate physical resources are available;
the applicant has the background and ability to undertake the proposed course (refer also to Entry Qualifications, below);
the applicant has given the necessary commitment to work regularly on the approved program of study and research and maintain regular contact with the supervisor(s).

For admission to the Doctor of Veterinary Studies, applicants would need to demonstrate that they:

Have a veterinary science degree with class 1 or class 2(i) honours which enables candidates to be registered by the Veterinary Practitioners Board of New South Wales or equivalent academic and/or research experience, and
Have a minimum of 1 year of veterinary professional experience.

Applicants with a first language other than English must satisfy Charles Sturt University's normal requirements for language competency.

Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements apply. Click here to view the specific international course entry requirements.

What you will learn

What you will study

For each 8-point subject you are enrolled in, you should expect to spend 10 to 12 hours per week working on assignments and assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, and attending lectures, intensive schools, or examinations. If you are studying four subjects per session, this is equivalent to a full-time job. The workload for some subjects may vary as a result of approved course design.

Intensive school

You may need to attend an online or on-campus intensive school for certain subjects in this course. These schools usually involve lectures, tutorials and practicals that will give you a deeper understanding of your subject.

Career pathways

Your Doctor of Veterinary Studies will give rise to a range of opportunities. As an expert in your field, you could pursue policy, research or leadership roles and work in private specialist practice, university referral veterinary hospitals, industry or government. Your professional training may also support examinations for membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists and/or North American or European veterinary specialty colleges.

Course structure

Course information

The course structure involves integration between subjects. In Session 1, VSC712 and VSC714 are undertaken to develop clinical research skills and plan the research project in the context of professional practice. Concurrent exposure to professional workplace settings is integral to the subject for students to acquire knowledge, understanding and skills required for research, identify areas for the research and planning for the development of new knowledge and advancement of professional practice, which underpins the purpose of a professional doctorate degree. Research skills and experience are developed and increased as students progress throughout the course. Development of knowledge and skills in professional practice, including integration of evidence for research-led practice, is undertaken in sessions 2 and 3. The research project is completed in the dissertation subject (VSC713) during sessions 4-6. The progression through the course and assumed development of knowledge and skills requires students to complete the subjects in chronological order. For the research project and VSC713, the students, under the direction of supervisors, identify gaps in the existing knowledge relevant to the selected veterinary discipline, formulate research questions and hypotheses and develop a proposal and planning for the project to address the identified problem(s) confronting professional veterinary practice. Students develop a systematic understanding of a complex field of learning in their chosen discipline and advanced cognitive, technical, and communication skills to generate new knowledge for the advancement of professional practice through significant original contributions to discipline knowledge. Students apply expert knowledge and skills to progress and finalise the research project. Students will produce a body of significant and original research outcomes in the form of a dissertation for independent examination by external examiners of international standing.

Essential set (192 pts)Core subjects192 Credit PointsCodeSubjectCredit PointsVSC711Advanced Veterinary Clinical Skills32 credit ptsVSC712Doctorate Research Plan16 credit ptsVSC713Clinical Research Dissertation96 credit ptsVSC714Advanced Clinical Research Internship16 credit ptsVSC715Advanced Integration of Theory, Knowledge and Practice32 credit ptsStandard enrolment patterns

For enrolment pattern please refer to the handbook.

View handbook to learn more

Credit for prior study or work

If you've completed relevant tertiary study, or work experience related to your course, you could receive credit towards your degree. Which would mean completing your qualification quicker. Find out how to apply for credit and see our credit policy.

How to apply

Applying to Charles Sturt University is easy. Choose how you want to apply below, or get in touch with Charles Sturt University and we can help you with your application.