International Veterinary Medicine

If you are interested in developing a more global perspective as a future veterinarian working in private or public practice in the US or abroad, you should consider participating at one or several levels of international programs offered by the UF CVM Office of International Programs (OIP). Please note: only Level 3 awards students with the Certificate in International Veterinary Medicine upon completion.

Level 1 [UF Campus]:

  • At this basic level, you can participate in our Seminar Series in International Veterinary Medicine. This is an elective course (VEM 5931; 1 credit; pass/fail; spring semester). All students (Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors) can enroll for credit. The objective of this course is to enhance the international profile of the College by creating a forum for discussion of global health issues of veterinary importance.
  • Habla Español, un poquito? Today, many pet owners and farm workers in Florida speak limited English, and we believe animal care can be enhanced with better communication. The OIP offers the introductory course Spanish for Veterinarians. This course is offered during the fall semester (pass/fail; must attend 12 of 15 two-hour sessions). Classes are scheduled on Tuesdays, from 7.00 to 9.00pm in Deriso Bldg, Rm 101. The instructor, Ms. Victoria Condor-Williams, native of Peru, has many years experience teaching Spanish to health professionals.

Level 2 [Abroad]:

  • VEM 5506 International Veterinary Medicine. This elective course (1 credit) is offered to all students during spring/summer/fall semesters. The main objective of this course is to develop an awareness of the impact that veterinary medicine has on the health and well-being of people and animals in foreign countries.
  • VEM 5893 International Externship. This is offered to Junior and Senior students only.

Level 3 [UF Campus and Abroad]:

  • For the most demanding student in international education, the OIP offers the International Veterinary Medicine Certificate. This is a 15-credit program that can be completed parallel to the DVM curriculum over a four-year period. This level of international exposure is designed to challenge the veterinary student by participating in a veterinary problem in a foreign country in collaboration with local people, scholars, and institutions. This is an opportunity to apply state-of-the-art veterinary skills in combination with local knowledge.

Certificate in International Veterinary Medicine

Required Courses – 8 semester credits.

  • VEM 5931 Topics in Veterinary Medicine (2 credits). The objectives of this course are to enhance the UF CVM international profile by creating a forum for presentation of faculty/resident/intern/student international activities and to facilitate international opportunities for students. Course Coordinator – various, Grading System – Pass/Fail.
  • VEM 5904 Independent Study (2 credits). The objective of this course is to expand the student’s knowledge of the geography, history, cultural, socio-economical and political aspects of the country where the student will conduct her/his required international externship. Knowing the cultural aspects of the society of interest will help the student (a) communicate more effectively with local people on a day-to-day basis, (b) have a better understanding of the dimension of local animal, public, or environmental health problems, and (c) have a better appreciation of the impact of her/his education or research project on that society. The student is responsible to conduct a literature review including at least 16 topics relevant to the country of interest and course objective. For example: (1) geography (2) history (3)demography (4) political system (5) justice system (6) religion (7) economy (8) natural resources (9) transportation (10) telecommunications (11) public health (12) animal health, (13) environmental health (14) education (15) veterinary medicine education (16) social issues: women (17) men (18) teenagers (19) children (20) immigration (21) AIDS (22) poverty (23) animal control (24) animal welfare (25) historic or current events linked to the US (26) US embassy (27) other topics identified by the student and faculty supervisor as relevant. The student meets with the supervisor weekly or bi-weekly for guidance and assistance. The student is required to document her/his literature review on 12+ page report (typed, single-spaced). In addition, as part of the certificate requirement (seminar presentation with results of her/his international project), the student’s seminar presentation shall include relevant socio-economical and political aspects of the country where the international project was held.
  • VEM 5893 International Externship (4 credits). Students must spend 4 weeks participating in research or externships overseas. If students pursue externship after the start of core clerkships, 2 credits towards DVM degree may be obtained. Certificate credit can be acquired at any point during the 4 years of the DVM curriculum.

Elective Courses – 7 semester credits.

A variety of approved elective courses exist and are taught through several UF colleges. Course content includes knowledge of anthropology, business, economics, leadership, and communication skills. Six of the elective courses must be taken outside of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Foreign Language Proficiency

Consists of elementary conversational ability. Demonstrated proficiency may be achieved by:

  • Obtaining an acceptable SAT II foreign language examination score: French >510, German >560; Latin >530; Spanish >420.
  • Successfully completing two semesters of sequential university taught foreign language.
  • Successfully completing two sequential college-sponsored veterinary conversational Spanish courses, Spanish for Veterinarians I and II.

Program Supervision and Certificate Award Presentation

Supervision and oversight of academic credits earned by enrolled students will be administered by Dr. Paul Gibbs, Associate Dean for Students and Instruction. International clinical, research, and industry- or government-oriented externships will be developed and overseen by Dr. Jorge Hernandez, Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and Director of the Office of International Programs. Students who are not in good academic or professional standing are not allowed to participate in international programs abroad offered by the OIP. Students in poor academic or professional standing may, however, be able to continue coursework at the UF CVM during their probation period. These students will be given an opportunity to reapply previously earned credits for certificate requirements once returning to good academic and professional standing.

Contact Information

Dr. Jorge Hernandez – Faculty Profile
Epidemiology Section
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences