Clinical

Guidelines/Info

Course Objectives:
The objective of externships is to give the veterinary student an opportunity to actively explore their interests through practical personal experience (active and interactive learning), under qualified DVM or PhD supervision. It is advisable to use this time to investigate areas of special interest to you (i.e., exotic animal medicine or lab animal medicine) or to strengthen an area of weakness. Externships may be conducted anywhere in the world (excluding the Caribbean).


NOTE: Students attending Cornell, CSU & KSU, please read the information at the bottom of the page.

Externships must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be directly supervised and evaluated by a DVM or PhD
  • Must be in a veterinary or veterinary related field
  • Must be approved by your affiliate school (except for Cornell, CSU & KSU students)

Externship/Off-Campus Course Outline:
Each 8th-10th semester student in veterinary medicine will spend externships working with the preceptor(s) of their choice, who may be involved in one of the following areas:

  • Private or specialty practice
  • Diagnostic laboratories
  • Research
  • Zoo, exotic, or alternative medicine
  • Federal or state service
  • Industry
  • Veterinary school/college

Expected Time Commitment:
Externships are for the benefit of all clinical students. Your desire should be to put in the maximum, as opposed to the minimum, amount of time expected. You are required to complete a specified number of weeks in externships at your affiliate school. Ross University requires that students spend a minimum of 40 hours per week in their chosen externships (your requirement for graduation is based upon WEEKS and not HOURS…if you work 80 hours in a week that doesn’t mean you will be given two weeks credit). The duration of the externship, at each location, can be anytime from one weeks to six weeks.

Evaluation:
Externships must be evaluated by your supervisor (DVM or PhD). They will use the evaluation form of the affiliate school that you attend (unless you attend Cornell, KSU or CSU see below). In addition, you will be asked by your affiliate school to submit an evaluation of the externship experience for the benefit of future students.

Compensation for Externships:
You are permitted to be compensated by your externship site for any travel, food, and lodging expenses incurred. Since you receive school credit for the externship you are not able to accept money for labor or any other reason than those listed above.

Cornell University (placement September 2011 to present), Colorado State University and Kansas State University Ross Students:
Externships at Cornell, CSU & KSU are under the direct control and supervision of Ross University. You will need to submit a proposal to Dr. Tod Schadler (tschadler@RossU.edu), associate dean for Clinical Affairs, for approval of your externship/preceptorship experience at Cornell, CSU or KSU. RUSVM will also provide the form for the supervisor to evaluate your performance and for you to evaluate the experience.