Clinical Training

Overview

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Clinical Training

St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine (SMUSVM) has arrangements with numerous AVMA COE accredited schools (U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom) to provide the important bridge from academic classroom settings to hands-on, real-world settings.

SMUSVM students, working together with U.S., Canadian and U.K. students, have direct contact with patients of a variety of species and work with modern technology in the diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening medical conditions. Through a series of clinical rotations in the schools’ mixed track programs, providing wide-ranging small animal and large animal hospital experiences, students will be called on to integrate their knowledge acquired during the preclinical years.

Key areas of focus include professional judgment, teamwork, problem-solving expertise and communication skills. Students will have SMUSVM oversight by the clinical support team during their rotations, to ensure a great transition from the Grand Cayman campus and success in Clinical Medicine (semesters 8-10).

Clinical Rotations · 1 Year Period

Clinical rotation students will be required to devote considerable time to rigorous case analysis, providing comprehensive and appropriate rationale for their conclusions.

During this one-year period, opportunities for closely-monitored externships with practicing veterinarians will be available in many geographic locations, offering the student first-hand exposure to veterinary practice in the field and a potential springboard to career-building opportunities.

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Affiliated Institutions

Regardless of which affiliated school students attend for their clinical training, successful completion of the clinical program leads to the awarding of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree by SMUSVM.

SMUSVM has affiliate agreements with the following AVMA-accredited veterinary schools:

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Licensure: PAVE and ECFVG

In order to practice in the United States, SMUSVM graduates must use one of two possible licensure paths: either through the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) process or the procedure established by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), known as the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Experience (PAVE). In either case, the graduate then must pass the North American Veterinary Licensure Examination (NAVLE).

Both programs require proof of proficiency in the English language prior to accessing the veterinary medical portions of the process.

ECFVG Pathway

For the ECFVG pathway, graduates must meet the English language requirement and pass the Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (BCSE), which allows them to take the NAVLE during their clinical year. After graduation, candidates must also pass the Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE) to complete the ECFVG certification process.

The CPE is primarily administered at the Oquendo Center in Las Vegas, with some U.S. veterinary schools also serving as testing sites. For more information about the ECFVG program, visit AVMA.

AAVSB/PAVE Pathway

Through the AAVSB PAVE pathway, students must meet the English language requirement by passing the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or an equivalent test, such as TOEFL, before taking the PAVE Qualifying Exam (QE). Students can take the QE during Semester 6 or 7 on campus.

Passing the QE allows students to meet the clinical competency requirement and, in states that accept PAVE, become eligible to take the NAVLE near the end of their clinical program. No additional clinical competency examination is required after completing the QE before clinical training at an AVMA-accredited school.

The NAVLE is offered in November/December and April. PAVE is currently accepted by most U.S. states, with exceptions including Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico, as well as Puerto Rico, all Canadian provinces, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about the PAVE pathway, visit AAVSB.

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