DVM Clinical Medicine
St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine has established partnerships with numerous reputable veterinary colleges in the United States and Canada.
St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine has established partnerships with numerous reputable veterinary colleges in the United States and Canada. These collaborations aim to bridge the gap between theoretical classroom learning and practical, hands-on experiences in real-world settings.
As part of these partnerships, students from St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine will have the opportunity to work alongside fourth-year veterinary students from various US and Canadian institutions. This unique arrangement allows them to directly engage with a diverse range of animal patients and utilize cutting-edge technology for diagnosing and treating life-threatening medical conditions.
Through a comprehensive series of clinical rotations within the mixed track programs offered by these schools, our clinical students will gain valuable experience in both small-animal and large-animal hospital settings. This integration of knowledge acquired during the preclinical years of study is a key focus of these rotations.
During their clinical rotations, students will develop crucial skills such as professional judgment, teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication. St. Matthew’s University will provide oversight and support to ensure a smooth transition from our Grand Cayman campus to the clinical programs, ultimately leading to the success of our students in their clinical training.
Clinical students dedicate a significant amount of time thoroughly analyzing cases and providing well-founded explanations for their conclusions. Throughout the span of one year, students participate in closely-supervised externships with practicing veterinarians in various locations. These externships provide students with firsthand experience in the field of veterinary practice and can serve as a stepping stone to career advancement. Upon successfully completing the clinical program, students from any affiliate school receive a Veterinary Medical degree conferred by St. Matthew’s University.
Canada:
University of Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Veterinary College
https://www.upei.ca/avc/
United States:
Iowa State University
https://vetmed.iastate.edu/
Mississippi State University
https://www.cvm.msstate.edu/
University of Georgia
https://www.vet.uga.edu/
University of Illinois
https://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/
Louisiana State University
https://www.lsu.edu/
University of Minnesota
https://www.cvm.umn.edu/
University of Missouri
https://missouri.edu/
Washington State University
https://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/
In order to practice in the United States, graduates of St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine must be certified by either the Programmatic Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE, a component of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) or the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG, a committee of the American Veterinary Medical Association). After successfully completing either of these programs, the student is eligible to take the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE).
The process for these two pathways is somewhat similar but not identical. Both require proof of competency in English, either by proof of education in an English speaking high school or via exam (TOEFL or IELTS)
PAVE Program
For the PAVE program, the candidate can take the Qualifying Exam during either semester 6 or 7 on campus. Success in passing the QE then allows the student to have a state that accepts PAVE certify them to take the NAVLE. If you are following the PAVE program, the student can then take the NAVLE near the end of their clinical program. The NAVLE exam is given in November/December and in April each year.
An important point is that if you have passed the PAVE QSE; prior to doing your clinical training year in an AVMA accredited school/college, you have fulfilled the clinical competency requirement and do not need to take any further exams related to clinical competency.
At the present time most U.S. states (exceptions include Alabama, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada and New Mexico) and Puerto Rico, all provinces in Canada as well as Australia and New Zealand accept the PAVE program as a basis for licensure. For more complete information visit the website https://www.aavsb.org/pave.
ECFVG Program
For the ECFVG program, after meeting the English requirement, the candidate must pass the Basic and Clinical Sciences Exam (BCSE). Completion of this exam then permits you to take the NAVLE during your clinical year.
After graduation, the candidate must then take and pass the Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE). The primary site for this exam is the Oquendo Center in Las Vegas and some US Veterinary Schools also administer this exam. More information on the ECFVG program is available at https://www.avma.org.
Students who intend to practice outside the U.S. must meet the licensing requirements of the country in which they want to practice.
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