Program
The application deadline is October 15 for the fall term start.
| Program | Expected Length | Project and/or thesis | Course based |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.Cert. | 1 year |
The Certificate in Veterinary Diagnostic Pathology program provides veterinarians with prior training and demonstrated competence in various aspects of veterinary diagnostic pathology with an opportunity for additional, advanced training in veterinary diagnostic pathology under the supervision of experienced, highly qualified, veterinary diagnostic pathologists.
Graduate students will achieve this objective through a single, year-long, nine-credit course—Advanced Veterinary Diagnostic Pathology—extending over three consecutive terms that is tailored to the individual graduate student and includes a variable combination of:
- participation in the diagnostic activities of Prairie Diagnostic Services, Inc., the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (or other locations in Canada), the Animal Health Centre in British Columbia, or other approved veterinary diagnostic laboratories
- supervision of trainees in veterinary diagnostic pathology who are early in their programs
- instruction and supervision of undergraduate veterinary students engaged in veterinary diagnostic pathology
- involvement in research, other scholarly activities, or both
- preparation and delivery of undergraduate veterinary student lectures and labs
- participation in departmental seminar series
- attendance and participation in relevant national and international meetings and conferences
- intensive self-study, particularly of the materials contained in the reading lists published by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists
The Certificate in Veterinary Diagnostic Pathology program is an excellent opportunity for veterinarians with an appropriate background to become eligible for, or further prepare for, the certifying examination of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP).
The Certificate in Veterinary Diagnostic Pathology program will typically start and end in mid-August. Of the 52 weeks, two are available for vacation and two fall on statutory holidays and other university closures. The remaining 48 weeks (16 weeks per term) will be about equally divided into 24 weeks of veterinary diagnostic pathology, teaching, or both, and 24 weeks of additional diagnostic work, research, scholarly activity, intensive self-study, and participation in relevant national or international meetings as determined by the student and their advisory committee.
Tuition and funding
Funding
Applicants who are graduates of a recognized program of veterinary medicine and Canadian citizens or permanent residents may be eligible for financial support from the WCVM Interprovincial Graduate Fellowship fund on a competitive basis.
Tuition
Course-based master's or postgraduate diploma program
Students in course-based programs pay tuition for each class they take. Every class is assigned a number of credit units (usually three) which determines their cost. If a student is not enrolled in any classes for a term, they will need to register in a 'Maintenance of Status' class that is assessed tuition equivalent to 3 credit units to stay in their program.
Graduate students in course-based programs registered in any undergraduate classes will be assessed tuition for these classes at the undergraduate rate. International graduate students in these programs registered in undergraduate courses, whether or not the classes are part of their program of study, will also be assessed the undergraduate international differential rate of 4.84.
| Canadian students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per graduate credit unit | ||
| Maintenance of Status course | ||
| Cost per 3 credit unit graduate class |
Student fees
In addition to tuition above, students also pay fees for programs like health and dental insurance, a bus pass, and other campus services. The amount you need to pay depends on if you are taking classes full time or part time, and if you are on campus or not. The table below assumes you are on campus full-time.
| Fall 2024 | Winter 2025 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $504.45 CAD | $666.08 CAD | $35.00 CAD | $35.00 CAD |
Tuition information is accurate for the current academic year and does not include student fees. For detailed tuition and fees information, visit the official tuition website.
Admission requirements
To be accepted into the CVDP program, applicants must:
- be a graduate of a recognized program of veterinary medicine and, therefore, have earned a DVM degree or equivalent;
- have prior training, and demonstrated competence, in veterinary diagnostic pathology;
- possess a weighted average of at least 75% (USask grade equivalencies) during their veterinary diagnostic pathology training program, if applicable (as not all veterinary diagnostic pathology training programs, or residencies, use grades);
- arrange for the submission of 3 strong letters of reference that predict success in a busy veterinary diagnostic pathology training program;
- provide evidence, if necessary, of proficiency in English consistent with that required by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS); and,
- be eligible for licensure by the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association.
Application process
Submit an online application
Before beginning your online application, be sure that you have carefully reviewed all program information and admission requirements on this page.
During the application, you'll be asked for:
- Personal information such as your name, address, etc.
- Contact information of your three referees
- For your letters of recommendation, two of your referees must be academic contacts, and the third may be academic or professional
- Your complete academic history from all previous post-secondary institutions
The application takes about 30 minutes to complete. You may save your application and return to it later.
At the end of the application, you will need to pay a non-refundable $120 application fee. Your application will not be processed until payment is received.
Submit required documents
Once you've submitted your online application, you will have access to upload your required documents, and provide the contact information for your references. To do this, go to the "Supplemental Items & Documents" tab in your application, and upload the documents outlined below.
Preliminary Statement of Marks
- Once you have submitted your application for admission and paid the application fee, you will be required to upload unofficial PDF copies of your academic transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended. This requirement will appear as Preliminary Statement of Marks or Additional Prelim. Statement under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.
- The uploaded transcript can be an unofficial copy of the transcript issued by the university or college, and must include a grading key/legend.
- All pages of a transcript must be uploaded as a single PDF document.
- Uploaded transcripts will be considered unofficial or preliminary. Official copies of your transcripts will be required only for applicants offered admission. This requirement will appear as Post-secondary Transcript under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.
Post-secondary Transcripts
If you receive an offer of admission, you will then be required to have your official post-secondary transcripts sent (by mail in a sealed envelope directly from the institution) to the address below. Please do not send official documents until we request them.
College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Room 116 Thorvaldson Building, 110 Science Place
Saskatoon, SK CANADA S7N 5C9
- Transcripts usually indicate the institution’s name, grading scheme (typically on back of transcript), your name, course names, numbers, credits, and the grades you have received. Depending on the country or institution, some features may not be available.
- Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
- If you are a current University of Saskatchewan student completing your undergraduate program then a letter of completion of degree requirements will be required from your college.
Proof of English language proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
For students who are required to provide proof of English proficiency:
- It is your responsibility to have completed an official and approved test with the appropriate score before the application deadline.
- Tests are valid for 24 months after the testing date and must be valid at the beginning of the student's first term of registration in the graduate program.
- Applicants will be required to upload a PDF copy of any required language test score. Uploaded test scores will be considered unofficial or preliminary.
If you receive an Offer of Admission you may be required to have your official language test scores sent to the address below. Please do not send official documents until we request them.
College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Room 116 Thorvaldson Building - 110 Science Place
Saskatoon, SK CANADA S7N 5C9
- Letter of intent
- Current curriculum vitae
- Transcripts from veterinary diagnostic training program
- Names and contact information for 3 people willing to provide letters of reference
- Identify a source of personal funding during the CVDP program
Contact
Department of Veterinary Pathology
52 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4
Graduate Chair
Dr. Bruce Wobeser
Email: bruce.wobeser@usask.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Angela Turner
Email: angela.turner@usask.ca
- Department of Veterinary Pathology
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements