Program
Most applications will be completed through VIRMP, the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program. Students should consult that site for admission deadlines.
This internship program begins July 15th each year.
| Program | Expected Length | Project and/or thesis | Course based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 1 year |
This experiential, clinical training program is for D.V.M. graduates who wish to take the first step towards specialty training. Completing this certificate program will position graduates well for the oftentimes competitive entry into clinical residency positions. During this program, students will develop skills, knowledge and clinical experience in one of the following specialties:
- Zoologic, Exotic and Wildlife Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Small Animal Internal Medicine
- Small Animal Surgery
- Neurology
Students will also be trained in communications and public speaking through seminars. The broad range of knowledge gained through this certificate will prepare students for clinical residency and graduate degree training programs for further board certification in a specialty.
Program structure
Over the course of one year, students will take nine credits of courses and associated non-credit training:
- Three credit units of electives
- Biosafety
- Safety Orientation for Employees
- VSAC 825.3 Clinical Practice Specialty Internship I
- VSAC 826.3 Clinical Practice Specialty Internship II
- VSAC 980.0 Clinical Practice
- VSAC 990.0 Seminar
Faculty
You do not need to identify a research supervisor for this program. You may however, be interested in the research interests of our faculty.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA), pain management and anesthesia in exotic species. | |
| Imaging science | |
| Electrocardiography, blood pressure and platelet function | |
| Small animal internal medicine | |
| Veterinary Ophthalmology | |
| Avian and canine orthopedic and soft tissue injuries | |
| Resuscitative techniques, Fluid resuscitation, Acute kidney injuries, Sepsis | |
| Patient quality of life, human-animal bond, novel cancer therapy development, comparative oncology | |
| Veterinary radiation oncology, medical physics, oncologic imaging | |
| Small animal clinical nutrition | |
| Avian, exotic and wildlife medicine including projects related to avian renal portal system, ferret diseases and the rabbit's gastrointestinal system | |
| Veterinary ophthalmology, congenital stationary night blindness, equine recurrent uveitis | |
| Soft tissue surgery, lumbosacral stenosis, neurosurgery, urogenital surgery | |
| Radioisotopes as an alternative treatment for infectious diseases in dogs and cats, feline obesity, intraosseous bone marrow | |
| MRI technology, degenerative myelopathy in the German Shepherd dog |
Tuition and funding
Funding
The College of Western Veterinary Medicine will provide salary support for qualified students. Further, a fellowship is available from the College to cover a portion of tuition costs for both Canadian and international students.
Tuition
Course-based master's, certificate 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 tuition.
| Canadian students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance of Status course | ||
| Cost per graduate credit unit | ||
| 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 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $578.45 CAD | $804.73 CAD | $36.75 CAD | $36.75 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
Graduate Certificate (G.Cert.)
Applicants must be accepted for an internship to be eligible for admission to the certificate program.
- A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), or equivalent, from a recognized college or university
- A cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. 60 credit units)
- Eligibility for restricted, educational SVMA licensure to practice veterinary medicine in Saskatchewan
- Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English
Application process
International Students - Review federal international study permit policies before you apply. We do not anticipate that the implementation of the PAL process will limit graduate enrollment at USask.
Interested students can begin an application through the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians residency matching program. We typically offer eight internship opportunities each year.
Once you have been successfully matched to this program, you will be asked to being a formal application to the University of Saskatchewan. Further details will be provided at that time.
Please contact the department below if you have any questions at all about this program or how to apply.
Note: Applications to some internships, such as Ophthalmology, are made directly to the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences.
Contact
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
52 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4
Graduate Chair
Lynne Sandmeyer
Email: lynne.sandmeyer@usask.ca
Graduate Program Co-ordinator
Charla Penner
Email: sacs.gradstudies@usask.ca
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements