education

Careers in Veterinary Pathology © 2009
home Introduction the basics anatomic clinical pathology microbiology contact jobs links careers academia commercial equine government farm animals Animal Health Trust BBSRC Scotland SAC Moredun Northern Ireland industry agrochemical chemical Contract Research Organisations food industry pharmaceuticals education trainees residency on the job examinations RCPath RCVS ECVP ECVCP ACVP site map	Education Veterinary qualifications The majority of people in the field start with a veterinary qualification. Every year, however, I get a number of queries from people without veterinary degrees, who wish to become veterinary pathologists. You should be aware that it is much more difficult to enter the field as a non-veterinarian and you cannot practice diagnostic veterinary pathology under the provisions of the Veterinary Surgeons Act without a recognised veterinary qualification. Whereas the practice of medicine is not covered by an act of parliament, veterinary medicine is. Gaining a veterinary degree as a mature student (or after gaining a degree in another discipline) is always a possibility, but there are cost implications (for tuition fees) if you already have a degree. You must then add on the time to acquire experience and further training in pathology - I am afraid there are no short cuts to a career in any of the veterinary specialties. It may be possible to get a research post in the field of veterinary pathology, if you have a suitable qualification in one of the basic sciences, but you are likely to be at a disadvantage when competing with similarly qualified veterinary graduates. Undergraduate education in Pathology BA (Cambridge) in Pathology and BSc in Veterinary Pathology (London) are available as intercalated degrees. These courses offer a good introduction to pathology as a specialty and a significant number of graduates are likely to return to the discipline on completion of their veterinary training. Postgraduate education Postgraduate education allows the veterinary graduate to develop their skills as a pathologist to a professional level. In most areas of veterinary pathology, it is necessary to have qualified with a veterinary degree. There are two basic types of postgraduate education:residency programmesand on-the-job training. It is almost a requirement to have a postgraduate qualification in pathology in order to make progress in the industrial sector and it may become even more important in the future for all sectors as professional standards are revised. There are five main postgraduate types of qualification that are routinely pursued: MRCPath,Dip.ECVP,Dip.ECVCP,Dip.ACVPand/or a PhD. A PhD is more of a requirement in the academic environment than in many other jobs. It is widely accepted as a beneficial qualification in all sectors of veterinary pathology but is probably not likely to be considered sufficient on its own in the future. The time taken to acquire both a PhD and another postgraduate qualification are significant factors for many veterinary pathologists, as they may not start earning a substantial salary until they are more than 30 years old. RCVS postgraduate certificates The Certificate is the first level of postgraduate qualification awarded by RCVS,and indicates that the holder is a competent clinician who has proved their experience and expertise by examination in their chosen subject. 'C' Modules are available for the Advanced Certificate in Veterinary Practice which include two options in veterinary pathology (laboratory medicine diagnostics and basic tissue pathology).	The content of this site is intended as a guide to interested parties and is accurate to the best of our belief at the time of compilation. No liability can be accepted for information that may subsequently prove to be inaccurate. You are advised that you connect to linked sites referenced here at your own risk and we cannot be held responsible for the content of other sites. Each menu item may contain important information. You can also click on the sub-menu items for more detail.

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Education

Veterinary qualifications

The majority of people in the field start with a veterinary qualification. Every year, however, I get a number of queries from people without veterinary degrees, who wish to become veterinary pathologists.

You should be aware that it is much more difficult to enter the field as a non-veterinarian and you cannot practice diagnostic veterinary pathology under the provisions of the Veterinary Surgeons Act without a recognised veterinary qualification. Whereas the practice of medicine is not covered by an act of parliament, veterinary medicine is.

Gaining a veterinary degree as a mature student (or after gaining a degree in another discipline) is always a possibility, but there are cost implications (for tuition fees) if you already have a degree. You must then add on the time to acquire experience and further training in pathology - I am afraid there are no short cuts to a career in any of the veterinary specialties.

It may be possible to get a research post in the field of veterinary pathology, if you have a suitable qualification in one of the basic sciences, but you are likely to be at a disadvantage when competing with similarly qualified veterinary graduates.

Undergraduate education in Pathology

BA (Cambridge) in Pathology and BSc in Veterinary Pathology (London) are available as intercalated degrees. These courses offer a good introduction to pathology as a specialty and a significant number of graduates are likely to return to the discipline on completion of their veterinary training.

Postgraduate education

Postgraduate education allows the veterinary graduate to develop their skills as a pathologist to a professional level. In most areas of veterinary pathology, it is necessary to have qualified with a veterinary degree. There are two basic types of postgraduate education:residency programmesand on-the-job training.

It is almost a requirement to have a postgraduate qualification in pathology in order to make progress in the industrial sector and it may become even more important in the future for all sectors as professional standards are revised.

There are five main postgraduate types of qualification that are routinely pursued: MRCPath,Dip.ECVP,Dip.ECVCP,Dip.ACVPand/or a PhD. A PhD is more of a requirement in the academic environment than in many other jobs. It is widely accepted as a beneficial qualification in all sectors of veterinary pathology but is probably not likely to be considered sufficient on its own in the future.

The time taken to acquire both a PhD and another postgraduate qualification are significant factors for many veterinary pathologists, as they may not start earning a substantial salary until they are more than 30 years old.

RCVS postgraduate certificates

The Certificate is the first level of postgraduate qualification awarded by RCVS,and indicates that the holder is a competent clinician who has proved their experience and expertise by examination in their chosen subject.

'C' Modules are available for the Advanced Certificate in Veterinary Practice which include two options in veterinary pathology (laboratory medicine diagnostics and basic tissue pathology).

The content of this site is intended as a guide to interested parties and is accurate to the best of our belief at the time of compilation.

No liability can be accepted for information that may subsequently prove to be inaccurate.

You are advised that you connect to linked sites referenced here at your own risk and we cannot be held responsible for the content of other sites.

Each menu item may contain important information.

You can also click on the sub-menu items for more detail.