Criteria
Formal internet-based applications to our graduate program are made through the LSU Graduate School.
Applicants must have a DVM (or equivalent) degree or a bachelor’s degree. Applicants
for combined residency/MS programs must apply through the Veterinary Intern & Residency
Matching Program. Candidates for the combined residency/MS programs must have a DVM
or equivalent degree; must have completed a rotating internship or equivalent training;
and must submit a letter of intent, transcript of grades from veterinary school, and
three letters of reference in accordance with the guidelines listed on the website.
To qualify for the combined residency/MS program, applicants must satisfy all criteria
for residency training and Graduate School admission.
Applications are accepted at any time but are evaluated only after all supporting
documents and credentials (official transcripts, official GRE scores, Graduate School
application for admission, application fee) have been received. Application should
be initiated at least six months prior to anticipated entry. One of the graduate faculty
members of the department must have accepted you as a student in his/her laboratory
before admission will be considered.
Unconditional admission to the Graduate School for MS and PhD programs requires that
applicants score at least 300 on the GRE (verbal plus quantitative scores) and have
an overall grade point average in veterinary or undergraduate school of at least 3.00
on an “A” = 4.0 scale. Foreign nationals from countries where English is not the first
language must have a TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper-based test or 79 on
the Internet-based test, have an IELTS score of at least 6.5, or have a PTE score
of at least 59 and meet standards of proficiency in English as required by the Graduate
School.
Facilities
The department supports a well-equipped veterinary referral hospital with specialty
services in anesthesia; bird, zoo and exotic animal medicine; small animal medicine;
cardiology; small animal soft tissue and orthopedic surgery; dermatology; emergency
and critical care; equine medicine; equine surgery; large animal medicine; integrative
medicine; medical oncology; ophthalmology; radiation oncology; diagnostic imaging;
shelter medicine and theriogenology. The department has laboratories equipped for
physiological research, cell biology, membrane physiology, PCR technology, gene expression,
kinesiology, biomechanical testing, stem cell biology, and assisted reproduction.
In addition, support from a full-capability gene research laboratory; cell and organ
culture facilities; fluorescent activated cell sorting and analysis; cytokine, lymphokine
and monoclonal antibody techniques; and a microscopy center with confocal and electron
microscopy provide for diverse research endeavors. The department forms the base of
the interdepartmental Equine Health Studies Program and is supported by well-equipped
animal facilities.