The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis offers a professional degree, the Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine (MPVM). Using state-of-the-art modern methods in epidemiology, the program prepares veterinarians to investigate and evaluate disease and production problems in animal populations and to design, evaluate and implement disease control or other veterinary services programs.

The School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) is responsible for the overall administration of the MPVM program and for awarding of the degree but many Departments, Divisions and Schools at the university also actively contribute to the MPVM program. Faculty in the SVM and other collaborating faculty carry out research on a wide variety of animal diseases, on microbial and parasitic zoonoses, veterinary public health, food-borne infections of man, wildlife diseases and wildlife management, animal health economics, animal production, biostatistics, veterinary medical data management and computer applications in veterinary medicine.

Since its inception in 1966, more than 750 graduates of this pioneering educational program have gone on to top-level governmental, private industry, academic and practice careers in various areas of preventive veterinary medicine throughout the United States and 74 other countries.

A veterinarian can now combine MPVM academic training with field service in the Peace Corps as part of the Peace Corps Master's International Program. The candidate volunteer enters the Peace Corps and enrolls in the MPVM program. After completing course work, the student conducts an animal health project during a two-year Peace Corps assignment, then returns to school for a final quarter to complete the program and MPVM project based on the field research.

The MPVM program involves course work, a research project and a series of electives which permit the student to select one of the areas of emphasis (Population Health, Food Safety, Public Health and Zoonoses, Wildlife Disease & Ecology, Ecosysytem Health, International Health, Independent). A faculty advisor helps students tailor their selection of elective coursework to meet their individual future professional needs.

The MPVM program is a one-year program, but some students may require up to 2 years to complete all coursework requirements. For non-native English speaking students, a two-year program is highly recommended. A special part-time program is available for a limited number of students who are unable to leave their employment for three consecutive quarters of instruction. For more details, please e-mail the Program Director, Bruno Chomel or Donna Smith , Assistant to the MPVM Director.