FDA Veterinary Clerkship Program

February 22, 2012 — 

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Veterinary Clerkship Program is the only one of its kind in the United States. The program is designed to give fourth year veterinary students a real-world opportunity to see how policies guiding the approval of new animal drugs are developed and implemented by FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM).

The FDA Veterinary Clerkship Program has been in existence for close to twenty years and is coordinated by the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine’s (VMRCM) Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine (CPCVM).

The Program was created for students to gain a comprehensive perspective on the vital role federal veterinarians play in safeguarding animal and human health. Specifically, the experience is intended to afford students an opportunity to apply their advanced backgrounds in basic and clinical science supporting CVM’s regulatory review and research activities.

Each student is paired with a mentor who will guide them throughout their Clerkship. The Clerkships typically range three to six weeks in length however CVM understands that this time span may vary depending on the school a student is enrolled. Thus, the Center makes every attempt to not only accommodate specific rotational timeframes but to ensure students reap a meaningful experience for the duration of their time spent at its facilities.

Application to the FDA Veterinary Clerkship Program is open worldwide to veterinary students currently enrolled in both AVMA and non-AVMA – accredited veterinary schools. All students must be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents and in good academic standing.

Additional information is available on the FDA website.