European Master of Small Animal Veterinary Medicine (EMSAVM)

The EMSAVM is a structured program for species oriented practice certification developed by the ESAVS, as part of the post graduate education system of the University of Luxemburg.
The program combines theoretical teaching with hands-on training in wet labs and practicals during the residential courses, as well as distance learning elements, keeping records (case logs) and writing case reports at home.
This approach promotes applying the acquired knowledge immediatly in the daily practice at home and thus is constantly solidifying newly learned methods and skills throughout the whole program. During the courses, the students mutually benefit from interaction with other veterinarians of different geographical and professional backgrounds substantially broadening their horizon in Small Animal Veterinary Medicine.

Content and structure

The European Master’s Program in Small Animal Veterinary Medicine is based on

(1) Attendance of residential courses
(2) Production of individual written work including caselogs, case reports and a Master thesis
(3) Taking examinations after completing courses


(1) Courses:

EMSAVM students meet for one or two week-long ESAVS residential courses. This enables them to travel to the site of ESAVS training for the intensive courses while continuing their home and work life during their time away from the program.
These sessions function as a “retreat” with all students staying together during the whole course in order to avoid the demands of home and work and to allow themselves to be fully immersed in their EMSAVM studies for 6 to 12 days at a time.

(2) Clinical work:

The program also allows students to study from their practice. It is expected that they gradually apply the skills they acquire in the residential courses to their daily work in practice. Therefore, in addition to the course work, students are assigned specific tasks to be completed at home.

(3) Examinations and accreditation:

All work done by the students is expressed in credits of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

The European Master’s Degree in Small Animal Veterinary Medicine comprises a total of 120 ECTS.


What are ECTS credits?

1 ECTS credit is equivalent to 25-30 hours of student work.

In the European Credit Transfer System it is generally accepted that each hour of formal course work (lectures, practicals, tutorials etc) generates an additional 2 hours of work for the student including preparation for lectures, practicals, tutorials etc, post-lecture review, additional reading and literature searches and preparation for and sitting the examination.

10 hours of formal course work lead to a total of 30 hours of student work, the equivalent of 1 ECTS credit. The individual written work related to the Master’s Program is also awarded ECTS credits.

Duration of the program

The minimum time required for the Master’s Program is two years, but as a general rule a period of four years may not be exceeded.

An applicant can enter the Masters Program immediately after graduating from veterinary school but the Masters degree can only be obtained when the applicant has been practicing small animal veterinary medicine for at least 4 years since obtaining her/his veterinary degree.
It is expected that course work is completed within the first three quarters of the program and the last quarter is reserved for completion of the written individual work.

If due to exceptional reasons or unforeseen circumstances the Master’s Program cannot be finished in the prescribed time (4 years) it is possible to file an application for extension. Each case will be evaluated by the Master’s Program Commitee on an individual basis.

Modules

The program is composed of 6 modules:

Modules I and II: Coursework

Modules III,IV and V: Clinical work

Module VI: Thesis

Graduation

Following successful completion of course work, the Veterinary Post Graduate Committee reviews all the grades collected by the candidate in the examinations and assigns a final global grade on a scale A- E: A = exceptional performance , B= very good , C= good, D= average, E= sufficient. The candidate’s file is transmitted to the rector’s office for final approval and the award of the degree.