Internships may be conducted during a regular semester or summertime, but do not substitute for required University or Veterinary & Animal Sciences courses.
Students should first identify an internship sponsor and a faculty sponsor. The student and sponsoring faculty member discuss the project, the appropriate number of credits (1 credit=minimum 45 hours) and the required academic product to be produced. To enroll in this course submit an Internship Experience form in Handshake at https://umass.joinhandshake.com/login
Extensive experience with a variety of large and small animal species, and a summer's work (or equivalent) with a veterinary practitioner, are strongly recommended prior to application to veterinary school. Students may earn up to 12 credits for internships with credits determined by the nature, scope and duration of the proposed experience. Students sign up for ANIMLSCI 498, which is graded on a mandatory pass/fail basis if during the academic year and register through Continuing Education in the summer semester. Students may find internship possibilities on their own; seek help from advisors, other faculty and the Campus Career Network located at 511 Goodell. Some planning and coordination is required to set up a successful internship.
The following are the minimum Internship requirements:
1. The student must be an Animal Science/Pre-Vet student in good academic standing.
2. The student must find a faculty sponsor who agrees to supervise and evaluate the internship.
3. Prior to the internship experience, the student must develop a proposal, which is mutually satisfactory to both the student and the faculty sponsor. A contract is developed and signed by both the student and the faculty sponsor.
4. The student must demonstrate that the internship will be an academically valuable experience and will supplement or complement some part of the student’s Animal Science curriculum. Work experiences such as working in a veterinary clinic, at a farm, summer horse camp or zoo would not ordinarily qualify for an internship, but would be a work experience best handled as a practicum. The inclusion of a research component, the development of a teaching curriculum or establishment and implementation of a farm management plan are examples that would be more appropriate for an internship.
5. Internships of greater than 6 credits require a pre-course and a post-course, which with the internship will constitute a coherent program of study. No credit will be awarded until the post-course has been completed.
6. Following the completion of the internship the student must present to the faculty sponsor a journal and summary report that can serve as a major indicator of what was learned and how the internship related to the pre- and post-courses taken.
The Veterinary & Animal Sciences Department encourages the development of practical skills in working with animals. Suggestions include: farms, veterinary clinics, working in research laboratories or by engaging in animal related government, banking and educational experiences with private and public agencies. Veterinary schools favor applicants who have experience working with a veterinarian; the equine industry highly values practical farm experiences, as do dairy and livestock farms and related industries. It is essential that students interested in research and animal management gain practical experience as well. We encourage both the student and the employer to consider a broad range of experiences rather than narrowly focused ones such as only feeding calves, or milking cows, or surgical assistant or a fixed research laboratory methodology. Practica become excellent means of developing future job contacts.
faculty, by arrangement
Veterinary and Animal Sciences