***CLONE*** Aquatic Health
The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine Aquatic Animal Health Certificate Program is a 15-credit-hour pathway within the DVM curriculum. It combines coursework, hands-on labs, clinical experiences, and externships to prepare students for careers in fish medicine, aquaculture, aquariums, marine mammal medicine, and zoological and exotic animal practice.
Overview
Aquatic animal medicine is part of the veterinary educational experience at MSU-CVM through coursework, laboratory instruction, clinical and diagnostic activities, independent study, research, and field experiences. It is a starting point for students interested in advanced training, exotic animal medicine, aquatic veterinary certification, and board certification.
Students gain exposure to the health and medical care of freshwater and marine species, including commercially raised fish, ornamental and display fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, elasmobranchs, aquatic invertebrates, and wild aquatic animals.
Students who complete the program earn the MSU-CVM Certificate in Aquatic Animal Health (CAq), documenting their focused preparation in this specialized area of veterinary medicine.
Our Approach
Aquatic animal medicine begins early in the curriculum. Several aquatic lectures are presented in year 1, and marine mammal exposure is part of the pathology rotation. In the certificate program, students progressively apply their knowledge through classroom instruction, hands-on labs, clinical and diagnostic experiences, independent study, research, and field activities.
Students learn to evaluate the health of individual aquatic animals and of entire populations. Instruction covers anatomy and physiology, clinical examination, diagnostic testing, pathology, epidemiology, water quality, disease prevention, biosecurity, antimicrobial stewardship, and treatment strategies.
From Mississippi's commercial catfish industry to marine animal care along the Gulf Coast, students gain experience in a broad range of professional settings.
Certificate Requirements
The Aquatic Animal Health Certificate Program is a 15-credit-hour professional academic certificate available to eligible MSU-CVM DVM students. It includes 9 credit hours of required coursework and clinical experience and 6 credit hours of approved electives.
| Required Coursework | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Foundations in Fish Medicine (CVM 5424/6424) | 4 |
| Marine Life Medicine (CVM 5892) | 2 |
| Current Topics in Aquatic Animal Health (CVM 5131) | 1 |
| Approved Veterinary Externship (CVM 5510-5550) | Minimum 2 |
| Approved elective coursework and experiences | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
The certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the approved requirements during the DVM program.
The CAq is an academic certificate awarded by MSU-CVM. It is not equivalent to professional certification or board certification, which require additional qualifications after earning the DVM degree.
Core Courses
Hands-on training in fish health, diagnostics, and population medicine. Students practice fish anatomy and necropsy, diagnostic microbiology and parasitology, water quality assessment, fish surgery, treatment calculations, and case-based problem solving, and learn the principles of production medicine, biosecurity, and antimicrobial stewardship.
Expanding veterinary education to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This two-week course covers the health management and care of marine mammals, sea turtles, elasmobranchs, marine fish, and aquatic invertebrates, beginning with classroom instruction in Starkville and continuing with experiential learning along the Gulf Coast. Partners have included the Mississippi Aquarium, the University of Southern Mississippi's Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, NOAA, and the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies.
Developing critical thinking and scientific communication skills. Students select, present, and critically evaluate peer-reviewed research with input from faculty and peers.
Six credit hours of approved electives let students shape their own experience. Options include Pet Fish Medicine, Directed Individual Study, advanced clinical rotations, aquatic animal health research, enhanced clinical practicums, and clinicopathological case presentations. Approved externships place students with aquatic animal health professionals at facilities throughout the United States and internationally.
Research and Diagnostic Opportunties
MSU-CVM offers veterinary students opportunities to take part in aquatic animal health research and diagnostic activities involving freshwater and marine species. Students can investigate disease problems through clinical observations, case histories, gross pathology, histopathology, microbiology, and other diagnostic methods.
Faculty-mentored research introduces students to infectious diseases, immunology, pathology, host-pathogen interactions, and improved health management strategies. These experiences are especially valuable for students considering diagnostic medicine, research, academia, government service, or advanced specialty training.
Where Can Aquatic Medicine Take You?
Aquatic veterinary medicine offers diverse careers and can be a foundation for advanced training in fish practice, aquatic animal medicine, zoological medicine, and exotic animal medicine. Graduates may work in commercial aquaculture, ornamental fish medicine, public aquariums, zoological institutions, marine mammal medicine, wildlife conservation, government agencies, diagnostic laboratories, private practice, research, and academia.
Many veterinarians who work with non-domestic species build expertise through veterinary education, clinical experience, internships, residencies, continuing education, and professional certification.
The Path From Veterinary Student to Aquatic or Exotic Animal Specialist
- DVM education and aquatic animal health training. Complete the DVM curriculum while building aquatic animal knowledge through coursework, labs, research, externships, and clinical training. Students may earn the Certificate in Aquatic Animal Health (CAq).
- Clinical experience and advanced training. Pursue aquatic animal practice, internships, residencies, or other supervised clinical experience, depending on professional interests.
- Professional certification or board certification. Build the experience, case documentation, continuing education, and other credentials required for the chosen pathway.
Not every career requires an internship, residency, or specialty credential. Graduates may enter aquatic animal health positions directly after veterinary school and pursue additional credentials as their experience grows.
Aquatic Animal Health Credentials and Specialty Certifications
MSU-CVM academic certificate. Earned during the DVM curriculum, the CAq recognizes completion of structured coursework and approved practical experiences in aquatic animal health. It does not constitute veterinary specialty board certification.
Post-DVM professional certification. Offered through the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association for veterinarians who meet requirements in aquatic clinical experience, continuing education, and professional participation. Graduates of the certificate program may pursue it after earning the DVM. wavma.org
Professional certification, American Fisheries Society, Fish Health Section. Recognizes advanced expertise in diagnosing, preventing, and managing diseases of fish and other aquatic animals. It requires professional experience and an examination, is not limited to veterinarians, and does not confer veterinary licensure or board certification. Certification details
Veterinary specialty board certification. A board-certification pathway for advanced expertise in zoological medicine, covering zoo and aquarium species, wildlife, and other exotic animals. Candidates commonly complete advanced clinical training and must meet credentialing, scholarly activity, and examination requirements. aczm.org
The certificate introduces aquatic animal anatomy, physiology, disease processes, diagnostics, therapeutics, husbandry, and population health. Through externships, research, and clinical experiences, students begin building the knowledge, skills, and professional connections useful for advanced training. Completing the CAq does not automatically qualify a graduate for professional or board certification, but it provides an educational foundation that supports pursuing those credentials.
Meet Our Students
Students in the program bring a wide range of interests, from fish medicine and commercial aquaculture to aquarium medicine, marine mammal medicine, wildlife conservation, aquatic diagnostics, and research.
How to Apply
Eligible MSU-CVM DVM students may apply after completing their first semester of veterinary school and establishing the required academic standing. Applications are accepted annually by March 1.
Applicants should submit:
- A completed application
- A letter of intent
- A resume or CV
- An unofficial academic transcript
- A proposed timeline for completing certificate requirements