Overview

Master of Avian Health and Medicine 

The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health offers a fully online non-thesis Master of Avian Health and Medicine (MAHM). Learn from internationally renowned experts in an online program recognized by the American College of Poultry Veterinarians (ACPV). This unique and innovative online program is for practicing veterinarians interested in being recognized health experts in the rapidly growing international poultry industry. The Graduate Certificate in Avian Health can be achieved in the first year, followed by two years of specialized study including the latest in avian microbiology and serology, food safety, public health, economics and international trade, advanced poultry medicine, and disease management.

Accreditations

The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the University of Georgia may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

The College of Veterinary Medicine is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA).

Cost

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates and student fees can change each year. 

Based on 2022 credit hour cost, a person completing this program at the recommended pace would have paid $45,288 in tuition.  

Please use the Estimated Cost Calculator on the Bursar's Office website to calculate one academic (Fall/Spring) year's current tuition. 

This program is an E-Rate program, so choose “yes” for the E-Rate line item within the calculator.

Online students pay the following fees: Connect UGA, Green, and Technology. The total for those fees in the fall semester of 2022 was $147 for students enrolled in exclusively online courses. 

Potential additional costs include textbooks, exam proctoring fees, and technology upgrades. 

 

Financial Aid

Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid for information about financial assistance.

Corporate Assistance

Consult your employer about the availability of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.

Military Assistance

Active duty military, veterans, and military families should visit Veterans Educational Benefits to take full advantage of available financial assistance and educational benefits.

University System of Georgia Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The purpose of TAP is to foster the professional growth and development of eligible employees. For more information, see Tuition Assistance (refer to the Distance Learning section). 

Technology Requirements

  • Computer with current operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux). Additional peripherals such as webcam, headphones, and printer may be required.
  • High-speed internet access.

Admissions

Credit and Transfer

Total Hours Required to Earn Degree:  72 (credit hours)

Admissions Requirements

  • All students must apply and be admitted to the University of Georgia Graduate School.
  • Additional requirements include:
  • Demonstrated interest or experience in poultry medicine
  • A DVM, or equivalent degree
  • A biographical sketch describing your experiences, interest in poultry medicine, and your reasons for applying to the Master of Avian Health and Medicine program

Competitive applicants will have:

  • Minimum veterinary school grade point average of 3.0
  • GRE combined verbal and quantitative score of 297 or 1000 if taken prior to August 1, 2011
  • Written references from at least three people

Application Checklist

  1. Application – Submit the Graduate School Admissions online. Application fee: $75 Domestic/$100 International.
  2. Select Campus - Online 
  3. Select Intended Program - MAHM, Avian Health and Medicine (Population Health)[MAHM_AVHM_ON] 
  4. Entrance Exam Scores – Send recent official entrance test scores (less than five years old) to the graduate school. Institutional code for ETS reporting: University of Georgia 5813.
    1. GRE or MAT
    2. International applicants must also submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
  5. Statement of Purpose – Submit a one-page statement of purpose online to the Graduate School. The statement of intent should clarify the candidate's relevant background, interests, and goals in relation to the program.
  6. Résumé or curriculum vita – Upload to the Graduate School application.
  7. Transcripts – Submit unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended as part of the online application. Send official transcripts after you are offered admission
  8.  Letters of recommendation - Submit three letters of recommendation online to graduate school. Letters should be from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s scholarly ability and potential for success in a graduate program. Preferably at least two of them are from faculty who have instructed the applicant in a previous program of study. The application will prompt your recommenders to submit their letters electronically.

Application Deadline

Domestic Applicants 

  • Fall:  July 1

International Applicants

  • Fall:  April 15

The Graduate School Application

Curriculum

Program Structure

Content within each subject is released on a weekly or monthly basis to allow the class to move through the material together. Lecture notes are presented online and can be downloaded by students. Class discussions, audio lectures, and interactive case studies are also some of the learning activities students will encounter in the course. Students will be expected to be able to set aside approximately 20-25 hours per week for reading, assignments and participation in online activities.

Courses

  Fall Term  Spring Term
Year 1
  • POPH 7210E Breeder Husbandry and Health (3 credits)
  • POPH 7220E Incubation Theory, Hatchery Practices, and Poultry Health (3 credits)
  • POPH 7230E Poultry Genetics and Nutrition (3 credits)
  • POPH 7414E Poultry Practicum I – Poultry Husbandry (3 credits)
  • POPH 7310E Poultry Pathology (9 credits)
  • POPH 7418E Poultry Practicum II – Management of Disease (3 credits)

 Satisfactory completion of semesters one and two fulfill requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate in Avian Health.

Year 2
  • POPH 7320E Poultry Immunology and Infectious Diseases (9 credits)
  • POPH 7513E Poultry Practicum III – Preventive Medicine (3 credits)
  • POPH 7330E Poultry Food Safety Epidemiology (6 credits)
  • POPH 7420E Poultry and Public Health Issues Impacting International Trade (3 credits)
  • POPH 7517E Poultry Practicum IV – International Trade Issues (3 credits)
Year 3
  • POPH 7421E Economics of Poultry Production (3 credits)
  • POPH 7422E Poultry Disease Prevention Programs (3 credits)
  • POPH 7610E Poultry Routine Health Surveys (3 credits)
  • POPH 7612E  Poultry Practicum V – Production Economics and Financial Analysis (3 credits)
  • POPH 7615E - Special Problems in Population Health (6 credits)
  • POPH 7618E - Masters Research Summary (6 credits)

Contact Information

Contact the online Avian Medicine Graduate Coordinator for answers to any additional questions you may have.

Email us using the request for information form or call 706-480-8438

Testimonials

Testimonials

"My favorite part of the MAHM program is that it easily fits into my lifestyle. Working as a turkey veterinarian in the commercial poultry industry consumes a large portion of my time and often includes additional work hours outside of a normal workday. The online MAHM program has allowed me to continue the expansion of my poultry medicine and husbandry knowledge base." - Molly Parker, '18


"The Master of Avian Health and Medicine program provides all the necessary information I need to develop my skills as a poultry veterinarian. The clinicians and faculty that are involved with this program are renowned for their work and achievements in the industry. I am happy to be apart of that and to have the opportunity to work with them on a personal level." - Grace Mountainspring, '17


"I chose the program because of the excellent reputation of both schools. The program was very attractive to me because I knew that I did not want to forfeit a job that I loved while taking time off to earn a Master’s. The way that the MAHM was structured allowed me to incorporate my on the job real-life experiences and diagnostic cases in both field and lab settings with my online studies." - Elena Behnke, '11