Master of Avian Health and Medicine
Master of Avian Health and Medicine
We [veterinarians] have the most unique profession- we can re-invent ourselves. It’s important for all of us to become leaders and represent our profession to the rest of the world.
Clinical Associate Professor
Overview
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. The University of Georgia 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).
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
- Application – Submit the Graduate School Admissions online. Application fee: $75 Domestic & International.
- Select Campus – Online
- Select Intended Program – MAHM, Avian Health and Medicine (Population Health)[MAHM_AVHM_ON]
- 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.
- GRE or MAT
- International applicants must also submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
- 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.
- Résumé or curriculum vita – Upload to the Graduate School application.
- Transcripts – Submit unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended as part of the online application. Send official transcripts after you are offered admission
- 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 Deadlines
Domestic Applicants
Fall: July 1
International Applicants
Fall: April 15
The Graduate School Application
Cost
Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates and student fees may change each year.
Based on the 2024-25 credit-hour cost, a person who had completed this program at the recommended pace would have paid $46,440 in tuition. Reference this sheet to identify the current credit hour rate for your program of interest.
Please use the Estimated Cost Calculator on the Bursar’s Office website to calculate one academic (Fall/Spring) year’s tuition.
This program is an E-Rate program, so choose “yes” for the E-Rate line item within the calculator.
Fees for those students enrolled in exclusively online programs are $411 per semester.
Potential additional costs include:
- Textbooks
- Exam proctoring fees
- Technology upgrades
The complete cost of attendance can be found at https://osfa.uga.edu/costs/.
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 microphone are required.
- High-speed internet access.
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
Year 1
Fall Term
| Course | Title | Credit |
| POPH 7210E | Breeder Husbandry and Health | 3 |
| POPH 7220E | Incubation Theory, Hatchery Practices, and Poultry Health | 3 |
| POPH 7230E | Poultry Genetics and Nutrition | 3 |
| POPH 7414E | Poultry Practicum I – Poultry Husbandry | 3 |
Spring Term
| Course | Title | Credit |
| POPH 7310E | Poultry Pathology | 9 |
| POPH 7418E | Poultry Practicum II – Management of Disease | 3 |
Satisfactory completion of semesters one and two fulfill requirements for the Post Graduate Certificate in Avian Health
Year 2
Fall Term
| Course | Title | Credit |
| POPH 7320E | Poultry Immunology and Infectious Diseases | 9 |
| POPH 7513E | Poultry Practicum III – Preventive Medicine | 3 |
Spring Term
| Course | Title | Credit |
| POPH 7330E | Poultry Food Safety Epidemiology | 6 |
| POPH 7420E | Poultry and Public Health Issues Impacting International Trade | 3 |
| POPH 7517E | Poultry Practicum IV – International Trade Issues | 3 |
Year 3
Fall Term
| Course | Title | Credit |
| POPH 7421E | Economics of Poultry Production | 3 |
| POPH 7422E | Poultry Disease Prevention Programs | 3 |
| POPH 7610E | Poultry Routine Health Surveys | 3 |
| POPH 7612E | Poultry Practicum V – Production Economics and Financial Analysis | 3 |
Spring Term
| Course | Title | Credit |
| POPH 7615E | Special Problems in Population Health | 6 |
| POPH 7618E | Masters Research Summary | 6 |
Faculty
News & Events
Holly Sellers Advances Poultry Health Through Partnership with Merck Animal Health
December 16, 2024In Gainesville, Georgia, the “Poultry Capital of the World,” protecting the health of commercial poultry is critical. A partnership between the University of Georgia and Merck Animal Health exemplifies this commitment, combining cutting-edge research and educational opportunities to enhance poultry health and safety. “Students participate very closely in the research and get training in an area that doesn’t have very many opportunities outside of institutions like Merck and UGA,” said Dr. Holly Sellers, a professor at UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine's Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center (PDRC) and a key collaborator in the partnership.
UGA Poultry Research Center Recognized at GA Bio Awards
February 12, 2020Each year, Georgia Bio recognizes achievement and honors excellence in the life sciences industry in Georgia, and for the second year in a row, the University of Georgia was recognized at their annual Golden Helix Awards. This year, UGA’s Poultry Diagnostic & Research Center received the…
Dr. Holly Sellers named 2019 UGA Inventor of the Year
May 21, 2019Dr. Holly Sellers has been named the 2019 Inventor of the Year for her work in poultry science. She is also the first woman to receive the distinction since 2001. Each year the University of Georgia names an Inventor of the Year as an honor for…
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 a part 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
Contact Information
Contact us using the request for information form or call 706-480-8438.