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Master of Avian Health and Medicine

Master of Avian Health and Medicine

Karen Grogan

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.

Karen Grogan, DVM, MAM, ACPV

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

  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 Deadlines

Domestic Applicants

Fall: July 1

International Applicants

Fall: April 15

The Graduate School Application

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. 

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

CourseTitleCredit
POPH 7210E Breeder Husbandry and Health3
POPH 7220EIncubation Theory, Hatchery Practices, and Poultry Health3
POPH 7230EPoultry Genetics and Nutrition3
POPH 7414EPoultry Practicum I – Poultry Husbandry3

Spring Term

CourseTitleCredit
POPH 7310EPoultry Pathology9
POPH 7418EPoultry 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

CourseTitleCredit
POPH 7320EPoultry Immunology and Infectious Diseases 9
POPH 7513EPoultry Practicum III – Preventive Medicine3

Spring Term

CourseTitleCredit
POPH 7330EPoultry Food Safety Epidemiology6
POPH 7420EPoultry and Public Health Issues Impacting International Trade3
POPH 7517EPoultry Practicum IV – International Trade Issues3

Year 3

Fall Term

CourseTitleCredit
POPH 7421EEconomics of Poultry Production3
POPH 7422EPoultry Disease Prevention Programs3
POPH 7610EPoultry Routine Health Surveys3
POPH 7612EPoultry Practicum V – Production Economics and Financial Analysis3

Spring Term

CourseTitleCredit
POPH 7615ESpecial Problems in Population Health6
POPH 7618E Masters Research Summary 6

Faculty

News & Events

UGA Poultry Research Center Recognized at GA Bio Awards

February 12, 2020

Each 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, 2019

Dr. 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…

UGA Signs Poultry Vaccine Development Licensing Deal

February 18, 2019

The University of Georgia’s distinguished poultry research program continues to develop technologies that positively impact the poultry industry which is one of Georgia’s most important economic industries. UGA has been ranked in the top ten of all United States Universities for licensing deals for the past decade, and greater…

See more news articles related to this program

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.

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