(MS, Ph.D.)
                      Animal and Veterinary Sciences                                        
                      Graduate Student Handbook 
                      2021-2022 
                       
                       
                      Contents 
                      Clemson Graduate School Information ............................................ 2 
                      Overview of Program ....................................................................... 2 
                      Admission Requirements ................................................................. 4 
                      Requirements for Degree ................................................................ 6 
                      Suggested Timetable of Student Progress .................................... 11 
                      Standards of Performance ............................................................. 12 
         
         
         
                                                                                             
                                                                
                                                             ®
                                                     Clemson  University 
                             DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCES 
                                    129 Poole Agricultural Center, Clemson, SC 29634-0311 
                                             864-656-3428          clemson.edu/avs 
                                                                
                                                                                     
       Clemson Graduate School Information 
     These guidelines supplement the current version of the Clemson University Graduate School Policy 
     Handbook (https://www.clemson.edu/graduate/files/pdfs/gs_policy_handbook.pdf) 
     The policies and procedures of the Graduate School have been established to ensure that a 
     consistent set of standards are followed from the admissions process all the way through to the 
     awarding of degrees for every Graduate School program. 
         Graduate School Forms 
         (https://www.clemson.edu/graduate/students/forms.html) 
         Graduate School Deadlines  
         (https://www.clemson.edu/graduate/students/deadlines.html) 
       Overview of Program 
     Students interested in a professional career in the animal sciences will be exposed to educational and 
     research experiences involving the many facets of animal nutrition, physiology, microbiology, 
     genetics, and meat science through a rigorous curriculum of graduate-level courses and challenging 
     experimentation approaches.  
     The most current ideas and concepts in animal sciences will be provided to the students through their 
     daily interactions with the faculty in both the classroom and laboratory environments 
     Goal 
     The purpose of the Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AVS) graduate program is to provide a high-
     quality education for graduate students with diverse goals, and to develop, through research, the 
     knowledge and technology necessary to continually improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability 
     of animal agriculture.  
      
     What AVS Graduates do            
     Graduate School Is not a race, is a marathon. We get it. Your graduate degree will provide you with 
     options to immerse yourself in several different areas that throughout this experience you have 
     learned you are passionate about. Here's a snapshot of what life after graduation looks like for some 
     of our most recent students: 
      
      
      
     Clemson® University           Page 2                      2021-2022 
     Animal and Veterinary Sciences (MS, PhD)          Graduate Student Handbook 
      
            
                                                                                                             Sales (Livestock, Nutrition, 
                      Education                                                                        •
                 •                                                                                           Pharmaceuticals, Ag Chemical, 
                      Research/Teaching 
                 •                                                                                           Supplies and Equipment) 
                      Technical Services 
                 •                                                                                           International Development 
                      Extension                                                                        •
                 •                                                                                           Marketing 
                      Veterinary Medicine                                                              •
                 •                                                                                           Public Relations 
                      Small and Large Animal Practices                                                 •
                 •                                                                                           Customer Service 
                      Food Safety and Inspection                                                       •
                 •                                                                                           Product and Process Development 
                      Government Agencies                                                              •
                 •                                                                                           Genetics and Animal Breeding 
                      Non-Governmental agencies                                                        •
                 •                                                                                           Animal Nutrition, Health and Disease 
                      Research and Development                                                         •
                 •                                                                                           Control 
                      Science and Technology 
                 •                                                                                           Animal Behavior, Training, Caretaking 
                      Farm Production and Management                                                   •
                 •                                                                                           Quality Control 
                      Livestock Production                                                             •
                 •                                                                                           Livestock Regulatory Inspection 
                      Livestock Feed                                                                   •
                 •                                                                                           Harvest Operation Inspection 
                      Meat and Dairy Foods                                                             •
                 •                                                                                           Meat and Dairy Inspection 
                      Agribusiness                                                                     •
                 •
                  
           Professional Licensure 
           No professional licensure applies to the AVS Graduate Program 
           Approved Locations and Modalities of Delivery 
           The only approved modality of delivery is traditional (face-to-face). Students will be required to 
           complete their coursework on the main campus.  
           In some cases, select courses may be offered online or off-campus, but these are not typically offered 
           on a regular basis.  
           Research credits can be completed on the main campus, at Research and Education Centers, or at 
           other locations approved by the advisory committee.
           .
            
           Cohort information  
           No cohort information applies to the AVS Graduate Program.
                                                                                                             
            
              
             Clemson® University                                                        Page 3                                                                 2021-2022 
             Animal and Veterinary Sciences (MS, PhD)                                                                                    Graduate Student Handbook 
            
        
       Basic Program Metrics 
       Typical time to degree:  
       Typical time to degree: 
              MS (thesis) ............................ 1.5 - 2.5 years 
              MS (non-thesis) ..................... 1.0 - 2.0 years 
              PhD ....................................... 3.0 - 4.5 years 
              PhD (MS en route) ................ 5.0 –  6 years 
       Contact Information 
                                                              
       Dr. Gustavo Lascano                                   Ms. Stacey Miller  
       Graduate Program Coordinator Program                  Administrative Assistant  
       122 Poole Agricultural Center                         129 Poole Agricultural Center  
       Phone: 864-656-1745                                   Phone: 864-656-3428  
       glascan@clemson.edu                                   smille3@clemson.edu 
                                                                                   
       Advisory Board  
       There is no Advisory Board for the AVS Graduate Program. 
           Admission Requirements 
                       (in addition to Graduate School requirements) 
       Requirements
       The AVS Department requires GRE scores, resume, personal statement and three letters of 
       reference for application to our graduate program.  
       For M.Sc. thesis, MS nonthesis, and Ph.D. degree programs, the AVS Department also requires that 
       you identify a faculty member who is willing to serve as your major advisor prior to admission.   
       For assistance choosing a major advisor, please contact the AVS Graduate Program Coordinator, Dr. 
       Gustavo Lascano (glascan@clemson.edu). 
       Dates and deadlines 
       The AVS Program has rolling admissions, and accepts students for the Spring, Summer and Fall 
       semesters. Applications are considered year-round for all semesters. However, most of our students 
       enroll during the Fall Semester.
                                        
        
         
        Clemson® University                            Page 4                                       2021-2022 
        Animal and Veterinary Sciences (MS, PhD)                                      Graduate Student Handbook