Veterinary Student Externship
COVID-19 Update
We are currently hosting 4th year veterinary students, although at a reduced capacity. Some of our other onsite training programs are still suspended and we have not yet determined the date on which those programs will resume. All updates will be posted on this page, so please check back intermittently.
The ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance Veterinary Student Externship is a two-week (40 hours/week) unpaid learning opportunity, designed to deliver spay/neuter surgical instruction, and offer students a behind-the-scenes look into the world of spay/neuter and shelter medicine.
Externs will experience surgical instruction and practice seven out of the program’s ten days, usually performing approximately 15 surgeries in total. The exact curriculum is determined by patient/case availability and each student’s ability.
Important Application Details
- The program is open to senior veterinary students attending AVMA-accredited colleges who have completed at least the course and clinical surgery portion of their veterinary training (not rotations).
- To be fair to all colleges, students must be at least a rising 3rd year student (having fully completed their 2nd year) to apply. No exceptions will be made, and abuse of this rule could result in program disqualification.
- Before starting the application process, students must collect the following:
- Senior year start date and graduation date
- List of available rotation blocks
- College extern/preceptorship coordinator’s details (name, phone, and email)
- Credit/debit card to submit $125 program fee (required admin fee + dorm fee)
Class Application Windows
Preparing for Arrival
- 4th Year Student Intern Permit application: Two months prior to a scheduled externship, we will send the name and details of the applicable instructor, with which students can complete the $25 online application for the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board (NCVMB) intern permit.
- Pre-arrival information
- ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance protocols
- Recommended reading list
Questions?
Contact vetstudent@aspca.org