Foundations of Veterinary Business Program FAQs

What are the key goals of the program? 

The goal of our program is to help participants develop both the general and veterinary-specific business knowledge to successfully start, purchase, and operate veterinary practices.

Who is this program intended for?

Our program is designed to appeal to veterinarians and hospital administrators working in the profession who may not have the time or budget to pursue a full MBA program, as well as veterinary students with a strong interest in future practice ownership or leadership. Participants will learn how to analyze a practice to improve operations or consider a purchase. There is a heavy emphasis on small animal practice. However, individuals from other areas of practice will also find value. About one-third of attendees are veterinary students, and two-thirds are working professionals in the veterinary field.  

What makes this program different?

Our program is a unique collaboration between two highly-regarded schools—the UC Davis Graduate School of Management (GSM) and the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM). Our program also differs from many others by providing both online and live Zoom learning. This allows us to provide a cost- and time-efficient learning opportunity for busy people. Attendees can work through the online content at their own pace and continue to have access to this material after completing the program. Our program is also unusual in offering both business fundamentals and veterinary-specific business information.

What does it cost? 

We've worked hard to ensure this program is an exceptional value with a strong return on investment for our attendees. The registration fee is $2,599. which includes initial and ongoing access to the four comprehensive online learning modules created by GSM business experts, three live online Saturday business seminars by veterinary and industry experts, online business resources, support for the Capstone project, education fees, and a Certificate of Completion from the Graduate School of Management. 

Are scholarships available? 

Thanks to generous support from Zoetis, UC Davis veterinary students are eligible for partial tuition support.

What knowledge is required to participate?

No specific business or mathematical knowledge is required to participate in our program, though a basic familiarity with Microsoft Excel is helpful. If you've never worked with Excel, we suggest taking a short online course (there are many inexpensive options) prior to this program. Participants who are currently practice owners usually have more advanced knowledge than others. However, they have still found the course very valuable.  

What documentation will I receive upon completion?

Graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion from the UC Davis Graduate School of Management.

Who are the instructors?

Instructors include faculty from the Graduate School of Management and experienced practice owners and consultants from the veterinary field. See the speakers list above for instructor biographies.

How is the online curriculum organized and how much time is required? 

The online curriculum is organized into four core areas of business competency: 1) Managerial Accounting; 2) Finance; 3) Marketing; and, 4) Strategy & Human Resources. Each of these is divided into 3-6 key topics, which are further organized into subtopics. Participants gain access to the online materials in mid-May and have approximately four weeks to complete all of the modules before the first live Zoom meeting. The time invested varies significantly among participants. In general, each of the four core modules requires approximately 10–15 hours to complete. During the five weeks between the two live Zoom meetings, participants should schedule several hours each week to work remotely with their small group on the capstone project.

Are there tests?

The online curriculum includes quizzes for most topics, but these are just intended to help learners gauge their level of understanding. Otherwise, there are no exams. The time you invest in the online modules is up to you. This allows you to tailor your time based on what you feel will be most helpful. The more time you invest, the more you're likely to get out of the program.    

What is the Capstone Project?

The Capstone Project is a highlight of the program for many participants. After developing a foundation of business knowledge via the online curriculum, participants are placed into small, diverse groups of six to eight people. Each small group is provided with extensive data on a real-life veterinary practice, each of which is facing different challenges. Small groups meet during the first live Zoom session to determine a plan for working through the case. Throughout the remainder of the program, groups interface remotely to analyze their practice and make recommendations for improvement. Each group then presents to the class and an expert panel during the final weekend session.

Will I meet new colleagues with shared interests?

Yes, this is one of our goals. Each day of the live Zoom sessions includes interactive learning opportunities where you'll get to know others. We encourage a lively dialogue during class sessions, as there will be lots of wisdom in the room. You will also work closely with a small group on the capstone project.

Are CE credits offered?

The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine provides attending DVMs with approximately 16 hours of California CE credit in the area of practice management for the three live Zoom Saturday sessions. Some other states may also accept this as valid CE credit. We are currently pursuing RACE certification for both the online modules and live Zoom sessions, but cannot guarantee that this will be in place for participants this year. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Participants who complete the full program will receive a Certificate of Completion from the UC Davis Graduate School of Management.