Educational support

○This doctoral program provides the following support for students attempting to obtain qualifications as medical specialists, etc.

◎To obtain qualification as a Laboratory Animal Medicine specialist

 This doctoral program aims for students to pass the accreditation examination (qualification examination and certification examination) prescribed by the Japan Association of Laboratory Animal Medicine. A specialized subject (Laboratory Animal Medicine Specialist Program) is established to fulfill the criteria for the qualification examination during the current program (i.e., to have a veterinary license and to have taken standard credits for qualification for three successive years as a member of the Japan Association of Laboratory Animal Medicine [JALAM] at the time of application). Kagoshima University Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has comprehensive animal testing facilities certified by the Association of Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International. In addition, it has the advantage of providing an environment for students to perform practical work to become specialists in laboratory animal medicine. Specifically, students deepen understanding of standard books on anatomy, physiology, infectious disease medicine, anesthesiology, developmental engineering, and animal welfare studies of laboratory animals (small, medium, and large), a subject area of the specialist association’s certificate examination. At the same time, students gain practical work experience in veterinary care for animals in laboratory facilities. Moreover, they participate in symposiums organized by the specialist association (JALAM) and in the wet-hand workshop more than the times (2) specified.
Furthermore, they publish research papers, which later become the core of graduation dissertations, as first-author papers in JALAM academic conferences or in refereed academic journals. Students obtain the specialist qualification for laboratory animal medicine by taking a certification examination after completing specialized subjects. This is a highly sought-after qualification with a specialized aspect, not only for teaching laboratory animal medicine at universities but also for becoming a specialist veterinarian who can take overall control of appropriate animal testing with consideration for animal welfare and veterinary management in life science companies whose work includes development of new drugs (social needs are very high for such specialists). This course enables students to qualify for the certification examination after completing specialized subjects. If students pass the examination, they can be qualified as a veterinarian specializing in laboratory animal medicine and earn a doctoral degree upon completion of that program.

◎Qualification for membership in the Japanese College of Veterinary Pathologists (JCVP)

 Specialized subjects are established to satisfy the criterion for the Japanese College of Veterinary Pathologists’ membership examination according to its guideline. Practice and research on pathological diagnoses are conducted through specialized subjects during the doctoral program since applicants are required to have worked in specialized research or specialized jobs in veterinary pathology for more than three years to take the qualification examination. Specifically, students gain basic knowledge and understanding of recent (past three years) academic papers on veterinary pathology, toxic pathology, immunopathology, and molecular pathology, which form the basis of the JCVP’s qualification examination. Students cultivate and strengthen abilities in histopathology to respond to a microscope examination of knowledge and abilities required in pathological diagnoses. Students participate in designated workshops or seminars organized by the JCVP more than the specified times (3), in addition to research and training history prescribed by the JCVP.
Students publish research papers, which later form the core of their graduation dissertations, as first-author papers in veterinary pathology (including laboratory animal science and toxicology) in refereed academic journals. After learning the specialized subject, students take the certification examination to qualify for membership in the JCVP. This qualification is not only required as a pathologist in clinical veterinary medicine but also expected to contribute to standardization/advancement of macro pathology in applied veterinary medicine, for instance, in meat inspection science or basic veterinary medicine, such as in experimental/toxicological pathology in development and production of new drugs. This course enables students to qualify for the certification examination after completing specialized subjects. If they pass the examination, they can obtain membership qualification for the JCVP and a doctoral degree on completion of the doctoral program.

◎Qualification for the entrance examination of the Japan Small Animal Surgery Specialist Association (JSASSA)

 During this course, students, working as clinical trainee doctors, are required to perform animal care at the small animal clinic attached to the Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Kagoshima University. Specifically, the trainee veterinarian educational program comprises veterinary surgery, anesthesiology, diagnostic radiology, pathology, internal medicine, and emergency medical care. According to study items established by each clinical department, students build a portfolio evidencing daily medical activities for self-improvement. Veterinary surgery places students to perform a surgical operation and puts them in charge of soft tissue surgical cases and orthopedic surgery, as required in the resident program. The contents that correspond to standard cases for anesthetic, pathological, and imagery diagnoses, in addition to general clinical experience for qualification to participate in the graduate school’s Japan Small Animal Surgery Specialist Association (JSASSA) resident program.
Additionally, students publish research papers, which form their graduation dissertation, as first-author papers in JSASSA academic conferences and in refereed academic journals. Students obtain qualification for the Japan Small Animal Surgery Specialist after obtaining the doctoral degree by completing the graduate school course and the resident period. This program is a new post-graduate education program that enables clinical doctors or trainee doctors at universities to achieve their goals of obtaining a doctoral degree and qualification for specialist veterinarian by enrolling in the special course and accommodating both laboratory work and work at the small animal clinic attached to the Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The specialist system is a regular post-graduate education system in Western veterinary education.