Innovative Education

The Teaching Academy

The Teaching Academy, the first of its kind in veterinary medicine, was created in July 2010 to continue to foster innovative curriculum at the college. The academy supports faculty dedicated to teaching and learning and brings educators together to help integrate common elements in the curriculum.

Diagnostic Challenges

Diagnostic Challenges are case-based exercises are conducted collaboratively with faculty in pathology, clinical pathology, bacteriology, virology, immunology, and radiology. Visiting veterinarians, who are WSU alumni of the college, come to college as volunteer case facilitators to give back to their school and work with current students. Collaboration between WSU faculty and veterinarians who volunteer to be facilitators makes this class unique in veterinary education. 20 years of Diagnostic Challenges Future vets practice problem solving, communication

Cougar Orientation Leadership Experience

Cougar Orientation Leadership Experience (COLE) is week-long orientation which includes an off-site retreat designed to promote personal leadership and community. COLE brings students from different places and connects them to WSU, acclimates them to professional school, and sets the foundation for cooperation and teamwork over the next four years.

Humane Society Alliance Education Program

The Humane Society Alliance Education Program is a partnership with regional humane societies to give our students an extraordinary educational opportunity in community-based, wellness-centered, primary care facilities during their final year in school. The experience better prepares them to enter the workforce after graduation.

Clinical Simulation Center

The Clinical Simulation Center offers hands-on surgical training to veterinary students beginning their very first year. Using a peer-based teaching approach, the center offers exceptional training. Students have the opportunity to use simulation models from basic suturing to models that give an accurate feel of actual exam or surgical procedures.

Clinical and Professional Skills Lab

The Clinical Communication Program uses techniques such as simulation to enhancing clinical communication for the benefit of patients, clients, profession, and society. Based in relationship, and grounded in evidence the program offers strategies for advancing formal communication training for students, house officers, staff, and practitioners. Based on the learning objectives of the project collaborators, the program generates and facilitates experiential learning opportunities within a safe environment that promotes experimentation towards skill mastery. 

Animal Health Policies Program

Impacting Animal Health and Food Security Policy through Science, Politics, and Beliefs. The Animal Health Policies Program gives graduate students an opportunity to learn about policy-making and implementation at local, national, and international levels. Each is a case-based course conducted on- and off-campus through a series of experiential learning opportunities based on relevant animal health issues. 

The Northwest Bovine Veterinary Experience Program

The Northwest Bovine Veterinary Experience Program helps prepare veterinary students for a career working with livestock. Students gain first-hand experience working with veterinarians on commercial dairy or cattle operations. DVM students at WSU can apply for a stipend to help offset costs of the six week program.