FAQ

The MAS provides advanced knowledge training with an emphasis on professional practice. The main focus is on solving practical problems. The MSc provides broad-based knowledge training emphasizing the principles of the field of study. The main focus is on research and scientific work.
The MAS prepares you specifically for doing a better job in your practice/clinic; whereas an MSc prepares you for a scientific career.
The MAS is thus better for the professional market, the MSc better if you are looking for a job in a research/academic environment.

It is definitely not. Since it was started, the EMSAVM at the UL has always been presented as a “professional master degree”, which ESAVS had always intended, meaning the courses/study programs, the case log and the case reports have always been consistent with the practical training for professionals.
Since the Luxembourg Ministry of Education allows only one Master format, our “professional Master” at the University of Luxembourg had to comply with the traditional Master of 120 ECTS, which is the format of a scientific Master degree (MSc), and with the obligation to submit a research thesis. This means that ESAVS students received practice-oriented training but were nevertheless required to produce a scientific thesis which proved to be the major obstacle for many.
It was therefore decided to adapt the EMSAVM to the internationally accepted MAS format, which is specifically designed for continuing education studies. In consequence, the “new” ESAVS Master (MAS) had to be established outside of the University of Luxembourg.

The Master thesis remains an essential part of the MAS program. The thesis now consists of 10 case reports and an (online) oral presentation of one of these cases. Data retrieval and analysis combined with literature research and scientific writing are also features of case reports, which meet the essential criteria expected from a Master thesis.
Thus, in the MAS the previous research thesis requirement is now replaced by practice oriented written work based on case reports which much better reflects the objectives of the program focusing on practical skills and knowledge. However like any master thesis, it entails collecting data and their analysis, scientific writing and literature research, as well as an oral presentation.

The CAS/MAS are internationally accepted qualifications of continuing education by professionals holding university degrees. Recognition of the respective degrees is in the first place based on quality of the programs, which has to be based on an external evaluation. The quality assurance of the ESAVS programs is based on 2 pillars:

1. Educational certification by the FEDE: ESAVS teaching procedures meet EduQua standards

ESAVS has become approved as a member of FEDE. FEDE has audited and certified the ESAVS Certificate and Master programs

Who/what is FEDE?

The Federation for EDucation in Europe (FEDE) is an international non-governmental organization (INGO of nearly 500 institutions of higher learning for professionals. Thus, FEDE focuses specifically on continuous education at the tertiary level. The FEDE holds participatory status at the Council of Europe. With over 50 years of experience and a vast network of alumni and partner institutions, the FEDE has produced innovative teaching guidelines and a job market-oriented catalogue of 140 programs in 12 subject areas.

The FEDE approval is a quality label that

• proves that an educational institution’s course, qualification, certificate or degree has been officially recognized by the FEDE;
• demonstrates that the approved qualifications, certificates and degrees are innovative, provide training in new skills and prepare learners for contemporary and future-oriented job roles;
• proves that the institution’s teaching procedures have been audited and approved by a Swiss EduQua-accredited, supranational independent institution whose competence and expertise have been recognized by international actors and that is included in the European Union’s Transparency Register

2. Accreditation by VETCEE – an accreditation internationally valid for all European countries.

ESAVS is in the process of getting all CAS and MAS programs accredited by VETCEE.

A recognition of VetCEE beyond Europe and by veterinary organizations abroad can be anticipated, pending .

Who/what is VETCEE?

The Veterinary Continuous Education in Europe (VetCEE) is an international non-profit association and was founded in 2014 as a joint initiative of veterinary academia (European Association of Establishments of Veterinary Education – EAEVE), veterinary specialists (European Board of Veterinary Specialization – EBVS) and the veterinary profession (Federation of Veterinarians of Europe – FVE and Union of European Veterinary Practitioners – UEVP).

The main purpose of VetCEE is to provide accreditation of national and international programs for Continuing Veterinary Education (CVE) in Europe and to facilitate the recognition of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) between the various countries in Europe.

Both the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Veterinary Medicine (CAS) and the Certificate of Small Animal Veterinary Practice (CSAVP) have the same structure (5 ESAVS courses plus examinations and a case log of 100 cases) and comprise 30 ECTS.

Accreditation

• The CSAVP is run under the roof of the University of Luxembourg which also issues the certificate.
• The CAS is run by ESAVS, now an independent educational institution recognized by the state of Luxembourg.
• The CAS is approved by the FEDE and accredited by VetCEE (accreditation for all disciplines is currently in progress)

The CAS/MAS programs are internationally accepted qualifications of continuing education by professionals holding university degrees. Recognition of the respective degrees is in the first place based on validated quality of the programs. The quality assurance of the ESAVS programs is based on 2 pillars:

1. Educational certification by the FEDE: ESAVS teaching procedures meet EduQua standards

ESAVS has become approved as member of FEDE. FEDE has audited and certified the ESAVS Certificate and Master programs

Who/what is FEDE?

The Federation for EDucation in Europe (FEDE) is an international non-governmental organization (INGO of nearly 500 institutions of higher learning for professionals. Thus FEDE focuses specifically on continuous education at the tertiary level. The FEDE holds participatory status at the Council of Europe. With over 50 years of experience and a vast network of alumni and partner institutions, the FEDE has produced innovative teaching guidelines and a job market-oriented catalogue of 140 programs in 12 subject areas.

The FEDE approval is a quality label that:

• proves that an educational institution’s course, qualification, certificate or degree has been officially recognized by the FEDE;
• demonstrates that the approved qualifications, certificates and degrees are innovative, provide training in new skills and prepare learners for contemporary and future-oriented job roles;
• proves that the institution’s teaching procedures have been audited and approved by a Swiss EduQua-accredited, supranational independent institution whose competence and expertise have been recognized by international actors and that is included in the European Union’s Transparency Register.

2. Accreditation by VetCEE – an accreditation internationally valid for all European countries.

ESAVS is in the process of getting all CAS and MAS programs accredited by VETCEE.

A recognition of VetCEE beyond Europe and by veterinary organizations abroad is anticipated as well.

Who/what is VetCEE ?

The Veterinary Continuous Education in Europe (VetCEE) is an international non-profit association and was founded in 2014 as a joint initiative of veterinary academia (European Association of Establishments of Veterinary Education – EAEVE), veterinary specialists (European Board of Veterinary Specialization – EBVS) and the veterinary profession (Federation of Veterinarians of Europe – FVE and Union of European Veterinary Practitioners – UEVP).

The main purpose of VetCEE is to provide accreditation of national and international programs for Continuing Veterinary Education (CVE) in Europe and to facilitate the recognition of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) between the various countries in Europe.

Administration

• For the MAS and CAS programs, all enrolments, course and exam registrations, records and transcripts are administered by ESAVS only and require lesser formalities, whereas for the EMSAVM, all of the above is administered by two different systems (ESAVS and UL) which also entails more bureaucracy for the students.
• Exams have been conducted online since several years and will continue to take place online for the CAS/MAS programs. At the University of Luxembourg, exams are already conducted on-site again for resident students, which could become mandatory again also for EMSAVM students in the future.

Master of Advanced Studies in Veterinary Medicine: “MAS in Veterinary <<discipline>>”
Certificate of Advanced Studies in Veterinary Medicine: “CAS in Veterinary <<discipline>>”