CVE and iCatCare's Feline Medicine DE Course: Is This Two-Year Program Worth the Investment?
An analysis of the program's clinical curriculum, course structure, CE accreditation, tutor qualifications, tuition fees, eligibility criteria, study materials, and application deadlines.
What clinical topics does the Feline Medicine DE course cover?
The ten-module sequence maps the full clinical range of feline practice over two years, with a new body system starting every two months. The February module on urinary tract disease opens the first year; from there you move through endocrine disorders, neurology and musculoskeletal disease, haematology and immunology, and oncology. Year two begins with dermatology, then respiratory disease, cardiology, gastrointestinal disease, and infectious diseases. Each module is built around the same clinical scaffold: reviewing the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of common feline conditions, then extending into unusual presentations and the species-specific differences between cats and dogs. The course also gives practical advice on handling feline patients, so you can translate the theory into a calmer, more confident examination. Understanding how cats respond pathophysiologically to disease and treatment is a stated goal, and the module list lets you target the exact system you need to strengthen before the intake starts.
How is the course structured over the two years?
This two-year distance education course is designed around a two-month cadence, so each of the ten modules starts at the same interval and runs until the next begins. That pacing gives practising veterinarians time to absorb the material without pulling them away from clinic work for long blocks. For each module, you work through written content, technique videos, self-reflections, and quizzes, then submit a monthly assignment online. The program is mentored by leading veterinary experts who give individual feedback and advice on each completed module. Participants also join a tutor-moderated group discussion forum and attend an online workshop to apply what they have learned. The 2027–28 intake follows the published sequence, with the first module beginning in February and the final module running through October of the second year. By the end of the two years, you have covered all ten clinical areas in a structured, repeating rhythm.
Is the course accredited for continuing education credits?
Yes. The program, identified as 20-805558, was reviewed and approved by the AAVSB RACE to offer a total of 100 CE credits to any one veterinarian. That approval indicates the course's validity and relevance to the veterinary profession. However, the approval does not guarantee that every state or provincial board will accept all 100 credits. Some boards have limitations on the number of hours they accept in certain categories, and some restrict certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Since this is an online distance education course, you should check whether your board accepts that format before enrolling. If you have comments or concerns about the program's validity or relevance, the AAVSB RACE program can be contacted directly. The course itself is suitable for qualified veterinarians, so the credit offering is part of a broader professional development package that includes tutor feedback and module assignments.
Who are the tutors and what are their qualifications?
Fourteen international tutors lead the course. The roster includes Katie McCallum (BVM&S PGCertSAM AFHEA DipECVIM-CA MRCVS), Sam Taylor (BVetMed(Hons) CertSAM DipECVIM FRCVS), Kerry Rolph (BVM&S CERTVC PHD FANZCVX DipECVIM-CA FRCVS), Eleanor Mardell (MA VetMB DSAM(fel) MRCVS), Christina Maunder (BVM&S CertSAM DipECVIM-ca FHEA FRCVS), Sarah Spencer (BVSc BSc Dip-ECVIM-CA MRCVS, RCVS and European Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine), and Petra Cerna (Ph.D. MRCVS CertAVP AFHEA AdvCertFB). Also on the faculty are Ashlie Saffire (DVM DABVP Feline), Katherine Briscoe (BVSc Hons I MVetStud FANZVS Feline Medicine), Sally Coggins (BVSc Hons I, MANZCVS Feline Medicine), Michael Linton (BVSc FANZVS Feline Medicine), Alison Jukes (BVSc hons FANZCVS feline medicine), Rachel Korman (BVSc GPCertFelP FANZCVsc MRCVS), and Jane Yu (BVSc MANZCVS Small Animal Medicine). They come from several countries, giving the course an international perspective. As mentors, they give individual feedback and advice on each completed module, and they moderate the forum discussions.
How much does the course cost and what are the payment terms?
Registration is handled directly through the CVE website with an option to pay in full or secure your spot with an AU$1000 deposit. If you choose the deposit route, the remaining full payment is due 10 days before the course commencement date. An Early Bird offer is available until 31 October 2026 for the 2027-28 intake, so enrolling before that date locks in the reduced rate; the exact discounted price is not listed in the public materials. Membership matters: veterinarians who belong to the International Cat Care Veterinary Society or the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) receive the same rates as CVE members. The course is promoted across the UK, Europe, the US, and Canada, so pricing is set in Australian dollars but accessible to international applicants. You can also choose to pay the deposit now and the balance later, which gives you a concrete deadline to plan around.
Who is eligible to enrol, and are there regional cohorts?
Eligibility is limited to qualified veterinarians. Because CVE has partnered with iCatCare and the AAFP, veterinary members of either organization receive the same rates as CVE members and can enrol on equal footing. The course is described as truly international, with 14 tutors from all over the world, and the enrolment process places you in a cohort of participants in your part of the world. That regional grouping means you will work through the modules with colleagues who are likely to be dealing with similar feline cases and practice constraints. The partnerships with iCatCare and the AAFP are part of what makes this possible; they extend the course's reach to the UK, Europe, the US, and Canada. Once you enrol, you will get access to the same comprehensive study materials and tutor feedback as every other cohort, but your discussions will reflect your region's context.
What study materials and learning support are provided?
The course provides a structured set of learning materials designed for busy practitioners. On enrolment, you receive comprehensive study materials, including digital notes, images, recommended readings, and access to self-assessed quizzes and case studies. These are complemented by regular webinars, which give you an opportunity to engage with tutors and other participants. An active online forum is part of the community, allowing you to discuss cases and share insights with fellow veterinarians who are equally committed to improving feline care. The programme also emphasises personalised feedback: assignments are submitted online and tutors provide individual advice on your progress. The interactive forum and regular assignments are crucial for practical learning and engagement with tutors. This combination of materials and interaction means you can learn at your own pace while still feeling connected to a supportive professional community.
Compiled from published reference material: icatcare.org
