The Mississippi Aquarium provides veterinary students the unique opportunity to gain experience in the field of aquatic animal medicine. Our collection consists animals from brown waterways of Mississippi, to blue oceans of the Gulf of Mexico, and beyond. Externs will get exposure to a diverse collection, including invertebrates, freshwater and marine teleost’s, elasmobranchs, non-avian and avian reptiles, mammals, and cetaceans.
The Mississippi Aquarium has state-of-the-art diagnostic capability with equipment comparable to that found at a teaching hospital or in specialty practice. There are two full time clinical veterinarians and one veterinary technician.
Preceptorships/externships lasting a minimum of 4 weeks and a maximum of 6 weeks are available. Externships less than 4 weeks may be considered. Preference will be given to 3rd and 4th year students with 4-6 weeks available, but all students may apply. Work hours are typically 7:30 – 5:00 but may vary depending on the medical needs of the collection. The work week will be Monday to Friday. However, students should be flexible if asked to work on their weekend days or extended hours.