Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in
Aquatic Animal Medicine
language
English
Studies mode
Presential
coordinator
Marta Muñoz Baquero
Shawn Johnson
WHO IS THIS PROGRAMME FOR?
Graduates in Veterinary Medicine. At least 12 months of clinical experience is recommended.
FEES, GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Click on the link to view the student fees for this programme. The Fundación Universitaria San Pablo CEU is the private educational institution which devotes the most resources to grants and scholarships in Spain. Those enrolled on a master's degree or lifelong learning master programme are eligible for an AVANCE Scholarship.
What makes us different
Our international outlook
This diploma both provides advanced training to veterinarians and responds to the demand for specialized professionals with an international outlook: veterinarians who can provide effective care to aquatic animals in zoos and aquariums are in great demand, as these animals’ physiology means that they require medical care which can differ greatly from that for land animals. Furthermore, concern for the conservation of endangered aquatic species emphasizes the need for experts who can diagnose and treat diseases and contribute to research, rehabilitation and conservation.
Aim of the Postgraduate Diploma
- To provide specialist training in the physiology and pathology of aquatic species.
- To provide students with the skills to diagnose and treat diseases in aquatic fauna.
- To train veterinarians specializing in the medical care of aquatic fauna in aquariums and their habitat.
- To promote scientific research for the prevention of disease and the study of emerging pathologies.
With these objectives in mind, the Diploma provides an in-depth, scientific and practical education, enabling graduates to practice with confidence in the field of aquatic animal medicine.
Learn with the Oceanogràfic in Valencia, Europe's largest aquarium
This postgraduate specialization diploma has been established on the basis of various collaboration agreements between CEU UCH and the Oceanogràfic de València.
The Oceanogràfic de Valencia, part of the City of Arts and Sciences complex, opened in 2003 and it is Europe's largest aquarium and an international benchmark for tourism, research, conservation and outreach activities regarding marine biodiversity. It is home to more than 27,000 animals of 700 species, many of them unique or little known, with all the planet's main aquatic ecosystems being represented.
The centre has a fully equipped veterinary clinic, laboratories and first-class medical facilities, enabling it to run specialized training programmes. Thanks to this infrastructure, the Oceanogràfic de València possesses the right professionals, animals and environment for the study of aquatic fauna and for the provision of high-quality training in the care of these animals.
Online format
The Advanced Postgraduate Diploma (DUFA) in Aquatic Animal Medicine is offered online. This veterinary specialization diploma includes the following compulsory modules:
- Introduction to Conservation Medicine
- Marine Mammal Medicine
- Fish and Aquatic Invertebrate Medicine
- Marine Reptile and Marine Bird Medicine
Choose the itinerary that best suits you
And if you are looking to round off your training with a more comprehensive experience, you can choose to take the Lifelong Learning Master Programme in Aquatic Animal Medicine, which combines theoretical content with practical training and the completion of a end-of-master’s degree project. In this way, you can apply the knowledge you have acquired in a professional environment.
Would you like to learn more about the Master Programme?You will also be able to study each module independently, which are offered as Higher Postgraduate Certificates. The number of ECTS credits in each case corresponds to the number of hours of theoretical training involved.
We collaborate with the best organisations:
- MundoMar Benidorm
- Wildlife Health Ecology Research Organization
- Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium
- Sea Change Conservation
- Disney's Animals, Science and Environment
- New England Aquarium
- NC State University CMAST (The Center for Marine Sciences and Technology)
- University of Florida Aquatic Animal Health Program College of Veterinary Medicine
- AWEC (Animal Welfare Education Center)
- The Marine Mammal Center
- International Zoo Veterinary Group
- Ardente Veterinary Nutrition
- The SeaDoc Society
- R3 Animal
- GREFA
Ready to apply?
Our admission process is simple and easy, and with many resources to make your application as smooth as possible.
Access your intranet to submit documents, find useful information and check your application status from home!
Partners
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* Subject not offered in the current academic year. The syllabus content for this course is not available.
Ready to apply?
Our admission process is simple and easy, and with many resources to make your application as smooth as possible.
Access your intranet to submit documents, find useful information and check your application status from home!
Lecturers in Valencia
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Dr Shawn Johnson
Dr Shawn Johnson is a veterinarian who specializes in marine mammals, with a doctorate from Iowa State University and a master's degree in preventive veterinary medicine from the University of California Davis. With over 20 years of experience, he has worked with marine mammals and birds in the areas of clinical care, research, rescue, and rehabilitation. He is a former Director of the Marine Mammal Center in California and is a co-founder of Sea Change Health, where he leads teams in advanced medical care and field anaesthesia. He has published 53 research articles on marine wildlife health. -
Dr Claire Simeone
A marine mammal veterinarian, Dr Simeone is a graduate of Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She has led research on mortality events and was the director of the monk seal conservation programme in Hawaii. Founder of Sea Change Health and scientific collaborator at the Oceanogràfic, she has developed innovative therapies and coordinated international conservation projects. She is the author of 25 scientific publications and was the first veterinarian selected as a TED Fellow in 2018, highlighting her work on ocean health. -
Dr Daniel García Párraga
He is the Coordinator of the Scientific Committee at the Fundación Oceanogràfic and Director of Zoological Operations at AVANQUA. Having undertaken his bachelor’s degree and PhD at Madrid’s Universidad Complutense, he is a European diplomate in zoo animal medicine and aquatic animal health. An active member of international associations, an associate lecturer and a member of inspection committees, he has published over 170 scientific articles and is a leading figure in marine animal research, conservation, and welfare. -
Dr José Luis Crespo
A Veterinary Medicine graduate of the Cardenal Herrera CEU University, he completed his PhD at Madrid’s Universidad Complutense on marine turtle pathology. He is the veterinarian with responsibility for the Conservation Area at the Fundación Oceanogràfic. He has worked as visiting scholar at a variety of international marine wildlife recovery centres. He has published over 90 research articles. -
Dr Marta Muñoz Baquero
A Veterinary Medicine graduate of Universidad Complutense in Madrid, she has a Master's in Aquaculture from the University of Vigo and a PhD from the University of Murcia, specializing in shark reproduction. She has worked at various aquariums in Spain and around the world, providing clinical care. Currently, she is an associate lecturer at CEU UCH’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and also works for the Fundación Oceanogràfic, where she provides her veterinary expertise to the Conservation Department for the rehabilitation of marine animals. She has published more than 10 research articles.
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Dr Carlos Barros García
He is the assistant director of the zoological collection and the curator of birds and reptiles at Avanqua Oceanogràfic. A graduate in Veterinary Science from the Universidad of Santiago de Compostela and in Biological Sciences from the Universidad de Vigo. He has worked as a veterinarian and biologist specializing in exotic and aquatic animal medicine and zoo animal management at leading institutions such as Acquario di Génova or Mundomar. He is part of the inspection committee at EAZA, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, and of the ethics and animal welfare committees at Migramar and Fundación Oceanogràfic. -
Dr Andreas Fahlman
A graduate in Marine Sciences from Hawaii Pacific University, Dr Fahlman holds a PhD in Animal Physiology from Carleton University (Ottawa). He undertook research at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution until 2011. Since then, he has combined his research work with teaching as an assistant professor at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He is one of the leading specialists in diving physiology in marine mammals and is the author of more than 60 research articles. -
Dr Carlos Rojo Solís
Dr Rojo has worked as a veterinarian at the Oceanogràfic de Valencia since 2018. He graduated in Veterinary Medicine at Madrid’s Universidad Complutense in 2010 and received a Master's Degree in Research in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences in 2011. He is currently pursuing a PhD in pharmacology in birds at the same university. He is co-author of a chapter on emergencies in ornamental fish and has published several articles on general medicine in exotic species. A large part of his career has focused on clinical care in wildlife medicine, having worked in zoos and breeding facilities in Spain and the United Arab Emirates. He is a member of the European and American associations of zoo veterinarians (EAZWV and AAZV) and an inspector for the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). -
Dr Teresa Álvaro
Dr Álvaro has worked as a veterinarian at the Oceanogràfic since 2003. She is a graduate in Veterinary Medicine from the Universidad Complutense in Madrid, specializing in animal medicine and health. She is the head of the Veterinary Medicine and Laboratory Department, with her clinical experience focused on the care of aquatic animals. She is co-author of a chapter on emergencies in ornamental fish and has participated in courses on aquatic animal medicine at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid and the CEU Cardenal Herrera University in Valencia.
Ready to apply?
Our admission process is simple and easy, and with many resources to make your application as smooth as possible.
Access your intranet to submit documents, find useful information and check your application status from home!
From a placement to the job of your dreams
For many students, postgraduate programmes are a springboard for them to launch their careers. And that's exactly what we want for you too. With us, you'll get real industry experience during your placement, you'll develop key personal competencies and you'll learn from lecturers who are active professionals.
¿Quieres saber más? >>Compulsory placements
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Framework Regulations for the External Practical Training of University StudentsPDF
More information
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Mireia Burdeus Nadal
Head of the Postgraduate Unit at the Careers Service
Ready to apply?
Our admission process is simple and easy, and with many resources to make your application as smooth as possible.
Access your intranet to submit documents, find useful information and check your application status from home!
Ready to apply?
Our admission process is simple and easy, and with many resources to make your application as smooth as possible.
Access your intranet to submit documents, find useful information and check your application status from home!
- Start date: January 2026
- End date: December 2026
- Lecture times: From Monday to Thursday, 3-4 hours per day, between 2 PM and 8 PM
Ready to apply?
Our admission process is simple and easy, and with many resources to make your application as smooth as possible.
Access your intranet to submit documents, find useful information and check your application status from home!
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Regulations for the Continuation of Studies and Enrolment Conditions for Bachelor’s DegreesPDF -
Regulations Concerning Continuous Assessment at the CEU UCHPDF
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General Regulations Concerning End-of-Degree Projects (TFGs) and End-of-Master’s Degree Projects (TFMs).PDF
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Regulations on the Recognition and Transfer of CreditsPDF
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Normativa sobre Enseñanzas Propias y Formación Permanente de la Universidad CEU Cardenal HerreraPDF
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Reglamento para el reconocimiento académico en créditos ECTS por la participación en actividades culturales, deportivas, de representación estudiantil, solidarias y de cooperación en los títulos de GradoPDF
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Normativa de compensación de calificaciones de la Universidad CEU Cardenal HerreraPDF
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ADMINISTRATION OF THE ERASMUS+, SICUE AND IBEROAMÉRICA PROGRAMMES – BACHELOR’S DEGREESPDF
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Seventh and last examination opportunity – ProceedingsPDF
More information
Ready to apply?
Our admission process is simple and easy, and with many resources to make your application as smooth as possible.
Access your intranet to submit documents, find useful information and check your application status from home!
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