BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, March 8, 2011—The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education (COE) has voted to grant full accreditation status to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine’s (RUSVM) doctor of veterinary medicine degree program for a period of seven years.
The next comprehensive evaluation and site visit will occur in 2018. The AVMA, through the Council on Education, is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the accrediting agency for colleges/schools of veterinary medicine in the U.S. As a result of the AVMA accreditation, graduates from RUSVM will now be able to sit for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in the U.S. or Canada without first completing a special foreign graduate examination.
“Achieving AVMA accreditation further affirms our commitment to excellence in veterinary education,” said David J. DeYoung, DVM, dean of RUSVM. “We are pleased with the decision of the accrediting board and look forward to working with other AVMA-accredited schools and our affiliate clinical partners in the U.S. to advance the future of veterinary education.”
RUSVM aligned research to enhance student education and play a more dynamic role in its program. The School also significantly increased the size of its faculty and staff, introduced new courses, such as communication and clinical skills, and integrated clinical competency training throughout the curriculum. Additional facilities were constructed to support the program development, including infrastructure upgrades, construction of new buildings and renovation of existing space. In addition, the Ross University Veterinary Teaching Hospital received accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association—the first teaching hospital to achieve this status outside the U.S. and Canada.
“Receiving AVMA accreditation is a significant milestone for the School and reflects years of collaborative planning and development among our veterinary leadership team, the faculty and the staff of the University,” said Thomas C. Shepherd, DHA, president of Ross University. “We are proud to receive this recognition of our commitment to the quality standards set by the AVMA and will continue to support robust development of the Ross University veterinary program. Our guiding principle has been and continues to be academic excellence.”
For more information about AVMA COE accreditation, visit www.avma.org <http://www.avma.org> .
About Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Ross University is a provider of medical and veterinary education, offering doctor of medicine and doctor of veterinary medicine degree programs. Founded in 1982 and located in St. Kitts, West Indies, the School of Veterinary Medicine is accredited by the St. Christopher & Nevis Accreditation Board and has achieved full accreditation status from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education to offer the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program. (AVMA COE, 1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173, 847-925-8070). The School of Veterinary Medicine is affiliated with 22 AVMA-accredited U.S. veterinary schools where students complete their clinical year. The University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital is the only facility outside the U.S. and Canada accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association.
Ross University’s administrative offices are located in North Brunswick, NJ. For more information about Ross University, visit www.RossU.edu.
