Clemson veterinary college opens applications for inaugural class

South Carolina's first veterinary college is one step closer to becoming accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (AVMA COE).

Clemson University Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine is on its way to welcoming its inaugural class in the fall of 2026, following a key step in the accreditation process. Applications are open now for the inaugural Class of 2030.

The AVMA Council on Education during its fall meeting took several accreditation steps, including granting Clemson University's Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine a letter of reasonable assurance following a comprehensive site visit in June. (Renderings courtesy of LS3P and Flad Architects)

Clemson's efforts

On October 8, the AVMA COE granted the veterinary college a letter of reasonable assurance following a comprehensive site visit June 1-5 to Clemson, South Carolina, located in the northwest corner of the state.

Reasonable assurance does not confer accreditation of any kind for a developing college, but the college may gain accreditation in the future if it shows the AVMA COE that it continues to develop and implement its plans in a way that meets all of the standards.

"Our mission is to prepare world-class veterinarians who will advance animal health, support agriculture and strengthen communities in our state and beyond," said Dr. Steven Marks, founding dean of the college, in a press release. "The students will be prepared to enter the workforce on day one after graduation or pursue their education further to become specialized."

As a public land-grant university, Clemson plans to provide veterinary students with "a comprehensive education that combines rigorous classroom learning with hands-on farm and clinical experience," according to the university.

Under the four-year program, the first year will focus on healthy animals, the second year on animals with diseases, the third year on case-based clinical studies, and the fourth year on clinical externships. Fourth-year students will also have access to learn across dozens of clinical partners statewide, according to the veterinary college.

Clemson's new veterinary program is named after a 1970 graduate of the university who served as a senator in the South Carolina General Assembly since 1980. A dairy farmer, Peeler has been a long-standing proponent of the state having a veterinary college.

Clemson's Clinical Teaching Building will serve as home of the veterinary college's Community Clinic, where the public can access veterinary care.

The program says it will prioritize South Carolina residents, reserving 60 of the 80 seats for in-state students. Construction of the new veterinary medicine campus remains on track, according to the university, after breaking ground last November. Much of the funding came from state support thanks to Gov. Henry McMaster and the South Carolina General Assembly.

The veterinary complex will comprise multiple buildings:

• PCVM Hub will be dedicated to classroom and study areas.
• Clinical Teaching Building will house several laboratories and serve as home of the veterinary college's Community Clinic.
• Research Building will house faculty and graduate student offices as well as research laboratories.
• Ambulatory Service Building will provide fourth-year students with clinical rotation experience on area farms as mobile veterinarians.
• Equine Teaching Building will offer a dedicated space to practice and learn about equine health.
• Farm Animal Teaching Building will include specialized spaces for training students in farm animal care.

First-year tuition will be $27,000 for in-state students and $50,000 for those from out of state. The university hopes to provide partial scholarship support for the inaugural class.

Dr. Steven Marks was appointed founding dean in July 2023. Previously, he served as associate dean and director of veterinary medical services and clinical professor of emergency and internal medicine at North Carolina State University. Additionally, he has held positions at the University of Illinois, Louisiana State University, Colorado State University, Cardio Pet Inc. and Washington State University.

A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), Dr. Marks was
president of the small animal internal medicine specialty in the ACVIM from 2009-12.

He received his BVSc degree in 1989 from the University of Liverpool Faculty of Veterinary Science. Dr. Marks had a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. He completed his residency in small animal internal medicine at Washington State, where he also earned a master's degree in veterinary medicine.

Clemson's letter of reasonable assurance comes as a handful of proposed veterinary colleges are in various stages of seeking accreditation from the council.

Other AVMA COE actions

At its September 28-30 meeting, the AVMA COE took a number of accreditation actions, including granting accredited status to Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine.

The veterinary school, located in Amarillo, Texas, graduated its inaugural class of 61 students in May with 97% passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination. The majority of the graduates accepted jobs serving rural and regional communities throughout Texas and New Mexico, according to the veterinary school. The program anticipates building up to 100-student class sizes.

The inaugural class at Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine graduated this past May. The veterinary school is now one of 37 programs the AVMA COE accredits colleges in the United States. These veterinary colleges are in 28 states and Puerto Rico. (Courtesy of Texas Tech)

The university first announced plans in 2015 for its College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources to develop a veterinary school based at its Health Sciences Center. The program was granted a letter of reasonable assurance by the AVMA COE in September 2020 and welcomed its inaugural class in August 2021.

"This achievement marks a defining moment for Texas Tech University and for veterinary education in Texas," said Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec in an October 21 press release. "Accreditation affirms the quality of our faculty, the dedication of our students and the innovative model that has guided the School of Veterinary Medicine from the beginning. This recognition reflects years of hard work and collaboration and reinforces our commitment to serving the needs of rural and regional communities across the state. I congratulate Dean (Guy) Loneragan and all the faculty, staff and students who have contributed to this achievement."

The AVMA COE also granted provisional accreditation status to Rowan University Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine in Glassboro, New Jersey, and Utah State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Logan, Utah.

Further, the council reviewed a portion of the Accreditation Policies and Procedures (P&P) Manual, specifically regarding Standard 6 (Students) related to requirements for interactions with veterinary interns and residents. That's according to an October 6 "Dear Colleague" letter.

After considering the standard's intent, its implementation, and perspectives from a variety of stakeholders, the council voted to pause implementation of the language: "Experiences with interns and residents must take place in clinical settings that are relevant to students' career interests, and that allow students to explore common postgraduate educational opportunities."

Similarly, the council will not enforce the portion of the standard that states, "Experiences with interns and residents must include experiences in a clinical setting," pending further review.