RUSVM Accreditation

St. Christopher & Nevis Accreditation Board

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine is accredited by the St. Christopher & Nevis Accreditation Board, Ministry of Education to confer the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine on its students who successfully complete the course of study. The status of full accreditation was renewed following submission of a self-study and a site visit, effective July 1, 2012, for a period of five years.

St. Kitts Accreditation Resources

• About the St. Kitts-Nevis Accreditation Board
• The Accreditation Process 
• Accredited Schools 

AVMA COE Accreditation

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA-COE, 1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173, 847-925-8070). In March 2011, the AVMA-COE voted to accredit the program following the school's submission of a self-study and a comprehensive AVMA-COE site visit in January 2011. The next comprehensive evaluation will occur in 2018.

RUSVM AVMA Accreditation History

During the 2005-2006 academic year, School of Veterinary Medicine faculty conducted a comprehensive assessment of the program, which culminated in a self-study report submitted to the AVMA-COE in July 2006. Multiple faculty committees were established to conduct the in-depth assessment of the academic program. The Student Government Association leaders reviewed and provided input to the self-study process. An AVMA-COE consultative site visit was held September 2006.

In response, the University continued to enhance the educational and research programs in addition to constructing new facilities including: campus student residencies, campus preparatory school, digital imaging laboratory, histopathology laboratory, necropsy, large animal hospital and teaching center, large animal isolation unit, clinical skills laboratory, two 180-seat classrooms, student center, gym and faculty offices. The number of faculty has also been increased from 41 to more than 80 full time positions, including 25 with specialty certification.

In February of 2009, the University submitted a progress report to the AVMA detailing the recent facilities and programmatic improvements. The AVMA congratulated the faculty of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on its continued progress and encouraged the School to continue its efforts in the accreditation process.

A complete self-study was prepared and submitted to the AVMA-COE in July 2010. Upon review of the self-study, RUSVM received notification from the AVMA-COE that the School had been approved for a comprehensive accreditation site visit to occur January 16-20, 2011. The site visit and self-study resulted in full accreditation by the council's board in March 2011.

AVMA Accreditation Resources

• About Accreditation
• Accreditation Policies and Procedures of the AVMA Council on Education
• The Accreditation Process
• The Eleven Accreditation Standards

Notice to all Veterinary Students

In compliance with the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education's Standard number 6…"Each accredited college must provide a mechanism for students, anonymously if they wish, to offer suggestions, comments, and complaints regarding compliance of the college with the Standards for accreditation. These materials shall be made available to the Council annually,” we invite you to make any such comments to Dr. Jane Sandquist, assistant dean for academic administration, by email (jsandquist@rossvet.edu.kn), or anonymously by letter to her attention in the Office of the Dean, School of Veterinary Medicine. Also, a suggestion box for this purpose is located in the entrance to the Learning Resources Center. Your input is valued.

North American Veterinary Licensure Examination

The North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) is required for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in North America. Senior students and recent graduates must pass the NAVLE in order to gain licensure. The AVMA requires a minimum pass rate of 80% to maintain full accreditation. Ross university students have consistently exceeded this standard. Shown below are the NAVLE pass rate percentages of RUSVM graduates over the last five years:

^{*The reported pass rate for RUSVM students graduating in 2012 was 91%. Because of our three times per year student intake, students who had their first attempt in April 2012, had only one opportunity to sit the exam within the reporting period. However, the passing rate at the time of graduation after two attempts was 97%.}