Proposed veterinary college receives approval from state's higher education board

The proposed Chicago College of Veterinary Medicine (CCVM) has received approval from the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) to confer the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. The new college is under development at Midwestern University’s campus in Downers Grove, Illinois.¹

The new CCVM in Illinois aims to address the region’s need for practicing veterinarians, qualified veterinary leaders and professional educators as well as increase research that would aid public health.² Plans for the CCVM include a teaching hospital that will provide students with hands-on clinical education.¹

“This approval from the IBHE is an exciting and important step in our journey to build a strong veterinary program for Illinois and the broader region,” Coretta C. Patterson, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), PG Cert Vet Med Ed, dean of the CCVM, said in a news release.¹ “Our goal is to prepare compassionate, highly competent veterinarians who will improve animal health, support public health, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. A 4-year veterinary college, supported by a comprehensive teaching hospital, will ensure our students are fully prepared for the demands of modern veterinary practice.”

Midwestern University currently operates a College of Veterinary Medicine at its campus in Glendale, Arizona. This college was founded in 2012 and graduated its first class in 2018. It offers a veterinary teaching clinic, a large animal teaching facility and external sites for clinical skills training.³

According to Midwestern University, the Illinois board’s decision to approve the DVM program represents a major milestone for the institution as it progresses toward full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education (COE). A companion animal clinic is expected to open in spring 2027, and the first class is expected to matriculate in 2028, pending COE accreditation.¹

“The program is designed to prepare students for key roles in the healthcare delivery system for both humans and animals. The program will also teach students the importance of animals in the ecosystem with human health and how to manage, recognize, and report zoonotic diseases,” the IBHE wrote in its approval.⁴

The COE lists 36 veterinary schools in the US and its territories as accredited, including those with full accreditation as well as provisional and probationary statuses. Additionally, 2 veterinary schools in development have received a Letter of Reasonable Assurance as they work towards accreditation: Lincoln Memorial University’s College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park in Florida and Clemson University’s Harvey S. Peeler College of Veterinary Medicine in South Carolina.⁵

Midwestern University’s CCVM is poised to join only one other veterinary medical school currently operating in Illinois.¹ The state is currently home to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine, according to AVMA.⁵

References

1. Midwestern University receives state approval to offer Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. News release. Midwestern University. December 15, 2025. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://www.midwestern.edu/news-stories/midwestern-university-receives-state-approval-offer-doctor-veterinary-medicine-degree
2. Doctor of veterinary medicine, Chicago College of Veterinary Medicine. Midwestern University. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://www.midwestern.edu/academics/degrees-programs/doctor-veterinary-medicine-program/doctor-veterinary-medicine-chicago-college-veterinary-medicine
3. Doctor of veterinary medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Glendale campus. Midwestern University. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://www.midwestern.edu/academics/degrees-programs/doctor-veterinary-medicine-program/doctor-veterinary-medicine-college-veterinary-medicine-glendale-campus
4. New operating and/or degree-granting authority for independent institutions. Illinois Board of Higher Education. November 12, 2025. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://www.ibhe.org/board/2025/Nov/Item_H-2.pdf
5. Accredited colleges of veterinary medicine. American Veterinary Medical Association. October 16, 2025. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2025-10/colleges-accredited-9-2025.pdf