UMES veterinary school earns AVMA reasonable assurance, plans first class for 2027

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) School of Veterinary Medicine has received a letter of reasonable assurance from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE). The decision allows UMES to begin recruiting applicants and admitting students to its Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program.¹

According to the university, the program will be the first veterinary school physically located in Maryland. It will also be the first veterinary school at a public historically Black college or university (HBCU).¹ The inaugural class is planned to begin in June 2027.¹

As dvm360 previously reported, UMES received approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission in January 2024.²

"Receiving the Letter of Reasonable Assurance represents a historic milestone for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and veterinary education in Maryland, allowing UMES to move forward with recruiting and admitting our inaugural class," Stanley R. Robertson, DVM, dean of the UMES School of Veterinary Medicine, said in a news release.¹

What reasonable assurance means

Reasonable assurance is not accreditation. The AVMA COE grants it to developing programs that have yet to enroll students but have demonstrated an acceptable prospect of earning full accreditation.¹ After its inaugural class matriculates, the UMES school will request provisional accreditation and continue through the council's established accreditation review process.¹

The council made its decision after reviewing the school's self-study, a June campus visit, and supporting documentation. Based on the plans submitted, the council concluded it is reasonable to expect the program to comply with the AVMA COE Standards of Accreditation within the provisional accreditation period, provided the plans are carried out as proposed.¹

Applications are not yet open. The university said it will announce application dates, deadlines, and submission instructions soon.¹

"This affirmation by the accrediting agency positions UMES to meet the nation's growing need for veterinarians," UMES President Heidi M. Anderson, PhD, said in the release. "It gives Marylanders who aspire to become vets the opportunity to train and remain in state, and it creates a durable new source of revenue for the university at a time when the economics of higher education are shifting."¹

A 3-year, year-round curriculum

Students will complete the UMES DVM curriculum in 3 years of year-round study rather than the standard 4 years. The program will combine case-based instruction, simulation, clinical skills training, and supervised experiences at university-operated and affiliated clinical sites.¹

According to the university, the program's distributed clinical model is designed to expose students to a range of species, practice settings, communities, and career pathways. The university said the model will maintain faculty oversight and consistent academic and clinical standards across all training sites.¹ The school will prepare graduates for companion animal care, agriculture, public health, research, and other areas of veterinary medicine.¹

"As we prepare to welcome our inaugural class, our innovative, year-round, 3-year DVM program will emphasize academic excellence, early hands-on learning, and diverse clinical experiences," Robertson said. "Our goal is to graduate highly competent, confident, compassionate, and practice-ready veterinarians who will strengthen animal health, agriculture, public health, and the veterinary workforce in Maryland, the Mid-Atlantic region, and beyond."¹

Leadership and next steps

UMES named Robertson the school's first permanent dean in July 2024 after a nationwide search.³ He previously served as professor and associate dean of clinical relations at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, which also offers a 3-year DVM program.^3,4

UMES lists information about prerequisite courses, admissions requirements, and the proposed selection process on the admissions section of the School of Veterinary Medicine website.¹

References

1. UMES advances towards historic milestone: opening first veterinary school at a public HBCU. News release. University of Maryland Eastern Shore. October 13, 2026. Accessed October 20, 2026. https://www.umes.edu/scm/umes-advances-towards-historic-milestone-opening-first-veterinary-school-at-a-public-hbcu/
2. Coppock K. University of Maryland Eastern Shore plans to admit first veterinary students in 2026. dvm360. February 26, 2024. Accessed October 20, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/university-of-maryland-eastern-shore-plans-to-admit-first-veterinary-students-in-2026
3. UMES hires first permanent dean for School of Veterinary Medicine. News release. University of Maryland Eastern Shore. July 12, 2024. Accessed October 20, 2026. https://www.umes.edu/scm/umes-hires-first-permanent-dean-for-school-of-veterinary-medicine/
4. Robertson SR. Curriculum vitae. University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Veterinary Medicine. Accessed October 20, 2026. https://www.umes.edu/svm/wp-content/uploads/sites/170/2026/08/Stanley-R-Robertson-CV.pdf