Who Owns Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine?

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine was founded in 1982 in Basseterre, St. Kitts, in the Eastern Caribbean. The school was established as an offshore veterinary school, offering the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree to students who had not been admitted to veterinary schools in the United States or Canada. Offshore veterinary schools like Ross University provide an alternative pathway to a veterinary career for students who are qualified and motivated but were unable to secure admission to the limited number of AVMA-accredited veterinary schools in North America.

The veterinary school admissions process in the United States and Canada is highly competitive, with far more qualified applicants than available seats at AVMA-accredited schools. In recent years, there have been approximately 30 AVMA-accredited veterinary schools in the United States and 5 in Canada, with total annual enrollment capacity that is significantly smaller than the number of qualified applicants. This competitive admissions environment creates demand for offshore veterinary schools like Ross University, which offer qualified students an alternative pathway to the DVM degree.

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine was established with a curriculum modeled on North American veterinary education standards, with the goal of preparing graduates to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) and practice veterinary medicine in the United States and Canada. The school's curriculum follows the standard veterinary education model, with preclinical training at the Caribbean campus followed by clinical training at partner veterinary teaching hospitals in the United States.

The school's preclinical curriculum covers the foundational sciences of veterinary medicine, including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, microbiology, and clinical sciences. Students complete their preclinical training at the St. Kitts campus before transferring to clinical year training at partner veterinary teaching hospitals in the United States, where they gain hands-on clinical experience in small animal medicine, large animal medicine, and other veterinary specialties.

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine received accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education, which is the recognized accrediting body for veterinary education programs in the United States and Canada. AVMA accreditation is essential for graduates who wish to practice veterinary medicine in the United States, as most state veterinary licensing boards require graduation from an AVMA-accredited school or successful completion of the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) certification program.

In 2003, Adtalem Global Education (then operating as DeVry Education Group) acquired Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine as part of its expansion into healthcare education. The acquisition provided Adtalem with an established offshore veterinary school with AVMA accreditation and a track record of producing licensed veterinarians in the United States and Canada.

In September 2017, Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 hurricane, struck St. Kitts and caused significant damage to the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine campus. The hurricane forced the temporary relocation of students and disrupted operations. The school subsequently rebuilt and restored its campus facilities, demonstrating its commitment to continuing veterinary education in St. Kitts.

Under Adtalem's ownership, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine has continued to develop its curriculum, faculty, and facilities. The school has maintained its AVMA accreditation and continued to prepare graduates for veterinary licensure and practice in the United States, Canada, and other countries.

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine emphasizes small animal medicine in its curriculum, reflecting the predominance of companion animal (dog and cat) practice in the US veterinary market. The school's graduates practice in a variety of settings including private small animal practices, emergency and specialty hospitals, academic institutions, government agencies, and research organizations.