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. The US and Canadian veterinary school admissions process is highly competitive, with approximately 30 AVMA-accredited veterinary schools in the United States and 5 in Canada, with total annual enrollment capacity significantly smaller than the number of qualified applicants.

The school's curriculum was 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. Students complete preclinical training at the St. Kitts campus followed by clinical training at partner veterinary teaching hospitals in the United States.

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine received accreditation from the AVMA Council on Education, 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.

In 2003, Adtalem Global Education (then operating as DeVry Education Group) acquired Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. The acquisition provided Adtalem with an established offshore veterinary school with AVMA accreditation and a track record of producing licensed veterinarians.

In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struck the Caribbean region. The hurricane caused damage to the St. Kitts campus and disrupted operations. The school subsequently rebuilt and restored its campus facilities, unlike its sister medical school which relocated to Barbados.

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.

The school emphasizes small animal medicine in its curriculum, reflecting the predominance of companion animal (dog and cat) practice in the US veterinary market. Graduates practice in private small animal practices, emergency and specialty hospitals, academic institutions, government agencies, and research organizations.