The University of Maryland-Eastern Shore (UMES) is set to open its new School of Veterinary Medicine in June 2027, making it the only veterinary school in Maryland and the first at a public historically Black college or university in the United States. The school, located in Princess Anne, Maryland, has recently received its Letter of Reasonable Assurance from the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education, enabling it to begin student enrollment.
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The Letter of Reasonable Assurance indicates that the program has a promising prospect of achieving full accreditation as it progresses. UMES's School of Veterinary Medicine aims to meet two pressing needs in the field: addressing a shortage of veterinarians in rural mixed animal practices and enhancing diversity within the profession, where fewer than two percent of veterinarians identify as Black or Brown, according to Dean Dr. Stanley Robertson.
The veterinary school will implement a unique three-year accelerated curriculum that focuses on hands-on learning and incorporates a One Health approach, emphasizing the interconnected health of humans, animals, and the environment. The school will collaborate with UMES’s existing School of Agriculture and School of Pharmacy and Health to support this integrated educational model.
As one of 19 historically Black land-grant institutions, UMES aims to enhance pathways for underrepresented students. Dean Robertson noted that educational agreements have been established with various HBCUs and regional institutions with pre-veterinary programs, ensuring support for prospective students. The inaugural class will admit 100 students, with half from Maryland and the remainder likely coming from HBCUs and regional agriculture programs, though all applicants must meet admission requirements.
The curriculum is designed to help students with varying levels of experience succeed, combining academic success courses with foundational sciences. The accelerated program structure mirrors a successful model from UMES’s School of Pharmacy and Health, allowing students to graduate one year earlier than in traditional programs.
Students will gain clinical experience through partnerships with veterinary practices across the region, rather than in a teaching hospital setting, providing them with real-world training under mentorship. This approach enhances hands-on experience, as students will be involved directly in veterinary practices from the outset.
With a focus on cultivating confidence and competence in graduates, UMES-SVM is committed to preparing students for careers in veterinary medicine, aiming to create a diverse workforce ready to tackle various challenges in the field.