Rowan to add school of veterinary medicine
by Katie Pfaff
In an effort to meet the ongoing need for veterinarians nationwide, New Jersey-based Rowan University will found a school of veterinary medicine. The school will be the first in New Jersey and offer various training options and degrees including DVM. The school aims to open in 2025.
“We are creating a destination of choice for students who share a passion for animal health and who want to pursue careers in veterinary-related studies at all higher education levels,” said Ali A. Houshmand, president of Rowan University. “Our curriculum will emphasize developing career-ready professionals to address shortages of animal health care providers in New Jersey and throughout the United States.”
Only 33 programs are accredited in the country, 5 of which are on the East Coast, according to the university. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, veterinary school applications were up by 19% from 2020 to 2021.
The Rowan program received $75 million in state funding in November 2021. The funds were approved by the state legislature to build facilities for academic and clinical study at Rowan. Once underway, the opening of the school depends on approval by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. The initial class is expected in 2025 with 60 students.
The new veterinary school anticipates offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs as well as residency and internships. Associate and Bachelors's degrees in veterinary technology will be accessible through a partnership with Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester.
A licensed veterinarian with more than 10 years of experience and founder/owner of Rancocas Veterinary Associates, Dr. Matthew C. Edson, will serve as the school's inaugural dean.
“We're excited to create a veterinary school where hands-on experience, virtual reality, simulations and outcomes-based, student-centered education and assessment are integral to the teaching and learning experience," Edson said. “Continuing Rowan's innovations in experiential learning, students will have early exposure to our on-site veterinary teaching hospital, as well as external clinical sites where they will work side-by-side with faculty and practicing veterinarians. This will allow them to gain ample real-world experience to promote day-one career readiness.”
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