By: Paige Britt, Follow South Jersey Intern
GLASSBORO, N.J. – The New Jersey Department of Agriculture announced that they will be working with Rowan University in developing their veterinary school and program. Classes are planned to begin in the fall of 2025. The veterinary school will be the first in the state.
Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher explained the importance of the program.
“There is high demand for well-trained veterinarians, especially here in New Jersey,” said Fisher. “We are excited to have this collaboration with Rowan University as it embarks on its journey of excellence and innovation.”
In the fall of 2025 Rowan plans to accept 60 students into the program, and will grow to an expected 90 students per class. There are currently only 5 veterinary schools on the East Coast. The goals of the NJDA are to grant access to Rowan veterinary students and faculty to use their Animal Health and Diagnostic Lab, and to promote animal and public health.
The Founding Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University Dr. Matthew Edson described how monumentous this will be for the university.
“Access to their state-of-the art animal health diagnostic laboratory will be an invaluable educational resource for our student doctors and we appreciate the opportunity to collaborate,” Edson stated. “The demand for both small and large animal veterinarians is growing, and we’re eager for the Rowan University School of Veterinary Medicine to help to fill that need both in New Jersey and across the country.”
Rowan’s School of Veterinary Medicine is petitioning for accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. Once this is completed, Rowan will offer New Jersey’s first Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Additionally, it will be one of two universities in the country to offer Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Medicine, and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees.
The curriculum of the program will be a mix of teaching, research, clinical observation, and evidence-based approaches, while maintaining a less traditional teaching model. The program will focus on cost efficiency, affordability, and job readiness. Students will engage in clinical experiences early in the curriculum through lectures, observation, and practice. Online, virtual reality, and simulation models will be a part of the learning process for students.
The School of Veterinary Medicine of Rowan University will showcase student scholarly research, and will focus on diagnosis, treatment, control of diseases, and improvement of animal health and well-being.
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