(MURRAY, Ky.) — Murray State University has secured a major milestone in its effort to launch Kentucky’s first veterinary school, receiving program approval from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education to offer a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
The approval moves the university significantly closer to enrolling its first class of DVM students as early as Fall 2028, pending accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association.
“This is a significant step as we continue to make great strides in advancing this important initiative, which will greatly benefit our region and the Commonwealth,” Murray State President Dr. Ron Patterson said in a statement.
Patterson thanked the Council on Postsecondary Education and its leader, Dr. Aaron Thompson, along with university leadership, faculty, state legislators and the Board of Regents for supporting the initiative.
Addressing Critical Shortage
The program aims to address a severe veterinarian shortage across Kentucky. A 2024 Deloitte study found that 80 of the state’s 120 counties are designated as having a veterinary shortage or are identified as underserved rural areas for veterinarians.
Kentucky currently has no veterinary school, while nationwide only 33 veterinary colleges hold accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The veterinary profession is experiencing robust growth nationally. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of veterinarians will grow by more than 19% by 2031, with demand for veterinary technologists and technicians expected to increase by 20% over the same period.
Legislative Support
The path to approval began with passage of Senate Bill 77 in 2025, which Governor Andy Beshear signed into law. The legislation provided the framework for Murray State to establish the DVM program.
The state legislature also committed $60 million to construct a new Veterinary Sciences Building on the university’s west farm.
Building on Existing Strengths
Murray State enters the veterinary education field with substantial infrastructure already in place. The university, celebrating its centennial year of agriculture programming, operates the A. Carman Animal Health Technology Center, the Rudolph Equine Education Center, multiple working farms and the Breathitt Veterinary Center—a nationally recognized animal disease diagnostic laboratory serving Kentucky’s equine, livestock and poultry industries.
The university’s Hutson School of Agriculture enrolls more pre-veterinary medicine and veterinary technology students than any other Kentucky institution and is one of just three programs in the state fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The school reached record enrollment this past fall.
The university now focuses on securing AVMA program accreditation as it works toward welcoming its inaugural DVM class in three years.
