AVMA COE Wants YOUR Feedback on Controversial Changes
The AVMA Council on Education® (COE®) is back in the spotlight—this time with a call for public comment on sweeping changes to its veterinary school accreditation standards. Following the decision to make DEI reporting optional for veterinary programs earlier this year, the COE is now opening the floor to feedback on seven key areas of its accreditation process: organization, clinical resources, students, admissions, faculty, curriculum, and outcomes.
🕒 Deadline alert: Comments are due by June 13, 2025.
Click here to view the proposed changes and submit your comments. Call for comments: AVMA COE accreditation standards
What's Behind the Proposed Revisions?
According to the COE, the proposed updates are a response to the growing legal complexities that veterinary schools face—especially around evolving federal policies and a patchwork of state laws. The council says its goal is to protect students and help institutions stay compliant with their local legal environments.
Earlier this year, the COE made waves when it paused mandatory reporting on DEI initiatives, citing conflicts between state mandates and federal regulations. In a March letter to veterinary school deans, the council stated:
“In recognition of the potential conflicts arising due to changing state and federal law... the COE will not require programs to report on... DEI... in a manner that conflicts with applicable law.”
The letter also flagged serious risks if schools were forced into legal conflicts, including loss of research funding and veterinary students losing access to Health Profession Student Loans.
Why It Matters
The AVMA COE® is no ordinary committee—it’s the sole accrediting body for veterinary education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. That recognition gives vet schools access to critical funding, including Title VII Health Profession Student Loans.
While the COE operates under the AVMA umbrella, it is functionally independent, especially when it comes to setting standards and accreditation policies.
TL;DR – What You Need to Know
The COE wants your input on big changes to vet school standards.
Changes touch on 7 major areas from admissions to curriculum.
The move comes after making DEI reporting optional due to legal challenges.
Deadline to comment: June 13, 2025.
Stakeholders are encouraged to speak up—this is your chance to shape the future of veterinary education.
Stay tuned. These changes could impact how future veterinarians are trained and funded.
