CPE Board approves new veterinary program at Murray State University

Kentucky is one step closer to expanding veterinary education in the state.

On January 30, 2026, the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) Board approved plans for a new Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at Murray State University. If fully accredited, the program would become the first veterinary school housed at a Kentucky public university.

With CPE approval secured, Murray State’s next step is to pursue provisional accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education. Pending that process, the university could admit its first class of veterinary students as early as fall 2028.

Addressing a Statewide Veterinarian Shortage

State leaders point to workforce needs as a key driver behind the program. According to CPE data, 160 Kentucky residents applied to DVM programs in 2023, but fewer than half were admitted, forcing many aspiring veterinarians to leave the state for training—or abandon the path entirely.

CPE President Dr. Aaron Thompson emphasized that the new program is intended to expand access to veterinary education while helping meet Kentucky’s growing demand for veterinarians, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Legislative Support Opened the Door

The approval follows the passage of Senate Bill 77 by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2025, which allows public regional comprehensive universities to offer doctoral-level degrees. Institutions must meet specific benchmarks related to graduation rates, student retention, and financial stability to qualify.

Murray State University President Dr. Ron Patterson credited broad institutional and legislative support for advancing the proposal, calling the decision a major milestone for the university and the Commonwealth.

What’s Next

While CPE approval marks significant progress, the program’s future now hinges on AVMA accreditation. If successful, Murray State would join a small but growing group of institutions expanding veterinary education capacity in response to national workforce shortages.

For Kentucky students interested in veterinary medicine, the decision signals a potential new in-state option—and a shift in how the state trains its future veterinarians.