New Jersey's First Veterinary School Opens: How Rowan University is Shaping the Future of Animal Care
Rowan University Launches New Jersey's First Veterinary School, Now Accepting Applications for Inaugural Class
Exciting news for aspiring veterinarians! The Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University, the first veterinary school in New Jersey, is now accepting applications for its inaugural class, set to begin in fall 2025. This milestone comes after receiving a crucial "Letter of Reasonable Assurance" from the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education, marking a significant step in the school's multi-stage accreditation process.
Dr. Matthew Edson, the founding dean of the Shreiber School, explained that this letter allows the school to move forward with admissions and provisional accreditation, enabling students to complete their studies and qualify for the National Veterinary Licensing Examination upon graduation.
Prospective students can now apply for the first class of 70 students through a Rowan-specific portal on the school’s website, with applications open until December 31. A virtual admissions workshop will be held on October 17 to guide applicants through the process, including requirements, deadlines, and how to complete the application.
While the inaugural class will apply directly to Rowan, future classes will use the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS), with the school eventually expanding to admit 90 students annually.
With the opening of the Shreiber School, Rowan becomes one of only two universities in the U.S. to offer three medical degrees: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), and Doctor of Medicine (MD). This new school addresses the urgent need for veterinarians in New Jersey and across the nation, while also attracting students from outside the state.
Construction of the veterinary school is underway at Rowan’s West Campus, with completion set for 2025. The new 162,000-square-foot facility will house classrooms, a teaching hospital with clinical services for the community, and research and diagnostic labs. This state-of-the-art facility will also be home to the Virtua Health College Research Center, located on a sprawling 300-acre tract.
Rowan’s innovative veterinary curriculum will combine traditional teaching with hands-on clinical training, research, and evidence-based approaches to prepare students for the challenges of the profession. According to Dean Edson, the program aims to develop confident veterinarians ready to practice immediately after graduation. The teaching hospital will not only serve as a training ground for students but will also address critical needs in South Jersey for emergency and specialty veterinary care.
The establishment of the Shreiber School has been made possible by generous financial support, including a $30 million gift from South Jersey business leader and philanthropist Gerald B. Shreiber, announced during the groundbreaking ceremony in April 2023. In addition, the New Jersey Legislature approved $75 million to construct the school’s academic and clinical facility, solidifying its future impact on veterinary medicine and animal health care in the region.
This exciting new chapter for Rowan University brings a much-needed veterinary school to New Jersey, helping to shape the future of animal care both locally and nationally.
