Accreditation
The Council on Education (COE) is the U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency for colleges and schools of veterinary medicine in the United States, Canada, and international institutions seeking accreditation by the agency. In order to become an AAVMC member institution, a college or school of veterinary medicine must earn accreditation from the COE. The Council on Education is jointly supported by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The COE is re-certified as the official accrediting body for colleges and schools of veterinary medicine by the U.S. Department of Education every seven years.
Accredited institutions are required to be reaccredited every seven years.
Advocacy
The Governmental Affairs program works to secure resources in support of academic veterinary medicine. This includes informing and influencing policymakers and their staff on important issues that affect veterinary medicine’s impact on public health, including biomedical research, agriculture, and animal welfare, as well as both direct and indirect support for colleges of veterinary medicine.
Animal Welfare
The AAVMC Board of Directors established the Task Force on the Use of Animals in Veterinary Education, in July 2021, with the charge of developing recommendations to the Board. The Task Force recommended the development of guidelines for AAVMC member institutions. The draft was distributed to the AAVMC Assembly and AAVMC Academic Affairs Committee, in August 2022, with request to distribute to the key faculty/staff members for review and comment.
The AAVMC Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Veterinary Education were approved by the Board in October 2022.
Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE)
Competency-based veterinary education is an approach modeled after competency-based medical education and is designed to prepare graduates for professional careers by confirming their ability to meet the needs of animals and the expectations of society.
Council on International Veterinary Education (CIVME)
The goal is to promote collaboration, foster innovation and share best practices on a worldwide scale to advance the quality of teaching and learning in veterinary medical education.
Diversity
The AAVMC has been a champion of equality since its inception. Affirming diversity will help to advance the profession and contribute to its longevity.
Education
The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) advances veterinary medicine by supporting the education and the preparation of a high-caliber workforce that can meet society’s future needs
Journal of Veterinary Medical Education (JVME)
The Journal of Veterinary Medical Education (JVME) is the peer-reviewed scholarly journal of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC).
One Health
AAVMC maintains strategic partnerships and alliances with groups that advance and advocate for One Health initiatives.
Professional Development
The AAVMC offers a variety of professional development programs and resources that are designed to enhance the career development of faculty members and administrators working at our member institutions.
Recruitment
AAVMC provides support to students in the application and admissions process.
Spectrum of Care Initiative
This initiative is intended to provide the infrastructure, guidance, and assistance for an inclusive and collaborative approach to supporting and enhancing Spectrum of Care training in veterinary education.
Veterinary Career Advisors Network (VETCAN)
The Veterinary Career Advisor Network (VetCAN) was founded in 2014 as a resource and network for individuals working with veterinary students and alumni in the area of career and professional development.
Veterinary Medical Education Initiative (VMEI)
The Veterinary Medical Education Initiative (VMEI) has been established by AAVMC to scan the veterinary medical education continuum and identify potential gaps in the system and opportunities for improvement.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing is a state of living that speaks to our overall quality of life. Maintaining good health contributes to a thriving profession.