Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine-Illinois, Downers Grove Campus
Discover advanced veterinary healthcare at the College of Veterinary Medicine-Illinois. Our hands-on learning and advanced facilities will prepare you for a compassionate, patient-centered career in veterinary medicine.
³ûÄñÊÓƵ is advancing veterinary education with the development of the ³ûÄñÊÓƵ College of Veterinary Medicine-Illinois on the Downers Grove Campus. The College will address the growing need for skilled veterinarians who can provide comprehensive care for large and small animals. The College will also help fill the need for critical research to aid in public health and the demand for qualified professionals to serve as leaders and educators within the veterinary profession.
The proposal for the new college is currently being reviewed by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE). Pending accreditation approval, the first class is expected to matriculate in 2027. Course details will be available soon.
Mission
The mission of ³ûÄñÊÓƵ's College of Veterinary Medicine-Illinois (CVMI) is to improve animal and human life through innovative veterinary education, state-of-the-art healthcare services, and scholarly work relevant to the principles of One Health.
Vision & Goals
CVMI students spend their pre-clinical training years in classroom lectures, laboratories, and simulation lab exercises. During clinical training, students rotate through a variety of diverse veterinary care experiences at ³ûÄñÊÓƵ animal care clinics. There is opportunity for additional experiences at research facilities, private practices, and other institutions.
As a ³ûÄñÊÓƵ veterinary student, you will:
- Attend a full-time, four-year program that awards graduates the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree.
- Spend pre-clinical training years in classroom lectures, laboratories, and simulation lab exercises.
- Choose your veterinary path with flexible externships and electives to meet your career goals during clinical rotations.
- Rotate through a variety of diverse veterinary care experiences at ³ûÄñÊÓƵ animal care clinics, including hands-on animal contact and clinical skills training.
- Take classes in new state-of-the-art on-campus facilities, including a veterinary teaching clinic and a large animal teaching facility, all designed specifically for CVMI students.
- Enjoy the quality of life and attractive cost of living in Illinois, with affordable on-campus housing and financial aid programs designed with students' needs in mind.
Program Details
The College of Veterinary Medicine-Illinois provides a four-year program culminating in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree. Students will engage in a mix of classroom lectures, laboratory work, simulation lab exercises, and interactions with standardized clients and patients.
Our program also provides:
- Student-centered learning experiences with small groups
- Live animal contact beginning in the first quarter and continuing throughout the program
- State-of-the-art clinical teaching facilities
- Diverse clinical rotation training and opportunities
Note - Course details will be available soon.
Learn More
Learn more about the requirements and find quick links to relevant catalog content to guide you in your application process.
Students seeking admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine-Illinois (CVMI) must submit the following documented evidence:
- Completion of the prerequisite coursework or plans to complete the coursework prior to matriculation (confirmed by official transcripts).
- A minimum science GPA of 3.3 and minimum total GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. No grade lower than a C in any course will be accepted for credit. (Pass/fail and satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading is not acceptable in prerequisite science courses).
- Completion of a minimum of 240 hours (6 weeks) of veterinary practice, health science field, or biomedical research. Students with additional hours of work experience will present stronger cases for admission.
- Three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are submitted to the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). At least one of the letters should be from a veterinarian. The other letters should preferentially be from a pre-veterinary or science professor and from someone who can testify to the integrity and ethical standards of the applicant. Letters written by immediate family members are not acceptable.
- Although not required, a Bachelor's degree will make a candidate more competitive.
- A minimum of 64 total semester hours/96 quarter hours.
Prerequisite Coursework | Sem Hrs | Qtr Hrs |
|---|---|---|
Biology | 8 | 12 |
General Chemistry with lab | 8 | 12 |
Organic Chemistry with lab | 8 | 12 |
Biochemistry | 3 | 4 |
Math (college algebra or above) | 6 | 9 |
Physics with lab | 4 | 6 |
English Composition | 6 | 9 |
Science Electives | 8 | 12 |
Minimum of 64 total semester hours/96 quarter hours of college credit (Bachelor’s Degree preferred).
Students seeking admission to CVMI must:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the veterinary medical profession.
- Demonstrate service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
- Have proper motivation for and commitment to the veterinary profession as demonstrated by previous compensated work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
- Possess the communication skills necessary to interact with patients, clients, and colleagues.
- Pass the ³ûÄñÊÓƵ criminal background check.
- Abide by the ³ûÄñÊÓƵ Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
- Meet the Technical Standards for the College.
Note: Full list of requirements will be available soon.
The mission of the ³ûÄñÊÓƵ College of Veterinary Medicine-Illinois is to improve animal and human life through innovative veterinary education, state-of-the-art healthcare services, and scholarly work relevant to the principles of One Health.
The proposal for the College is currently being reviewed by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE).
For more information regarding accreditation procedures and policies: AVMA Council on Education, 1931 N. Meacham Rd. Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173; phone: 847-285-6625.
Hear Our Stories
Coretta Patterson, D.V.M., DACVIM-SA
³ûÄñÊÓƵ announced the appointment of Coretta Cosby Patterson, D.V.M., DACVIM-SA, as Dean of the proposed College of Veterinary Medicine – Illinois.
"Dr. Patterson possesses a deep understanding of veterinary medicine and its intersection with human health and the environment, making her an invaluable asset to the One Health mission at ³ûÄñÊÓƵ." said Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of ³ûÄñÊÓƵ.
Mark Joseph Acierno, M.B.A., D.V.M., DACVIM
Dr. Acierno, the Associate Dean of the proposed College of Veterinary Medicine - Illinois, is a respected leader in veterinary medicine. With a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) from Mississippi State University and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Pace University, he blends clinical expertise in areas such as internal medicine, veterinary nephrology, and surgery with a strong background in business and education.
Watch Us Grow!
The New Home for the College of Veterinary Medicine Illinois
The newest addition to the Illinois academic campus is currently under construction and will be the home base for our inaugural class of veterinary medicine students.
The Future Companion Animal Clinic
The University will also be offering a Companion Animal Clinic, a state-of-the art veterinary teaching clinic, that offers complete small animal veterinary care using the latest in technology and treatments. This allows students hands-on live animal contact and clinical skills training beginning in the first year and continuing throughout the program. We seek to become a partner in the veterinary community, offering support to local clinics with our specialty services and shelters the wide variety of services they require.
College Stats
Growth in Employment
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 19% growth in employment for veterinarians from 2023 to 2033.
Median Salary
Median Salary for Veterinarians is $119,100 per year.
