We're less than two years from the first class of 80 students at Clemson University's College of Veterinary Medicine, which will open in 2026. ICYMI, this is the university's first professional school and the first-of-its kind program in SC.

Dean Steven Marks told Greenville Journal, "They’re [Clemson] a well-established agricultural-based university and they’ve always felt like they were missing a college of veterinary medicine."

Next steps

The school can't officially enroll students until it receives a letter of accreditation (called the Letter of Reasonable Assurance) from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. Marks said the letter is expected to arrive in 2025.

In addition to finalizing the curriculum and hiring facility + staff, Stacia Harris — the marketing and communications director — is tasked with promoting the new school. "I’ve been overwhelmed by how enthusiastic and supportive folks have been,” Harris said. If you're so inclined, feel free to tell your friends about it, too.

The need

Mars Veterinary Health found a need for 41,000 veterinarians by 2030 — the year Clemson's first class of veterinarians will graduate.

They will help meet a need here in the Upstate + across the Palmetto State, where experts found:

33% of SC counties have fewer than five veterinarians.
48% of SC counties have fewer than 10 veterinarians.
~200 SC students were actively enrolled in 13 out-of-state veterinary colleges last year.

The college will be located on Queen Street across from Clemson's equine center and is supported by the SC General Assembly + Governor Henry McMaster.