CVM Celebrates South Carolina

National South Carolina Day is Saturday, August 31. This designation recognizes and honors the history, culture and beauty of the Palmetto State. Clemson University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is proud to become part of the history of South Carolina and contribute to the success of the state.

“The CVM is part of the Clemson University family and brand,” said Founding Dean Steven Marks. “However, it’s important to note that the CVM belongs to all South Carolinians. Our mission is to train skilled veterinarians who will remain in South Carolina to practice.”

Pending accreditation, when the CVM welcomes the first class of students in the fall of 2026, this will be the first time ever that those who grew up in South Carolina have an option to earn their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree right here in the state.

“There is such great demand for large and small animal veterinarians in South Carolina,” said Brian Butler, Associate Dean of Clinical Programs.” Our goal is to train students here on our campus and provide opportunities to refine those skills during their fourth-year clerkships at veterinary practices around the state. This partially distributed clinical training model will ensure students have real-world experience right in the communities we hope they’ll return to and serve.”

This past June the CVM recognized the one-year anniversary of the Clemson Board of Trustees’ approval to establish the University’s newest College. The curriculum and degree program have been approved, the faculty and staff continue to grow, construction on the new buildings that will be home to high-impact teaching and learning is about to begin and interior design details are being finalized. The site has been cleared and utilities are going in as a preliminary step. The CVM facilities will consist of seven buildings, including:

• The CVM Hub, which is pictured below (main building with administrative and faculty offices, classrooms, meeting and social spaces, information resources, a bookstore, and the cafe),
• Clinical Teaching Building (housing anatomy and surgery teaching laboratories)
• Equine Teaching Building (on the site of the Clemson University Equine Center, across from CVM’s core campus),
• Farm Animal Teaching Building (located on the LaMaster Dairy Cattle Center, with a focus on cattle and small ruminants),
• Ambulatory Service Center (the home base for the CVM’s Ambulatory Veterinary Service, which will give students led by faculty the opportunity to provide veterinary care to farms in the region),
• Research Building, and
• A central utility plant.

“This has been an amazing journey so far,” said Dean Marks. “Every day we are closer to our historic first day of class. In the coming days, we’ll begin the search for additional faculty members and continue development on campus construction. There is something special happening in Clemson and South Carolina, and I am privileged to be a part of it.”

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program is a professional degree program akin to a law or medical degree. When the CVM receives accreditation and can accept student applications, the Admissions Committee will be looking for students who already have an undergraduate degree and/or have earned the needed prerequisites. Learn more and see important updates on our progress by clicking below:

Proposed Curriculum: https://www.clemson.edu/veterinary-medicine/students/curriculum.html

Proposed Admissions Information: https://www.clemson.edu/veterinary-medicine/students/admissions.html

Planned Student Services: https://www.clemson.edu/veterinary-medicine/students/student-services.html

If you have additional questions, please send an email to dvmadmit@clemson.edu.