Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Professional services
UnclaimedAn international veterinary school in Saint Kitts offering a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and postgraduate research programs.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) is an international veterinary education institution based in St. Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis. Founded in 1982 by entrepreneur Robert Ross, it was created to provide an alternative route into veterinary medicine for students who could not secure places in highly competitive medical and veterinary programs in the United States. The school is associated historically with Ross University School of Medicine, which Robert Ross founded in 1978, but RUSVM is a distinct veterinary institution. The school’s principal offering is the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). Its academic model combines a preclinical phase in St. Kitts with clinical training at partner institutions in the United States and Canada. Students normally complete seven semesters of foundational and preclinical study on the Caribbean campus before undertaking a final year of clinical education at one of more than 20 American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited veterinary schools in the United States or at Atlantic Veterinary College in Canada. The curriculum is designed around models used by U.S. veterinary schools and includes classroom instruction, laboratory work, small-group clinical preparation, community practice, ambulatory practice, and practical experience with animals such as cattle, horses, donkeys, and sheep. RUSVM has an international student body, although students from the United States constitute the largest national group. Eligible U.S. students may apply for federal financial assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. The school enrolls students three times a year, in September, January, and May, giving applicants multiple entry points and supporting a nontraditional international admissions model. By 2019, the institution reported graduating more than 5,500 veterinarians. The institution’s academic scope expanded beyond the DVM in the 2010s. In 2014, it began offering Master of Science and PhD programs in fields including public health, global animal health, conservation medicine, and other research areas supported by the school. It also launched four research centers that year, linking postgraduate study and student education with research priorities in animal health, public health, conservation, and related disciplines. RUSVM’s institutional positioning is built around international access to veterinary education, a U.S.-oriented curriculum, Caribbean-based preclinical training, and clinical placements in North America. Its principal quality markers include accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, accreditation by the St. Christopher and Nevis Accreditation Board to confer the DVM, and accreditation of the Ross University Veterinary Teaching Hospital by the American Animal Hospital Association. The teaching hospital’s accreditation was notable because it was described as the first American Animal Hospital Association-accredited teaching hospital outside the United States and Canada. The school also maintains an international research and education network. Its collaboration with the Moredun Research Institute was intended to create joint research and training opportunities, while a later memorandum of understanding with Singapore’s Ngee Ann Polytechnic sought to develop cooperation in education and research and a potential pathway for Singaporean students pursuing veterinary education. Administrative offices are located in Downers Grove, Illinois, while the core campus and teaching operations are in St. Kitts. RUSVM was purchased by Covista in 2003 and remains an active institution under that ownership.
History
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine was founded in 1982 by Robert Ross, an entrepreneur who had previously established Ross University School of Medicine in 1978. The veterinary school was created against the backdrop of limited places in U.S. professional programs and was intended to provide students with another route into veterinary medicine. From its base in St. Kitts, the institution developed an international admissions model serving students from the United States and other countries. RUSVM’s educational structure was designed around the requirements and practices of North American veterinary education. Students undertake seven semesters of preclinical and foundational study in St. Kitts before completing a final clinical year at one of more than 20 AVMA-accredited veterinary schools in the United States or at Atlantic Veterinary College in Canada. The early curriculum includes preparation for clinical work and practical exposure through community and ambulatory practice, as well as experience with university-owned herds and other animals. This structure allows the school to maintain a Caribbean campus while connecting its graduates with clinical training in North America. A significant institutional change occurred in 2003, when RUSVM was purchased by Covista. The school continued to operate as a veterinary institution under that ownership. In 2011, it received accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. The accreditation served as an important external validation of the school’s DVM program and its educational scope. RUSVM also holds accreditation from the St. Christopher and Nevis Accreditation Board Ministry of Education to confer the DVM on students who successfully complete the program. The institution developed additional academic and clinical infrastructure during the 2010s. The Ross University Veterinary Teaching Hospital received accreditation from the American Animal Hospital Association and was identified as the first teaching hospital outside the United States and Canada to achieve that status. In February 2012, RUSVM entered a collaboration with the Moredun Research Institute to promote joint scientific research and training opportunities for research scientists and veterinary students. In 2014, the school broadened its research profile by launching four research centers. These centers were intended to make research a more visible part of the student experience and to organize scientific work around areas supported by the institution. During the same period, RUSVM began offering Master of Science and PhD degrees in public health, global animal health, conservation medicine, and other fields connected with its research agenda. The postgraduate studies program received accreditation from the St. Christopher and Nevis Accreditation Board in July 2014, with the accreditation initially effective for five years. RUSVM also pursued international partnerships beyond North America and the Caribbean. It recruited students in Singapore for international research internship opportunities and signed a memorandum of understanding with Ngee Ann Polytechnic in October 2014. The agreement focused on mutually beneficial collaboration in education and research and contemplated a pathway through which Singaporean students could pursue veterinary education. By 2019, the school had graduated more than 5,500 veterinarians. Its continuing model combined three annual intakes—in September, January, and May—with international student recruitment, U.S.-oriented academic content, and clinical education in accredited North American settings. The school’s administrative offices are located in Downers Grove, Illinois, while its principal campus and teaching operations remain in St. Kitts. Its current profile is that of an active international veterinary institution offering a DVM alongside postgraduate research degrees and animal-health research programs.
- 2019
More than 5,500 veterinarians graduated
[1]The school reported having graduated more than 5,500 veterinarians.
- 2014
Research centers and postgraduate degrees introduced
[1]The school launched four research centers and began offering MSc and PhD programs in supported research areas.
- 2014
Ngee Ann Polytechnic memorandum signed
[1]RUSVM and Singapore’s Ngee Ann Polytechnic agreed to cooperate in education, research, and potential student pathways.
- 2012
Moredun Research Institute collaboration
[1]RUSVM partnered with the Moredun Research Institute on scientific research and training opportunities.
- 2011
AVMA Council on Education accreditation
[1]The school received accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education.
- 2003
Covista purchases RUSVM
[1]Covista acquired Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.
- 1982
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine is founded
[1]Robert Ross founded the veterinary school in St. Kitts to provide an additional route into veterinary education.
- 1978
Robert Ross establishes Ross University School of Medicine
[1]Robert Ross founded the related medical institution that preceded the creation of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Products and positioning
An internationally oriented veterinary school combining a Caribbean preclinical campus, a U.S.-style DVM curriculum, North American clinical placements, and research-led postgraduate education.
Professional degree · 1982
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
RUSVM’s primary professional qualification is the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. The program uses a North American-style curriculum, with seven semesters of preclinical study in St. Kitts followed by a clinical year at an AVMA-accredited veterinary school in the United States or at Atlantic Veterinary College in Canada. Students receive classroom, laboratory, small-group, and hands-on preparation involving community practice, ambulatory work, and multiple animal species.
Postgraduate education · 2014
Master of Science programs
The school’s Master of Science programs were introduced as part of its expanded postgraduate and research portfolio. Subject areas include public health, global animal health, conservation medicine, and other fields supported by RUSVM’s research centers. The programs connect advanced academic study with veterinary, animal-health, and public-health research.
Postgraduate research · 2014
PhD programs
RUSVM offers doctoral study in research areas aligned with the institution’s scientific priorities. The PhD portfolio is associated with fields such as public health, global animal health, conservation medicine, and other research subjects supported by the school’s themed research centers.
Clinical training · 1982
Veterinary clinical education
Clinical education forms the final phase of the DVM pathway. After preclinical study in St. Kitts, students complete clinical training through placements at more than 20 AVMA-accredited veterinary schools in the United States or at Atlantic Veterinary College in Canada. The model gives students exposure to established North American teaching and clinical environments.
Veterinary teaching hospital
Ross University Veterinary Teaching Hospital
The Ross University Veterinary Teaching Hospital supports clinical teaching and practical animal-health education at the St. Kitts institution. It received American Animal Hospital Association accreditation, described in reference material as the first such accreditation for a teaching hospital outside the United States and Canada.
Brand decisions
2014
Launch of postgraduate research degreesProduct launchBackground
RUSVM sought to broaden its academic role beyond the professional DVM and strengthen research-led education in animal health, public health, and conservation.
Action taken
The school began offering Master of Science and PhD degrees in research areas supported by the institution and its themed research centers.
Aftermath
The move expanded RUSVM’s academic portfolio and complemented the launch of four research centers.
2014
Expansion of research-center strategyStrategyBackground
The institution aimed to make scientific research a more prominent part of veterinary education and to organize work around defined areas of expertise.
Action taken
RUSVM launched four research centers covering areas connected with public health, global animal health, conservation medicine, and related fields.
Aftermath
The centers provided an institutional framework for research, postgraduate degrees, and student research experiences.
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