The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has proposed changes to higher education accreditation that could significantly affect how veterinary colleges are accredited and the role of organizations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE).
The regulations are intended to reduce costs, encourage innovation, and move accreditation away from prescriptive requirements toward a greater emphasis on performance and outcomes. The proposal would also allow multiple accreditors to compete in the same field.
In addition, proposed changes would remove trade associations from accreditation activities. Under the new framework, organizations such as the AVMA would have no role in funding, staffing, oversight, decision-making, appointments, or policymaking related to accreditation. The DOE also referenced antitrust concerns involving the AVMA and Lincoln Memorial University.
Another area of interest for veterinary colleges is distance education. New language included in the regulations aims to reduce barriers to technology and alternative educational models so institutions can adopt practices that improve student access and accelerate degree completion.
The AVMA has characterized the rulemaking as potentially sweeping for accreditors such as the COE. The association has been examining what the changes could mean for veterinary education and accreditation as the federal rulemaking process moves forward.
In a statement given to AVMA News, Dr. Jesse M. Hostetter, COE chair, said, “We will make any necessary changes to the COE, as outlined by the U.S. DOE’s proposed rules, once they are confirmed and established. The COE will continue to champion rigorous accreditation standards that promote excellence in veterinary medical education.”
The new regulations remain subject to a public comment period, with comments due Sept. 21. Formal adoption of the finalized regulations is expected to follow, with implementation anticipated to begin after adoption and continue through July 2027. Current accreditors will remain in place during the interim.
For veterinary education, the implications continue to develop. Questions remain about how multiple accreditors would operate, how veterinary medicine would navigate the new framework, and what role organizations such as the AVMA and the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges would ultimately play.