Clemson University Prepares to Launch Veterinary College in 2026

Clemson sets veterinary college curriculum for 2026 opening

By Caitlin Herrington

Published: April 8, 2024

Clemson, South Carolina

Though the building has yet to take shape, South Carolina’s first veterinary college has its curriculum set in place as the school races to open amid a nationwide shortage of vets. The Clemson University Board of Trustees approved a 160-hour program at its April board meeting for the $285 million college, a program that founding Dean Steven Marks said includes summers over a four-year outline. It’s a “fairly standard” curriculum, he told The Post and Courier, with three years of preclinical training with the fourth clinical year spent in the field.

Race to Launch

Provost Bob Jones called the program very challenging and rigorous and, alongside Clemson University President Jim Clements, commended the staff on working quickly to create the course structure. “It’s very important for us to get this degree launched as quickly as we can,” Jones said. The curriculum might be customized by subject area once faculty for the college has been hired, Marks said. The first three preclinical years emphasize critical thinking, communication, and clinical skills while the fourth year uses the distributive model, “which allows students to participate in clinical clerkships at veterinary hospitals throughout South Carolina and neighboring states.”

Addressing a Growing Need

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5,000 new job openings every year for veterinarians over the next decade, accounting for both the current shortage and people leaving the field. “There’s a big need in our state to support animal health and agriculture,” Jones said. The Clemson veterinary college aims to produce large and agricultural animal vets to support the workforce in South Carolina and beyond.

Financial Impact

South Carolina spends $6.8 million every year on 46 contract seats to provide in-state tuition for students who have no option other than leaving the state for vet school. Students currently enrolled in those programs will finish their degrees at their respective schools, Marks told the trustees. Tuition rates for the veterinary school have not been presented to the board, Jones noted. The $6.8 million previously spent on contract seats could come to Clemson University as recurring funds, helping the program to break even.

What to Expect

Ground has been cleared on West Queen Street in Pendleton to make way for the school, which should welcome its first class of 80 students in fall 2026. Before the first degrees are issued in 2030, students must complete 160 credit hours during their four-year program. The classes are divided into four categories: foundation, clinical skills, professional development, and clinical clerkships. The first semester is outlined at 17 course hours and each following semester is 19 hours, with the fourth year dedicated to in-the-field clerkships similar to an apprenticeship, Marks said. Students will spend two weeks studying necropsy at the Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center and another two weeks on a virtual diagnostic imaging course. Out in the field, they’ll spend 24 weeks working side-by-side with veterinarians, spending additional time with the type of vet they are likely to become. Eight weeks are dedicated to both their elective affiliate and a student-proposed focus area. The last eight weeks of the year are to be divided among licensing exam prep and vacation time for student wellness, according to the curriculum outline.

The Path Forward

With the curriculum set, Clemson University’s veterinary college is well on its way to addressing the critical shortage of veterinarians in South Carolina and beyond. By offering a comprehensive program that emphasizes hands-on experience and clinical training, the school aims to produce skilled professionals who can meet the growing demand for veterinary services in the region. As construction progresses and the first cohort of students prepares to embark on their veterinary education journey, the future looks bright for South Carolina’s first veterinary college.