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Accreditation

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Lincoln Memorial University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees.  Lincoln Memorial University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.  Questions about the accreditation of Lincoln Memorial University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

 

American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE)

The Lincoln Memorial University-Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine DVM Program was granted full accreditation status from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL  60173-4360; Phone 800.248.2862) on January 7, 2019. The next comprehensive site visit will occur during 2026.

On October 24, 2024, the AVMA COE placed the College on probationary accreditation status for a major deficiency in Standard 10 - Research. Although the College remains accredited, it has taken immediate and urgent steps to remove the deficiency for non-compliance.  It is important to note that the status of probationary accreditation has no adverse impact on the quality of the educational programs for our students. 

Major Deficiency: 

  1. The college must maintain substantial research activities of high quality that integrate with and strengthen the professional program. Continued scholarly productivity within the college must be demonstrated and the college must provide opportunities for any interested students in the professional veterinary program to be exposed to or participate in on-going high-quality research. 

Directives to correct deficiency with Summary of College Plan: 

  1. The College must develop, document, and maintain a high-quality research program that welcomes and encourages veterinary student access and participation. 
The LMU-CVM has three centers of research excellence including the Center for Animal and Human Health in Appalachia, the Center for Innovation in Veterinary Education and Technology, and the Center for Infectious, Zoonotic, and Vector-Borne Diseases. These centers have produced impactful research that strengthens the LMU-CVM academic programs and has had significant impacts on animal health and veterinary medical education. Additionally, LMU-CVM has a formal relationship with the University of Kentucky to allow LMU-CVM students to participate in cutting edge research at the world-renowned Gluck Equine Research Center and University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
Over 400 students have been involved with research since the college’s inception in 2014. Students participate in research programs at LMU, the University of Kentucky, and beyond. Students regularly present their research at national and international conferences. Over 40 students have authored or co-authored papers published in the last 10 years.
  1. The College must demonstrate how all students are informed about research opportunities, how research opportunities are supported by faculty (FTE) and research programs (at LMU and at UK), and how the curriculum integrates student opportunities in research (i.e., actual time for students to pursue research in the curriculum). 
Students are informed about research opportunities throughout the year. Students participate in research during their summer breaks or even during the semester. All students must attend the college-wide Research Day as first- and second-year students. Research Day allows students to present findings from the research projects they participated in during the previous year with an average of 60 students presenting each year.
Students are introduced to the importance of research as a cornerstone of the veterinary profession through a course in their first year of study called Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine. Evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) promotes the application of peer-reviewed data to answer clinical questions. Students continue to apply those EBVM critical thinking skills throughout the program with additional formative assessments occurring in the clinical year.
  1. The College must collect data and document the activities of all students engaged in research, including their project description and the outcome(s) of their work (e.g., posters, presentations, publications). 

The college meticulously collects research output data on a yearly basis for inclusion in accreditation reports


 

American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA CVTEA)

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) accredits programs in veterinary technology that graduate veterinary technicians. LMU has been awarded Full Accreditation. All students who graduate after accreditation has been granted will be recognized as graduates of an accredited veterinary technology program.

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA)
Education and Research Division
1931 N. Meacham Rd., Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4630
800/248-2862 ext. 6624
www.avma.org

Graduation from the veterinary technology option allows students to take the Veterinary Technology National Licensing Exam and following successful completion of both the option and exam, students are eligible for licensure in all states.

 

NAVLE Board Examination Pass Rates

North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) pass rate required by COE standard for outcomes assessment: 80%

Year Students taking NAVLE exam(s) Students passing NAVLE exam(s) LMU-CVM Pass Rate (%)
2017-2018 87 76 87
2018-2019 102 97 95
2019-2020 109 106 97
2020-2021 116 101 87
2021-2022 119 102 86
2022-2023 117 104 89
2023-2024 112 102 91

 

VTNE Board Examination Pass Rates

July 1, 2022 - December 31,2024
Number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE 32
Three-year VTNE pass percentage 56.25%

 

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)

Lincoln Memorial University is certified to operate in Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

 

U.S. Department of Education Professional Licensure Disclosure

Completion of the LMU-CVM curriculum AND passing of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) meet the requirements for all 50 of the United States and territories. For more information visit https://www.icva.net/licensing-boards/.

The following states and territories require applicants to go through the local state board: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

To review the full professional licensure disclosure and view a full listing of state disclosures, click here.

For questions regarding professional licensure, please contact Lauren Jolly at Lauren.Jolly@LMUnet.edu.