College History

 

construction siteThe College of Veterinary Medicine was established by the Mississippi Legislature in 1974. The physical plant was built in phases comprised of an educational/instruction wing, the Animal Health Center, and a research wing. The structure and equipment cost $32 million and occupies 360,000 sq. ft. The first class of students was admitted in the fall of 1977 and graduated in May of 1981. The College awards Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees, Master degrees, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The College is one of 28 colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States. Fully accredited since 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the College is committed to improving both the economic and intellectual resources of Mississippi.

The professional curriculum provides courses leading to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (D.V.M.), which is a four-year curriculum. Graduate programs of study offered in the College lead to the M.S. and Ph.D. degree in selected areas of specialization, including infectious diseases, toxicology, pathology, aquatic medicine, avian medicine, and production animal medicine. The College also cooperates with Hinds Community College in the delivery of a 2-year veterinary technology curriculum.