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�鶹��Ƶ’s Downers Grove Campus has received a significant endorsement for its proposed four-year Chicago College of Veterinary Medicine (CCVM), which will include a full teaching hospital to support hands-on clinical education for students. On November 12, 2025, the (IBHE) approved the program, authorizing the University to confer the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree. The decision represents a major milestone as �鶹��Ƶ continues progressing toward full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education.

“This approval from the IBHE is an exciting and important step in our journey to build a strong veterinary program for Illinois and the broader region,” said Coretta C. Patterson, D.V.M., DACVIM-SA, PG Cert Vet Med Ed, Dean of the proposed College. “Our goal is to prepare compassionate, highly competent veterinarians who will improve animal health, support public health, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. A four-year veterinary college, supported by a comprehensive teaching hospital, will ensure our students are fully prepared for the demands of modern veterinary practice.”

Pending accreditation approval, the first class is expected to matriculate in 2028, and a companion animal clinic is expected to open in spring 2027. The establishment of the Chicago College of Veterinary Medicine reflects the University’s commitment to meeting the growing need for skilled veterinarians who can provide comprehensive care for both large and small animals. �鶹��Ƶ has offered a D.V.M. degree on its Glendale, AZ Campus since 2012. Currently, Illinois has only one veterinary medical school, underscoring the importance of expanding educational opportunities within the state.