Curriculum revisions are a vital part of ensuring DVM students at veterinary schools are equipped with a relevant education that serves them well after graduation. 

The American Veterinary Medical Association–Council on Education (AVMA-COE) accreditation requirements specify that all colleges of veterinary medicine review their curriculum every seven years. 

The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine’s (CVM) last full curriculum revision was implemented in 2013. Since then, a great deal of curriculum review, analysis, and scaffolding has occurred in the field of veterinary education, at CVM, and in its partnership with South Dakota State University’s (SDSU) Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine (PPVM). 

• Since 2013, the College has made incremental changes toward curriculum integration (e.g. creation of an assistant dean of curriculum, outcomes-based learning, integrated courses such as “Thrive Through Life,” “Professional Development,” and “Agents of Disease,” as well as team teaching across various topics/courses). 
• In March 2018, the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE) Working Group published the Competency-Based Veterinary Education framework.
• In 2019, a CVM task force was convened to review the curriculum as part of the AVMA-COE accreditation process. This effort resulted in the A Better Curriculum report, which evaluated the curriculum's alignment with the CVBE framework competencies. The report recommended transitioning from the existing discipline-driven, input-focused approach to an output-focused curriculum model to better support competency-based outcomes.

CVM’s current curriculum revision is driven by the need to maintain relevance in addition to accreditation. Maintaining a competitive advantage is crucial for the College’s success and for its ability to attract and produce high-quality applicants and graduates, aligning with the demands of the profession and the communities it serves.

At this point, CVM and SDSU faculty have outlined a preliminary framework and developed definitions for a practice-ready veterinarian, identified three consecutive stages of development that DVM students will progress through, and produced a draft alignment of curriculum stages with CBVE competencies. In 2025, the development of a new program, which is outcomes-based, flexible, and practical, as well as the organization of courses will be of primary focus. 

As CVM moves forward, continued collaboration among faculty, staff, and stakeholders both in Minnesota and South Dakota will be key to creating a program that supports student success and equips graduates to meet the challenges of the veterinary profession.

Debra Freedman, PhD, is the assistant dean of pre-clinical sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine.