Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine

This Catalog provides guidelines for the rules, policies, and services of the Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine’s (LMU-CVM) graduate programs. The College reserves the right to change any provisions, offerings, tuition, fees, or requirements at any time within the student’s period of study at the LMU-CVM, with efforts to notify the community via MyLMU, the University website, or to University-issued email accounts as deemed appropriate. LMU-CVM policies are designed to promote fairness and academic excellence. Detailed policies, including disciplinary actions, are detailed at length within the LMU-CVM Student Handbook.

Effective through July 31, 2026.
 

Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine Administration

Stacy Anderson, DVM, MVSc, Ph.D., DACVS-LA | Executive Dean of LMU-CVM (Dean)

Elizabeth Devine, DVM, MS, DACVS-LA | Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions (ADSAA)

Randall Evans, DVM | Associate Dean of Career Services and Professional Development (ADCPD)

Julie Hunt, DVM, MS | Associate Dean of Clinical Services (ADCS)

Jay Miles, DVM | Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs

Mitchell Moses, DVM, MBA | Associate Dean of Clinical Relations and Outreach (ADCRO)

Ashutosh Verma, DVM, Ph.D., DACVM | Associate Dean of Basic Sciences and Research (ADBSR)
 

LMU-CVM Mission Statement

The mission of Lincoln Memorial University-Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine is to prepare veterinary professionals who are committed to the premise that the cornerstone of meaningful existence is service to attain optimal health for people, animals, and our environment within the Appalachian region and beyond. The mission is achieved by:

• Investing in quality academic programs supported by excellent faculty, facilities, technology, and partnerships;
• Serving the health and wellness needs of all animal species within the Appalachian region and beyond with an emphasis on One Health;
• Providing quality research opportunities for students and faculty in animal health, One Health, and veterinary education;
• Providing a values-based learning community as the context for teaching, research, and service;
• Cultivating an environment where all individuals thrive and reach their full potential.

 

LMU-CVM Graduate Programs

PhD in Veterinary Biomedical Science (PhD VBMS) The PhD VBMS is a full-time, in-person (face-to-face) program accomplished with 96 graduate credit hours and defense of a dissertation leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree.

MS in Veterinary Biomedical Science (MS VBMS) The Master of Veterinary Biomedical Science (MS VBMS) is a full-time, in-person (face-to-face instruction) program accomplished with 30 graduate credit hours leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) degree. A thesis and non-thesis track are available.

Master of Veterinary Clinical Care (MVCC) The Master of Veterinary Clinical Care (MVCC) is a fully online, asynchronous program accomplished with 32 graduate credit hours leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) degree.

Master of Veterinary Education (MVEd) The Master of Veterinary Education (MVEd) is a fully online, asynchronous program accomplished with 32 graduate credit hours leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) degree.

Certificate of Veterinary Education (CVEd) The Certificate of Veterinary Education (CVEd) is a fully online, asynchronous program accomplished with 14 graduate credit hours leading to the Certificate of Veterinary Education (CVEd).

 

Campus Facilities and Departments

LMU Facilities The 1,000-acre LMU campus--its grounds, buildings, equipment, and human resources--is one of the most strikingly beautiful and functional in the country. Located in a rural setting just 55 miles north of Knoxville, Tennessee, the campus is a visual treat under dynamic, experienced administrative leadership and a committed, well-prepared faculty. LMU has an atmosphere of openness and concern for the needs of each individual and sets a premium on creating the best conditions for learning.

LMU-CVM Facilities The LMU-CVM primarily operates from two locations: the College of Veterinary Medicine building, located on the main campus in Harrogate, TN; and the DeBusk Veterinary Teaching Center (DVTC), located in nearby Ewing, VA. Normal operating hours across both campuses are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Students should always have their student ID/swipe card visible above the waist. All students, faculty, and staff vehicles must be registered with the University Office of Student Services during the completion of academic registration.

College of Veterinary Medicine Building (CVM) Located on LMU's main campus in Harrogate, TN, the CVM building includes two large lecture halls, each of which seats over 250 people per hall, and can be combined to accommodate over 500 people. The building also has 24 state-of-the-art communications laboratories, simulation laboratories, basic and clinical sciences classrooms, numerous study rooms, student break areas, faculty offices, student and academic services offices, clinical relations and outreach offices, and the Dean's suite. The building includes numerous smaller spaces, designed with the flexibility to accommodate small group/active learning, wellness activities, and student club events. The CVM building is available to faculty, staff, and students during normal business hours or anytime through ID/Swipe access. After normal business hours or 6:00 pm, students will need their ID/Swipe card to enter and remain in the building. No guests are allowed in the building. The CVM building can be reached at 423.869.6600.

DeBusk Veterinary Teaching Center (DVTC) The DVTC, located in Ewing, VA, includes 93,303 square feet of facilities designed for teaching veterinary sciences, specifically designed for education, research, and service in veterinary medicine. It is used for large animal (food animal and equine) and small animal (canine, feline, exotics) core clinical skills instruction, including safe animal handling. The DVTC can be reached at 423.869.6535. For a detailed explanation of this facility's policies and procedures, see the DVTC Policies and Procedures.

 

CVM Office of Graduate Programs

The Office of Graduate Programs (OGP) is overseen by the Director of Graduate Programs (DGP) and collaborates with the CVM Office of Student Affairs and Admissions (OSAA) and the CVM Office of Academic Affairs (OAA). The OGP focuses on cultivating a supportive, respectful, and collaborative environment for all students. The DGP serves as a first point of contact for students and is responsible for supporting graduate student needs while enrolled in the LMU-CVM, supports the LMU-CVM Graduate Program Directors, serves as the general advisor for all graduate students, and has an open-door policy students are encouraged to make use of any time to ask questions, bring up concerns, or stop in and say hello.

For a list of more departments, see the LMU and LMU-CVM Departments.

 

Student Support and Policies

Student Services and Academic Support

For more information about Academic and Student Support, please see the LMU-CVM Student Handbook:

Accessible Education Services, Accommodations Policy & Procedures

Pregnant & Parent Student Resources

Name Change

 

LMU-CVM Student Ethics and Honor Code

Establishing and maintaining the highest concepts of honor and personal integrity during veterinary education are critical to our training as veterinary health professionals. It is our responsibility to actively support these standards throughout our tenure at Lincoln Memorial University – Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM) and it is reasonable to expect our fellow students to do the same. These standards include respect for patients, faculty, staff, fellow students, hospital personnel, community, self, proper documentation, laws, policies, regulations, and academic standards. I hereby accept the LMU-CVM Student Ethics and Honor Code, realizing that it is my duty to uphold the Code and the concepts of personal and collective responsibility upon which it is based.

 

Conduct, Professionalism, and Other Policies

All students enrolled in an LMU-CVM program are subject to the Railsplitter Community Standards Guide and LMU-CVM Student Handbook. Graduate students entering the LMU-CVM are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these documents, which detail specific policies and procedures that apply across the University and College.

 

Management of Academic Deficiencies

Academic Concern, Warning and Probation for the CVM Graduate Programs  

At LMU-CVM, students' academic performance is closely monitored, and a structured system is in place to support those who may be struggling. Students who receive a grade below 75% in one (1) course will be placed on Academic Warning. If two or more courses fall below this threshold, the student will be placed on Academic Concern. Students who receive final grades of 75% or lower in three (3) or more courses, or fail a course, will be placed on Academic Probation.

When a student is placed on Academic Concern, Warning, or Probation, the student is required to meet with the Academic Success team to develop a plan for improving academic outcomes and ensuring continued success in the program.

 

CVM Graduate Programs Academic Concern:

Any CVM graduate student whose performance is below 75% in one course during the semester will be placed in the “academic concern” category. If a student’s performance improves within four (4) weeks, then the student will be removed from the “academic concern” category for that semester.

To address the needs of the student:

1. The student will be required to meet with at least one of the following: their academic advisor or a member of the CVM Academic Success team.
2. The student will be provided with contacts for available course tutors and may schedule tutoring sessions if desired.
3.  The student will be counseled to meet with the CVM Academic Success team to review successful study practices and behavior that can contribute to academic success.

Once the student improves their grades, they will no longer be required to meet with the Academic Success team. However, all students are encouraged to continue to meet with tutors and the CVM Academic Success team to help improve their outcomes.

 

CVM Graduate Programs Academic Warning:

Any student whose performance is below 75% during a semester in two or more courses will be placed in the “academic warning” category and will be required to follow specific procedures designed to help improve the student's performance.

To address the needs and requirements of these students:

1. The student will be required to meet with at least one of the following: their academic advisor or a member of the CVM Academic Success team to review their plans for improved performance.
2. The student will be provided the contacts for the available course tutors and may schedule tutoring sessions as desired.
3. The student will be counseled to meet with the CVM Academic Success team to review successful study practices and behavior that can contribute to academic success.

These procedures may be in place for the remainder of the applicable semester, regardless of future performance in the semester's coursework. All attendance data and meeting records will be provided to the Student Progress Committee (SPC) as part of its evaluation of the student's performance should a student be required to come before the committee.

 

CVM Graduate Programs Academic Probation:

Academic probation encompasses the following situations:

1. Any CVM graduate student who fails a course will be placed on academic probation for the next semester and may appear before the Student Progress Committee (SPC).
2. Any CVM graduate student with an overall average at or below 75% in three or more classes from the previous semester will be placed on academic probation.
3. Any CVM graduate student whose academic performance remains at or below their program’s required cumulative GPA while on probation will remain on probation for the subsequent semester(s).
4. Any student that took a leave of absence and was failing a course or had less than 75% in 3 or more courses at the time that they took the leave of absence will be on academic probation for the returning semester.

Required Procedures for CVM Graduate Students on Academic Probation  

1. Mandatory meeting with the course director of the course(s) with poor academic performance.
2. Mandatory initial meeting with a member of the CVM Academic Success team to create a success plan for academics to be on file with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions (ADSAA).

• This plan may include regularly scheduled meetings with the Academic Success team, counselors, tutors, and other programs or interventions as recommended.

3. Student participation in research is subject to approval. If approved, the student is restricted to no more than ten (10) hours of research work during the semester or forty (40) hours per week of research work during the summer.
   

These requirements are in place for the remainder of the applicable term, or until the SPC or ADSAA is satisfied the student is making satisfactory academic progress.

 

CVM Graduate Student Procedures for Academic Deficiencies 

Student Progress Committee

CVM graduate students’ progress through their program of study is subject to the LMU-CVM Student Progress Committee (SPC) procedures and policies. In addition to placement on academic probation, a CVM graduate student found to be failing to progress satisfactorily through their degree program may be subjected to LMU-CVM SPC review.

 

CVM Graduate Student Progress Committee Student Expectations

Students at risk of SPC will be notified by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions (ADSAA) before finals to inform them of a possible meeting pending final exam grades. Any student who will appear before the SPC should come prepared to explain their situation and propose steps or actions to correct their situation. For a detailed outline of SPC policies and procedures, refer to the LMU-CVM Student Handbook. 

At the end of every grading period (semester), the SPC Chair and Dean-appointed Administrator are given the final course grades. For students who have failed to progress sufficiently, the SPC Chair will schedule a meeting on the last Thursday and/or Friday of the semester. Minutes will be kept by a recording secretary. All matters are submitted to a vote, with a simple majority ruling. The Chair will be a non-voting member unless there is a tie vote.

Examples of failure to progress through a program include, but are not limited to: students who failed a course, students who consistently score below 75% for final course grades, or students with any academic or professionalism issues. Students purported to have exhibited or performed unethical and/or unprofessional behavior may also be referred to the SPC (See Professional Conduct).

The goal of meeting with the SPC is to gain insight into why the student is having difficulty so that the SPC can make an informed recommendation to the Dean of LMU-CVM. The individuals allowed to attend these meetings are the student with one (1) “Procedural Advocate,” the Committee members (SPC), and a recording secretary. The Committee may choose to invite individuals who have additional information that is pertinent to the reason the student must appear before the SPC. Within five (5) working days, the committee’s recommendation will be forwarded in writing to the Dean of LMU-CVM.

The following are prohibited in all committee meetings unless otherwise authorized in writing by the ADSAA:

1. Electronic recording of the meeting, except for official minutes
2. Legal counsel; and
3. Uninvited individuals.

 

Procedural Advocates

It has been recognized that the potential for additional concern and stress may be caused by a student's requirement to respond to inquiries from the ADSAA, SPC, and/or the PCC. The role of a "Procedural Advocate" (PA) has been developed to alleviate some of these negative possibilities and to provide the student support. A student may request a PA to assist them through the SPC process.

The PA will not be allowed to act as an attorney or agent for the student during SPC meetings. The role of the PA is limited to assisting, advising, and supporting the student during the SPC process and meetings. The overall role of a PA is to ensure that the student understands the SPC process by reviewing the procedural information with the student prior to SPC meetings. The PA will also ensure that the student understands the outcome and options they may have because of an SPC decision.

All PAs will be trained by the office of the ADSAA and other university resources to ensure adequate knowledge of the SPC process. The PA may be a trained LMU-CVM faculty or staff. While it is recommended that the student take advantage of the PA's assistance, it is not required.

In order to allow a PA to assist a student, the student must sign and submit a CVM Disciplinary FERPA Authorization for Release of Information Form which can be found at https://www.lmunet.edu/registrar/ferpa/forms.php. The student may discontinue the assistance of a PA at any time.

The PA is allowed to assist students in both academic and Ethics and Honor Code matters. They are not allowed to speak on behalf of the student at any point and may only address the Committee for clarification of procedural or administrative points. Additionally, PAs are also not allowed to appear at an SPC meeting in lieu of a student. An individual PA shall not assist a student in both the meeting with the committee (SPC/PCC) and the Appeals Committee, a new PA will assist in the appeals process.

 

Outcome for Graduate Student Academic Deficiencies  

For CVM graduate students failing to progress satisfactorily through their degree program, the SPC shall recommend to the Dean of LMU-CVM one of the following actions: 

1. Failure of one course within an academic year

• The students may repeat the course.
• The student may be dismissed.

2. Failure of two courses within an academic year

• The students may repeat the courses.
• The student may be dismissed.

3. Failure of three courses or more within an academic year

• The students may repeat the courses at the Dean of LMU-CVM’s discretion.
• The student may be dismissed.

4. Failure of a previously failed course will result in dismissal.
    
5. Failure to achieve the required cumulative GPA at the end of the second consecutive probationary period

• The student may be dismissed if it is determined to be numerically impossible to reach the required cumulative GPA for graduation, even with earning the highest possible grades in subsequent coursework.

6. The LMU-CVM Dean reserves the right to administratively withdraw (dismiss) a student at any time due to failure to progress through the curriculum.

The LMU-CVM Dean will provide official notification in such cases. The minimum required cumulative GPA for degree completion is 2.85 unless otherwise stated.

Any addendum to this policy is noted later in this catalog entry.

 

Graduate Course Repetition Policy 

Repeating a course will replace the previously earned grade for the cumulative calculation GPA to remove the probationary status and/or determine graduation eligibility. The original grade continues to be reported on the transcript and should also be reported by the student to avoid the consequences of false reporting to any other educational institution. No course may be repeated more than once, and a student may repeat a maximum of two (2) courses in a degree program unless otherwise stated. Additional courses may be repeated at the LMU-CVM Dean’s discretion. Any addendum to this policy is noted later in this catalog entry.