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, 2027.

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, MVEd | Assistant Dean for CVM

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

The Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM) offers certificates, undergraduate, graduate, doctorate, and professional degrees. The College's graduate offerings include:

Campus Facilities and Departments

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-CVM Departments.

Student Support and Policies

Student Services and Academic Support

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 (See Professional Conduct Code and Violation of the Professional Conduct Code). 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.

LMU-CVM Graduate Admissions 

Admissions Requirements

Policies will follow existing LMU policies for undergraduate/graduate degree programs, with any differences for these degree programs noted in this catalog.

Required Application Materials
All LMU-CVM graduate programs require the following:

1. Completed Application
2. Application Fees (PostbacCAS + $50 Program)
3. Official Transcripts
4. Letters of Recommendation
5. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Program-specific details, including eligibility, unique requirements, and deadlines, are noted later in this catalog entry.

Applicants with Foreign Coursework
For international applicants, all data included on the application (e.g., experiences, essays, etc.) must be written in English. 

Any transcripts from institutions located outside of the United States must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silney & Associates, Inc. before submission.

• Transcripts from Ross University’s DVM program can be ordered directly from the institution without a transcript evaluation service
• All final grades on foreign transcripts will be included in the transcript's final GPA calculations

Letters of recommendation must be submitted following the standard procedure; please note that these letters must be written in English.

If English is not the applicant’s native language, international applicants to the LMU-CVM are required to submit one of the following official test score reports:

• IBT (Internet-based TOEFL): minimum score of 61
• CBT (Computer-based TOEFL): minimum score of 173
• PBT (Paper-based TOEFL): minimum score of 500

Applicants who earned a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) from an American or English-speaking institution are not required to take the TOEFL.

TOEFL scores older than two (2) years will not be accepted.

Application Review Process

The LMU-CVM Graduate Admissions Committee will review applications as they are received and rate the applicants based on their ability to complete requirements within the program successfully.

1. Initial Review: The LMU-CVM Admissions Office will confirm all required application materials have been received. Incomplete or unverified applications will not move forward.
2. Committee Review: The LMU-CVM GraduateAdmissions Committee will review the application and assess the strengths and program fit of the applicant based on their ability to complete requirements within the program successfully.
3. Recommendation: The committee will make recommendations for admission to the LMU-CVM Dean for applicants who meet the criteria and fit for the program.
4. Admission Decision: The LMU-CVM Admissions Office will notify each applicant of the LMU-CVM Dean’s decision.

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

Acceptance Notifications 

Upon notice of acceptance, applicants will receive an official electronic packet of materials from the LMU-CVM Admissions Office containing an acceptance letter, deadlines regarding program deposits, and any other items deemed necessary.

LMU-CVM Graduate New Student Registration and Advisement

After matriculation, LMU-CVM graduate students are invited to attend a New Student Registration (NSR) with the Director of Graduate Programs, which will occur before the start of the student’s designated term (virtually or in-person). The NSR session provides students with critical information for progressing through the program and will include enrollment for the student’s start term. The NSR is mandatory.

Incoming PhD VBMS and MS VBMS Thesis students will be assigned a Research Mentor who serves as their advisor and chair of their Graduate Advisory Committee.

Graduate Advisory Committee 

The Graduate Advisory Committee is composed of graduate faculty who hold a degree equivalent to the degree the student is earning. Only CVM graduate faculty may serve as the major professor who will act as chair and oversee the student’s research. Each committee routinely conducts a comprehensive review of the student’s progress, reviews and approves the thesis and/or dissertation proposal, reviews and approves the completed thesis and/or dissertation, and conducts the final defense of the thesis and/or dissertation

The committee membership includes: 

1. Chair – CVM graduate faculty serves as the Major Professor with direct research supervision, responsibility, and expertise related to the student’s research topic.
   • Co-Chair (as needed) – serves alongside as a co-Major Professor who shares direct research supervision, responsibility, and expertise related to the student’s research topic.
2. Committee Member Two (internal) – CVM graduate faculty member with relevant expertise to support the student’s research topic.
3. Committee Member Three (external) - external graduate faculty member chosen from outside the CVM with relevant expertise and credentials to support the student’s research topic.
4. Committee Member Four (internal/external) - faculty member with relevant expertise to support the student’s research topic.

Additional members may be appropriate.

Student Health Insurance

For students enrolled in the PhD VBMS, MS VBMS (non-thesis and thesis), or any MVCC-SAM student attending in-person coursework, live animal handling, lab, or clinical skills, health insurance coverage is required. Health insurance is provided through Lincoln Memorial University. Students are automatically enrolled in the program starting in the first semester they attend in-person coursework/lab.

• PhD VBMS and MS VBMS (non-thesis and thesis) will be charged in their 1st semester of enrollment
• MVCC-SAM will be charged in their 1st semester attending in-person coursework, live animal handling, lab, or clinical skills

Students with existing coverage must submit documentation through the insurance waive-out portal of the LMU United Healthcare website at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the academic year.

Applicable Catalog

The student must meet the requirements of the LMU Graduate Catalog in effect at the time of entry into the program or any catalog while enrolled in the program. In no case will a student be permitted to meet the requirements of an LMU Graduate Catalog in effect prior to initial graduate program enrollment.

Tuition and Fees  

Tuition and fees are subject to change and are determined by the LMU main campus. For tuition and fees information, please refer to Student Financial Services. 

• The MVEd program is billed per credit hour at the same rate as online Master of Education programs.
• The MS VBMS Thesis is billed per credit hour at the same rate as the Master of Life Science Research.

Please note that some fees may not be specifically listed. Any questions about tuition rates, fees, or financial aid should be directed to the Student Financial Services team.

Combined MS Pathway 

No student will be permitted to enroll in a combined MS pathway without prior authorization from their Program Director. Students seeking combined pathways must independently qualify and should not assume enrollment in one program guarantees enrollment in another.

• DVM/MS VBMS Thesis (available only to eligible LMU-CVM DVM students)
• MS VBMS/MBA (requires permission from the Program Directors)
• MVCC-SAM/CVEd (requires permission from the Program Directors)
• MS MVEd/MS VMT (requires permission from the Program Directors)
• MS VMT/CVEd (requires permission from the Program Directors)

DVM-MS VBMS Combined Pathway Policy Addendum

With the combined degree completion pathway for matriculating MS VBMS students, eligible CVM-I, CVM-II, and CVM-III Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students may pursue a combined degree utilizing the MS-VBMS Thesis pathway as outlined in the MS VBMS Degree Completion after Matriculation to LMU-CVM DVM Program section.

Attendance Policy 

Graduate students are required to follow the attendance policies outlined in the course syllabus. If conflicts arise, contact the Director of Graduate Programs.

Asynchronous, online course attendance is determined by the completion of required assignment deadlines as outlined in the course syllabus.

Leave of Absence Policy 

For all CVM programs, any absence request greater than five (5) business days requires permission from the LMU-CVM Dean and may require a student to take a leave of absence. A leave of absence may be granted from LMU-CVM for the following reasons:

1. Medical, personal, or family emergency
2. Financial emergency
3. Maternity
4. Call to active military service
5. Pursuit of an academic endeavor outside regular classroom work.

Any addendum to this policy is noted later in this catalog entry. For a detailed explanation of this policy, see the LMU-CVM Leave of Absence Request.

Academic Information 

Grades 

LMU-CVM graduate students receive two sets of grades for each course: letter grades and percentages.

For the official LMU transcript, grades of A, B, C, or F are used. The CVM does not assign + or - to grades. If a student fails a course and successfully retakes the course, the passing grade will replace the failing grade for the purposes of calculating the cumulative program GPA.

The official LMU transcript will reflect a GPA based on a 4.0 scale, as follows:

A = 4 
B = 3 
C = 2 
F = 0

Within the CVM, students earn an actual percentage in each course, as outlined in each syllabus. For reporting the 100% scale to the 4.0 scale, grades are rounded (e.g., 79.4 = C; 79.5 = B).

On the 100% scale, the grades are assigned as follows:

A = Excellent      90 – 100%
B = Good            80 – 89%
C = Passing        70 – 79%
F = Failing           Below 70%

Incomplete Grade Policy  

An Incomplete (“I”) Grade may be given at the discretion of the instructor, program director, and LMU-CVM Dean. Incomplete grades are granted if it is determined that exceptional circumstances warrant extending the time for the student to complete the required work.

An “I” will automatically become an “F” if not completed within the timeframe agreed upon between the course instructor and student, unless an extension is granted.

Academic Standards  

The LMU-CVM aims to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. Students should recognize responsibility for their conduct and scholastic integrity. Any attempt to present work not honestly performed is considered a serious offense and may result in possible dismissal.

For a detailed explanation of this policy, see the LMU-CVM Academic Standards.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy  

All LMU-CVM Graduate Programs require students to maintain a >2.85 GPA in their program of study unless otherwise required to be higher. Any student found to have performed below the 2.85+ standard in a semester will be placed on academic probation for the following semester and may remain on academic probation until their cumulative program GPA meets the standard.   

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 the Student Progress Committee (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 Professional Conduct Committee (PCC).

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 Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions (ADSAA), Student Progress Committee (SPC), and/or the Professional Conduct Committee (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 and/or the PCC process.

The PA will not be allowed to act as an attorney or agent for the student during SPC and/or the PCC 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 and/or the PCC process by reviewing the procedural information with the student prior to SPC and/or PCC meetings. The PA will also ensure that the student understands the outcome and options they may have because of an SPC and/or PCC decision.

All PAs will be trained by the office of the ADSAA and other university resources to ensure adequate knowledge of the SPC and/or PCC 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 and/or PCC 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 Student Progress Committee (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.