| Accredited veterinary medical colleges, or individuals acting on their behalf are expected to exhibit integrity and responsibility in programmatic advertising and student recruitment. Responsible self-regulation requires rigorous attention to the ethical principles in all matters of conduct.
All materials related to student recruitment into the professional veterinary medical program shall be made available to the site visit team during the visit. These materials shall include brochures, pamphlets, posters, displays, videos, publications, and other materials used to advertise the program to prospective students. These materials should be placed in an area that is easily accessible to the site visit team. A summary of the number, geographic area, and potential student interest associated with recruitment visits conducted by the college during the past five years shall be made available.
Any advertising pertaining to a college that is accredited by the AVMA COE must be clear and comprehensive, indicating the accrediting body by name and specifying the accreditation status of the college. Any reference to a specific aspect of the college and the length of the program shall indicate that educational standards for the degree are being met.
The COE accredits colleges of veterinary medicine in the US and Canada, and also some foreign countries. If a college or university makes public disclosure of accreditation or preaccreditation status granted by the AVMA, all information related to the outcome of accreditation must be accurate in all respects, must disclose that the accreditation status affects only the college of veterinary medicine and no other entities of the university, and provide the name, address, and telephone number of the COE at the AVMA.
Colleges shall adhere to the following principles of ethics:
- The primary emphasis on advertising veterinary professional education should be on the educational program.
- All statements and representations should be clear, factually accurate, and current.
- Catalogs and other official publications (printed or electronic) should be readily available and accurately depict:
- Purpose and goals of the program
- Admission requirements and procedures
- Degree requirements
- Faculty, with degrees held and the conferring institution
- Tuition, fees and other program costs, along with procedure for refund and withdrawal
- Financial aid programs
- College catalogs and other official publications (printed or electronic) describing career opportunities should provide clear and accurate information about:
- National and state requirements for eligibility for licensure
- Any unique requirements for career paths, or for employment and advancement opportunity in the profession.
- If a college elects to disclose its accreditation or preaccreditation status to the public, the COE must verify the accuracy of the information. The public disclosure of the accreditation status by the college must be sent to the COE and it must include: 1) a statement that the college grants the DVM or equivalent degree, 2) a statement that the college is accredited by the COE, and 3) the address, e-mail, and telephone number of the COE. If incorrect or misleading information is included in the public disclosure of the accreditation status of the college, the COE will provide the accurate accreditation status to the public, make corrections in reports of site visit reviews or reports of evaluation, or the COE's accrediting or preaccreditation actions with respect to the college, as necessary. The college will be notified that the COE intends to correct the incorrect or misleading information disclosed by the college. Public disclosure of COE corrections will be made in the JAVMA, the AVMA website, or other avenues. Should a college release additional information, the COE must be notified. The Council may maintain or lower the accreditation status assigned until it is satisfied that the public is no longer being misled.
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= AVMA/SAVMA Members Only
