Probationary accreditation continues for Tuskegee

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Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine’s probationary accreditation status was extended by the AVMA Council on Education at its March 20-22 meeting.

The COE said in its notice of accreditation actions that after its focused site visit this past January to Tuskegee, it would grant a one-year extension for the veterinary college to meet the requirements. The report states that Tuskegee still has a major deficiency in Standard 9 (Curriculum).

Probationary accreditation is given to a college that has one or more major deficiencies that have more than minimal impact on student learning or safety. These deficiencies must be corrected in two years, and the colleges must submit reports to the council every six months.

Tuskegee was put on probationary accreditation after a fall 2013 comprehensive site visit, for a period not to exceed two years. It was cited for having major deficiencies in five areas—Standard 2 (Finances), Standard 3 (Physical Facilities and Equipment), Standard 6 (Students), Standard 8 (Faculty), and Standard 9 (Curriculum)—and minor deficiencies in two areas—Standard 2 (Finances) and Standard 11 (Outcomes Assessment).

According to a statement from Dr. Ruby Perry, dean of Tuskegee’s veterinary college, the program “has a fresh outlook on the future after removing all deficiencies from the previous American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education accreditation site visit except for one, which involves the curriculum. All of the other seven deficiencies have been removed.”

Tuskegee has previously seen a downgrade in accreditation, when in 2008, the veterinary college went from full to limited accreditation. That meant it did not meet standards in at least two of 11 areas. Those deficiencies were addressed, and the college was granted full accreditation again in 2009.