Update on changes to the AVMA COE accreditation standards

A recent decision by the AVMA Council on Education® (AVMA COE®) to stop requiring veterinary colleges to report on DEI activities has caused misunderstanding in some areas of the profession. The AVMA COE’s action was made with the intent of supporting veterinary colleges and students. At the same time, the AVMA itself continues its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Clarifying the roles: AVMA vs. AVMA COE

To allay this confusion, it’s important first to understand the separate roles of the AVMA and the AVMA COE.
 
The AVMA COE is the accrediting body responsible for setting veterinary education standards and assessing veterinary colleges to meet the minimum requirements for graduating day-one-ready veterinarians. It is recognized as an accreditor by the U.S. Department of Education, which allows access to Title VII Health Profession Student Loans. These loans are routinely accessed by today’s veterinary student.

The AVMA COE is functionally autonomous from the AVMA. Because it is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an accrediting body, the COE is required to maintain independence from the AVMA itself. This includes making independent decisions regarding accreditation of veterinary schools, the standards of accreditation, and its policies and procedures.

All stakeholders, including students, have the right and are encouraged to provide comments on pending revisions to the AVMA COE accreditation standards through the public comment process.

Understanding the COE’s decision

In order to help veterinary colleges and schools avoid potential conflicts, the AVMA COE provided updated guidance on how colleges may or may not comply with the AVMA COE’s reporting on DEI activities. The following is an excerpt from a Dear Colleague letter that was sent to all veterinary school deans in March 2025:  

“In recognition of the potential conflicts arising due to changing state and federal law, regulations, and guidance, the COE will not require programs to report on, or comply with, current aspects of the Standards of Accreditation that relate to DEI or other related language in a manner that conflicts with applicable law or other institutional directives or regulations as determined by impacted institutions.”

The COE recognized that current executive orders and some state mandates/laws have the potential to negatively impact critical research funding and access to Health Profession Student Loans for veterinary students.
 
By removing the requirement to report on DEI-related activities, the AVMA COE is not forbidding DEI-related activities. It is providing colleges with the choice of reporting or not reporting those activities to the AVMA COE in order to avoid unintended consequences for the schools, students, and faculty.

AVMA’s commitment remains unchanged

The AVMA emphasizes its ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, focusing on building environments and workplaces where veterinarians, members of our teams, and students from all backgrounds and experiences feel welcomed and supported.
 
We firmly believe that promoting a positive workplace culture is essential to our ability to deliver high-quality veterinary care, ensure animal health and safety, and best serve our clients and communities.

Initiatives like Journey for Teams, the DEIW Summit, the Brave Space certificate program, and our workplace culture programming are still active and remain core to our mission.

We hear you—and we're listening

We’ve heard the concerns, questions, and frustrations. We understand that this is a confusing and challenging time for many.

Transparency matters, and we’re communicating with you now to clarify what this decision means—and doesn’t mean—for AVMA members and our communities. We welcome continued feedback and want you to stay engaged in the conversation and the work ahead.

What you can do now

• Stay involved—This is a time to commit to our shared core values, not disengage.
• Share facts—Use this blog post to help others understand the distinction between AVMA and the COE, and the ongoing commitment to inclusion and wellbeing across our profession.
• Continue participating in AVMA programs. Your involvement ensures these critical resources stay strong, relevant, and member-driven.