CPE Board approves new veterinary program at Murray State University

January 30, 2026

On Friday, the Council on Postsecondary Education’s (CPE) board approved a new doctoral program in veterinary medicine at Murray State University. Once accredited, Murray will be the first veterinary program offered at a Kentucky public university.

As a next step, Murray State University will seek provisional accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Council on Education. If successful, the first cohort of veterinary students could be admitted as early as fall 2028.

“This is a significant step as we continue to make great strides in advancing this important initiative, which will greatly benefit our region and the Commonwealth. We are very grateful to CPE and Dr. Aaron Thompson for supporting our efforts,” said Murray State President Dr. Ron Patterson. “I would also like to thank both past and present members of our Board of Regents; my predecessor, Dr. Bob Jackson; the leadership team; Murray State faculty, staff and students; our west Kentucky delegation and the General Assembly.”

The Kentucky General Assembly cleared the way for public regional (comprehensive) universities to offer doctoral degrees with the passage of Senate Bill 77 last year. To be eligible, universities must meet graduation and retention rate benchmarks and maintain sufficient cash reserves.

“This program will help address Kentucky’s veterinarian shortage and create more opportunities for our students who want to enter this field," said CPE President Dr. Aaron Thompson. "In 2023, 160 Kentucky residents applied to DVM programs, but only 67 were admitted.”

Additionally, the Council approved the following action items:

• A Bachelor of Science degree in aquatic science, a Bachelor of Arts degree in public policy and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in nutrition at Kentucky State University.
• A Bachelor of Arts degree in film and sonic art at the University of Kentucky.
• KSU tuition and fee rates for the 2026-27 academic year. (The remaining institutions will present their rates at the April meeting).
• A $2.2 million interim capital project at Murray State University to update the Susan E. Bauernfeind Wellness Center’s HVAC system.
• The re-election of Madison Silvert as CPE chair and Elaine Walker as vice chair for the 2026 calendar year.
• Revisions to the tuition and fee policy, area technology center employee waiver policy and the equine trust fund program guidelines.

The council also moved to accept the annual financial audit results for the year ended June 30, 2025, for which there were no findings.

In other business, the Council:

• Reviewed a new report on student debt levels for public postsecondary graduates. According to CPE data, 61% of students graduated from KCTCS or a public university debt-free in the 2024-25 academic year, up from 47% in the 2019-20 academic year.
• Heard reports from Presidents Ron Patterson and Ryan Quarles, detailing Murray State University’s and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s progress toward statewide strategic agenda goals.

Council meeting materials are available here. The next Council meeting will be held on April 2.