Ross Vet School Academic Calendar

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine provides a professional educational environment that prepares you for both general and specialty practice, and careers across the breadth of the profession and spectrum of care.

The Ross Vet school academic calendar operates on a three-semester calendar year with start dates in September, January, and May. Our academic calendar includes a total of seven weeks scheduled for semester breaks. Traditionally, there are two weeks in the April/May break, two weeks in the August/September break and three weeks in the December/January break. Each semester, the Ross Vet school academic calendar includes a one-day, mid-semester break.

The start date for each semester is the day classes begin.

Classes held and University open on Bank Holidays unless otherwise noted. Dates are subject to change.

DVM Program

Your 3.25 year accelerated Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program curriculum includes 10 semesters of learning experiences, totaling 150 weeks of preclinical and clinical studies. A credit hour for the Ross Vet preclinical curriculum is equal to one hour of instructional time and two hours of supplementary time. During your clinical training curriculum, one credit hour equals one week of instructional time.

Your DVM preclinical semesters are scheduled at 15 weeks, including final exams, per the Ross Vet school academic calendar. You must successfully complete a minimum of 45 weeks during your clinical year. Mandatory orientation for first semester DVM and Vet Prep students is conducted each semester the week before classes begin as part of the Ross University vet school academic calendar. Applications are accepted leading up our three flexible start dates in January, May and September. Apply year-round or through VMCAS when the cycle is open.

Graduate Programs

Program hours for the Graduate degree programs vary by degree. Our Graduate degree programs follow the Ross University vet school calendar.

One Health Programs

Applications are due by 30th June with the program starting each September.

MSc by Research

We accept students for each January, May, and September Ross Vet school academic calendar start.

PhD by Research

We operate under rolling admissions and there are no application deadlines. We continue to accept applications leading up to each Ross University vet school academic calendar start term.

2024-2025 RUSVM Preclinical Academic Calendar

Fall Term 2024
Start DateSept 2
Mid-Semester Break (No Classes, University Closed)Oct 18
Finish DateDec 12

*Dates and details of events are subject to change in accordance with safety guidelines. 

Spring Term 2025
New Student Arrival WeekendDec 27 - Dec 29
New Student and On Campus Check-InDec 30 - Jan 3
Continuing Student On Campus Check-InJan 6
Classes BeginJan 6
Late Check-In with FeeJan 7
Last Day to Drop Core Courses Without GradeJan 10
White Coat CeremonyJan 13
Placement Ceremony*Jan 24
Mid-Semester Break (No Classes, University Closed)Feb 21
Classes ResumeFeb 24
Online Registration for Summer Term (Electives Only)Mar 10 - Mar 28
NAVLE® Testing WindowApr 1 - Apr 26 (App Deadline Feb 1)
Transition Ceremony/Banquet*TBA
Last Day of ClassesApr 11
Final ExaminationsApr 14 - Apr 17
Break (No Classes)Apr 18 - May 4
Final Grades Available to Students via myRoss and CanvasTMApr 18 at 5pm AST

*Dates and details of events are subject to change.

Summer Term 2025
New Student Arrival WeekendApr 25 - Apr 27
New Student Orientation and On Campus Check-InApr 28 - May 2
Continuing Student On Campus Check-InMay 5
Classes BeginMay 5
Late Check-In with FeeMay 6
Last Day to Drop Core Classes Without a Letter GradeMay 9
White Coat CeremonyMay 12
Commencement*TBA
Placement CeremonyMay 23
Mid-Semester Break (No Classes, University Closed)Jun 20
Classes ResumeJun 23
Online Registration for Fall Term (Electives Only)Jul 7 - Jul 25
Transition Ceremony/Banquet*TBA
Last Day of ClassesAug 8
Final ExaminationsAug 11 - Aug 14
Final Grades Available to Students via myRoss and CanvasTMAug 15 by 5pm AST
Break (No Classes)Aug 15 to Aug 31

*Dates and details of events are subject to change.

Flexible Start Dates

January

Start at Ross Vet in January and you may complete your DVM at the same time as students who begin in the previous September semester at a U.S. school*. 

Programs start January 5, 2026.

May

Start in May and you may finish 6 months sooner than other accredited schools in the U.S. Programs start May 5, 2025.

September

Start in our fall session and you may finish 4 months sooner than starting at the same time as  other AVMA-accredited programs in the U.S.*  Programs start September 1, 2025.

Office of the Registrar

1221 North Swift Road,
Addison, IL 60101
Phone: 732-509-9003
Fax: 732-509-4820
registrar@rossu.edu

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