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
Start Date Jan 6
Mid-Semester Break (No Classes, University Closed) Feb 21
Finish Date Apr 17

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

Summer Term 2025
Start Date May 5
Mid-Semester Break (No Classes, University Closed) June 20
Finish Date Aug 14

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

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 6, 2025.

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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Interested in learning more about a degree in veterinary medicine at Ross Vet?