Student Information

As a student in the College of Veterinary Medicine, you'll have access to a variety of campus and student resources to help guide you.

Student Services

One of the primary goals of the A-State College of Veterinary Medicine Office of Admissions, Students, and Research is to enhance the academic, research, and personal experiences of our DVM and graduate students through outstanding student support services. These services will be delivered collaboratively through the CVM’s OASR and through Arkansas State’s main campus.

View Our Draft Student Handbook

In addition to general student support services, A-State CVM’s student services are designed to promote every student’s (1) Academic Success, (2) Mental Health and Wellness, (3) Financial Wellness, and (4) Career Fulfillment.

Below are overviews of planned DVM student services:

General Student Supportive Services

Each class of DVM students will be supported by a dedicated Academic Year Coordinator alongside the Associate Dean for Admissions, Students, and Research. Together this team will general student supportive services such course registration, scheduling, and academic logistics.

DVM students will have the opportunity to live in university housing or will be connected to resources provided by Student Affairs for off-campus housing.

Regardless of where they live, all students can take advantage of campus dining options such as Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Freshens, Godfather’s pizza, and the Acansa Dining hall, which serves as the primary location for DVM students who elect to purchase an A-State meal plan.  Students may park on campus after purchasing a student parking permit.  All students are welcome at a wide variety of sport events, concerts and performances.

Canadian and other international students will receive immigration and visa assistance in collaboration with the A-State International Programs Office.

Academic Success

From orientation onward, DVM students will be paired with a faculty mentor (advisor) to support their professional development. Faculty members will provide academic guidance alongside future peer-to-peer and graduate student tutoring programs.

Through A-State Learning Support Services, DVM students can also work with Academic Success Coaches to strengthen executive functioning skills, including, but not limited to, time management, organization, motivation, and study strategies.

The OASR team will partner with Access and Accommodations Services (AAS) to ensure students with disabilities have equitable access to the DVM program. Additionally, DVM students who are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, will receive tailored support through collaboration with the Title IX Office and Environmental Health and Safety to ensure appropriate accommodations for the health and safety of both mother and child.

Mental Health and Wellness

All DVM students receive free access to the Wilson Counseling Center which is fully accredited by the International Accreditation of Counseling Services (IACS). The counseling center employs six, full-time counselors and two interns who provide individual and group counseling sessions. Teletherapy will also be available through St. Bernards Behavioral Health for when students are away from Jonesboro.

All DVM students have access to the Wellness Program which features programs including group fitness classes and wellness education. Students will have access to a variety of recreational opportunities including intramural sports, the Student Activity Center, and the Red W.O.L.F Center. As the CVM community grows, DVM student organizations will be developed to further enhance the student experience and to foster a sense of belonging in collaboration with the A-State Leadership Center.

Financial Wellness

DVM students are eligible for financial aid assistance through the A-State Financial Aid Office. In collaboration with the OASR , this office also administers both internal and external scholarships awarded to DVM students. 

DVM students experiencing temporary financial hardship will be able to apply for assistance through the Philanthropy Council Student Emergency Fund, a one-time award to help with student account debt, tuition, and/or fees.

Beyond financial aid and scholarships, students will benefit from resources offered by the Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy (CEEFL), including one-on-one financial counseling

Career Fulfillment

In partnership with A-State Career Development and Engagement (CDE), DVM students will have access to a variety of services including cover letter and resume reviews, mock interviews, etiquette training (e.g. how to approach an interview meal), career planning, and customized career workshops for our DVM students. The CDE maintains a job board which may be accessed by A-State students and alumni.

Each year, the CVM will host career fairs and continuing education events to help connect our students with clinical affiliate partners, offering pathways for summer employment, clinical year placements, and post-graduate positions. 

Academic Calendar

Prospective veterinary students should refer to the current A-State Academic Calendar for a tentative 2026-2027 academic calendar. First-year DVM Orientation (mandatory) is tentatively scheduled for August 13-15, and Aug. 17, with the White Coat Ceremony occurring during orientation.

After a Letter of Reasonable Assurance is obtained, an academic calendar will be published that is specific for the DVM program. At the present time, it is anticipated this will align with the published A-State Academic Calendar.

View Academic Calendar Dates

 

Withdrawal

At the College of Veterinary Medicine, the faculty and staff are committed to student success. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students in need of support should contact the Office of Admissions, Students, and Research (OASR), which will assist the student in reaching the appropriate CVM and/or University student support services.

Matriculated students may elect to withdrawal from the A-State CVM DVM program at any time for academic, health, or personal reasons. The Associate Dean for Admissions, Students, and Research (ADASR) will meet with the student to review the request and ensure the student understands the academic, programmatic and financial repercussions of withdrawal.

During this meeting, the student will receive specific instructions on how to withdraw and may be given specific re-enrollment terms based upon the circumstances of the withdrawal. A follow-up e-mail will be sent by the ADASR or OASR to the student’s official University e-mail account outlining the withdrawal instructions, requirements for re-enrollment (if applicable), and reminders to contact appropriate offices (e.g. Financial Aid and University Housing). Students are strongly encouraged to save this information in an accessible location as continued access to a student’s Arkansas State University e-mail address is not guaranteed.

To initiate withdrawal from the DVM program, the student must declare their withdrawal intent in writing to the Associate Dean for Admissions, Student Programs, and Research (ADASR). The ADASR will then follow the process outlined in the “Overview” section. At all times during this process, a student seeking a withdrawal must continue to follow the Attendance and Excused Absence Policy until the withdrawal is complete. 

Years 1 through 3: Students who withdraw after the semester starts and prior to the A-State withdrawal deadline (see A-State Academic Calendar for current deadlines) receive course grades of “W” which do not affect the student’s academic standing. Students who withdraw after the withdrawal deadline will receive an “Incomplete (I)” for all incomplete courses and must complete the course(s) by the end of the following semester per University policy otherwise the student will be issued a failing grade for the course(s). Students who stop attending classes without completing the withdrawal process will automatically receive an “F” in all enrolled courses per University policy.

Year 4: Completed rotations will receive a course grade of “Pass (P)” or “Fail (F)” as outlined in the course syllabus. Incomplete rotations will be given a course grade of “W” which do not affect the student’s academic standing, if the withdrawal is requested prior to the A-State withdrawal deadline (see A-State Academic Calendar for current deadlines). Students who withdraw after the withdrawal deadline will receive an “Incomplete (I)” for all incomplete rotations and must complete the rotation(s) by the end of the following semester per University policy otherwise the student will be issued a failing grade for the rotation(s). Students who cease to attend clinical rotations without completing the withdrawal process will automatically receive an “F” in all incomplete rotations in which they were enrolled per Arkansas State University policy.

All students who withdraw must appeal as described in the CVM Student Handbook for readmission. Students who are in the National Guard or an Armed Services Branch are except from this process and will be automatically readmitted after submitting a copy of official National Guard or Armed Services deployment orders. The date of deployment must align with the semester withdrawn from the DVM program.

Students withdrawing for medical and/or mental health reasons must provide a “return-to-work” or “return-to-school” letter from a licensed medical professional to the ADASR before appealing for readmission. This letter will be placed in the student’s academic record.

Because the A-State CVM DVM program is a highly competitive process with limited seats, the CVM has a college specific tuition and mandatory fee reimbursement policy and procedure. 

Withdrawal before or during the first three days of the semester:
The DVM student will receive full tuition and CVM fee refund. Enrollment-related costs (e.g. background check fees and seat deposits) are non-refundable. Refunds are processed by the A-State Treasurer; the student should review the Treasure’s website additional details.

Withdrawal after the first three days of the semester:
The DVM student will not receive a tuition and fee refund. The student has the right to submit an appeal for an exception to the tuition and mandatory fee refund policy if extenuating circumstance(s) exist. To initiate an appeal, the student must submit a written request to the CVM Dean within three University business days from the date of withdrawal. The written request must include the reason for the appeal and third-party documentation (if applicable) supporting this appeal. The CVM Dean may request additional relevant materials deemed necessary for the decision process. If the student refuses to grant access to the records or materials, the CVM Dean may deny the request without further review.  A decision will be provided to the student and the A-State Treasurer. The decision is final.

Students Serving in the Armed Forces
DVM students who are in the National Guard or an Armed Services Branch who withdraw due to official military orders are exempt from this policy and will receive full tuition and CVM fee reimbursement upon submitting a copy of the official orders of National Guard or Armed Services deployment. The CVM will notify the A-State Treasurer, and the student should review the A-State Treasurer website for additional details.