Murray State University votes to begin veterinary program

Murray State University will be the first public school in Kentucky to offer a College of Veterinary Medicine.

The school's Board of Regents voted to begin the program, following approval last month by the Kentucky Council on Post Secondary Education.  

After it receives the proper accreditation, the school has plans to admit the first veterinary students as early as fall 2028. Other preparation includes construction of a new $60 million veterinary sciences building on College Farm Road.

The program is designed to accept about 70 students, of which at least 50 will be Kentucky residents. The aim of the new veterinary school is to ease a shortage of veterinarians in Kentucky.

The board also voted Friday to begin another new degree program, a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence.