UGA School of Medicine Granted Preliminary Accreditation

Milestone achievement allows university to recruit and admit inaugural class

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The University of Georgia's School of Medicine has been granted preliminary accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, a major milestone that enables the university to recruit and admit its first class of medical students this fall.

Why it matters

This is a significant achievement for public medical education in Georgia, as the new UGA medical school will help address the state's shortage of physicians and improve health outcomes in communities across the state.

The details

The preliminary accreditation follows a rigorous evaluation process by the LCME, including an on-site review last September. The new $100 million medical education and research facility on UGA's Health Sciences Campus is scheduled for completion in December, and the school has already received over $10.8 million in scholarship commitments.

  • The LCME granted UGA preliminary accreditation on February 13, 2026.
  • The new medical school facility is scheduled for completion in December 2026.
  • Applications for the fall 2026 inaugural class will open in the coming weeks.

The players

Jere W. Morehead

President of the University of Georgia.

Shelley Nuss

Founding Dean of the UGA School of Medicine.

Liaison Committee on Medical Education

The accrediting body for medical education programs in the United States and Canada.

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What they’re saying

“Preliminary accreditation is a tremendous milestone for the School of Medicine, the University of Georgia and our entire state. This is a shared achievement that represents the tireless work of so many individuals, and I am truly grateful to everyone who has helped shape the School of Medicine to this point.”

— Jere W. Morehead, President, University of Georgia (valdostatoday.com)

“This is a remarkably historic day for our university and state. Preliminary accreditation allows us to move forward in preparing physicians who will serve our communities and improve health outcomes across Georgia and beyond.”

— Shelley Nuss, Founding Dean, UGA School of Medicine (valdostatoday.com)

What’s next

The LCME will continue to assess the School of Medicine as it progresses toward provisional and, ultimately, full accreditation.

The takeaway

The preliminary accreditation of the UGA School of Medicine represents a major milestone for public medical education in Georgia, paving the way for the university to train the next generation of physicians who will serve communities across the state and improve overall health outcomes.