Animal Science Master's Online: Everything You Need To Know

Getting an animal science master’s online is a great way to do what you love—learn more about animals—while continuing your current job and personal obligations. Whether your goals are in agriculture, animal welfare and care, research lab animal science, companion animal behavior and health, equine science, or working with wildlife management, there is an animal science master’s online degree for you. With such a wide range of animal science specialties, the licensure requirements in each area vary. In this article, we will look at the different types of programs and the careers that a master’s in animal science online can prepare you for.

ARTICLE NAVIGATION:

• Can an Online Animal Science Master’s Program Meet Licensing Requirements?
• Online Animal Science Master’s Accreditation
• Animal Science Licensure and Certifications
• How to Choose the Best Online Animal Science Master’s Degree
• Types of Master’s Degrees in Animal Science
• Admission Requirements and Costs for Online Animal Science Master’s Programs
• Career Outlook with an Animal Science Master’s Online

There are many possible career paths for graduates of animal science master’s online degrees. These include working in:

• Animal nutrition for pets or zoo animals
• Breeding management
• Farm management
• Extension education
• Wildlife biology
• Food safety or food production

Each industry and job title carries specific requirements by employers or licensing with state or national groups. For instance, as an entry level animal scientist, your animal science master’s online could prepare you for the position without additional credentials. However, as you advance in your career, you may choose to take exams for higher levels of membership in ARPAS or other specialty associations. The faculty of your program will be able to provide more detailed information and advise you on how to pursue the career of your dreams in animal science.

As you choose an animal science program, look at the accreditation of the particular program and whether it will help you meet the requirements for your professional aspirations. Accreditation means that an outside group has carefully reviewed the program to ensure it will teach you what you need to know to become a competent professional in the field of animal science. Since animal science master’s online programs vary in the exact subject studied, most do not have programmatic accreditation, but some programs may be linked with one of these:

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): The AVMA is a government-recognized accreditor for veterinary medicine programs, and they also accredit programs for vet techs. Your master’s in animal science online program may be associated with the AVMA.
• American College of Poultry Veterinarians (ACPV): For vets who want to specialize in poultry health, the ACPV is the agency that oversees this specialty.

Regardless of whether your animal science master’s online has programmatic accreditation by an animal science-related organization, your animal science master’s online program should be from a regionally or nationally accredited school. This overall accreditation means that the institution you attend has been appraised for academic quality, fairness, sound financial health, and good governance.
For example, University of Georgia’s Master of Avian Health & Medicine is recognized by the ACPV, and the department of veterinary medicine is accredited by the AVMA. In addition, the University of Georgia has regional accreditation as an institution of higher education by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Resources:

• American Veterinary Medical Association
• American College of Poultry Veterinarians

While the outcome of your animal science master’s online could find you working in agricultural animal health, population health for wild animals, safety for animals in a research lab, or animal welfare, the requirements for passing exams and gaining certification or licensure vary by profession and state. In addition, because each area has sub-specialties, such as poultry vs. bovine health for agricultural animal science, you should check with the degree program you choose to learn about requirements to practice at various levels in your profession.

Since there is no single organization approving all animal health degrees at the master’s level, you need to investigate whether your area of practice requires your graduate school to be accredited by a specific group. If you go on to veterinary practice, that will require a doctoral degree from an accredited school.

For example, students who want to begin their journey in the fields of animal behavior, genetics, nutrition, food science, physiology or welfare, they can join the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) as an associate member while they are in school with the recommendation from a professor. After they have work experience, they can take exams for higher levels of membership.

Resources:

• American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists

With your interest in animals, you may already be working in a profession related to animal science or looking to change career directions with your animal science master’s online. There are options available for both types of students—those with little experience in animal science and those who have been working with animals for years. Choosing the right program for your experience level, interests, career aspirations, and available study time requires just a bit of research. You can get started by exploring the list below.

Animal science master’s degrees can be completed 100% online, with most programs on our list having no in-person requirements. Of course, not all specialties are available for online learners, but those who want an affordable, convenient, and fully remote master’s degree will find many options.

With an animal science master’s online, you may have synchronous or asynchronous lectures and can complete your assignments at any time. For many degrees, if there is internship or hands-on study requirements, you can meet this in your local area or on your current job site. Programs are usually 30 credits or more. Some can be completed in as little as one year, while others will take three years or more to complete.

As a broad field, you will find many degree names within animal science. One common degree will be a general Master of Science in Animal Science, but you will also see degrees covering specific areas such as:

• Avian Health and Medicine
• Veterinary Public Health
• Entomology
• Biology / Zoo Science
• Equestrian Education
• Laboratory Animal Science

All the programs in our database are from accredited schools with high academic standards. The best way to choose between the different types of animal science master’s online is to explore each program’s curriculum, looking to make sure it offers coursework in your area of interest. If you are still determining if a program is right for you, reach out to the faculty and staff of the program to discuss your career goals.

Each program may have different admission requirements, but here are some of the common ones:

• Undergraduate degree – For some schools, any bachelor’s degree will qualify, while others will want you to have a major related to animal science.
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3 – Many schools will allow admission to those with a lower GPA and some work experience or on a conditional basis.
• GRE scores – Many schools are moving away from this requirement, however some still mandate this graduate school entrance exam.
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Work experience – Some degrees require work experience or current employment in a specific industry, while others have no requirements for experience
• Application form and fee
• English language proficiency test scores for international students

Online animal science programs’ tuition and fees range from $11,850 to $68,061. The average cost for these programs is $25,434.

Salaries and Job Growth

Animal Scientists

While there are many jobs for animal science graduates, your specialty area and level of employment will strongly impact your salary. According to Payscale.com, animal scientists have an average salary of $71,000 per year, with salaries ranging from $41k to $113k. In addition, animal scientists who work for the federal government make an average of $118,686.

Resources:

• Payscale - Master of Science, Animal Science Degree
• Animal Scientist - Federal Salaries

Food Scientists

Food scientists have a median salary of $78,340 per year, with the bottom 10% median at $45,010 and the top 10% making $130,540. Kansas, Minnesota, and Arkansas have the highest per capita employment for food scientists and technologists, plus some of the highest wages. However, you can find work in this sector in most states. The job outlook for food scientists is that the profession will grow by 8% from 2021-31, which is faster than average.

Resources:

• BLS - Food Scientists and Technologists
• BLS - Agricultural and Food Scientists

Technologists and Technicians

Graduates of online animal science master’s programs may also choose to work in jobs as technologists or technicians, though they will likely make higher than the average wages for these positions because of their graduate education. While veterinary technologists have a median salary of $36,850, the projected growth is much faster than average at 20%. Biological technicians make a median of $48,140 with a 9% projected growth. Farming and food science technicians have a median salary of $44,700, and also a 9% growth predicted.

Resources:

• BLS - Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
• BLS - Biological Technicians
• BLS - Agricultural and Food Science Technicians

Other Fields

Zoologists make an average of $78,013, with the bottom 10% averaging $51,040 and the top 10% getting $112,774. The BLS sees the job market as having little or no change for zoologists and wildlife scientists. Microbiologists have a median salary of $79,260, with job growth of 9%. Biochemists and biophysicists make a median of $102,270 and have projected job growth of 15%, which is much faster than average. Entomologists average $79,371, with a salary range of $65,159 to $97,838. The highest pay can be found in the San Francisco area.

With the range of careers and salaries available, prospective students should research what jobs are most in demand in the region where they plan to settle. Many jobs are in heavily agricultural states, but there are lucrative jobs in animal science in every city and region. The demand for highly trained scientists with specialties in pest management, public health, agribusiness, scientific research, and food safety abound and in most cases, have predicted increases in available jobs.

Resources:

• Salary.com - Zoologist Salary
• BLS - Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
• BLS - Microbiologists
• BLS - Biochemists and Biophysicists
• Salary.com - Entomologist Salary

Professional Organizations

There are also many professional organizations that you may join. These organizations can provide more information about the specialties in their field and resources for students and those seeking employment:

• American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC): The AAVMC is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit veterinary medical schools. If the specialty you are pursuing may lead to a veterinary medical degree program, this agency may be helpful to you.
• American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS): For laboratory animal science professions, the AALAS has information for technicians and scientists in the field.
• American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS): ARPAS is the organization that provides certification for professionals in applied animal behavioral sciences, animal genetics, animal nutrition, animal physiology, and animal welfare science. These certifications may be available to graduates with an online animal science master’s with the appropriate experience to take the exam.
• Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA): For students pursuing degrees related to zoo and aquarium animals, the AZA will be a valuable professional resource.
• American Society of Animal Science (ASAS): ASAS accredits bachelor’s degrees in animal science. They also have a journal and other useful resources for professionals.

Animal science and welfare are integral subjects for our changing societies. Getting your master’s in animal science online is a convenient way to increase your credentials to earn more, take on fascinating and needed duties, and advance human interactions with animals in every setting.