Animal Science and Veterinary Technology Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

An Animal Science and Veterinary Technology major studies animal biology, care, nutrition and health. Animal science majors study animal nutrition, genetics, reproduction and management.

An Animal Science and Veterinary Technology major includes coursework in animal nutrition, animal anatomy and physiology, genetics and reproduction, animal health, and clinical veterinary procedures and more. You build skills such as animal handling, clinical procedures, observation, and record keeping. Programs often include clinical rotations. Typical degrees: associate, bachelor's and graduate degrees.

Typical courses include animal nutrition, animal anatomy and physiology, genetics and reproduction, animal health, clinical veterinary procedures, and livestock or companion animal management. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Animal Science and Veterinary Technology is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Associate, bachelor's and graduate degrees. In the latest federal data, 111 colleges reported certificate awards, 218 colleges reported associate awards, 108 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 54 colleges reported master’s awards, and 37 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to animal science and veterinary technology include veterinary technician, veterinary assistant, animal scientist, animal caretaker, farm manager, animal trainer, and animal control officer. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include veterinary technician (typical training: 2 years), veterinary assistant (typical training: 2–8 weeks), animal scientist (typical training: 4-year degree), animal caretaker (typical training: 1–4 weeks (longer for grooming)), farm manager (typical training: 5+ years of farm experience), and animal trainer (typical training: 6 months–2 years).

Animal Science and Veterinary Technology majors build skills such as animal handling, clinical procedures, observation, record keeping, and compassion.

Good pairings include Biology (strengthens science for veterinary school) and Business (useful for running a farm or animal business).

Often, yes. Programs commonly include clinical rotations. Ask each college how its program arranges hands-on work.

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as veterinary technician, veterinary assistant, and animal scientist, and enjoy subjects like animal nutrition and animal anatomy and physiology. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes animal nutrition, animal anatomy and physiology, and genetics and reproduction; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

353 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (32), Texas (25), Ohio (15), Pennsylvania (15), and Colorado (14), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

286 of the colleges that offer animal science and veterinary technology also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Animal Science and Veterinary Technology studies animal biology, care, nutrition and health. Agriculture and Agribusiness studies how food, fiber and plants are produced, managed and sold. Animal Science and Veterinary Technology leads to careers such as veterinary technician and veterinary assistant, while Agriculture and Agribusiness leads to careers such as farm manager and agricultural technician.

Animal Science and Veterinary Technology studies animal biology, care, nutrition and health. Forestry and Natural Resources studies how to manage forests, wildlife, parks and natural resources. Animal Science and Veterinary Technology leads to careers such as veterinary technician and veterinary assistant, while Forestry and Natural Resources leads to careers such as forester and forest and conservation worker.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to animal science and veterinary technology, such as Veterinary Technician Training.