Online Masters Degree in Veterinary

Animals -- big and small -- you love them all and are concerned for their health and well-being. Veterinary science offers a variety of rewarding careers, depending on your training and interest. For example, veterinary technicians and technologists find work in clinics, laboratories and animal hospitals. Specialized professional education is typically required; technologist programs may last four years while technician training may take two years.

Earning master's degrees in veterinary science

If you're interested in graduate studies, you need a bachelor's degree and a background in physics, biological sciences, organic chemistry and mathematics, including calculus. Most programs also require studies in statistics. The curriculum may cover anatomy, bacteriology, epidemiology, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, toxicology and virology.

Potential concentrations include anatomy, radiology, infectious diseases, small or large animal care, laboratory animal medicine, preventative medicine, nutrition, breeding, physiology of reproduction, animal behavior, food safety and public health, or pre-veterinary and clinical services. Schools may offer valuable internship opportunities.

Careers for graduates of veterinary science programs

Graduate studies in veterinary science can lead to occupations in animal care or in fields like these:

1. Agribusiness, education, science or technology research
2. Production, development, distribution and marketing of meat and dairy products or livestock feed
3. Quality control and inspection for government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Master's degrees in veterinary science are generally required for a Ph.D. and can also help you prepare for admission to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, DVM, program.

Veterinary science career outlook and salaries

The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides data for 2010 median salaries and projected 2010-2020 employment growth in these related careers:

1. Animal scientists: $58,250;13 percent
2. Veterinarians: $82,040; 36 percent
3. Veterinary technologists and technicians: $29,710; 52 percent

Vets and vet techs are likely to see faster than average job growth, and the BLS foresees opportunities in public health, government and large animal practice.

Options for veterinary studies

Convenient online courses are available for specialized veterinary technician and technology programs. Much of animal care involves hands-on practice, but graduate programs in veterinary science may offer selected coursework online.

Doctoral degrees include the DVM for aspiring veterinarians and the Ph.D. for those seeking research and teaching positions in academia or high-level careers in industry and government. Admission to DVM programs is very competitive, so qualifications such as an internship, tech experience or master's degree could help you prepare to meet the admissions challenge.

Animals -- big and small -- you love them all and are concerned for their health and well-being. Veterinary science offers a variety of rewarding careers, depending on your training and interest. For example, veterinary technicians and technologists find work in clinics, laboratories and animal hospitals. Specialized professional education is typically required; technologist programs may last four years while technician training may take two years.

Earning master's degrees in veterinary science

If you're interested in graduate studies, you need a bachelor's degree and a background in physics, biological sciences, organic chemistry and mathematics, including calculus. Most programs also require studies in statistics. The curriculum may cover anatomy, bacteriology, epidemiology, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, toxicology and virology.

Potential concentrations include anatomy, radiology, infectious diseases, small or large …