Two students working with an adult cow. It looks like they are checking its vitals.

Animal Science at UD

Request Information About the Non-Thesis M.S. in Animal Science

Looking for an immersive graduate degree experience where you'll have an opportunity to work directly with animals? UD's Master of Science in Animal Science may be the perfect fit for you.

This opportunity is for both working professionals and recent college graduates looking to obtain admission into veterinary, medical or thesis-requiring programs.

Why study Animal Science at the University of Delaware?

This professional degree provides students with theoretical, technical, and practical training relevant to advancing career opportunities in animal science.

How is the Animal Science graduate program structured?

Students select a specialized course tract—veterinary biosciences, biotechnology, and one health (VBBOH), or business and entrepreneurial leadership (BELC)—and are assigned an individual faculty advisor. They complete the 30-credit degree program in 12-23 months.

Who are the best candidates for the Animal Science graduate program?

Admitted students often hold undergraduate degrees in animal science, biology chemistry, agriculture, or another related field.

12-24 months

Program duration

$1,069

Cost per credit

Credit hours

Gloria Andrade works with a cow model as part of a learning excercise.

Read About Gloria's Journey >

Students graduating with the Non-Thesis Master of Science in Animal Science will be more competitive for veterinary school or other advanced degree programs or may enter the workforce in an animal science or related field.

“Without UD, getting into veterinary school would’ve taken me much longer. And I might not have been accepted at all. UD gave me the leg up that I needed.”

- Gloria Andrade-Feraud

Animal Science Graduate Program Alumna

Admitted students will be required to select a track within the Animal Science degree. The two concentrations are Veterinary Biosciences, Biotechnology, and One Health, and Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership.

A student performs a health checkup on a small dog.

Veterinary Biosciences, Biotechnology, and One Health Concentration

Overview: This program provides hands-on technical training and research experience as well as extensive theoretical training in host-pathogen interactions, nutrition and immunology. This concentration is designed for individuals who would like to increase their competitiveness for veterinary school or other professional programs or their earning potential for positions in animal science related fields.

Students will:

Expand their knowledge and skills in fundamental host-pathogen interactions, nutrition, and immunology;
Acquire hands-on technical training in cell and molecular biology techniques as they relate to basic research, diagnostic, and clinical applications; and
Acquire training in experimental design and data analysis.

Graduate Student, Mackenzie Sharp, holds up a test tube in the lab.

Business and Entrepreneurial Concentration

Overview: This concentration provides graduate students with tools and skills for pursuing a science-related career in industry, government, service, non-profit, Cooperative Extension or other fields related to the animal and/or food sciences. Professionals seeking additional training can use this concentration to enhance their core competencies in an ever rapidly evolving job market.

Students will:

Expand knowledge and skills in the animal and food sciences;
Acquire knowledge and skills in areas of leadership, organization, project management, organizations and entrepreneurship; and
Apply knowledge through design and completion of a problem-solving project.

Interested in applying to the Animal Science Graduate Program?

Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is preferred
Letters of recommendation
Graduate application essay
For international applicants from countries where English is not the primary language, demonstration of English proficiency is required by TOEFL or IELTS that meets the minimum requirements set forth by the University of Delaware (https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/grad/prospective-students/grad-admissions/test-scores/)
Admission to the Non-Thesis MS degree programs is based on selections made by the department Graduate Advisory Committee in compliance with University policies and procedures. Admission is selective and competitive and based on the number of well-qualified applicants, the number of available faculty to serve as mentors, and facilities. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet those requirements necessarily precluded from admission, if they offer other appropriate strengths and/or experience.

Applications will be taken on a continuing basis to allow for admittance in either the fall, spring, or summer semesters. The deadlines for each semester are given below. Note: International applicant deadlines precede domestic, U.S. citizen applicants, due to additional timing requirements for obtaining an appropriate student visa.

Fall:

June 1 (international applicants)
August 1 (domestic applicants, U.S. citizens)

Spring:

November 1 (international applicants)
January 15 (domestic applicants, U.S. citizens)

Summer:

April 1 (international applicants)
May 1 (domestic applicants, U.S. citizens)

There are no scholarships or financial aid available for this degree program. The program requires 30 credits of coursework at a current cost of $1,069 per credit hour.

Students may complete the program as full-time students or may study part-time while working off campus. Due to the hands-on nature of the training, most courses are in-person and require students to live in or near Newark, Delaware.

The University of Delaware’s Graduate College website includes a variety of resources for prospective students, including estimates of the costs of attendance for graduate school.

Veterinary Biosciences, Biotechnology and One Health concentration

This degree provides students with a strong theoretical foundation in veterinary biosciences, biotechnology, and One Health, practical experience with advanced molecular biology techniques, statistical skills, and research experience.

To accomplish this, students complete 30 credits of graduate coursework that include:

9 credits of coursework in host-pathogen interactions;
6 credits of coursework in nutrition and immunology;
9 credits of technical and practical training that provides real-world, hands-on skills;
3 credits of coursework related to statistical analysis of biological data; and
3 credit individualized research experience in a faculty member’s laboratory.

For detailed curricular information, please visit the graduate catalog.

Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership concentration

Students will complete 30 credits of graduate coursework that include:

18 credits of coursework in animal science (core);
3 credits of coursework in Ethical Issues in Domestic and Global Business Environments;
3 credits towards a problem-solving project report;
6 credits of electives related to surveys, analysis, leadership and technology.

For detailed curricular information, please visit the graduate catalog.

Transfer Credits

Up to nine credits of graduate coursework taken in another program may be transferred to the degree provided that the credits have not been applied to obtain a different degree.

Every student is assigned a faculty advisor and meets with that advisor regularly to design their customized program of study. The advisor will also match the student with a research experience that best meets the student interests (VBBOH concentration) or will help the student to design and conduct a problem-solving project based on the student’s career objectives (BELC) concentration.

Admission requirements

Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is preferred
Letters of recommendation
Graduate application essay
For international applicants from countries where English is not the primary language, demonstration of English proficiency is required by TOEFL or IELTS that meets the minimum requirements set forth by the University of Delaware (https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/grad/prospective-students/grad-admissions/test-scores/)
Admission to the Non-Thesis MS degree programs is based on selections made by the department Graduate Advisory Committee in compliance with University policies and procedures. Admission is selective and competitive and based on the number of well-qualified applicants, the number of available faculty to serve as mentors, and facilities. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet those requirements necessarily precluded from admission, if they offer other appropriate strengths and/or experience.

Application Deadlines

Fall:

June 1 (international applicants)
August 1 (domestic applicants, U.S. citizens)

Spring:

November 1 (international applicants)
January 15 (domestic applicants, U.S. citizens)

Summer:

April 1 (international applicants)
May 1 (domestic applicants, U.S. citizens)

Cost of Attendance

There are no scholarships or financial aid available for this degree program. The program requires 30 credits of coursework at a current cost of $1,069 per credit hour.

The University of Delaware’s Graduate College website includes a variety of resources for prospective students, including estimates of the costs of attendance for graduate school.

Curriculum

Veterinary Biosciences, Biotechnology and One Health concentration

To accomplish this, students complete 30 credits of graduate coursework that include:

9 credits of coursework in host-pathogen interactions;
6 credits of coursework in nutrition and immunology;
9 credits of technical and practical training that provides real-world, hands-on skills;
3 credits of coursework related to statistical analysis of biological data; and
3 credit individualized research experience in a faculty member’s laboratory.

For detailed curricular information, please visit the graduate catalog.

Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership concentration

Students will complete 30 credits of graduate coursework that include:

18 credits of coursework in animal science (core);
3 credits of coursework in Ethical Issues in Domestic and Global Business Environments;
3 credits towards a problem-solving project report;
6 credits of electives related to surveys, analysis, leadership and technology.

For detailed curricular information, please visit the graduate catalog.

Transfer Credits

Up to nine credits of graduate coursework taken in another program may be transferred to the degree provided that the credits have not been applied to obtain a different degree.

"My first experience with large animals was at UD. It helped me to see veterinary work as something possible for me. My professors were excited to teach, and they went so in-depth with the material that some of my veterinary school classes felt like a broad overview."

Gisselle Garcia
Animal Science Graduate Program Alumna

Read About Gisselle's Story >

Gisselle Garcia in the lab holding a test tube.

The UD Graduate Student Experience

In your pursuit of advanced education at UD, you will become part of a vibrant and growing community of scholars committed to your success. We are committed to creating an intellectually, culturally and socially diverse educational community that is enriched by people from many different backgrounds.

Campus life is welcoming, enriched by a wealth of activities and events, from distinguished guest speakers and NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics, to concerts and other arts and cultural activities, to 50-plus graduate student organizations. Add to that top-notch libraries, health clinics, recreational facilities, a writing center, a counseling center and other campus amenities, all here to help support your academic, physical and mental well-being. In addition, UD’s Division of Student Life supports graduate students in such areas as career services, health services, student conduct, counseling and on-campus housing.

Animal Science at UD