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Animals and pets are part of human lives in so many ways. Households, communities, farmlands, and businesses all need to care for animals at some point, which is why studying Animal Science and zoology can lead to many careers in this field.
If you want to become a zoologist or animal scientist, the first solid step is to study an online Associate in Animal Science. This will train you in diagnosing and treating animal diseases, performing tests, and taking blood and tissue samples for laboratory analysis, for instance.
Animal scientists study animals for the purpose of ensuring their safety and effectiveness as laborers and recreationists. And because of this important role, this can impact human safety and protection as well.
The disease that spreads between humans and animals is an important topic for scientists to study. Simply put, students who complete online Animal Science or zoology programs learn a wide variety of skills in order to be ready to enter the field after graduation.
The Lowdown
With a foundation in science, math, and, based on the student’s interests, business, the Animal Science major equips students to work in the fields of animal management, medicine, research, and policy. Programs in Animal Science may provide specialized tracks with a concentration on either science and medicine or animal care and management.
For instance, students interested in animal management can study the economics of raising and caring for cattle, develop their financial analysis skills, and investigate the fundamentals of marketing. Many of the courses emphasize how to care for and use animals most efficiently and humanely.
Methodology
Choose the best Zoology or Animal Science associate degree programs that meet your objectives! We compiled a list of the top online degrees in the country, with each associate’s degree program meeting these criteria:
- Offered hybrid and online options to offer flexibility in scheduling and attendance,
- Provides students with the foundation of Animal Science, enabling students to learn how livestock and companion animals are cared for and treated through science, art, and practical methods,
- Prepares students to pursue a career in Animal Science or to proceed to higher education in the field,
- Taught by credible animal scientists, zoologists, and veterinarians with a strong track record in the field,
- Allows Associate in Animal Science students to apply for transfer credit programs, federal aid, grants, scholarships, and student loans,
- May offer volunteering or internship programs in animal hospitals so that students can work alongside veterinarians and animal scientists,
- Accredited by Department of Education-approved institutions that evaluate and ensure Animal Science and zoology programs meet the academic standards.
Please read our Methodology for more details.
10 Best Online Online Associates in Zoology or Animal Science
Aims Community College
Aims Community College offers an Associate of Science in Animal Science. This degree track enables you to finish the first two years of a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science for a fraction of the cost, and you can seek advice from your academic advisor so you can use up some of the transfer credits later on. This two-year program prepares you for a career immediately after graduation.
These degrees require classroom and lab experience in addition to general education credits. In this course, you will learn about agricultural economics, global food systems, animal anatomy, physiology, and nutrition.
The agricultural and ranching industries are the leading industries in Weld County, Colorado, where the school is located. As you partake in this associate program, you will be able to learn from instructors who have decades of experience in the field. Through Aims, you can make industry connections and build relationships early in your career.
Here are some courses in this online program:
- Livestock Practicum
- Feeds and Feeding
- Animal Sciences
- World Interdependence – Population and Food: GT-SS3
- Agriculture Marketing
- Intro to PC Applications
- Farm Animal Anatomy & Physiology
- Farm and Ranch Management
Ozarks Technical Community College
The Associate of Arts in Agriculture: Animal Science program is being offered at Ozarks Technical Community College. Agribusiness students can acquire useful skills from this online degree program. Animal science affects both the food chain and the environment. Keeping livestock and wildlife populations healthy is vital to society’s well-being.
A career in this field would be a good fit for students with a passion for science and an interest in responsibly managing land and animals. Students can earn a four-year degree or work at farms, ranches, conservation groups, or other related organizations following graduation.
The program’s goal is to give students readily available, excellent training that fosters learning and equips them to work as informed, talented, and certified professionals in the fast-paced Landcare sector.
This agriculture program offers several pathways, such as an Associate of Applied Science in Turf & Landscape Management or an Associate of Arts with three specializations:
- Animal Science,
- Plant Science,
- and General Agriculture.
Animal Science students can safely manage cattle as well as wildlife with their degrees.
Here are the online associate program’s courses:
- Introduction to Horses
- Agriculture Business Management
- Plant and Soil Science
- Livestock Management
- Soils
- Forage Management
- Animal Science
- Pest Management
- Agriculture Economics
Colorado Northwestern Community College
The Associate of Science Degree in Animal Sciences is offered at Colorado Northwestern Community College. Through this online degree program, students can prepare for careers in cattle production, farm management, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, beef production, livestock management, and ranching.
As students study Animal Science in both the classroom and out in the field, they develop core academic skills that transfer to a four-year institution.
They provide practical livestock projects in a number of their Animal Science subjects so that students may put what they are learning into practice. These assignments provide students the chance to discover their true areas of interest while also learning about the daily activities in the Animal Science businesses.
Colorado State University has a statewide articulation agreement for this degree. Upon graduation from CNCC, students will be fully prepared to continue their Bachelor’s degree.
Here are some sample courses for this online degree:
- Animal Sciences
- Farm Animal Anatomy & Physiology
- Farm & Ranch Management
- Agricultural Finance
- Introduction to PC Applications
- Livestock Practicum
- Agriculture Marketing
- Accounting Principles I
Casper College
Casper College offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Animal Science program to future animal scientists. Students will learn about domestic animal agriculture through this online degree program.
The entire program can run for two years, and animal agribusiness, comprising reproduction, growth, feeding, and health management of breeding and market cattle, will be covered in both academic and practical ways by the students. You will also be exposed to the long-term objective of raising livestock along the whole food chain in a global setting.
In order to address the demands of students who seek to complete their formal college work at Casper College or for people who intend to earn a bachelor’s degree elsewhere, classes in agriculture are set up. Their faculty understands that modern agriculture is a business combined with science, which is why they have structured the curriculum with these considerations in mind.
This online degree offers the education and training required to work in the cattle industry as a producer or an employee. Despite the fact that this degree is an A.A.S., graduates may use it to count toward an online applied science degree at the University of Wyoming at Casper.
Casper College students can transfer to a variety of colleges and universities across the world to complete their degrees.
Below are some courses in this online associate degree:
- Computer Technology in Agriculture
- General Biology
- Intro to Animal Science
- Swine Production
- Agricultural Macroeconomics
- Principles of Meat Animal Evaluation
- Beef Production
- Principles of Range Management
- Farm – Ranch Business Records
Northeast Community College
Northeast Community College comes with an Associate of Arts Degree in Animal Science. This associate degree is designed to transfer to a four-year institution after successful completion of 60 credit hours in liberal arts. General education courses must be completed.
It normally takes two years for a full-time student to complete this degree if they attend 15 credit hours on average per semester.
Their philosophy at Northeast is that quality should never be compromised for convenience or cost. They provide an admissions team that is always ready to assist with your inquiries, walk you through the enrollment process, and explain your financial aid possibilities.
Below are the core courses:
- Animal Science
- Precision Agriculture Systems
- Plant Science
- Animal Science Lab
- International Agriculture and Agribusiness
- Feeds and Feeding
- Farm and Environmental Safety
- Animal Health
- Agricultural Commodities Marketing
- Advanced Animal Nutrition
- Forage, Pasture and Grassland Production
Ohio State University
Ohio State University offers an online Associate of Science in Animal Sciences – Animal Biosciences, and this degree provides the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in a related study while preparing for professional degrees or graduate school with an emphasis on animal health careers.
In this online program, you will have the opportunity to learn and experience multiple species of animals, and you will also have the option to learn and experience large animal production methods if you are interested in animal medicine.
Students who specialize in this area are prepared to apply to The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine via the Early Commitment Program for Veterinary Medicine.
Within the Animal Sciences major, the Animal Industries Specialization offers a comprehensive approach to course choices and career objectives. Courses that are required might be chosen from a variety of species-specific classes. Additionally, there are options for optional classes in business, animals, and internships.
Here are some of the courses in this associate program:
- Animal Handling
- Introduction to Animal Sciences Laboratory
- Introductory Animal Sciences
- Principles of Food and Resource Economics
- Animal Anatomy and Physiology
- Oral Expression in Agriculture
- Animal Systems
- Livestock Genetic Improvement
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Chippewa Valley Technical College offers an Associate’s in Animal Science Management. Both local and worldwide advancements in animal agriculture support the need for sufficient training in livestock farming management.
With a concentration on dairy and meat animal management, the Animal Science Management associate degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College equips graduates with the knowledge and abilities required to operate in the dairy, beef, and specialized livestock industries.
With excellent placement and good pay, this curriculum offers a variety of competitive jobs. Less time will be spent in the classroom, and more time will be spent at partner farms.
CVTC offers specialized training in Animal Science and farm management thanks to its knowledgeable professors and cutting-edge facilities.
Over 30 different area farms will be accessible to students, who will also participate in internships and complete a capstone course.
The core courses include:
- Animal Science
- Livestock Modernization
- Industry Skills
- Introductory Animal Sciences
Otero College
Otero College offers an Associate of Science in Animal Science online degree program. Here, students learn about nutrition, physiology, and reproduction, which may lead to careers as food scientists, breeding technicians, or livestock production managers. The degree can be transferred to universities offering bachelor’s degrees in animal science.
Animal Science may be the appropriate career choice for you if dealing with animals in the great outdoors appeals to you. Animal Science encompasses a broad range of professional jobs and specialty areas, from ensuring the health of our pets to maintaining the quality of the food we consume.
High demand and opportunity are being created in livestock production and management due to the increasing focus on enhancing diets and assuring the safety of the dairy or meat products we consume.
A career in veterinary medicine or animal research, which involves taking care of furry friends and other domestic animals, is also possible with a degree in Animal Science.
A two-year Associate of Science program with a concentration in Agriculture in three separate areas—agriculture business, Animal Science, and soil and crop science—is offered at Otero College in collaboration with Colorado State University-Fort Collins.
Following satisfactory completion, the student can continue their education at the CSU-Fort Collins College of Agricultural Science, where they can complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree just by adding 60 credits more.
Some of the required courses in this online degree are:
- Feeds & Feeding
- Animal Science
- Livestock Practicum
- Introduction to PC Applications
- Agriculture Marketing
- Farm & Ranch Management
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Live Animal & Carcass Evaluation
Cochise College
The Animal Science Associate of Applied Science degree is available at Cochise College. With the help of this online degree, students may be ready for a job in agriculture or to transfer to a university’s Bachelor of Applied Science program.
This degree concentrates on the science of raising and managing animals. A major focus of this program will be livestock production. Topics include livestock production and management, range management, disease control, and insect pest control for livestock.
The Associate of Applied Science in Animal Science is intended to prepare students for transfer to a university’s Bachelor of Applied Science program or a job in the agriculture industry, particularly focusing on the science of raising and managing animals.
During and after program completion, students can learn to conceptualize and assess the economic, ecological, and global impact of animal production programs. You’ll be able to design agricultural and companion animal feeding systems and professionally utilize language, mathematics, and technology.
Here are some courses to study in this Animal Science associate program:
- Essentials of Communication
- Range Management
- Introduction to Agriculture Laboratory
- Feeds and Feeding
- Artificial Insemination of Domestic Livestock
- General Biology I
- Livestock Production and Management
Hawkeye Community College
Hawkeye Community College offers the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Animal Science program that prepares students for careers in Animal Science or for transfer to four-year colleges.
As a result of this course, you will gain practical skills and knowledge about animal behavior, proper animal care, meat science, feeding, nutrition, animal anatomy, butchering, and many more.
Get real-life experience from instructors who have worked in the fields, are farmers, or are Animal Science professionals.
The courses include:
- Animal Nutrition
- Domestic Animal Physiology
- Foods of Animal Origin
- Agriculture Leadership
- Livestock Evaluation
- Introduction to Agriculture Markets
- Issues Facing Animal Science
- Principles of Agronomy
- Survey of the Animal Industry
Get a Head Start On Your Zoology or Animal Science Career
The United States employs almost 26,000 wildlife biologists currently, and you can become one when you prepare for this occupation early on.
By enrolling in an online Associate’s in Animal Science, you will learn about domestic and captive animals’ biological functions and their applications. You can prepare yourself for a career in this field by obtaining an associate’s degree in Animal Science or zoology.
At present, fortunately, many online animal science programs incorporate the development of diverse skills necessary in the field. As a full-time student, you can usually complete an associate degree in Animal Science in two years.
Some programs require online students to work or volunteer in a veterinary hospital or care facility prior to admission to the program in order to fulfill clinical or hospital observation requirements. Students are sometimes required to observe surgical procedures and euthanasia and discuss the profession with veterinarians or vet techs for a minimum number of hours.
8 Common Courses Included in an Online Associate Degree in Animal Science
1. Animal Microbiology
An important Animal Science coursework in animal microbiology. This course’s theme is microbiological illnesses in animals, including both household pets and cattle, and their causes. Students will need to explore these illnesses’ origins, as they might be bacterial, viral, or fungal.
Additionally, the transmission and treatment of these diseases are looked at in this course.
2. Animal Behavior
The animal behavior course tackles the social systems, behavioral patterns, and issues of animal care and management. Besides social behavior and mating behavior, genetics also examines parental care and foraging behavior, as well as anti-predator behavior.
3. Animal Anatomy
Students learn how to identify the anatomical distinctions and similarities among animals, particularly common domesticated animals. Through the use of dissected animals, animal skeletons, diagnostic imaging, and anatomical models, students gain knowledge of numerous animal anatomical structures.
4. Animal Nutrition
This course examines the dietary needs of various animal species, including food elements and feeding methods.
Students will be introduced to several nutrient kinds, the fundamentals of nutrition as they apply to small and big animals, different feeding strategies and their economic significance, and significant illnesses induced by nutrient deficiencies. This course also covers specific prescription diets and the management and care of orphaned animals.
5. Livestock Management
Practical aspects of cattle management, such as housing, feeding, breeding, and illness prevention, are covered in the livestock management course. This subject covers pasture management, as well as animal biology and health, nutrition, and feed.
6. Veterinary Technology
The veterinary technology course studies the basic medical terminology, diagnostic methods, and surgical skills related to veterinary services. During this course, you will learn about zoonotic illnesses, sanitation, disinfectants, sterilization, parasites, and microbes, as well as other public health and veterinary issues.
7. Range Management
In this course, instructors and students will discuss management guidelines for grazing fields and wildlife habitats. The physical, chemical, and biological processes affecting grazing systems and the grazing process will be highlighted as students investigate the dynamics of grazing.
8. Wildlife Management
Conservation of wildlife, habitat management, and methods for regulating wild animal populations are all part of the wildlife management course. A fundamental understanding of contemporary wildlife management will be presented in this course.
Aside from variables pertaining to the animal itself, such as animal behavior, ecological role, and others, students will also examine ecological factors pertaining to wildlife habitat.
8 Benefits of Studying an Online Associate Degree in Animal Science
1. Gain a solid foundational knowledge of Animal Science.
A solid basis in fundamental scientific concepts, animal biology, nutrition, genetics, and behavior is provided by an associate’s degree in Animal Science. Understanding the requirements and behavior of animals requires having this information.
2. Students get hands-on training.
Numerous programs in Animal Science provide specialized instruction in subjects including veterinary technology, animal nutrition, and reproduction. Graduating with this specific expertise may provide them an edge in the employment market.
Some programs provide students the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in practical situations through practical experience, internships, or lab work. In this case, the knowledge and skills that may be gained through this practical experience in animal care are invaluable.
3. Students and graduates have access to professional development opportunities.
Employers seeking employees with formal education and training in Animal Science will find graduates more enticing since they have shown a commitment to professional growth by pursuing an associate degree. This also makes it easier to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the future.
4. Graduates enjoy career stability and growth.
Particularly in fields like veterinary technology and animal agribusiness, careers in Animal Science are frequently steady and in demand. There will always be a demand for people who train in animal science since there will always be animals.
5. Students learn about animal welfare.
An online Associate in Animal Science can increase your knowledge of animal welfare. Those with an Animal Science background can actively work to improve the living conditions and treatment of animals in various settings through animal welfare advocacy.
6. Students and graduates gain expertise in resolving ethical issues.
Animal research, agriculture, and companion animal care ethics are frequently included in Animal Science studies. Graduates possess the skills necessary to make moral choices in their professional jobs.
7. It’s a growing industry.
One of the many benefits of Animal Science is that it is a growing industry. More businesses and households are taking care of animals or pets. Animal scientists are needed to solve issues with animal agribusiness, research, conservation, and companion animal care.
8. The discipline paves the way for sustainable agriculture.
Sustainability is no longer just a trend. More and more businesses and communities are finding ways to have sustainable agriculture. By examining animal genetics, diet, and management techniques, animal scientists contribute to sustainable agriculture. They aid in the creation of farming techniques that are more effective and ecologically friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an online Associate of Science in Animal Science?
An online associate of science in Animal Science is a two-year curriculum leading to an associate’s degree, and this program teaches students about animal management, nutrition, reproduction, and behavior. Both domesticated livestock animals like cattle and companion animals like cats and dogs will be covered in class.
You’ll have to enroll in numerous classes to earn an associate’s degree in Animal Science, such as feeds and feeding, animal anatomy and nutrition, livestock management, agriculture economics, and animal reproductive management.
Is it advisable to enroll in an online Associate of Science in Animal Science?
In order to pursue a job that combines your love of science and your passion for animals, you should definitely get an associate’s degree in Animal Science. Get your associate’s in Animal Science so you may have the education necessary to work with animals.
Students majoring in Animal Science ought to be interested in feeding, managing, and raising livestock, such as cattle and pet animals. You can work as an animal care specialist, breeder, or veterinary technician after earning your degree.
What can online Associate in Animal Science or Zoology graduates expect career-wise?
People who pursue careers in the production and management of livestock may help develop programs for nutrition and health while working with cattle on ranches. Graduates can work as buyer assistants, processing technicians, or quality control technicians in meat processing factories.
Additionally, you could be qualified for entry-level jobs in adjacent industries like animal breeding, selling livestock equipment, or feed processing. Management, research, and teaching careers may be accessed with more education and graduate degrees.
Key Takeaways
- Animal Science or Veterinary Technology associate’s degree programs online generally last two to three years to finish. Although the majority of these programs’ coursework is given online, most of them also require students to complete a clinical work experience component in person in a veterinary hospital or care facility.
- A degree in Animal Science will give you a wide range of employment options. An agricultural manager, a research biologist, a marine biologist, a meat inspector, and a quality control manager are among the various occupations available in the food production industry.
- Animal scientists need to possess a variety of skills they can use in their daily roles and responsibilities. It is possible to stand out from the competition by showcasing these skills on your resume.
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