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We all know people with a passion for the animal health industry who are struggling to find their place in it. Sometimes, they are aspiring veterinarians—or practicing veterinarians seeking a career shift. Others want to move up in farm or clinic management. Many don’t have a clear idea where they can fit in.
Launched in 2019, the Master of Veterinary Science degree at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, has evolved to meet the needs of these learners.
Our MVS was among the very first fully online degrees offered by a veterinary college. Initially, it was designed to serve livestock professionals who were working full-time. Elective course options and a comprehensive capstone project encouraged learners to tailor their studies to their current workplace.
Recently, we expanded the MVS. Now, in addition to the Livestock Systems Health major, we offer an MVS in Applied Veterinary Science that can be completed either in person in one year or online in one or two years.
Meet Our Students
We have 81 graduates of the MVS program and 95 current students. About two-thirds of the online students are from outside Illinois, while the on-campus program has equal numbers of Illinois residents and non-residents.
They come from diverse backgrounds and have a variety of goals.
Elisabeth Sullivan entered the in-person MVS program after earning her animal science degree at the University of Illinois in 2024. She works in a veterinary clinic and eventually plans to apply to veterinary school.
For her, the MVS “offers a unique combination of hands-on experience and expert guidance, which not only deepens your knowledge in animal health but also expands your understanding of business and management. The faculty are incredibly supportive and invested in helping you achieve your career goals.”
“I was looking for a degree related to the food animal industry that would provide me with the tools that are needed to kickstart the career I want,” says Dr. Cristina Gross. She earned her veterinary degree in Ecuador and worked at a small dairy farm before moving to the United States.
Dr. Gross says the program helped her see that “there are more possibilities than I previously thought. Farm manager, consultant, auditor, or even starting my own homestead, I am open to the opportunities that are out there.”
Alicyn Tilk worked at the Case Western Reserve’s Animal Resource Center for three years after completing her bachelor’s degree in animal science at the University of Findlay in Ohio. She believes the program “helped me develop into a better coworker and team member for group projects.”
Career-Focused Curriculum
Dr. Jim Lowe, executive associate dean, spearheaded the effort to create the MVS degree. “We built it for adult learners,” he says. “It’s flexible, applied, and practical.
“The on-campus Applied Veterinary Science major allows students to combine their studies with 8-week mentored practicums in the labs of college faculty to strengthen skills and career-readiness.”
Both majors, whether online or in person, use problem-based learning in which students are introduced to cases in a grand-rounds-style setting. Then small groups of eight students work through the case with their instructor to maximize engagement and mastery of the material.
Dr. Brian Aldridge, assistant dean of educational innovation at the college, has also been instrumental throughout the development and growth of the MVS program.
“In the Master of Veterinary Science program, we’re not only training people to think, we’re also training them to do,” he says.
Many MVS students highlight the personalized career coaching as one of the most valuable parts of the program. Faculty mentors help students discover their strengths, explore opportunities, and craft a plan for their next step.
When you encounter someone searching for an entry point into an animal-related profession, I hope you’ll let them know about the MVS program. It just might be a good fit.
