Q: What do I earn from this program?  

A: On successful completion of the program, you will earn a graduate certificate in Veterinary Science from the University of Illinois.

Q: What kind of opportunities does the CVS degree prepare students for?  

A: The main objective of the CVS program is to prepare students for the rigors of veterinary school. Student can also choose to roll their 12 hours of certificate credit into our master’s degree in Veterinary Science. The master’s degree opens opportunities for students to work in livestock production management, farming, ranching, corporate production, research and development, information technology, education, veterinary medicine, government, quality control regulation, and practice management.  

Q: Will the program prepare me to be a veterinarian?  

A: The program is not a DVM program and does not grant a veterinary license. However, the foundational knowledge will help students excel in veterinary school or other applications of animal health.

Q: I have a degree in a non-science field. Can I still apply?  

A: Yes. The degree requirements are, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any field.

Q: I have an associate degree. Can I still apply?  

A: No. You must have at minimum a bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent degree for international students).  

Q: Do I have to come to campus?  

A: No. The CVS is delivered completely online and does not include an in-person requirement. We strive to deliver the Illini experience to wherever you may be across the globe.  

Q: How long does it usually take to complete the program?  

A: We have two options for the CVS program. One delivery option is a full-time 12-week summer program. The other delivery option is a part-time two-semester program.

Q: What is the average credit load per semester?  

A: For our part-time program, students complete 6 hours of credit each semester. For our summer program, students complete 12 credit hours in 12 weeks.

Q: How much time should I plan to commit to the program?  

A: For the part-time program, students should anticipate spending at least 9-10 hours per week outside of class lectures learning the content of each course. For the full-time summer program, students should anticipate spending as much as 40 hours a week on course content.

Q: Will my certificate state that I was enrolled in an online program?  

A: No, your Certificate in Veterinary Science will not indicate that you completed an online program. It will simply state that you earned a Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Science from the University of Illinois.  

Q: What time zone is the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine? 

A: The University of Illinois is in U.S. Central time zone. Course content is accessible to students in all time zones.  Students should anticipate participating in live sessions at least once per week.  All live sessions will be recorded and shared on the course website. 

Q: When will live sessions be held? 

A: For the part-time two semester program, live sessions are held in the evening. For the full-time summer program, students should anticipate live sessions during the day. The University of Illinois is in U.S. Central time zone. 

Q: Will the courses be in English? 

A: Yes, the courses are in English.

Q: What are the requirements for admission?  

A: The requirements are detailed on the admissions page.

Q: Do I have to take the GRE to apply?  

A: No. The certificate program is a non-degree program and does not require the GRE to apply.

Q: Do I need to have an undergraduate degree?  

A: Yes, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent degree from an accredited institution in another country.  

If you earned your degree(s) from outside the United States, please refer to the following webpage for academic requirements by country: http://www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/countries.  

Q: Do I need to have a veterinary degree?  

A: No. The CVS program is geared toward non-veterinarians. If you are a veterinarian looking to continue your education, we would recommend that you look into our Master of Veterinary Science degree.

Q: Do I need to do an interview?  

A: No, we do not interview our candidates as part of our admissions review.  

Q: When can I apply for admission?  

A: Please check the admissions page  for upcoming application deadlines.  

Q: What is the admissions process?  

A: Please visit the admissions page  for the details regarding the process.

Q: What are the tuition and fees for the CVS degree?  

A: For CVS program, the cost is $740 per credit hour with no additional fees. The total cost is $8,880.

Q: Will I be required to purchase textbooks and other materials?  

A: The learning materials are included in the cost of tuition.   

Q: Does the program offer scholarships or financial aid?  

A: Limited scholarships are available upon admission to our program. Please contact us to learn more. 

Q: How will I be billed for tuition payments?  

A: You will be assessed tuition by the University of Illinois and receive a bill for tuition from the University. Please refer to this site for information regarding your options for tuition payment.  

Q: When do I pay for the courses?

A: The University will generate a tuition bill once the semester starts.  The bill will be emailed to you. The payment due date for Fall Semester is September 28th and the payment due date for Spring Semester is February 28th. Summer payments vary from June 28th to July 28th depending on the start date of the course. For more information about the University payment system visit: https://paymybill.uillinois.edu/.

Q: What if I cannot pay my tuition fee in one single payment?  

A: The University of Illinois offers payment plan options. Please refer to https://paymybill.uillinois.edu/PaymentPlan  for more information.  

Q: I am an international applicant. Do I need to take the TOEFL?  

A: No. We do not require an English proficiency test and score in order to apply to our program.