Livestock Systems Health
Online
Program Overview
The Livestock Systems Health(LSH) major is designed for professionals who want to expand their expertise, solve complex industry challenges, and advance their careers in animal agriculture and animal health.
Built for working professionals, this flexible online master’s program combines graduate coursework with a highly individualized plan of study and an applied capstone project focused on a challenge that matters to you and your organization.
Whether your goal is career advancement, leadership, innovation, or lifelong learning, the Livestock Systems Health program helps you build the knowledge, skills, and professional network to lead the future of animal health.
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Program at a Glance
Learning Environment
Challenging by Design
The Livestock Systems Health program is intentionally designed to develop independent thinkers and leaders. You’ll be challenged to explore ideas, solve complex problems, and manage your own learning while receiving guidance from faculty who are invested in your success.
Learning Path
Part-Time Online — Approximately Two Years
Take a flexible approach, designed for working professionals. You’ll progress at a sustainable pace while balancing personal and professional commitments.
- Fall cohort start
- Complete degree program in n your time, most commonly 2 years
- Coaching and mentoring for whatever is next in your journey in animal health
The online MVS degree program is designed to cater to the needs of working professionals. The classes are scheduled in the late afternoons and evenings to accommodate work schedules, with class times set in the central time zone. For each 3-credit hour course, students are expected to spend 8-10 hours on coursework outside of class.
Curriculum
The curriculum is flexible with 20 hours of electives to allow professionals to fill their own knowledge gaps to help them advance their careers.
- Degree Requirements:
- VCM 565 Biostatistics
- VCM 595 Capstone Project
- Elective coursework
- Core Elective Courses
- VCM 560 Infectious Disease Management
- VCM 561 Biosecurity in Livestock Systems
- VCM 568 Livestock Systems and Operations
- VCM 569 Livestock Operations Management
- VCM 694 One Welfare
*Transfer Credits: EVP alumni may transfer course work into this degree program. Contact our office to learn more.
View All CoursesCapstone
Solve a Problem That Matters to You.
The capstone is the centerpiece of the Livestock Systems Health program.
Rather than completing a traditional thesis, students design and lead an individualized project focused on a challenge, opportunity, or innovation that aligns with their professional interests.
Working closely with a faculty advisor, students develop a project that is academically rigorous while creating meaningful value beyond the classroom.
Projects may focus on:
- Process improvement
- Business and operational innovation
- Workforce education and training
- Data collection and analytics
- Animal health management
- Technology implementation
- Animal welfare
- Systems-level innovation
Why It Matters
The capstone gives students the opportunity to transform ideas into action. Graduates leave the program having developed practical solutions, demonstrated leadership, and completed a project that reflects their professional expertise and commitment to advancing animal health.
Why Choose Livestock Systems Health?
- Solve Problems That Matter
The centerpiece of the program is an individualized capstone project that addresses a real challenge, opportunity, or innovation within your profession. Rather than completing a traditional research paper, you’ll develop practical solutions that can create value for your organization and the animal health industry. - Learn What You Need
With 20 credit hours of approved electives, you have the flexibility to build expertise in areas that support your professional interests while developing new knowledge that immediately applies to your work. - Faculty-Led Guidance
Your capstone is student-driven and faculty-guided. Faculty members work alongside you to refine project ideas, evaluate feasibility, provide feedback, and support your success from concept through completion. - Join a Network of Professionals
Learn alongside veterinarians, livestock producers, researchers, educators, government professionals, and leaders from across the animal health industry. The diversity of professional experiences enriches classroom discussions and expands your professional network.
Who should apply?
The Livestock Systems Health major is designed for professionals seeking to expand their expertise and create greater impact within animal agriculture and animal health.
You may be a strong fit for the program if you:
- Are a veterinarian seeking to expand your expertise beyond clinical practice.
- Work in livestock production or animal agriculture.
- Hold a leadership or management role and want to strengthen your decision-making skills.
- Work in government, regulatory medicine, or public health.
- Are employed in animal health, pharmaceutical, feed, or biotechnology industries.
- Work in agricultural education, Extension, or workforce development.
- Want to stay current with emerging issues affecting animal health and food production.
- Have identified a challenge or opportunity in your organization that you’d like to solve.
- Are looking for graduate education that provides immediate value to your career.
What Will You Gain?
Graduates leave the program with more than a master’s degree. They leave with solutions, leadership skills, and professional accomplishments that create value in their organizations.
Graduates gain:
- Advanced expertise in livestock systems, animal health, and disease prevention.
- Leadership skills to manage projects, influence teams, and guide organizational change.
- Data-driven decision-making skills to evaluate information and improve outcomes.
- Applied problem-solving experience through a capstone project focused on a real challenge relevant to your work or professional interests.
- A professional portfolio demonstrating your ability to develop and implement innovative solutions.
- A network of faculty and industry professionals who share a commitment to advancing animal health and production systems.
Learning Experience
The Livestock Systems Health program is designed around flexibility, collaboration, and practical application. Courses encourage students to connect their professional experiences with graduate learning through discussion, case studies, applied assignments, and project-based learning.
How can you apply what you learn to improve your organization, your industry, or your profession?
Your Future Starts Here
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I earn from this program?
On successful completion of the program, you will earn a Master’s degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Illinois.
What careers does this program prepare you for?
The Master of Veterinary Science in Livestock Systems Health prepares students for the next step in their educational or professional journey. This degree provides the knowledge, experiences, and professional skills needed for a variety of careers across the animal health industry.
Graduates are prepared to pursue opportunities in:
- Animal health and pharmaceutical industries
- Biomedical and veterinary research
- Diagnostic and laboratory sciences
- Animal welfare and shelter medicine
- Livestock and production animal industries
- Wildlife and conservation organizations
- Government and regulatory agencies
- Public health and One Health initiatives
- Agricultural and animal health education
- Graduate and professional degree programs
Through graduate coursework, experiential learning, faculty mentorship, and individualized capstone experiences, students develop critical thinking, scientific communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills that are valued across the animal health profession.
Not sure if the LSH program is the right next step?
We know every student’s journey is different. Schedule a one-on-one conversation with our admissions team, and we’ll help you explore your options, discuss your goals, and determine whether the this program is the right path for you.
I have a degree in a non-science field. Can I apply?
Yes. The degree requirements are at minimum a bachelor’s degree in any field.
I have an associate degree. Can I apply?
No. You must have at minimum a bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent degree for international students).
Can course credits be transferred to the the MVS degree from another department or institution?
Sometimes course credits can be transferred to the MVS degree from another department or institution. This is a case-by-case scenario. Please contact us to see if your situation would qualify for a petition to transfer credits.
Next Steps
Ready to take the next step? You can apply, request more info, or reach out to see if the program is the right fit for you.
We’re here to help—whether you prefer a quick call, email, or chat!
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Explore other Learning Paths
Applied Veterinary Science
MVS Major delivered either online or in-person to fit your goals and schedule.
Certificate in Veterinary Science
Not ready for a master’s degree? Start with a certificate. Courses count toward your MVS degree.
Join Us for a Course
Experience what one of our courses is like as a non-degree seeking student with the option of transferring that credit to the master’s degree you want to continue. Contact our team to learn more