Frequently Asked Questions

On successful completion of the program, you will earn a Master’s degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Illinois. 

The MVS program prepares students for a variety of career fields. Our graduates have pursued roles in livestock production management, farming, ranching, corporate production, research and development, information technology, education, veterinary medicine, government, quality control regulation, and practice management, among others!

While this program is not a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program and will not lead to a veterinary license upon completion, it can still be beneficial. It can help prepare students for veterinary school and can enhance the competitiveness of their veterinary school applications, if that is their goal. This is a great conversation to have with someone our team, please schedule an appointment to chat about this.

Many of the courses in the Master of Veterinary Science (MVS) degree program mirror the foundational knowledge covered in the first two years of veterinary school. Students who continue on to Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs have reported that they often review their notes and frequently assist their peers with veterinary school content because they acquired a strong foundation in the MVS program. Additionally, our goal is to help students understand how they learn best and how to apply the information they acquire effectively, aiding in the transition to veterinary school.

Yes. The degree requirements are at minimum a bachelor’s degree in any field.

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

No, you can choose to complete either an on-campus or completely online program. Let us know your preferred learning option, and we will provide the Illini experience, no matter where you are in the world.

Learn at your own pace. Students can complete the degree program in as little as 9 months as an on-campus student, or learn part-time online, which typically takes about 2 years to finish.

This is dependent on the major and delivery you’ve chosen. Please see the specific major page for more information about the timeline for that pathway.

No, your diploma will not indicate that you completed an online degree. It will simply state that you earned a Master of Veterinary Science from the University of Illinois. 

The requirements are detailed on the admissions page.

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any field
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or better

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission. Our admissions team is looking for evidence of academic ability and writing skills, as well as indications of past performance and future potential in your career.

No, it is not required to take the GRE for your MVS application. You may submit a GRE score with your application, but it is completely up to you. You will not be penalized for choosing not to include it.

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 to apply to the MVS degree program.  

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.  

No. The MVS is applicable to both veterinarians and non-veterinarians. 

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.

At this time, the major in Applied Veterinary Science does not require an interview as part of the admissions process. The Livestock Systems Health major does require an interview for admission into the program.

The MVS program accepts applications for both a Summer and Fall semester start. Please check the admissions page for upcoming application deadlines.  If you’re interested in taking a course to start the journey toward the MVS, but maybe missed the deadline and are not enrolled in the MVS program, please contact us for options to take a course as a non-degree seeking student.

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

 Your letters of recommendation should come from professional contacts. We strongly recommend that your references come from individuals who know you in a professional setting and can speak to your leadership abilities and to your commitment to succeed in a rigorous program. If you are struggling to source three professional letters of recommendation, contact us, and let’s work through it together .

 Yes, you will need three letters of recommendation to apply to the MVS degree. If you run into any delays in getting recommendations, we encourage you to submit your application anyway. We can begin an initial review of your application once it is received.  

 Please refer to the Cost and Aid page for the most up-to-date information on MVS tuition and fees for both the online and on campus programs.

Most learning materials are included in the cost of tuition. Occasionally, you will need to purchase a textbook or case study. If so, this will be indicated in the course syllabus.  

 Students may qualify for financial aid for our program and can learn more about the FAFSA process here. Limited scholarships are available upon admission to our program. Please refer to the tuition page or contact us to learn more. 

You will be assessed tuition by the University of Illinois and receive a bill for tuition from the University. Please refer to https://paymybill.uillinois.edu/makingpayments  for information regarding your options for tuition payment.  

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

 Maybe. Please see the English Proficiency Requirement For Admission page on the Graduate College’s website for more information and exemptions. The following information is taken directly from the Graduate College’s website:  

Applicants who meet one of the following criteria are exempt from submitting an approved English proficiency score and from taking the English as a Second Language Placement Test (EPT) prior to enrolling at Illinois:  

Completion of a post-secondary degree in an approved country where English is the primary language and at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction, within five years of the proposed term of initial enrollment.  

Completion of at least two years of post-secondary full-time study, as defined by the home institution, in an approved country where English is the primary language and at an institution where English is the primary medium of instruction, within five years of the proposed term of initial enrollment.  

Completion of at least two years of professional work experience in an approved country where English is the primary language within five years of the proposed term of initial enrollment.  

Yes, we’d be happy to have you as a fully online student. If you are enrolled in one of our fully online programs, then all of your courses will be completed fully online from anywhere in the world.  Please consider, because many of the courses are synchronous, you may find that the time difference does not work well for you. We’d be happy to chat and work through your options with you.