The Master of Veterinary Science degree offers a comprehensive and flexible program with four elective tracks: Foundations of Veterinary Science, Companion Animal Nutrition, Livestock Operations Management, and Systems Health Management. The program is available both online, with a flexible timeframe tailored to students’ needs, and on-campus, which can be completed in one year.

A standout feature of the program is the capstone project, designed to foster innovation by integrating theory, practical experience, research, data analytics, and critical thinking. This project addresses real-world problems, showcasing students’ creativity and problem-solving skills.

The program is uniquely positioned at the intersection of animal health, data analytics, and business management, aiming to cultivate the next generation of leaders. Engaging with faculty boasting over 25 years of experience outside the University of Illinois, students benefit from their expertise in managing livestock operations and developing veterinary medicine curriculums. Courses are structured around clinical and business cases, with assessments tailored for real-world problem application.

Students collaborate with peers from diverse educational backgrounds and various roles within animal health and veterinary space.

Program objectives include the critical analysis of disruption, the development of a methodical approach to data collection and interpretation, the design and presentation of solutions for managing or preventing disruptions, sharing outcomes to enhance profitability, building a global professional network, and acquiring the leadership skills needed to excel in the industry. Overall, the Master of Veterinary Science program provides a holistic and practical education, preparing students to be leaders.

At the end of this program, learners will develop and demonstrate their ability to: 

Interpret and apply the foundational principles of animal science, husbandry, and health to real-world problems.
Concisely define, assess, and prioritize problems, formulate specific testable questions about problems, and seek out and critically evaluate evidence to support conclusions about answers to questions.
Apply structured problem-solving and solution design methods within multidisciplinary teams to generate, communicate, and implement solutions for complex problems.

The MVS degree is a 32 credit hour program. All students are required to complete: 

Biostatistics (VCM 565)  
Capstone Experience (VCM 595) courses 
20 credit hours of electives 

A full list of degree requirements and course offerings can be found here.

Program is designed for adult learners. Our 16-week courses move at a pace conducive to online learning while giving adult learners opportunities to interact with instructors and classmates through live sessions and virtual office hours. Students should expect to spend 8-10 hours on course materials each week.

Learn more here about what to expect in the classroom and beyond.

100% Online Program  

Students can expect to complete the online degree in 18-24 months, spending 9-10 hours per week of work outside of the classroom on the material.  

On-Campus Program  

The on-campus program will be a full-time program for students to complete within one calendar year. While most aspects of the on-campus program are consistent with our online degree, students will have the opportunity to further engage with the campus community and resources while completing their degree on-site. 

To learn more about the time commitment per credit hour, visit the learning experience page.