Master of Veterinary Science Degree: Online
Join Us Online
The University of Illinois is a prestigious institution offering students top-notch online programs worldwide. Our Master of Veterinary Science program is designed to offer students the flexibility to continue working full-time while earning their degree. Our aim is to help you succeed, and the program typically takes 2 to 3 years to complete online.
We understand that every student faces unique challenges, lifestyles, backgrounds, and aspirations. That’s why we offer a range of elective tracks to assist you in customizing your curriculum. Upon finishing an elective track, students will be presented with a graduate certificate to commemorate their achievements.
Elective Tracks
- Foundations of Veterinary Science
- Systems Health Management (requires approval)
- Livestock Operations Management
- Companion Animal Nutrition
Although the elective tracks will guide you, an academic advisor will also assist you in creating a course schedule that is most suitable for you.
The online MVS program at the University of Illinois has a wide reach! Our students come from the east coast, across the Corn Belt, and all the way to Colorado. Many students in Illinois, or even from our own backyard in Champaign, IL, have found our online program to be the perfect fit for their current stage in life.
Curriculum
The courses taught in this degree program are new courses not taught in veterinary school or undergraduate programs. Our veterinary faculty developed new courses on infectious disease management, business operations, and veterinary science foundation principles. We also partnered with colleagues across campus to offer you a variety of elective course options to truly help build the degree best for you.
The MVS degree requires:
- 32 Credit Hours (12 at the 500 level)
- 4 credit hour of biostatistics (VCM 565)
- 8 credit hours of a capstone project (VCM 595)
- 20 credit hours of electives
Learn More
Online Program Considerations
- You design the program with an advisor to fit your schedule.
- Flexible credit hours each semester
Online Program Benefits
- You design the program with an advisor to fit your schedule.
- Flexible credit hours each semester
Online Learning Experience
The online MVS degree program is designed to cater to the needs of working professionals. The courses are taught by experienced veterinarians who use case studies and real-world examples for class discussions. The program directors have over 25 years of experience in veterinary medicine and veterinary course curriculum design, which helps in the application of theoretical knowledge to practical solutions. 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. To complete the degree in a timely manner, it is recommended to take two 16-week courses at a time, or one 8-week course at a time. The program offers opportunities to build a learning community and professional relationships with colleagues and faculty members through coursework and professional development activities.
Who should apply?
Our program is designed for individuals seeking to fill knowledge gaps to help them achieve their career goals. We offer elective tracks that help students tailor a curriculum to meet their specific needs and desired goals. Our students come from a diverse range of backgrounds within both the animal health and agriculture industries.
- Government employees in safety and regulation
- Research and Development professionals
- Product development
- Laboratory and Veterinary technicians and assistants
- Educators at the high school and community college levels
- Veterinarians
- Livestock Producers
- Farmers and Farm Managers
- Nutrition
Online Program Tuition
Tuition for the online MVS degree is $740 per credit hour for the academic year 2023-2024.
Online students will receive a tuition bill based on the number of credit hours enrolled in each semester. You may be eligible for financial aid and a payment plan. You can view the rates of all the degree programs, learn about financial aid and payment plans through the office of the registrar: https://online.illinois.edu/student-services/online-degrees-and-certificates-program-costs-2023-2024
Example of first-semester tuition
| Courses | # credit hours | Total Semester Tuition Bill |
| VCM 507 | 3 | $2,220 |
| VCM 509 | 3 | $2,220 |
| Total | 6 | $4,440 |
There are limited partial scholarships available for students who are admitted to the MVS degree program. Scholarship for one student will not exceed $5,000. All students are welcome to apply for the scholarship. To apply you will need to submit a letter of application explaining your need for financial assistance as well as how this degree program will help you reach your career goals.
Tuition and fees are direct costs charged by the university. The cost of attendance also includes indirect cost allowances for food, housing, books, supplies and other expenses. You will not be billed by the university for these costs unless you live in university housing. Use the Illinois Cost Calculator for an estimated cost of attendance.
Which elective track will you select?
That will depend on your current knowledge and your career goals. Our academic advising team can help you determine the best path for you. We created elective tracks to group similar courses to help students reach common career goals. You can pick and choose which one interests you. Learn more about our elective tracks here.
Trying to decide if this program is the right fit for you?
We would be happy to answer any questions you have.