Veterinary science

University of Missouri-Columbia
Undergraduate certificate
Veterinary Sciences undergrad cert hero
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Overview

The undergraduate certificate in veterinary science program has been developed to better prepare pre-veterinary medical students for success as a professional student in veterinary medicine and for a future career in veterinary medicine.

Quick facts

Official name

Undergraduate certificate in veterinary science

Campus

University of Missouri-Columbia

Program type

Undergraduate certificate

Academic home

College of Veterinary Medicine

Delivery mode

100% online

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission

Part time credit hours

16

Part time estimated cost

$9,105.60

*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.

A vet with cows.

Career prospects

Important: The goals of the undergraduate certificate in veterinary science are to enhance the knowledge of pre-veterinary medical students in preparation for application to a professional DVM program and to enrich the knowledge of veterinary technicians who have previously graduated with an associate degree in veterinary technology. The certificate in veterinary science is not a professional program in veterinary medicine and does not supplant professional training in veterinary medicine nor veterinary technology.

Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
$66,000
median salary

Program structure

The online undergraduate certificate in veterinary science is 100% online: no campus visits required. Courses are semester-based. Students typically take two classes per semester and finish in two years.

The curriculum for this program is specialized to prepare students for application to a college of veterinary medicine. It provides information that many students may not have the opportunity to learn elsewhere, and is taught by veterinary professionals.

Course work includes

  • Biomedical terminology
  • Veterinary terminology
  • Animal handling
  • Sanitation
  • Animal welfare

Delivery

100% online

Calendar system

Semester-based

Typical program length

2 years

Typical course load

2 classes per semester

Accreditation

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.

Faculty spotlight

Jamie Morgan

Jamie Morgan is a Fear Free Certified Professional and has earned the designation of Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Professional. In 2024, she was awarded the Harrison-Kaplan Online Teaching Award through the University of Missouri (Mizzou) College of Veterinary Medicine. Morgan began her career as a veterinary technician in Mizzou’s Veterinary Health Center Oncology Service. She is currently a lecturer and development coordinator for the Appalachian State University veterinary technology program. She teaches domestic animal behavior in veterinary practice and biomedical pathophysiology for Mizzou’s online veterinary programs, and veterinary nursing for lab animal and research, leadership and communication for veterinary technicians for Mizzou’s bachelor’s in veterinary technology program.

Jamie Morgan
Adjunct Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine
C.B. Chastain

C.B. Chastain is a professor emeritus and adjunct professor of veterinary medicine and former section head of small animal medicine and associate dean for Academic Affairs. He also has been a faculty member at Iowa State University and Louisiana State University. In addition to being a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, he has authored journal articles, book chapters in veterinary medical and allied publications and textbooks on clinical endocrinology and animal handling and physical restraint.

He was formerly a horse wrangler and a licensed guide in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. He worked in mixed animal veterinary medical practices in Missouri, Illinois and New Mexico. He has worked with animals in differing environments and taught aspects of animal handling for more than 40 years at the undergraduate and professional school levels. Currently, he is a professor and consultant for online veterinary programs at Mizzou.

C.B. Chastain
Adjunct Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine

Learn more about this program

This program is administered by the College of Veterinary Medicine