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Apply as a freshmanOverview
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 scienceCampus
Program type
Undergraduate certificateAcademic home
College of Veterinary MedicineDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning CommissionPart time credit hours
16Part 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.
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.
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% onlineCalendar system
Semester-basedTypical program length
2 yearsTypical course load
2 classes per semesterAccreditation
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 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.
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.