It’s absolutely going to be worth it reading through the article below as it gives you valuable information on online pre-veterinary programs, veterinary science online, free online veterinary courses with certificate. All you just have to do is read on to get the full details.
What’s more? You will find out related posts on veterinary bachelor’s degree online, online vet school free & online veterinary programs on collegelearners.
online colleges that offer veterinary programs
A degree in pre-veterinary medicine is for lovers of all animals — pocket-sized furry friends and large livestock animals alike. While many schools do not provide the option to major in pre-veterinary medicine, they may offer a pre-veterinary track that incorporates classes in the natural and biological sciences. The major or track is for students who have their sights set on veterinary school, where they will learn how to diagnose and treat animal health problems and provide advice to owners on pet care and breeding.
Class Curriculum
Pre-veterinary programs are based in the math and sciences, so students will take classes in biology, microbiology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, statistics, genetics, zoology, physics, and the animal sciences. Required classes may also include the following:
- Principles of Animal Nutrition. This course offers a general study of the constituents of feed, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water. Students will learn about how the animal body utilizes these nutrients. Other topics covered include the digestive system, ration balancing, and feed identification.
- Animal Science. This course will cover various classes of livestock, including beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, swine, horses, poultry, llamas, rabbits, and ostriches. Students will learn about livestock management problems, as well as breeds, feeding, reproduction, and management procedures.
- Animal Ethics, Policy, and Law. In this course, students will consider the ethical issues involved in using animals for research, education, food production, and companionship purposes. Students will learn about animal rights and welfare movements; the legal issues related to animal care and treatment; and regulatory agencies at the local, national, and international levels.
Class assignments will include readings and laboratory work, as well as quizzes and exams. Students are strongly encouraged to intern or volunteer at a veterinarian’s office to augment their studies and receive hands-on training prior to veterinary school. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), admission into veterinary programs is highly competitive; less than half of all applicants were accepted.
Building a Career
Students who major in pre-veterinary medicine will often apply to veterinary school, where they will pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). However, veterinary schools do not require applicants to major in pre-veterinary medicine as undergraduates, and many will major in related fields such as the biological and physiological sciences. With a bachelor’s degree, pre-veterinary medicine students may pursue careers as animal technicians, environmental technologists, and veterinary technicians. Pre-veterinary majors may also pursue careers as biologists and zoologists, although these may also require further education.
Those who choose to pursue careers as veterinarians must go to veterinary school and attain state licenses; a DVM generally requires six to eight years to complete. After graduating from veterinary school, most veterinarians will work in private practice, while others will work in the food industry, research laboratories, or government. In the latter roles, they may inspect meat packing plants, check livestock for disease, or perform autopsies to determine cause of death.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage of veterinarians was $82,040. Meanwhile, the average annual wage for veterinarians working for the federal government was slightly higher, at $88,340.
Free Online Veterinary Courses With Certificate
Animal Behaviour and Welfare
Improve your understanding of animal welfare with this free online course designed by the University of Edinburgh. This course involves the fascinating study of animal behaviour as well as the challenge of accessing the emotions of animals. Don’t waste your precious time and join for this self-paced course as soon as possible.
Provider: University of Edinburgh
Subject: Animal Health
Duration: 7 weeks
Start Date: Available
Birds 101: Introduction to Pet Birds
Learn to care for your pet birds by enrolling in this free online course termed as “Birds 101: Introduction to Pet Birds” offered by the University of Tennessee. This course provides introductory material about pet bird care including behavioural characteristics of different species of birds, bird handling, anatomy and physiology, and keeping birds as pets. No previous knowledge of birds is required to succeed in this course.
Provider: University of Tennessee
Subject: Biology & Life Sciences
Duration: 4 weeks
Start Date: Future Dates to Be Announced
The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management
Applicants are invited to be a part of the University of Florida by enrolling in this free online course entitled as “The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management”. This course will cover many unique aspects of equine ownership and touch upon the science behind many of today’s management practices. Anyone can apply for this course.
Provider: University of Florida
Subject: Animal Health
Duration: 6 weeks
Start Date: Open
Introduction to Animal Behaviour
Explore the amazing range and complexity of wild animal behaviour with this online course termed as “Introduction to Animal Behaviour” developed by the Wageningen University & Research. In this course, you will discover how animals learn, communicate, find food, avoid predators, and interact socially. This course is aimed at anyone looking to broaden their understanding of animal behaviour beyond nature documentaries or a typical high school education.
Provider: Wageningen University & Research
Subject: Biology & Life Sciences
Duration: 6 Weeks
Start Date: Open
EDIVET: Do you have what it takes to be a veterinarian?
The University of Edinburgh gives you a chance to apply for this “EDIVET: Do you have what it takes to be a veterinarian?” free online course. This course is for anyone interested in learning more about Veterinary Medicine, giving a “taster” of courses covered in the first year of a veterinary degree and an idea of what it is like to study Veterinary Medicine. You can join this course at your own pace.
Provider: University of Edinburgh
Subject: Animal Health
Duration: 5 weeks
Start Date: Ongoing
Feeding the World
If you have a desire to learn more about where some of our food comes from and issues surrounding sustainability, then you must apply for this “Feeding the World” free online course. Lectures will be delivered by several experts from the University of Pennsylvania. This course will explore the concepts driving current food production science with the main focus on livestock production. The course is geared towards learners who seek a greater understanding of animal food systems.
Provider: University of Pennsylvania
Subject: Basic Science
Duration: 8 weeks
Start Date: Open
Genetic Models for Animal Breeding
Grab the opportunity to be a part of the Wageningen University & Research by enrolling in this free online course entitled as “Genetic Models for Animal Breeding”. This course introduces the steps required to design a program for breeding animals and teaches the genetic and statistical concepts that are needed to build a solid breeding program. To join this course, you must have knowledge of high school level mathematics, genetics and university level basic statistics.
Provider: Wageningen University & Research
Subject: Biology & Life Sciences
Duration: 6 Weeks
Start Date: Self-Paced
The Truth About Cats and Dogs
Understanding your cat and dog’s behaviour and the way they communicate with you by joining this “The Truth About Cats and Dogs” free online course funded by the University of Edinburgh. The course explores different scientifically validated methods that can help you to better understand your pet, to enrich their lives and help you to be a more educated and confident pet owner. This course is available for anyone.
Provider: University of Edinburgh
Subject: Animal Health
Duration: 5 weeks
Start Date: Ongoing
Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Health Management
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is welcoming interested applicants for enrolling in this free online course named as “Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Health Management”. In this course, you will learn about the impact of infectious disease on sustainable animal-based food production by understanding the science of growth, immunity, and infection. This course will help you to explore the effect of infectious disease on sustainable animal-based food production.
Provider: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Subject: Animal Health
Duration: 6 weeks
Start Date: Open
Evaluating Animal Breeding Programmes
Gain insight on how to evaluate an ongoing breeding program by taking part in this online course titled as “Evaluating Animal Breeding Programmes” provided by the Wageningen University & Research. In this course, you will learn about the implementation and evaluation of both large industrial scale and the tailor-made breeding programs, in terms of genetic progress and genetic diversity. Knowledge of statistics at a 2nd or 3rd-year university level is needed to follow this course successfully.
Provider: Wageningen University & Research
Subject: Biology & Life Sciences
Duration: 6 Weeks
Start Date: Self-Paced
| Course Name | University | Cost | Duration | Deadline |
| 1. Animal Behaviour and Welfare | University of Edinburgh | Free | 7 weeks | Available |
| 2 Birds 101: Introduction to Pet Birds | University of Tennessee | Free | 4 weeks | Future Dates to Be Announced |
| 3. The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management | University of Florida | Free | 6 weeks | Open |
| 4. Introduction to Animal Behaviour | Wageningen University & Research | Free | 6 weeks | Open |
| 5. EDIVET: Do you have what it takes to be a veterinarian? | University of Edinburgh | Free | 5 weeks | Ongoing |
| 6. Feeding the World | University of Pennsylvania | Free | 8 weeks | Open |
| 7. Genetic Models for Animal Breeding | Wageningen University & Research | Free | 6 weeks | Self-Paced |
| 8. The Truth About Cats and Dogs | University of Edinburgh | Free | 5 weeks | Ongoing |
| 9. Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Health Management | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Free | 6 weeks | Open |
| 10. Evaluating Animal Breeding Programmes | Wageningen University & Research | Free | 6 weeks | Self-Paced |
Best Online Veterinary Schools
Get ready for the first step towards a career as a veterinary technician by checking out the different programs available for this growing profession online. Consider the emphasis of the program you want, in addition to cost and schedule.
1. Penn Foster College – Associate of Science in Veterinary Technician
- Low tuition price below $100 per credit hour; Penn Foster College also offers payment plans with no interest.
- Award-winning faculty and a strong vet tech student community
- Interactive coursework
- Clinical externships can be completed with one of the national veterinary hospital partners
- Courses include live webinars and asynchronous course elements and are mobile-friendly
- Up to 75% of credits toward the degree may transfer from other institutions
- Can be completed in four semesters
- Prepares students to take the VTNE
2. San Juan College – Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology
- Accredited by the AVMA
- Multiple start dates—fall, spring or summer
- Specialized vet tech courses last 12 weeks each
- 100% asynchronous online program designed for working professionals
- Hands-on labs designed to be performed at a veterinary clinic in student’s area
- Students work with both a companion animal site and a Food and Farm Animal site
- Fast-track labs for large animal skills on-site in Waco, Texas or another off-campus clinical instruction site
- One to four courses per semester
- Full-time students can complete the program in two years and then sit for the VTNE or similar state exams
- Open to international students
- Prior relevant work experience or college credit may be transfer credits or allow students to test out of some courses
3. Purdue University – Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology
- Part-time program that can be completed in three to five years
- “Veterinary nursing program” is a term that accurately represents the rigorous science-based curriculum and job duties of this profession
- Students may already work in veterinary practice
- Students are responsible for securing their own mentorship sites
- Online veterinary science degree graduates have a 90% pass rate on the VTNE
- Open to international students
- All students pay the same tuition rate regardless of residence
- Hands-on skills practiced with a mentor in the student’s area; Purdue holds on-campus workshops for students seeking large animal experience
4. St. Petersburg College – Associate of Science in Veterinary Technology
- Accredited by the AVMA and the American Animal Hospital Association
- Training includes radiology, nursing, dentistry, anesthesia, surgical preparation, and clinical laboratory tests
- Students must complete 18 or 22 credits of the general education requirements and have worked or volunteered at least 40 hours in an animal hospital before applying to the online animal science associate’s degree
- Coursework is completely online; students complete the clinical practicum with a mentor in their area
- Most learning is asynchronous
- Students must spend at least 20 hours per week in a veterinary clinic
- Florida residents pay less than a third of the tuition charged out-of-state students; there is the possibility to combine on-campus and online learning to fit the schedule needs of area students
5. Colby Community College – Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology
- The convenience of distance learning can be combined with weekend on-campus mentorships for specialized subjects
- All coursework can be completed online asynchronously with practicums in student’s residential area
- On-campus weekend mentorships for large animals, laboratory/exotic animals, and microbiology
- Online students required to work with veterinary hospitals in their area to cover hands-on skills
- Can be completed in three years part-time or two years full-time
- Tuition is very affordable, especially for Kansas residents, but tuition for out-of-state and international students is also very low
- Courses are offered three semesters per year, though not all courses are offered every semester
6. Barton County Community College – Associate of Science in Veterinary Medicine
- Cost per credit hour is very low for all students regardless of residency
- Transfer credits are allowed but must be verified by transcript
- The online animal science associate’s degree program is a total of 64 credit hours and begins with a number of general education requirements, including foundation studies, humanities, social and natural sciences, and mathematics
- Required courses for the Veterinary Medicine emphasis are chemistry, physics, and zoology; there are elective options in anatomy and physiology, statistics, and organic chemistry
- Flexible scheduling allows for shorter or longer course terms, from four-week intersession courses up to sixteen-week full semester classes
- Free online tutoring is available through this military-friendly school
- Practicum requirements, field work, internships, and clinical experiences
7. Allen County Community College – Associate of Science in Pre-Veterinary Medicine
- Tuition well under $100 per credit hour
- Credit for prior learning or military experience is available after completing 12 credit hours of work
- The recommended sequence of courses allows students to complete the program in as little as four semesters
- Specialty courses for the veterinary technician program include animal science and industry, fundamentals of animal nutrition, and agricultural economics
- Transfer agreements with public universities in Kansas for further education
- Open to international students and out-of-state students with the same incredibly low tuition costs
- Writing center for individual tutoring, math tutors, access to the online library, and technical assistance
what colleges offer pre veterinary programs
Loving animals may be a prerequisite for pursuing a career as a veterinarian, but it certainly isn’t the only requirement for becoming one.
In fact, the process of becoming a veterinarian not only has some of the strictest education, experience, and academic requirements, but it is also one of the most competitive career fields out there.
The good news is that the career outlook for veterinarians is on the rise, with a whopping 17% employment growth rate expected in the next decade.
Combine this rate with the fact there are a wide variety of jobs that fall under the veterinary category, and the competitiveness of the field doesn’t feel as intimidating.
Indeed, a veterinarian can range from taking care of household pets to a person who studies food-borne diseases.
The essential consideration in selecting a degree path is to take (and pass) all the intensive science and math that a DVM program will look for.
The following colleges and universities have some of the best pre-vet programs in the nation.
Some offer the benefit of being able to pursue a DVM at the same university and others have special partnerships with international schools. To make the process easier, students should visit each of the below programs’ information page and begin creating a chart of which school meets their needs.
University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Amherst, MA)
Coming in the top 70 ranked universities overall nationally, UMass Amherst is a school known for academic excellence and a culture of social stewardship.
Their R-1 status and history of receiving awards in sustainability from organizations like The Princeton Review demonstrate their vision of an education that strives to understand how the world works and to use that understanding to bring about change.
With over $12 million in research awards, UMass’s pre-vet program is well equipped to meet UMass’s educational vision and to prepare pre-vet students for all they need on the path to becoming veterinarians.
Of the many amazing opportunities UMass’s pre-vet program offers students, two of particular note are the facilities and the university’s partnerships with other schools.
First-year students will start their pre-vet path at UMass in the Animal Science degree.
As part of the first-year requirements, students get to start their education by getting hands-on experience at Hadley Farm; on the farm, students will have access to 130 acres of farmland, 24 horses, and around 60 goats and sheep.
The university provides excellent on-campus education experiences, but it also offers students a path to highly ranked veterinary programs.
If students wish to stay closer to home, they have a chance to apply during their sophomore year to nearby Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
If accepted, and if they maintain at least a 3.4 GPA through the rest of their pre-vet program path, they will automatically be granted a spot in Tuft’s veterinary program.
For those who might be looking to have an international adventure, UMass offers two possible options to pick from – the University of Edinburgh or the University of Melbourne!
Both veterinary programs are among the top in their respective countries and provide students with access to a broader range of veterinary experience; students even have the chance to complete an accelerated program at the University of Melbourne.
The university’s Department of Veterinary and Animal Science at UMass has some of the best resources for those who want to know what it takes to be in a pre-vet program and to go on to be a vet. Interested students should start by checking out the information page to find out all that is needed. If reading an information page seems overwhelming, the program has its own podcast students can check out to learn more!
Washington State University (Pullman, WA)
Washington State University knows that degree paths need to be as diverse as the students pursuing them.
The university’s Health Professions Student Center advises pre-veterinary students to take a specific set of prerequisites but encourages students to earn them within a wide range of possible degrees.
The most important part of a student’s education is the ability to pursue something that they are passionate about.
Students who go through the pre-vet program are able to major in a range of concentrations, including neuroscience, zoology, genetics and cell biology, and bioengineering.
Flexibility in program also means a flexibility in how much time it takes to complete both a bachelors and a DVM.
WSU offers students the option to pursue the Honors Pre-Admit Program, where they can finish both their bachelor’s and their DVM in 7 years.
What makes this deal even better is that students can pursue their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine through WSU, a feature that many other schools aren’t able to offer.
Students who are looking for advice on how to navigate all the requirements needed for a pre-vet program will have access to pre-vet advisors.
These experts will assist students in determining a degree path, fix their resumes, and prepare them for the intensive process of applying to veterinary schools.
For peer support, students can hang out with clubs like the WSU Pre-Vet Club and get access to tours of veterinary schools, networking events, career workshops, and a community of fellow animal lovers.
WSU finds a way to make a challenging program path like pre-vet accessible to a wide range of possible student interests.
Students looking for an experience where they have room to express their unique passion for helping animals will find WSU an excellent option to consider.
University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT)
The University of Connecticut provides students with a pre-vet experience that includes learning from award-winning faculty, access to a wide array of farm animals, and a historical track record of award-winning undergraduate support.
An education is only as good as the source it is coming from, and the UConn Animal Science Department has an excellent place to look in its faculty.
Former Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Animal Science and 2021 recipient of the American Society of Animal Science Morrison Award, Steven A. Zinn is just one example of the kind of expertise that students can expect from instructors.
Other faculty have conducted research and are experts in areas like muscle growth, food-borne microorganisms, and reproductive endocrinology.
Head knowledge is essential, but adequate facilities are just as vital to have in an excellent pre-vet program. Students will only have to walk 10 minutes from campus to access stables, poultry units, and cattle units.
Attending a university that has close access to farm animals means UConn has its own meat processing factory and creamery.
Students who spend the day studying cattle in the dairy unit can find their way after class to the university’s ice cream shop to get a taste of the fruit of their labor with UConn university-made ice cream!
Finally, a successful pre-vet program is one where students can ensure that they can meet the strict requirements of all Doctor of Veterinary degree programs.
Students will have the opportunity to gain research experience, hands-on training with various animals, and a curriculum that will make them successful applicants.
Students from UConn’s pre-vet program have gone on to attend some of the best Veterinary Programs both in the US and internationally.
Tufts University (Medford, MA)
Tufts University should be a familiar name from above because it is a significant recipient of the UMass pre-vet students.
If students are looking to streamline the process a little to get into the DVM program at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, they can opt to attend Tufts directly as an undergraduate.
Tufts’ pre-vet program is a little different from many on this list in that it is more a society than a program that supports students as they pursue their education.
That said, The Tufts Pre-Vet Society provides many of the same supports and is open to students who are actively pursuing an education towards a DVM and those who are merely curious.
Benefits the society offers members include resources that connect students to jobs and research opportunities, visits and information sessions from Veterinary Medicine schools, and expert information on how to develop a degree plan that meets all the requirements to pursue a DVM.
Tufts knows that to nurture future vets, they have to have access to the academic supports they need to be successful.
Tufts offers high school students some great pre-college admissions programs so they can learn more about what it takes to pursue education in a pre-vet program.
University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire (Eau Claire, WI)
Though UW-Eau Claire pre-vet program is classified as a pre-professional program and has a;; the things a pre-vet program would want – and some.
Because the university understands that it isn’t so much about the name of the degree you have but the content and quality, students can get all the required courses they need while pursuing a range of interests.
This range of interests not only opens the door for getting creative about a pre-vet path, but it means that students can have access to a wider selection of scholarships that include pre-vet and non-veterinary focuses.
UW-Eau Claire has two pre-vet specific scholarships students can pursue, but it also provides many different financial aid options that students can access on its scholarship information page.
A special feature that UW-Eau Claire offers pre-vet students is their state-of-the-art Health Careers Center. The center has advisers that are specifically set aside for pre-vet students. These advisers help students create a plan for required courses, where to get work experience, and a timeline to do essential steps on the way to a veterinary school like the GRE and the Veterinary Medicine Centralized Application Service.
Although UW-Eau Claire doesn’t have a veterinary medicine program, the University of Wisconsin-Madison does! Students will be able to take advantage of the close connection between the two schools if they decide to go over to UW-Madison after graduation.
University of California – Davis (Davis, CA)
UC Davis’ Animal Science program is rated number one nationally according to U.S. News and World Report.
Though the school doesn’t have a specific pre-vet program, it does have plenty of opportunities to earn the education and experience to apply for a DVM program.
UC-Davis’ Veterinary Medicine department has a passion for nurturing diversity and for making the process of getting to a DVM program accessible to all people and all ages.
College, high school, middle school, and elementary-aged people all can participate in events that encourage and promote curiosity and understanding about being a vet.
These events range from a 5-week training program in the summer for college students to after-school elementary programs that teach math and science through a veterinary medicine lens.
Students will also be able to interact with those who are attending the UC-Davis DVM program through the US Davis Students Supporting Diversity program.
This opportunity pairs those who have already had to go through the demanding process of applying for DVM programs with those who are just finding their way, contributing to a greater sense of community and more student success.
UC Davis believes so much in giving people accessible experiences that they even offer students Barn Residency.
Students who apply and are accepted for a barn residency will get free room and board at one of several barns in exchange for 10 hours of work a week.
Attending UC Davis means having access to one of the top programs for aspiring vets. Students who want to learn more should start by exploring the UC Davis Veterinary Medicine website.
Clemson University (Clemson, SC)
Clemson offers several unique opportunities for entering a DVM program. Specifically, students should start by checking out their pre-professional approach to the pre-vet path, the FEEPASS program, and WAVS.
Clemson is dedicated to providing students with the requirements they need to enter a DVM program, but they don’t feel the need to box students into a four-year degree.
Students who wish to pursue a pre-vet pre-professional path at Clemson can attend at least three years of undergraduate coursework and then apply for a DVM program.
Once students are admitted and complete a year of course work, they will be awarded a preprofessional studies degree in veterinary medicine.
An exciting international opportunity that puts another spin on this setup is the FEEPASS program. A partnership between Clemson and the University of Glasgow gives students the chance to attend the UK university during their final year of undergraduate work.
Upon completion of their undergrad career, they will automatically gain admission to Glasgow University’s Veterinary Medicine program.
Making big decisions like pursing FEEPASS or the pre-vet professional path requires having a supportive community, and students will find just that in WAVs.
The Women in Veterinary Science society brings Animal Science women together to live, learn, and gain vital professional experience while celebrating women’s power in STEM.
Clemson is a jewel in the deep south for those looking for a quality pre-vet experience. Students should visit the university’s pre-vet information page to learn more about how to get started.
Hollins University (Roanoke, VA)
Hollins University is the oldest operating university for women and is located in some of the most beautiful countryside Virginia offers.
The university takes full advantage of its beautiful surroundings by offering a specialized outdoors program and through the effort of maintaining one of the best riding school programs in the US.
Horses are a big deal at Hollins, and students who wish to be in the pre-vet program have the chance to ride and care for horses on-campus and abroad. Horse lovers will be overjoyed to know that they can attend a year of study abroad at Ireland’s University of Limerick equestrian program!
That said, students don’t have to be horse-lovers to attend the Hollins pre-vet program; in fact Hollins tries to prepare students for the wide range of animal experience that most Veterinary Medicine schools ask for in applicants.
Students who attend Hollins have gone on to DVM programs at top-rated schools like Texas A&M and Western University of Health Sciences. Hollins doesn’t horse around when it comes to their pre-vet program. Women who would love to surround themselves with nature, wildlife, and female empowerment can learn more about Hollins’ pre-vet path on the program’s information page.
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