Veterinary Science & Animal Care: One Career Path, Lots of Opportunities

Why Earn a Degree in Veterinary Science and Animal Care?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterinarians and veterinary technologists and technicians are predicted to be two of the fastest growing fields from 2006-2016. Employment for veterinarians should increase by 35 percent, far above the national average for all jobs, while employment veterinary technologists and technicians is expected to increase even faster, at 41 percent.

What Degree Program Do I Need?

A variety of careers exist within the field of veterinary science and animal care, each one requiring a different level of education:

• Animal care workers (which can include kennel workers, groomers, or trainers): Depending on where they work, they may only need a high school diploma or sometimes an associate's degree.
• Veterinary technician: requires a two-year associate's degree
• Veterinary technologist: you'll need a four-year bachelor's degree
• Veterinarian: This career path demands the most education: a professional degree called the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

All of these degrees can be obtained either through online education programs or at traditional colleges or universities. The online route does have certain advantages such as flexible schedules, the convenience of learning from home, and the ability to attend any program anywhere in the world without relocating.
Veterinary technicians and technologists must also pass a licensing exam following their degree program.

Veterinary Science and Animal Care Coursework

Useful courses for anyone interested in this field include:

• Animal biology
• Animal nutrition
• Biochemistry
• Biology (cellular, general, and microbiology)
• Chemistry (organic and inorganic)
• Genetics
• Math (possibly algebra, trigonometry, or pre-calculus)
• Physics
• Systemic physiology
• Vertebrate embryology
• Zoology

Most workers in the veterinary sciences also choose to focus on either small companion animals, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, or even reptiles, or on larger, non-domestic animals such as horses, cattle, pigs, and sheep.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Animal Care and Service Workers
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tomorrow's Jobs Table
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Veterinarians
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Laura Horwitz has worked as a freelance writer and researcher for seven years in both London and the US, focusing frequently on education and career advice. She has also taught English and journalism. She currently lives in Los Angeles.