Your online animal science degree opens the door to many careers
A degree in animal science prepares you for careers related to domesticated animals (like dogs, cats, sheep, cows and horses). Why should you devote your career to these animals? Let’s start with numbers.
The American Pet Products Association says consumers spent about $152 billion on their pets in 2024 alone. Your degree could lead to careers that involve raising pets, helping them find homes or distributing products that help them lead longer and healthier lives.
Animals also represent a significant part of the nation’s food economy, with billions of dollars tied to their care, management and production. Working as a feedlot manager or rancher could help you join this economic sector.
Beyond basic math, working with domesticated animals could also lead to profound job satisfaction — and you can start by earning an animal sciences bachelor’s degree online through Oregon State University.
“If students want to learn about all aspects of domestic animals, the animal sciences degree is the right fit,” said Janell Johnson, senior instructor and head academic advisor with the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State. “Students will explore everything from behavior and welfare, nutrition to reproduction, genetics and animal breeding, management, product quality and ethics.”
Where can you work with a degree in animal science?
Everywhere you find domesticated animals, you’ll find jobs. Your career options are as varied as the animals you could work with.
You could put your animal sciences degree to good use on mixed livestock farms. Knowledge of several different types of species and how they interconnect could set you apart from other applicants. Researchers say these jobs deliver high satisfaction, as workers appreciate the diversity of tasks and the opportunity to learn. Considering sheep, horses and cattle as your coworkers might appeal to you, too.
A laboratory could also be your home away from home. Grand View Research explains that pharmaceutical companies are heavily investing in treatments for illnesses that target pets. For example, in 2021, Zoetis launched a medication to treat osteoarthritis pain in dogs. You could work as a laboratory technician to develop similar solutions or in sales to bring these medications to pets in need.
Your animal science background also makes you a good candidate for jobs with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In positions like these, you’ll help to preserve the safety of the food supply and help farmers identify effective livestock-rearing methods.
Let’s explore the jobs you might choose after graduating with an animal sciences degree.
Work with cows, goats and sheep on farms and in livestock management jobs
Oregon State’s animal sciences program will provide you with a background in animal genetics and nutrition — and that can make you a capable farmer, rancher or livestock manager. The Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that 63% of livestock and dairy managers are self-employed, meaning you have plenty of control over the size and distribution of your herd.
If you don’t want to run your own farm, you could work for someone else as a livestock manager or director. This work involves pulling together a team, supervising their work and ensuring the animals are healthy and productive. The BLS explains that about 116,000 job openings for agricultural workers appear each year, primarily due to people who are retiring or otherwise leaving the labor force.
Oregon State’s animal sciences degree supplements online coursework with immersive virtual experiences, so you can deepen your understanding of this type of work.
“Students will virtually visit our OSU Dairy Center, OSU Sheep Center, OSU Clark Meat Science Center and the OSU Horse Center. These virtual tours will give students the opportunity to learn about management strategies at these facilities and the research happening there,” said Johnson.
Work as an animal caretaker in shelters and stables
In 2024, 45.5% of American households had dogs and 32.1% had cats, per American Veterinary Medical Association data. Your animal sciences degree makes you a great candidate for animal caretaker jobs in places like shelters. Your knowledge of animal behavior could prepare dogs and cats for new homes, while your skills in nutrition could ensure they’re well fed while they wait for their forever families.
Dogs and cats aren’t the only pets you’ll develop the skills to help. Horses also need safe places to stay when their families aren’t riding them, and the American Horse Council Foundation says more than seven million of these magnificent creatures live in the United States. This online animal sciences program can help you find work as an equine boarding stable manager, offering support and care to horses and their people.
Join the business world with sales and marketing jobs
While an animal sciences degree could lead to hands-on jobs with furry creatures, your broad base of knowledge could also help you succeed in indirect animal jobs. For example, you could use your knowledge of animal health and genetics in animal health sales representative jobs.
You could also put your degree to work as a pharmaceutical sales representative and visit veterinary clinics to discuss new therapies that could help dogs and cats.
Build on your animal sciences bachelor’s degree
Earning an animal sciences degree online will provide you with detailed knowledge you can use immediately. It can also become a foundation for other programs that deepen your skills.
Oregon State’s animal sciences bachelor’s degree online does not automatically prepare you to enter veterinary school, but many students use it as a starting point.
“There are specific academic requirements for vet school admission, and they can vary by institution,” Johnson explained. “While some of the courses offered can help fulfill some prerequisites, students should discuss their plans with their academic advisor to ensure the courses they need are incorporated.”
When students emerge from veterinary school, they enter a competitive market hungry for their skills. For example, the National Conference of State Legislatures explains that the U.S. has lost 90% of its livestock and large animal veterinarians since the end of World War II. Some parts of the country have few or no large animal experts available to help cows and sheep in poor health.
You could also take additional courses in animal behavior to become a certified dog trainer or cat behaviorist. Some graduates build up their scientific skills to take on more advanced research tasks.
If you’d like to work with animals but aren’t set on a career path quite yet, you have options. Compare and contrast four online degrees focused on animals available through Oregon State.
You can also strengthen your skills with Oregon State’s extensive suite of online certificates and microcredentials.
Get started on your degree today
Domesticated animals need you. It’s time to answer the call. Learn more about Oregon State’s animal sciences bachelor’s degree online and build a rewarding career that involves domesticated animals. Connect with an Ecampus enrollment services specialist to get started.
