UGA Specific Information for Animal Science

The animal science curriculum is designed to provide technical and applied instruction in the biological, physical, and economic aspects of beef, swine, sheep, and horse production. It includes the selection, breeding, nutrition, reproduction, growth, biotechnology, and management of livestock in the production of meat and milk, or of horses as work or companion animals. Courses of a more basic nature may be emphasized by students who desire careers in science-related fields or who wish to pursue graduate or professional study. This major is highly recommended for persons wishing to enter a program of study in veterinary medicine.



Class of 2021 Career Outcomes for Animal Science*

** Includes Self-Employed


Campus Resources


Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations/Considerations

ASPCA Careers with Animals

Veterinarian To become a veterinarian you’ll need to: 

  • Go through 4 years of college taking essentially pre-med courses like biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. You’ll also need to take some animal-related courses like animal biology, animal nutrition, zoology, etc.
  • Go through 4 years of veterinary school. Competition for entry is very tough. Schools will look for an animal-related experience like working with a vet in clinics or research or working on a farm, stable, or animal shelter, as well as very good grades.
  • For certain types of veterinary medicine a one-year internship is required, for others, an additional 2-3 year residency is required. 

Veterinary Technician

A Veterinary Technician is very much like a nurse. A vet tech helps a veterinarian take care of patients. To become a vet tech you’ll need to:

  • Graduate from a vet tech program, which is usually an associate's degree (AA), and passes a state certification exam.
  • Vet techs can work wherever veterinarians work- in animal hospitals, shelters, farms, etc. 

Wildlife Rehabilitator

Another career that involves helping animals heal and recuperate is a wildlife rehabilitator. A wildlife rehabilitator takes in wild animals that are injured, sick, or orphaned and provides medical and supportive care. To become a wildlife rehabilitator you will need to:

  • Take courses and seminars to learn how to care for injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife
  • Complete appropriate coursework established by wildlife rehabilitation associations for certification
  • Obtain state and federal permits to handle wildlife.
  • Wildlife Rehabilitators can work at animal shelters, wildlife refuges, or independently

Animal Behaviorist/Animal Trainer

An animal trainer is someone that either trains animals or teaches a person how to train their own pet to do a variety of things.

  • There are no educational standards or licensing requirements for animal trainers. There are training programs, internships, and apprenticeships. There are also voluntary certifications.
  • Animal behaviorists often hold advanced degrees in animal sciences and behavioral principles. Most have Ph.D.s. An animal behaviorist will often deal with behavior problems in animals (e.g.; separation anxiety, compulsive behaviors, etc).

Humane Educator

Humane Educators teach others about animals, their needs, and their abilities, and try to instill respect and reverence for all life.

  • To be a humane educator a background in education is certainly helpful, but not necessary. An ability to speak in public, teach others and have a love for children and animals is also helpful.
  • Many humane educators are volunteers or employees of humane organizations, like the ASPCA. Some work with other animals, usually small animals or very well-trained dogs. 

Lobbyist/Lawyer

A lobbyist is someone who tries to influence legislators to pass bills in their area of special interest. For example, one of the things the ASPCA Government Affairs Department does is lobby. Getting a bill through the senate and assembly takes work by lobbyists whose “special interest” is animal issues.

  • Most lobbyists are lawyers. To become a lawyer, one must go through four years of college and earn a bachelor's degree, go through three years of law school and earn a law degree (J.D.-jurist doctor).
  • After graduating from law school, to practice law is any state you need to be admitted to the bar or licensed in that state. This will require passing a written “bar examination” and in many states a written ethics examination.

Zoologist

Zoology can be both a basic and applied science. A basic scientist in this case is one who is curious about living things and does not consider whether the information is immediately useful. An applied scientist is one who applies this knowledge for the betterment of humans and other animals. (e.g., interest in the mating habits of fruit flies vs. using info about panda mating habits to try to increase the likelihood that pandas will mate therefore increasing their numbers.)

  • If you have not already guessed, becoming a zoologist involves a strong interest in animals and a lot of schools. A graduate degree (master's or doctorate) will be required

Marine Biologist

Becoming a marine biologist is also a graduate school endeavor. Job competition can be fierce.

  • Marine biologists can work in a variety of settings. International, federal, state and local government agencies hire marine scientists for positions in research, education, management, and legal and policy development.
  • Industries like oil and gas exploration and fishing companies hire marine biologists. Environmental advocacy and animal welfare organizations may also hire marine biologists. Also, aquariums, zoos, and museums may hire marine biologists.

Supplemental Career Research Dashboard

Additional Career Research Resources

  • O*NET  (click on Find Occupations)
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook (type in general term for a career of interest)
  • Firsthand (Company rankings/profiles, industry career guides, and advice articles)
  • Candid Career  (View professionals speaking about their careers under the “Resources” tab and select “Online Resources”)

Employment Websites


Professional Associations/Resources

Tip: Join LinkedIn groups that are related to your career interest. Need help finding groups? Check out the Groups You May Like link under the Interests/Groups tab. Review the groups that professionals in your field of interest have joined and consider joining them as well

Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2021 Animal Science majors

The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2021 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.

Employer Position Title(s)
Amazon.com, Inc. Delivery Driver
Atlanta Humane Society Shelter Veterinary Technician
Banfield Pet Hopsital Vet Assistant
Christian Campus Fellowship Ministry Assistantship
Cover Wagon Ranch Helper
Georgia Department of Agriculture Meat Inspector
Goodwill Ranch Ranch Hand
Jerry Collins Animal Adoption Counselor
Lindsey & Wills Animal Hospital Veterinary Assistant
Nichols Land & Investment Company Land Sales Agent
North Oconee Animal Hospital Veterinary Assistant
Oatland Island Wildlife Center Animal Care Technician
Peterson Smith Equine Hospital Working Student
Piedmont Equine Associates Veterinary Technician
Town and Country Vet Clinic West Veterinary Technician
United Rentals Inside Sales Representative
University of Georgia Lab Animal Care Technician
University of Georgia Research Technician
University of Georgia Lab Animal Care Tech I
University of Georgia Veterinary Hospital Pharmacy Tech
VCA Lilburn Animal Hospital Veterinary Assistant
Winder Animal Hospital Veterinary Assistant
Yerkes National Primate Research Center Animal Care Technician
* denotes no responses received.
*Source: Areas above marked with an Asterisk (*) have been created utilizing data taken from the UGA Career Outcomes Survey. The "Employers Hiring...," "Job Titles of...," "Career Outcomes for...," and "Graduate/Professional Schools and Programs..." information listed above represent UGA Class of 2021 Graduates. The lists are not exhaustive and therefore do not represent all potential career options. Click here for more detailed Career Outcomes information regarding this major.

Graduate/Professional Schools attended by Class of 2021 Animal Science majors

The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2020 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.

Graduate School Program(s)
Colorado State University Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, DVM
Georgia Gwinnett College Undeclared
Loyola University Veterinary Medicine, DVM
Mercer University Physician's Assistant, Master's
Mississippi State University Veterinary Medicine, DVM
Ohio State University Veterinary Medicine, DVM
St. Matthews University Veterinary Medicine, DVM
University of Florida Animal Sciences, MS
University of Georgia Veterinary Medicine, DVM
University of Georgia Animal Science, MS
University of Georgia Veterinary Medicine, DVM
University of Georgia Animal Science, MS
University of Georgia Animal Science, MS
University of Georgia Veterinary Medicine, DVM
University of Georgia Veterinary Medicine, DVM
University of Georgia Animal Science, MS
University of Georgia Veterinary Medicine, DVM
University of Georgia Animal Science, MS
University of Melbourne Epidemiology, MPH
University of Miami Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, MS
University of Nebraska - Lincoln Animal Science, MS
University of Nebraska - Lincoln Ruminant Nutrition, MS
University of South Carolina Physical Therapy, DPT
University of South Carolina Physical Therapy, DPT
University of South Carolina Physical Therapy, DPT
University of South Carolina Physical Therapy, DPT
University of South Carolina Physical Therapy, DPT
* denotes no responses received.