The Animal Science Graduate Certificate program is designed to provide students with courses in the major disciplinary areas of animal science. Courses include introductory topics in nutrition, breeding and genetics, meat science, and animal physiology, as well as specialized courses in growth and development, and advanced courses in animal production and management. The goal of the program is to provide foundation courses across many facets of animal science, serving as a basis for further study in one of the disciplines or in a particular animal species.

The program is intended for individuals holding the BS degree in animal science or closely related field with a desire to continue their education in the animal sciences. Individuals working in the animal science industries, animal producers, and students enrolled in degree programs, and those preparing themselves for further education would benefit from enrolling in the courses offered. Students will work with faculty at their admitting institution to select and enroll in courses that meet their educational needs. In some cases, these courses could serve as a start on a masters degree in animal science or related field.

Courses offered in the Animal Science program, along with courses offered in closely affiliated programs, may be taken to create areas of emphasis, such as animal nutrition, animal genetics, and beef cattle production and management. Examples of courses that could be taken in these areas include:

• Advanced Beef Production (3 credits)
• Advanced Equine Nutrition (3 credits)
• Advanced Meat Science (3 credits)
• Advanced Non-Ruminant Nutrition (3 credits)
• Advanced Ruminant Nutrition (3 credits)
• Advanced Reproductive Physiology of Farm Animals (3 credits)
• Animal Growth and Development (3 credits)
• Evaluation and Use of Breeds of Livestock(3 credits)

Examples of courses that can be taken in a nutrition emphasis include: Advanced Ruminant Nutrition, Advanced Non-Ruminant Nutrition, Advanced Equine Nutrition, and Animal Growth and Development. An animal genetics emphasis could include: Advanced Selection of Domestic Animals and Evaluation, Use of Breeds of Livestock, and courses in the Quantitative Genetics and Genomics program. And an emphasis in beef cattle production and management could include: Advanced Beef Production, Advanced Ruminant Nutrition, Principles of Forage Quality and Evaluation for Grazing Livestock (from the Grassland Management program), and Animal Growth and Development.

Certificate titles vary by institution. Consult each institution for the certificate title as it will appear on the diploma.