Best Online Veterinary Degree Programs of 2023

UC Davis offers a flexible program to attain a degree in veterinary medicine. Although all students receive the same foundational education in veterinary medicine, UC Davis allows their students to focus the remainder of their credit hours on their specific interests — including small animal, large animal, livestock, equine, and zoological foci, among others.

Students also take courses in business management, regulatory laws, veterinary practice environment, and client communication, making all UC Davis graduates confident and competent leaders in their veterinary practice.

Prospective students must complete 75% of their prerequisite courses before applying. This includes Physics I and II, General Biology I and II (with labs), General Chemistry I and II (with labs), Organic Chemistry I and II (with one lab), Statistics, Biochemistry with Metabolism, Genetics, and Systemic Physiology (animal or human). The GRE is required, and students are encouraged to apply having already completed some veterinary experience hours.

The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (PennVet) offers a comprehensive core curriculum with the option to take elective courses in the first two years. Although many programs only offer core or foundational courses in the first two years, PennVet allows their students to take elective courses early on so students can determine their major with confidence in their third year.

Their innovative research program proves that they have their finger on the pulse of Veterinary Medicine today, with a focus on Agriculture, Cell & Molecular Biology, and Immunology, among others.

Applicants to PennVet must complete prerequisite courses in English, Social Sciences or Humanities, Chemistry I and II (with labs), Organic Chemistry I and II (with labs), Biology or Zoology (with lab), Microbiology, Biochemistry, Calculus, and Statistics. Veterinary hours are encouraged, with the most competitive applicants having completed 500–600 hours. The GRE is not required.

The University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine prides itself on its diverse caseload - with over 100,000 animals treated at UF Veterinary Centers in 2021 alone, there are plenty of opportunities for students to take advantage of their unique course structure.

Their "split curriculum" offers foundational skills training for the first two years, followed by immersive clinical experience in the third year. Students are then able to work with live animals in a clinic, giving each student plenty of real-world experience.

To apply, students must complete prerequisite courses in Biology I and II (with labs), Chemistry I and II (with labs), Organic Chemistry I and II (with labs), Physics I and II (with labs), Microbiology (with lab), Genetics, Biochemistry, Statistics, English, and several courses in Humanities and Social Sciences. Students are encouraged to apply with nine additional electives that go beyond the pre-professional requirements, alongside veterinary experience with both large and small animal clinical practices.

Purdue University offers a number of educational opportunities for aspiring veterinary professionals, including their Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning (VNDL) program. This self-paced program culminates in an Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Nursing.

Designed for working adults, Purdue's VNDL program offers multiple pathways to completion, including a three-year plan, in which students take 6-8 credits per semester, and a six-year plan, in which students take 2-4 credits each term. Students also have the option to build their own plan based on their particular schedule and needs.

While all of the coursework for the VNDL program can be done online, students must complete 18.5 credit hours of in-person clinical mentorship hours. This is a hands-on learning opportunity in a veterinary facility under the supervision of a veterinarian or credentialed veterinary technician, and will give students the experience they need to confidently perform veterinary nursing tasks in a real-world setting.

Regardless of what area of veterinary medicine you're looking to pursue, the University of Missouri likely has an option for you. This includes undergraduate and graduate certificates, a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology, a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, and a Master of Public Health in Veterinary Public Health.

The BS in Veterinary Technology program is designed specifically for transfer students, requiring that students complete 76 credits at the University of Missouri to earn their degree. Students who complete this program have the option to transition directly into the MS in Biomedical Sciences program, which prepares students for careers in government, academic research, the veterinary pharmaceutical industry, and more.

Meanwhile, for students who plan to pursue their DVM, the University of Missouri offers an undergraduate certificate in veterinary science, which is specifically designed to give students the foundational knowledge they need to prepare for advanced study in veterinary medicine.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a fully online Master of Veterinary Science in Livestock Systems Health. This unique program focuses on animal health, data analytics, and business management to prepare students for leadership roles in the food production system.

This is a flexible program that can be completed in as little as 18 months, with asynchronous and synchronous classes designed to fit into the schedules of busy adults (synchronous classes are scheduled outside of regular business hours, making it easier for working professionals to attend). Electives allow students to customize their learning experience and focus on topics that interest them most.

Students who earn their Master of Veterinary Science in Livestock Systems Health go on to work in a variety of areas, including livestock production management, research and development, farming, ranching, quality control regulation, and more.

Students who are considering earning an associate degree in veterinary nursing should consider the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Veterinary Nursing from Colby Community College. Students can complete this program online or in-person, although both programs include hands-on learning experience in veterinary hospitals.

In CCU's Distance Learning Veterinary Nursing Program, students complete coursework asynchronously, allowing for maximum flexibility and convenience. For practical experience, students participate in clinical experiences in veterinary hospital settings. There are also optional on-campus mentorship opportunities in which students work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian or credential veterinary technician. Through these mentorships, students gain experience working with a variety of different animal populations, including large animals, exotic species, laboratory animals, and more.

St. Petersburg College's Veterinary Nursing Bachelor of Applied Science is one of only 24 online bachelor's programs in veterinary nursing in the U.S.

This program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, and provides advanced training in multiple key areas such as emergency and critical care, nutrition, animal anesthesia, pharmacology, and more. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to pursue roles in clinical, educational, research, and management settings. Specializations are available in advanced clinical applications and veterinary hospital management.

For students who want to start their educational journey with an associate degree, SPC also offers an associate degree in Veterinary Technology, which transfers directly into the bachelor's program. Meanwhile, upon completion of their bachelor's degree, students can learn more skills and boost their employability with a veterinary practice management certificate from the school.

San Juan College offers several options for veterinary education, including two certificate programs that can help aspiring veterinary technicians prepare for assistant or management roles.

The Veterinary Assistant Certificate is an ideal place to start for individuals new to the veterinary medicine field, and is designed for individuals who want alternative positions in the pet health industry. Students complete a core curriculum that can be applied, if desired, to San Juan College's Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology.

For individuals who are already working as veterinary technicians, there's San Juan College's Veterinary Practice Management Certificate. This program prepares students for management roles in veterinary clinics or hospitals and gives them the knowledge and skills they need to become a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) through the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA).

The curriculum for these programs combines distance learning and site-specific clinical experiences, so students receive a well-rounded education that will prepare them for employment and future education in the veterinary medicine field.

There are multiple paths that students can take towards the ultimate goal of earning a DVM and becoming a licensed veterinarian. For many students the first step is a pre-veterinary program like the one offered by Allen Community College.

This two-year associate degree program can be completed online or in-person, and is designed to give students a solid foundation in fundamental areas like animal science, physical and life sciences, and pre-veterinary medicine studies.

For students who want to pursue additional education after completing their associate degree, Allen Community College has transfer agreements with multiple institutions, allowing for a smooth transition to further study. Allen Community College also supports students with a variety of scholarship and grant opportunities to help pay for their degree.