Graduate Programs

A preview of graduate program scenes.

The animal and food sciences department is proud to highlight it's six graduate program tracks. Explore below to find a program that's right for you!

Our graduates are successfully prepared for professional schools (e.g., veterinary and medical), or to further their education through advanced degrees (Ph.D. programs and post-doctoral positions).

Many of our alumni are employed in the fields of biotechnology, food product development and safety, pharmaceutical research, vaccine development and testing, agricultural feed and nutrition industries, as well as government administration and policy.

Why Grad School? 


Animal Science Master's Programs

Gisselle Garcia works in a lab toward her degree in Animal Science with a concentration in Business and Entreprenenurial Leadership.

Non-thesis M.S. in Animal Science

Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership Concentration (BEL)


This degree with a concentration in Business, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership (BEL), provides graduate students with tools and skills for pursuing or advancing in a career related to animal science. Students take core courses in advanced animal science, electives in areas such as ethics and leadership, and an individualized problem solving project.

About this program

ANFS student Alena Brown gets hands-on experience, checking vitals of a dog.

Non-thesis
M.S. in Animal Science

Veterinary Biosciences, Biotechnology, and One Health Concentration


This degree with a concentration in Veterinary Biosciences, Biotechnology, and One Health (VBBOH) is ideal for recent graduates aiming to expand their knowledge and experience base prior to entering into a professional degree program or the workforce. Students take advanced coursework related to host-pathogen interactions, nutrition and immunology, and technical and practical training. Graduates also complete an individualized research project to further skill development.

About this program

Two young women working in the Animal Science lab.

Thesis-based
M.S. in Animal Science


This research-focused degree prepares students for a variety of careers related to animal science or for further training in a PhD program. Students work closely with a faculty advisor to develop and complete research related to the faculty advisor’s field of study. Students balance their research with 30 credits of advanced coursework in this full-time program.

About this program


Food Science Master's programs

A laboratory scene where pipettes are being used in a lab about gut health and disease pathogenesis.

Non-thesis
M.S. in Food Science

Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership Concentration


This degree with a concentration in Business, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership (BELC), provides graduate students with tools and skills for pursuing or advancing in a career related to food science. Students take core courses in advanced food science, electives in areas such as ethics and leadership, and an individualized problem solving project.

About this program

Professor Kali Kniel with grad students in the lab.

Thesis-based
M.S. in Food Science


This research-focused degree prepares students for a variety of careers related to food science or for further training in a PhD program. Students work closely with a faculty advisor to develop and complete research related to the faculty advisor’s field of study. Students balance their research with 30 credits of advanced coursework in this full-time program.

About this program


Ph.d.

Ph.D. Animal and Food Science

PhD student examines samples on the Department of Animal and Food Sciences

The PhD in Animal and Food Sciences equips students with extensive theoretical knowledge and practical training for a highly skilled position in animal science or food science. As part of this research-intensive degree, students will complete multiple projects related to their faculty advisor’s field of study. Students will complete advanced coursework focused on either animal science or food science.

About this program