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Dog and cat next to eachother.

Gain the knowledge and skills needed to turn your passion for animals into a rewarding career.

Animal Care and Behavior

Bachelor of Science

Quick Facts

Total Credit Hours: 120-121
Time to Completion: 12-42 months*
Tuition: $398 per credit hour**

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Animal Care and Behavior Degree

Bachelor of Science

Discover why animals behave the way they do and how to care for them through our fully online Animal Care and Behavior degree from. Migration patterns, social interactions, nutrition, health and the role animals play in human health are more important to understand than ever. This program, taught by expert faculty, will set you up for a successful career in veterinary medicine, biology, animal rescues, nature preserves or other animal-focused professions.

Working with and studying animals for a living doesn’t have to be just a dream job; it can be a reality. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Animal Care and Behavior online from Husson University and take the next step toward turning your passion into your career. 

Prepare for a career in animal care and behavior

  • Flexible online classes with 24/7 access
  • 7-week courses
  • Transfer up to 90 credits
  • Tailor your education by earning certificates and digital badges

animal-care-and-behavior-featured-image.jpgWhile in our B.S. in Animal Care and Behavior program, you can pursue one of our many undergraduate certificates. Our Certificate in Animal Training and Certificate in Animal-Assisted Therapy build on your animal-focused curriculum while also helping you to stand out in your career field. While in this online program, you can also earn digital badges, which certify your expertise in a professional subject area.

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*Based on a student transferring in between 60-90 credits **All rates subject to change. Please see Cost and Aid for more information.

Courses you will take:

animal-care-and-behavior-career-curriculum-image.jpgTo complete your B.S. in Animal Care and Behavior, you will need to earn 120 credits or more. You can transfer up to 90 credits. Without transfer credits, this program can be completed in about 3.5 years. However, students transferring in 60-90 credits can complete the program in as little as one year.

While in this program, you'll take classes in animal behavior, animal cognition, animal care and wellness, animal health and nutrition, animal disease, animal comparative anatomy and more. Reach out today if you’d like more information or if you would like to speak to an enrollment counselor. 

2023 Start Dates

Term 6        

July 3

Term 1

August 28

Term 2

October 23

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Curriculum

HE 114 Husson Experience and Building Professional Skills (3 credits)
EH 105 College Writing (3 credits)
PY 111 General Psychology (3 credits)
PY 141 Human Growth and Development (3 credits)
AB 491 Animal Care and Behavior Capstone (3 credits)
SC 180 Principles of Chemistry (3 credits)
SL 180 Principles of Chemistry Lab (1 credit)
Bridge Course with Sustainability Tag (3 credits)
Philosophical Elective (3 credits)
Math 1 Elective (3-4 credits)
Math 2 Elective (3 credits)
Lab Science Elective (SC/SL 191 recommended) (3-4 credits)
Historical Elective (3 credits)
Literature Elective (3 credits)
Fine Arts Elective (3 credits)
Humanities Elective (3 credits)
Foreign Culture or Conversation Elective (3 credits)
Perspectives Elective (3 credits)

AB 201 Animal Behavior (3 credits)
AB 211 Animal Cognition (3 credits)
AB 221 Animal Comparative Anatomy (3 credits)
AB 234 Animal Health and Nutrition (3 credits)
AB 333 Animal Disease (3 credits)
AB 334 Animal Breeding and Genetics (3 credits)
AB 341 Animal Care and Wellness (3 credits)
AB 441 Animal Welfare (3 credits)
SC 191 General Biology I (3 credits)
SC 192 General Biology II (3 credits)
SL 191 General Biology I Lab (1 credit)
SL 192 General Biology II Lab (1 credit)

AB 110 Human-Animal Bond (3 credits)
AB 210 Emotional Support and Service Animals (3 credits)
AB 301 Animal-Human Interactions (3 credits)
AB 310 Animal-Assisted Therapy (3 credits)
AB 401 Animal Training (3 credits)
AB 410 Canine- and Feline-Assisted Therapy
AB 411 Equine-Assisted Therapy

Student must complete 30 credits of open elective courses to graduate.

Why Husson Online

Start When You're Ready

Multiple start dates and no set class times or locations

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Experiential Learning

Gain even more real-world experience

READ ABOUT INTERNSHIP BENEFITS

Personalized Academic Support

Reach your goals with our online support services

EXPLORE STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Accredited Programs

All of our programs meet standards for quality

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Career Outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in the animal care and service field is expected to grow by 29 percent from 2021 to 2031.

The national median salary for those in animal-focused careers can vary widely and depend on the work setting and one's education level. For example, zoologists and wildlife biologists make an average salary of $64,650 per year, while veterinarians make just over $100,000 per year, per the BLS. However, veterinarians must have a doctorate degree while zoologists and wildlife biologists can enter their field with a bachelor's degree.

 

Individuals with a bachelor's degree in animal care and behavior can work in a wide variety of animal-focused settings such as zoos, aquariums, animal rehabilitation facilities, nature preserves, veterinary clinics, educational settings and more.

Taylor Rezvani sitting next to her dog on grass outsize.

Faculty Spotlight

Taylor Rezvani, Ph.D, M.A.T.

Taylor Rezvani is the Executive Director and Co-founder of Whole Dog Academy, an education-based nonprofit that includes a career school for dog trainers. She is passionate about improving animal-human relationships and animal welfare through research and educational outreach, especially concerning the veterinary field and domestic dog preventative behavioral care. As an educator, Taylor strives to expand opportunities to educate people about animal behavior and welfare, particularly within the veterinary profession. Taylor has designed and delivered in-person and online curricula for high school, undergraduate, graduate and veterinary students as well as vocational learners. Interdisciplinarity has always been an important and natural part of Taylor’s personal educational trajectory, starting with her two undergraduate degrees: Human Biology (Animal Behavior: Biology/Psychology/Sociology) and Media Studies (Film), both from Pitzer College. She earned a masters degree in teaching biology from Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling and an interdisciplinary doctoral degree in Zoology, Psychology and Education from Washington State University. Currently, Taylor is a postdoctoral fellow at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she assists with developing and curating educational materials regarding domestic dog welfare.

Your Career Begins Here

How to Apply

The admissions process breakdown

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Tuition

An affordable education to help you increase your earnings potential

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Financial Aid

Explore ways to help cover the cost of your degree

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Transfer Credit

Earn up to 90 credits toward your degree

LEARN HOW TO TRANSFER CREDITS

For more information

Name
Phone and Email Address
Online Enrollment Counselor Online Enrollment Counselor

207.992.1972
Peabody Hall
1 College Circle
Bangor, Maine 04401