Online Colleges for Animal Studies: How to Choose

Animal studies is an emerging discipline that is concerned with the interrelationships between humans and animals, both domesticated and wild. Courses in these programs involve the interdisciplinary study of animal culture, ethics, law and other subjects. While animal studies may include coursework related to animal science, that field deals with the productivity and health of livestock from a strictly biological perspective.

How to Select an Online School for Animal Studies

Award Levels

The field of animal studies covers both animal welfare and companion animal care, but since it is such a new discipline, it is very hard to find online study options in these areas. Undergraduate and graduate credit courses in animal welfare are rare, but available online; however, currently, there are no degrees available online. Beyond the offerings of animal studies programs, students may find relevant online education about animals by exploring veterinary programs or traditional animal science courses, which may provide basic biological or nutritional information useful to animal studies.

Program Type

Animal studies and animal science programs are available fully online. Classes may be presented through a well-known course management system, such as Blackboard, or a proprietary one belonging to the school. Some courses may require that students purchase extra supplies or software in order to complete assignments. Teachers are available for consultation during regular office hours through email and chat.

List of Online Animal Studies Programs

Degree programs in animal studies are available, but only a select few courses are available online. The following courses can be taken as part of a program or individually.

Graduate Course in Animal Welfare Assessment

This graduate level course combines social science and zoology to explore how animals and humans share the Earth. Although there are no prerequisites, it is recommended that students have some experience with animal physiology, breeding and behavior. This course is taught entirely online, featuring lectures that examine animal and human relationships and interactions, human ethics as applied to domestic and wild animals, definitions of pain and suffering and animal health. The role of economics in human decisions regarding animal life and welfare is also explored.
To help students develop critical thinking skills, they participate in a series of video exercises observing a variety of animals in different environments. Using an assigned set of criteria, they evaluate the welfare these animals and then compare their responses to those of classmates and teachers. Students are encouraged to communicate regularly with one another via live chat or e-mail. To graduate from the course, students must demonstrate their ability to competently evaluate animals.

Exploring the Human-Animal Bond Course

This course explores the nature of bonding between species from physiological and psychological perspectives. The first part of the course examines the ways in which animals can be used in various types of therapy; children can develop their language skills by reading to dogs and horses can play a role in physical therapy for disabled individuals. The latter section focuses on the integration of the human-animal bond into veterinary treatment of pets and animals. Lectures may be presented as a narrated slide show using a plug-in such as Flash Player.

List of Online Animal Science Programs

While most animal science programs can't be completed entirely online, animal science courses in nutrition and biology are available online. These may be stand-alone courses or part of a hybrid format degree program.

Companion Animal Nutrition Course

Many behavior problems in pets are related to diet. This course teaches the fundamentals of good nutrition not only for traditional pets such as cats, dogs and birds, but for exotic pets and backyard wildlife. Students learn about nutrient requirements and feeding programs for different animals, as well as diets for animals with special needs. Changes in the pet food industry that have addressed the importance of nutrient sources are also discussed. Previous animal nutrition studies may be required.

Nutrition for Zoo Animals Course

This class focuses on the unique nutrition challenges for zoos. Captive animals live in artificial environments, making appropriate feeding programs vital for the physical and mental well-being of animals. They must have food that is natural to them based on their internal structure and physiology. Many zoo animals also have special feeding routines that mimic how they obtain food in the wild.
Students learn entirely online through lectures, discussions and zoo case studies. Schools often utilize a learning management system, for which a computer with high-speed Internet connection works best. Though the course is designed for animal professionals, such as zoo or shelter employees, it's also open to anyone interested in animals. Prerequisites include animal nutrition.