Animal Science vs. Animal Health Science

The animal science major has two options:

• the pre-veterinary/graduate school option
• the animal science general option.

The pre-vet/graduate school option is for students who want to become veterinarians (DVM). After earning a bachelor's degree in this option, students will need an additional four years of veterinary school to become a veterinarian. Other students who choose this option attend graduate schools for master's degrees or doctorates.

The animal science option is for students who do not wish to attend veterinary school. These students can work in the agricultural, pet food or pharmaceutical industries; the USDA and other government or state agencies; or aquaria and zoos.

The animal health science major is for students who want to become registered veterinary technicians (RVTs). RVTs work with veterinarians and are the veterinary medicine equivalent of nurses.

In addition to their bachelor's degrees, students must apply for a license by the State of California Veterinary Medical Board to become an RVT. 

Cal Poly Pomona has the only four-year veterinary technologist program on the West Coast accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities.