M.S. of Professional Studies in Animal Sciences This program is designed with flexibility in mind for full or part-time students and can be tailored to provide what you need for higher-level jobs in the animal industry and government agencies which do not require research experience. Also, this is a great option for students seeking to bolster their application to professional degree programs, including veterinary medicine. The program is designed to be finalized in as little as one academic year. For instance, UMaine undergraduates with interest in this program can obtain B.Sc. and M.P.S. degrees in a five-year period if they start their M.P.S. studies in their senior year.

Program Highlights

1) Can be obtained as early as one year.

2) Tailored for students seeking to strengthen their application to veterinary medicine programs

3) Tailored for professionals seeking higher level jobs in the animal industry

4) UMaine undergraduate students can take graduate courses in their senior year and finish all requirements in a fifth year.

5) Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis

Areas of focus or concentration

Extension for livestock and applied animal health

Program Learning Outcomes

Our mission is to provide an academic setting that adequately prepares the next generation of animal science professionals needed by industry, academia, non-profits, and state and federal agencies. Mission Statement

AVS Faculty

Degree and Admission Requirments

Degree requirements:

-A minimum of 30 credit hours, including:

  • At least 15 credit hours must be 500 and/or 600-level.
  • A minimum of three credits in an “independent study” type course (e.g. AVS 699) agreed upon with their major advisor.
  • Courses selected must include a minimum of 12 credits in the Animal and Veterinary Sciences.

-Prepare a literature review under the guidance of a faculty advisor and a studies committee of at least 2 members of UMaine graduate faculty.

  • Obtain an AVS faculty advisor before admission into the AVS program, and submit a Program of Study form with the Graduate School within the first semester of admission.

Admission:

-A B.Sc. degree.

-English proficiency requirements as indicated by the Graduate School.

-GRE is not required for this program.

  • Application to the University of Maine Graduate School (Instructions are here) as a “Degree Applicant”, including an essay, resume, recommendation letters, transcripts, and test scores.

 

For information on how to apply, please follow the instructions set by the Graduate School: https://umaine.edu/graduate/apply/

Once applications have been received by the University of Maine Graduate School, the Graduate School will perform a preliminary review to ensure all the required materials have been submitted.  The Graduate School may take up to six weeks to review materials submitted by International applicants.  After preliminary review by the Graduate School, applications will be sent to the Graduate Program Coordinator and faculty in the AVS program for additional review. This process may take several weeks.

Please, check the graduate school estimated tuition calculator https://umaine.edu/graduate/funding/est-tuition-calc/

Frequently Asked Questions

How does an MPS fit into my educational path?

An MPS allows you to gain additional experience in animal science and professional skills and can be paired with your undergraduate degree to provide additional specialization. For example, students with a background in aquaculture, agriculture, biology, ecology, microbiology, nutrition, or other topics may obtain an MPS in Animal Science to complement their previous academic experience to better understand the connection between livestock and wild animals for disease or ecosystem management. 

 

An MPS can also help make you more competitive with other professional schools, such as veterinary and medical programs.

How does an MPS fit into my career path?

An MPS can help make you more competitive in many professions related to animal healthcare, the livestock industry, and other animal-related activities. An MPS in Animal Science may also be helpful for anyone working on agriculture topics in education and political career paths. 

How long does it take to complete an MPS?

The MPS requires 30 credits of coursework, and it can be completed in as little as one year. Students may take any amount of credits per semester, and there is no penalty or additional cost to pause their degree and resume it later.

Do I have to write and defend a thesis?

No, the MPS is strictly an academic degree. You will participate in at least 3 credits of independent research with a faculty mentor, but there is no requirement to complete an entire project and no requirement to publish the results as a journal article or a master’s thesis.

Can I convert the MPS into a thesis-based MSc?

An MPS student may convert to an MSc student at any time; however, prior approval must be obtained from the faculty member who will act as your advisor. Converting to an MSc degree is typically contingent upon available research funding for projects, student salaries, and tuition. If you convert from an MPS to an MSc degree, you will be required to complete the requirements outlined for the MSc degree.

How do I find a faculty advisor?

Information on current AVS faculty can be found on our UMaine website, and you may contact faculty to ask about openings in their lab and the potential to work together. Please specify that you are an MPS student to let the faculty member know what kind of advising commitment this would be.

What do I have to do for the independent study requirement?

For the independent study requirement, you and your faculty advisor will set objectives for gaining professional experience via a project that is relevant to your career goals.  This may take the form of outreach and extension activities, educational activities, or research in a laboratory, farm, field, in silico, or other settings.

Is the MPS a paid graduate position?

No, MPS is considered a strictly academic degree. There is no salary, and you must pay for your academic credits and health insurance. However, you are allowed to be paid as a graduate teaching assistant, pending the availability of positions, and you may apply for scholarships or other financial aid opportunities. You are allowed to have employment outside of the university at any time during your MPS.

Click Here to Apply Today!

For More Information Contact:

Dr. Juan Romero, Graduate Coordinator.

Facilities

Animal Science and participating Cooperative Extension faculty maintain research labs around their core disciplines, and more information on those facilities may be obtained by contacting faculty or checking out their lab websites.

There are additional facilities on campus, including the J. Franklin Witter Teaching & Research Center, the Small Animal Research Facility, the DNA Sequencing Facility, the Microscopy Facility, the Advanced Computing Group, and more. 

There are several other research facilities in Orono and the surrounding area, including the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the Aquaculture Research Institute.

Many faculty also perform research at cooperating research institutions, farm or production facilities, and natural areas.