View information below for admission requirements, program components, degree requirements for master's thesis and non-thesis option, PhD requirements and details for transferring credits.

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Admission Requirements

• Secure a commitment from a faculty member to serve as your graduate advisor. Also called “major professor.” This is the student’s responsibility.
• B.S. in Animal Science, Food Science or a related field
• Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Potential for admission under probationary admission with GPA of at least 2.6
• Recent (2-yr) TOEFL score of 79 or 550 for students whose native language is not English

 

Consider

• GRE score
• Grad committee review and approval of applicant
• Courses - 1 semester statistics, 3 semesters chem, 3 semesters biology, physiology

Program Components

Always refer to the Oklahoma State Catalog – Graduate College. It is “official.”

MS - Animal Science 

We offer 2 options to earn an MS in Animal Science. The first is the “traditional” option in which the student writes and defends a thesis. This option is ideal for those interested in research and/or intending to pursue a PhD. The second option is the “non-thesis” option. This option is best for students who want to further their education in Animal Science, but have little interest in research or education beyond the MS degree. The requirements for the two options are different, and were developed to reflect the best preparation for the student.

Ph.D. - Animal Science 

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is granted in recognition of high achievement in scholarship and independent investigation. All Ph.D. degrees in Animal Science are traditional, dissertation-based degrees. The most typical path is for a student to earn a Ph.D. after earning a thesis-based M.S. in Animal Science or a related discipline. However, students may be admitted directly into a Ph.D. program following a B.S. degree in Animal Science or a related discipline.

Cost

• Graduate Costs
• Tuition & Fee Details

Insurance

• Student Health Plans

Degree Requirements

 

M.S. Thesis Option

Plan I — coursework with thesis. 30 credit hours. Graduate College. Sec 19.3.

 

Objective: Plan I is the traditional Master’s degree that intends to train a student in a specific discipline of animal science and develop their skills as a scientist. Plan I requires preparation and successful defense of a thesis. This plan is designed to prepare a  student to enter a PhD program if desired.

 

M.S. Non-Thesis Option

Plan II — coursework without thesis. 36 credit hours. Graduate College. Sec 19.3.

 

Objective: Plan II is a non-traditional Master’s degree that intends to train a student in a broad range of disciplines in animal science. The objective is to provide knowledge and opportunities to students whose career objectives would benefit from additional education, but who are not intending to enter research careers or pursue a Ph.D. in Animal or Food Science. Plan II requires the preparation of a culminating experience. See below.

 

Culminating Experiences

In the non-thesis option, a student is required to complete a culminating experience. The objective of the culminating experience is for the student to produce a scholarly product that is beneficial to the student, the department, and potentially stakeholders. These products are beyond what would be expected as a culminating or “class” project in an undergraduate course. The student must give a 30-minute seminar to the department summarizing the product.

 

Appropriateness and successful completion of culminating experiences are ultimately up to the determination of the student’s graduate committee. Below are examples to guide the student and committee. At the discretion of the committee, 3 hours of ANSI 5010 may be credited for work done on the culminating experience.

Publication

A peer-reviewed journal article, book chapter, or Extension publication/fact sheet must be submitted for publication. The student must be the first/primary author. The student may develop a website, app, decision tool, software package, etc. and then publish an article or fact sheet about its application. A meeting abstract or conference paper is not typically acceptable. An extensive, detailed HACCP plan may be acceptable.

Teaching Experience

A significant teaching effort by the student, well beyond a typical TA experience. This could be developing a new course, significantly redesigning a course, developing significant curriculum materials, conducting a study of scholarship of teaching and learning and presenting at a conference, leading a significant tour/trip, etc. 

Internship

A professional experience, similar to full-time employment for 8 to 12 weeks, with an industry or government agency. The scholarly objectives of the internship must be determined ahead of time and reported on by the student to the committee. Must include a 30-minute seminar, given to the department, describing the student's experience.

Ph.D. 

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is granted in recognition of high achievement in scholarship and independent investigation. All Ph.D. degrees in Animal Science are traditional, dissertation-based degrees. The most typical path is for a student to earn a Ph.D. following earning a thesis-based M.S. in Animal Science or a related discipline. However, students may be admitted into the Ph.D. program following a B.S. degree in Animal Science or a related discipline.

These requirements:

• are post-baccalaureate credits. Credits earned in an M.S. degree may be applied to these requirements. See Transferring Credits below.
• are the minimum for a Ph.D. in Animal Science; your committee may require additional leveling coursework based on their assessment of your background, etc. Leveling coursework requirements should be listed in your offer letter.

 

Transferring Credits

Graduate College Section 5.0.  See Section 11.2 for using credits for multiple degrees.

All transfer credits are at the discretion/approval of the graduate committee.

MS students:

• Can transfer up to 9 hours of graduate credit from another University

 

PhD students:

• Can transfer up to 9 hours of graduate credit from another University
• Can use credits earned in an MS degree on the PhD Plan of Study
• Must have 30 credits from OSU

Undergraduates seeking to enroll in graduate courses

Graduate College Section 6.10. Animal Science does not currently offer the accelerated M.S. degree referenced in Sec 11.15.