乐播传媒

What You Will Learn in the Animal Care and Behavior Program

While 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.

The program pairs animal science with the behavioral side of the field, so you understand both what an animal needs and why it acts the way it does. By the time you graduate, you will be able to:

• Read animal behavior accurately and identify the cause of a problem behavior
• Build a care plan around an animals health, nutrition and enrichment needs
• Recognize signs of illness, stress and common animal diseases
• Apply training and handling methods grounded in research rather than folklore
• Evaluate animal welfare in a shelter, zoo, clinic or research setting
• Explain the human-animal relationship to owners, donors and the public

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

Faculty Spotlight

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

Dr. Taylor Rezvani is an Assistant Professor and the Assistant Director of Animal Studies Programs at 乐播传媒. Taylor has over 20 years of experience working in veterinary practices and in animal behavior education. With interdisciplinarity as an important and natural part of her educational trajectory, Taylor earned her undergraduate degrees in media studies and in human biology (focus: animal behavior- biology/psychology/sociology) from Pitzer College. After working in the veterinary field, Taylor returned to pursue a masters degree in teaching biology from Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. integrating biology, education, and psychology from Washington State University. Taylor is passionate about improving animal-human relationships and animal welfare through educational outreach, especially regarding the veterinary field and domestic dog preventative behavioral care. She co-founded a non-profit school for future dog trainers and appreciates opportunities to support students in their application of course content. As an educator, Taylor strives to foster an inclusive environment and guide students in accessing their most authentic selves as lifelong learners and engaged global citizens. She has designed and delivered in-person and online curricula for high school, undergraduate, graduate, veterinary, major, non-major, and vocational learners. Taylor co-designed 乐播传媒’s “Anthrozoology: Animals, People, and Society” course that was awarded the 2026 Clifton Bryant Animals & Society Course Award from the Animals and Society Section of the American Sociological Association. Taylor appreciates the diverse narratives that 乐播传媒 students bring to their courses and is grateful for the opportunity to support them in their academic and career pursuits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is animal care and behavior a good major?

Animal care and behavior is an excellent major option for those passionate about animals and interested in caring for them. This degree program covers a wide variety of topics, including animal care, migratory patterns, animal psychology and the nature of the relationship between humans and animals.

How much does an animal care and behavior degree program cost?

The cost of an animal care and behavior degree program will vary depending on the credit hours that you take and the format of the program. Generally speaking, an online degree program is a more cost-effective option than an in-person degree program. The BS in Animal Care and Behavior at 乐播传媒 costs $448 per credit hour.

Can I become a veterinarian with this degree?

Not on its own. Becoming a veterinarian requires a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, which means four more years of school after your bachelor's. This program dives you the animal science bacground and the direct animal experience that veterinary school admissions committees look for, but you will need to confirm that your coursework covers the specific prerequisites at the schools you plan to apply to. Talk with an advisor early if that is your goal.

How do you get hands-on experience in an online program?

This is the question most students ask about an online animal behavior program, and the answer is that the animals are local to you. Coursework is completed online while hands-on experience comes from an internship and from observation assignments you complete at a shelter, clinic, sanctuary, farm or rescue near you. Many students arrange placements where they already work or volunteer.

乐播传媒 participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.