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Master of Professional Studies (MPS)

Animal Science

Broaden your expertise and professional versatility

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Animal Science is a STEM-designated, one-year, non-thesis, course-based master's degree program. Concentration areas cover a wide range of issues and advancements in animal science, including animal health, animal nutrition, animal production sustainability, dairy management, and animal science (general). 

The MPS program offers curriculum that advances technical knowledge, analytical skills, and professional development to equip students with the skill set and knowledge necessary for careers in industry, government, or non-profit agencies.

Upcoming information sessions

Interested in learning more about doing a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Animal Science at Cornell? Please join one of our informal information sessions, led by the Director of the program, to answer any question you might have about the MPS in Animal Science.

Play Master of Professional Studies in Animal Science at Cornell University

Animal Science MPS Concentrations

The Field of Animal Science offers concentration areas for MPS degree candidates. Each concentration cultivates the skillset and develops the theoretical problem-solving capacity required for careers in animal science.

Sample curriculum

Fall semester

  • ANSC 6270: Fundamentals of Endocrinology
  • ANSC 5540: Dairy Cattle Herd Health
  • VTPMD 6640: Introduction to Epidemiology
  • ANSC 6220: Graduate Student Research Updates
  • ALS 5211: Career Readiness - Engaged Learning for CALS Professional Master's Students
  • ALS 5900: Project Development
  • ANSC 5220: Professional Development Seminar
  • Statistical Methods 5000 or above 

Spring semester

  • ANSC 5920: Mechanisms of Animal Growth and Development
  • ANSC 6700: Immunology in Animal Health and Disease
  • VTPMD 6650: Study Designs
  • ANSC 6220: Graduate Student Research Updates
  • ALS 5900: Project Development
  • ALS 5910: Project Completion
  • ANSC 5220: Professional Development Seminar
Sample Curriculum

Fall semester

  • ANSC 6880: Global Food, Energy, and Water Nexus
  • ANSC 6200: Nutrition of Cats and Dogs
  • ANSC 6220: Graduate Student Research Updates
  • ALS 5211: Career Readiness - Engaged Learning for CALS Professional Master's Students
  • ALS 5900: Project Development
  • Statistical Methods 5000 or above
  • ANSC 5220: Professional Development Seminar

Spring semester

  • ANSC 5550: Dairy Cattle Nutrition
  • ANSC 6280: Comparative Nutrition of Horse and Pig
  • ANSC 6290: Management of Nutrient Disorders in Cats and Dogs
  • ANSC 6410: Metabolic Physiology
  • ANSC 6220: Graduate Student Research Updates
  • ALS 5900: Project Development
  • ALS 5910: Project Completion
  • ANSC 5220: Professional Development Seminar
Sample Curriculum

Fall

  • ANSC 6880: Global Food, Energy, and Water Nexus
  • PLSCI 6100: Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses and Global Climate Change
  • ANSC 6220: Graduate Student Research Updates
  • ALS 5211: Career Readiness - Engaged Learning for CALS Professional Master's Students
  • ALS 5900: Project Development
  • Statistical Methods 5000 or above
  • ANSC 5220: Professional Development Seminar

Spring

  • ANSC 6120: Whole-Farm Nutrient Management
  • PLSCI 5660: Soil Ecology
  • PLSCI 5800: Principles and Practices in Certified Organic Agriculture
  • ANSC 6220: Graduate Student Research Updates
  • ALS 5900: Project Development
  • ALS 5910: Project Completion
  • ANSC 5220: Professional Development Seminar
Sample Curriculum

Fall semester

  • ANSC 6110: Integrated Cattle Nutrition
  • ANSC 6510: Dairy Herd Business Management
  • ANSC 6220: Graduate Student Research Updates
  • ALS 5211: Career Readiness - Engaged Learning for CALS Professional Master's Students
  • ALS 5900: Project Development
  • Statistical Methods 5000 or above
  • ANSC 5220: Professional Development Seminar

Spring semester

  • ANSC 5550: Dairy Cattle Nutrition
  • ANSC 5450: Reproductive Physiology and Management of Dairy Cattle
  • AEM 5040: Dairy Markets and Policy
  • ANSC 6220: Graduate Student Research Updates
  • ALS 5900: Project Development
  • ALS 5910: Project Completion
  • ANSC 5220: Professional Development Seminar
Sample Curriculum

Fall

  • ANSC 6270: Fundamentals of Endocrinology
  • ANSC 5540: Dairy Cattle Herd Health
  • VTPMD 6640: Introduction to Epidemiology
  • ANSC 6220: Graduate Student Research Updates
  • ALS 5211: Career Readiness - Engaged Learning for CALS Professional Master's Students
  • ALS 5900: Project Development
  • Statistical Methods 5000 or above
  • ANSC 5220: Professional Development Seminar

Spring

  • ANSC 6700: Immunology in Animal Health and Disease
  • ANSC 5920: Mechanisms of Animal Growth and Development
  • VTPMD 6650: Study Designs
  • ANSC 6220: Graduate Student Research Updates
  • ALS 5900: Project Development
  • ALS 5910: Project Completion
  • ANSC 5220: Professional Development Seminar

CALS MPS program details

Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Master of Professional Studies (MPS) program is an accredited, course-based, one-year master’s degree program that emphasizes professional development and intellectual investigation in the areas of agriculture, life sciences and global development.

Though similar to a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in its academic rigor, the MPS degree differs from a traditional M.S. degree in its structure and focus. An M.S. is research based, with students building a thesis over the course of two or three years. In contrast, the MPS degree is a one-year, course-based program where students study the intricacies and in-depth questions of their field of study. Instead of a thesis or research project, MPS students complete a capstone project during their final semester. To understand this difference in greater detail, please visit our FAQ page.

MPS students are part of a community of diverse students and faculty who share common goals, connecting research and practice to solve complex problems. 

 

The Master of Professional Studies program has two main components:

  • Coursework: Students work with a faculty advisor to map out their individualized course of study based on their areas of interest, and complete a minimum of 30 credit hours related to their concentration of study. While 20 credit hours must be taken within CALS, there is flexibility to take courses across Cornell.
  • Capstone project: This project may be an action program, the development of a plan to address a pertinent problem, the development of materials or methodology suited to the student's situation, or the development and execution of research appropriate to the profession. A formal project report must be submitted to and approved by the candidate's faculty advisor. 

Students work with top-ranked faculty who are leaders in their field on an experiential project that fosters professional skill development through the creation of solutions to real-world problems.

Browse recent projects here. 

Next Steps

Application Deadlines: March 15 (General), April 15 (Final)

 

  • Apply now
  • calsprofprograms [at] cornell.edu (subject: More%20information%20about%20%20Animal%20Science%20MPS%20admissions) (Email us with questions)
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Compare a CALS Professional Master's (MPS, MFS) to an M.S. degree

MPS, MFS and M.S. programs lead to graduate-level master’s degrees. Which is right for you? Here's how they compare: 

  MPS, MFS M.S.
Format Course-based Research-based
Final Project Capstone project Thesis
Length 1 year Typically 2-3 years
Funding Self-funded, usually with federal and/or private loans Funded by the department with  stipends and teaching  assistantships
Ideal for Individuals who want to pursue careers in industry, government or nonprofit agencies; some continue in research Individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in research or academia

Alumni Spotlights

Alumni

Luciana Jonkman

"It’s so wonderful to develop your curriculum with your advisors. I was able to take courses from a variety of schools at Cornell while staying on track for earning my degree. It was incredible to sit in the many school halls from management to economics to language arts and animal science. This truly allowed me to prepare in so many ways for the career environment I was about to enter."

Alumni

Preston DeJong

"My MPS experience has changed me both personally, and professionally, by the way that I treat my day and value my time. It has developed my outlook on a variety of topics and it has aided how I interact with people, the quality of conversations that I have, my increased curiosity and ability to ask questions. It has also increased my passion for the dairy industry."

Alumni

Will Robinson

"I was able to make life-long friends while working with and studying animals. This pursuit of higher education allowed me to explore several areas within STEM and animal science, creating new passions."

Student with Jersey Cows
Preston deJong presents in front of people
A student in the field holding a bird

Career Development and Outlook

The MPS program contains a significant career development component focused on developing the necessary interpersonal and communication skills required to advance in any professional field. Offering a range of workshops including resume building, personal narrative development, and mock interviews, to effectively prepare students to transition into their careers after graduation.

The MPS is a versatile degree that can open doors to a range of professional opportunities. Past graduates from the Animal Science program have found employment in positions such as:

  • Quality Assurance Manager
  • Farm Owner
  • Senior Extension Associate
  • Lab Technician
  • Some students continue their education, such as:
    • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
    • Additional research degrees: MS, PhD

MPS in the News

The tops of corn in a field.

Field Note

Empowering future crop advisors and leaders in ag: Matt Haycook, MPS
In fall 2025, Matthew Haycook joined Cornell University’s Master of Professional Studies Program, with Quirine Ketterings of the Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP) as his main academic advisor. Growing up, Haycook was deeply integrated...
  • Animal Science
  • Agriculture
  • Field Crops
headshot of taylor walker

Field Note

Taylor Walker: Animal Science MPS program an incredibly inventive space
When I finished my undergraduate studies in marine science at Boston University, I looked for a way to continue learning. Then I found out about the one-year MPS program focusing on animal science. To help me decide whether to apply, I read some...
  • Animal Science
  • Animals