Warren Wilson College is responding to the growing regional and national demand for animal care, livestock production and veterinary medicine careers by launching a new Animal Science* major for Fall 2025. Housed within the Biology and Chemistry Department, the program will offer both Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees, with an optional Veterinary Science concentration that will prepare students to apply for veterinary school.
As with all majors at Warren WIlson College, Animal Studies will provide every student with hands-on, community-engaged courses, research, an internship and professional experiences in our Work Program—including opportunities to work on our 300+ acre campus farm.
“This new major is a natural extension of Warren Wilson’s commitment to experiential learning and community engagement,” said Liz Benavides, Ph.D., pre-veterinary advisor and faculty member in Animal Science. “We have seen increasing interest from prospective students who are passionate about working with animals, and this program will provide them with the coursework, hands-on experience, and career preparation they need.”
In addition to world-class animal science faculty, Dr. Michael Larimore is serving as Senior Advisor to Warren Wilson College in support of the new program. Dr. Larimore is the former Dean of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, which is consistently ranked #1 in the United States and is top ranked around the world. “We are incredibly lucky to have Dr. Larimore serving as Senior Advisor, and he has helped us shape a program that we are confident will have impressive career outcomes for our students,” said Dr. Jay Roberts, Provost and Dean of the College.
A Major with Broad Career Applications
The Animal Science major is designed to serve students interested in a variety of career paths, including:
- Livestock production and animal welfare careers
- Pre-veterinary medicine, with embedded prerequisite courses for veterinary school admission
- One Health careers, focused on the interconnected health of animals, people, and the environment
- Zoo and rehabilitation center work, involving the care and welfare of captive wild animals
- Animal rights advocacy work in the nonprofit sphere
Graduates of the program will be well-prepared for jobs in the agricultural, veterinary, and animal care sectors, fields that are experiencing strong job growth. According to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for animal science professionals is projected to increase by 7% in the coming years.
Innovative Curriculum and Hands-On Learning
The program includes four credits of specialized Topics in Animal Science courses, covering areas such as swine management, poultry management, and companion animal care. These courses will be taught by current faculty, regional experts, and farm managers, guaranteeing that students receive practical, real-world experience.
In addition, a new Livestock Management Techniques course will provide all Animal Science students with hands-on experience in livestock care, regardless of their participation in the Work Program’s Farm Crew. This course is part of Warren Wilson’s broader mission to integrate experiential learning into the academic curriculum.
Strong Foundations for Pre-Veterinary Students
For students pursuing veterinary medicine, the program offers comprehensive coursework that meets the prerequisites for most veterinary schools, including organic chemistry, microbiology, and physics. And the program offers a unique advantage; with most vet schools requiring at least 200 hours of direct animal experience to be eligible, students at other colleges are often left scrambling for those contact hours off campus or after graduation. At Warren Wilson College, those animal contact hours are available through paid work crew experiences on campus with livestock on our college farm or our animal welfare crew. Warren Wilson has a strong track record of preparing students for veterinary school, with graduates successfully gaining admission to institutions such as the University of Georgia and the University of Tennessee.
A Strong Regional and National Need
Western North Carolina is home to 40 FFA (Future Farmers of America) chapters, reflecting a deep-rooted interest in agriculture and animal science. The Asheville region also boasts numerous farms and non-profit organizations, including Hickory Nut Gap Farm, WNC Nature Center, and Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, providing students with ample opportunities for internships, fieldwork, and community engagement.
*pending SACS approval