To work as a veterinary technician, you need to have a two-year associate's degree in veterinary technology. Entrance requirements include a high school diploma or GED with coursework in algebra and biology. This degree involves a combination of theory and practical training in animal anatomy and physiology, animal disease, pharmacology, and nutrition. After earning this degree, you can assist veterinary doctors in animal hospitals, animal shelters, wildlife parks or private practice.
Bachelor's degree programs in animal sciences include courses in the areas of physical sciences, biology and social sciences, and provide a strong base to students who wish to go on to a veterinary doctorate degree. Students study subjects such as animal nutrition, management, food production and animal genetics, and qualify to work in farming and ranching, or animal training. Combining this degree with courses in criminology and relevant training in humane law enforcement will qualify you to work as an animal control or humane law enforcement officer.
A bachelor's degree in marine biology qualifies you to deal with marine animals. To be admitted into such programs, you need a high school diploma or GED with courses in physics, chemistry, biology and advanced math. Coursework includes learning about marine animal and plant life, their anatomy and physiology and the impact of the natural habitat on their survival. With this degree in hand, you're eligible to work at zoos, aquariums, fisheries and museums. Many oil and gas companies and environmental advocacy groups also employ marine biologists.
If you're interested in active work with animal welfare and protection on a daily basis, you might consider pursuing a bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree in zoology. At the master's and doctorate levels, you can focus on a particular animal category, such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds or mammals. These degrees require you to complete extensive coursework that includes field work and animal research. Degreed zoologists work with zoos, wildlife parks, animal welfare organizations and federal agriculture departments.
To qualify for a four-year doctorate veterinary program, you need a bachelor's degree with an emphasis on math and science, including subjects on animal-related topics such as zoology, nutrition, animal genetics and animal behavior. Admission is highly competitive, so you should focus on academic excellence as you earn your bachelor's degree, and gain experience working with animals in farms, animal shelters or stables. Candidates also need to earn high scores on the Veterinary College Admission Test.