For Animal Sciences majors interested in careers involving animal control, protection, and policy

Students eligible: Current University of Illinois students
Offered in: Spring, Fall semesters
Program length: 10 total credit hours
Format: In-person (most classes) and online (ANSC 370)
Prerequisite course: ANSC 250 (Companion Animals in Society)

This certificate prepares you for leadership in managing community animal shelters/animal control agencies, and in creating policy-driven platforms for animal advocacy and public health. 

Dr. Amy Fischer with cat

Program Highlights

Courses

Required courses

Required courses present the fundamentals of cat and dog biology/care and best practices in population management.

  • ANSC 307: Companion Animal Management; 3 credit hours, offered Fall
  • ANSC 407: Animal Shelter Management; 3 credit hours, offered Spring

Elective courses

Elective courses offer an in-depth consideration of societal animal issues, legislative efforts, and relevant experiential learning opportunities.

Complete at least 4 credit hours with no more than 3 hours in ANSC 398.

  • ANSC 370: Companion Animal Policy; 3 credit hours, offered Spring
  • ANSC 398 (Section G): CCHS Internship; 1-3 credit hours, offered Fall/Spring/Summer
  • ANSC 398 (Section E): Off-campus Internship (arranged with instructor consent); 1-3 credit hours, offered Fall/Spring/Summer
  • ANSC 470: Companion Animal Cruelty Investigations; 2 credit hours, offered Fall

    Start Certificate

    Express your interest in pursuing a certificate. Once accepted, you will receive an email with further instructions for registration. 

    Please note that you will need to keep track of your classes and ensure completion of the certificate on your own. There will not be an advisor or faculty member tracking your progress. Please make sure you communicate to your advisor about your desire to complete the certificate when you are planning classes and developing graduation plans.

    Start certificate

    Complete Certificate

    Upon completing your required coursework, you will need to submit a completion request for your certificate. The certificate coordinator will check your course work to ensure you have completed all of the requirements, and then a certificate will be either mailed to you or available for pick up. If you complete your last course in the semester that you graduate, please note that we will be mailing the certificate after grades are posted and the completion can be certified. 

    Confirm completion

    Program Contact

    Dr. Amy Fischer
    Teaching Associate Professor, Extension Faculty Specialist

    afischer@illinois.edu

    Dr. Amy Fischer