Graduate Studies

Graduate Studies Program Mission

The mission of the Division of Animal Sciences graduate program is to provide an academic environment that results in highly competent professional animal scientists who will become leaders in academia, agribusiness and government.

About Our Graduate Program

The Division of Animal Sciences offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Areas of specialization include Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Environmental Physiology, Epigenetics, Extension, Genetics, Genomics, Meat Science, Nutrition, Production and Management and Reproductive Physiology.

Species studied include: beef cattle, dairy cattle, poultry, swine, laboratory animals and captive wild animals.

Our graduate program is one of the top-ranked programs in the nation; it has been ranked 6th for research productivity and 8th for overall quality of degree, by the National Research Council.

The University of Missouri is a member of the Association of American Universities, a prestigious organization of 62 public and private research universities in the United States and Canada.

Fifty percent of our graduates hold positions in industry, 40% in academia and 10% are furthering their graduate education. Graduate enrollment in Animal Sciences at MU averages 60 full-time students, of which 70% are seeking an M.S. and 30% a Ph.D.

More than 90% of graduate students are financially supported.

Research Facilities

The Animal Science Research Center (ASRC) covers nearly five acres, and provides the research laboratories, classrooms and offices for the research, extension and teaching faculty of the Animal Sciences Division of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). The ASRC has facilities for intensive study of livestock and laboratory animals. Abattoir and meat laboratories are located nearby. CAFNR’s South Farm  is a 1,452 acre agriculture experiment station located approximately three miles southeast from campus. South Farm provides a field laboratory for scientific discovery, provides training facilities for undergraduate and graduate students, and supports educational experiences in production agriculture and basic sciences. South Farm and other Animal Sciences farms serve multiple disciplines including beef, dairy, swine, horse, and poultry.

Qualifications for Admission

M.S. Degree Program

General Admission (Minimum Requirements)

  • Approval of Advisor*
  • Application
  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • 3.0 Cumulative GPA (4.0 basis)
  • Encouraged to submit a GRE score
  • TOEFL Score (if English is not national language)
    • 550 (paper based)
    • 6.5 IETLS (academic version)
    • 80 (internet based)
  • Statement of Career Objectives
  • Three Letters of Reference
  • Curriculum Vitae or Resume

*Applications will be forwarded to faculty members in the research area of your interest. However, it is highly recommended that you contact the faculty member directly and determine if;

  • their laboratory would be a suitable place for you to work on your graduate degree.
  • they will have funding and resources necessary to host you in their laboratory.

Ph.D. Degree Program

General Admission (Minimum Requirements)

  • Approval of Advisor*
  • Application
  • M.S. Degree
  • 3.0 Cumulative GPA (4.0 basis)
  • Encouraged to submit a GRE score
  • TOEFL Score (if English is not national language)
    • 550 (paper based)
    • 6.5 IETLS (academic version)
    • 80 (internet based)
  • Statement of Career Objectives
  • Three Letters of Reference
  • Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Probationary Admission for one Semester (Minimum Requirements)

  • Approval of Advisor*
  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • 2.6 Cumulative GPA
  • 3.0 GPA for last 60 hours undergraduate courses
  • Encouraged to submit a GRE score
  • TOEFL Score (if English is not national language)
    • 550 (paper based)
    • 6.5 IETLS (academic version)
    • 80 (internet based)
  • Approval by Director of Graduate Studies of coursework proposed for probationary semester. A 3.0 GPA must be received the first semester of enrollment to continue in the Animal Sciences Graduate Program.

Graduate Research Assistantship

Graduate students may receive an annual stipend. The stipend is provided by the major professor. Annual stipends for M.S and Ph.D. students are comparable to other institutions and include a waiver of tuition.

Deadlines for Applying

In the Division of Animal Sciences we have a rolling admission process (acceptance may be granted at any point during the year).

  • Domestic Students – The deadlines for most departmental and university-wide graduate fellowships is February 15. Therefore, it is recommended that your application process be completed starting in the Spring Semester.
  • International Students – please allow sufficient time(depends on the home country of the student) to process paperwork.