Program Requirements
The non-degree certificate program is currently a three semester program with all courses offered entirely online. For those who need them, continuing education (CE) credits will be provided after the successful completion of each course.
Coursework
In order to be accepted, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree. No specific discipline for this bachelor’s degree is required.
In order to obtain the certificate, students will need to successfully complete ANSC 422, Companion Animal Nutrition, and two additional courses of their choosing from the list below.
Fees
All courses are priced at the same rate. The cost will be $712/credit ($2,136 for each 3-credit course). The certificate, which requires three courses of three credits each, would cost a total of $6,408.
Certificate Completion
Upon successful completion of certificate requirements, please fill out this form. Once completed and submitted, we will confirm all requirements are met and send your Certificate in the mail.
Course Descriptions
Companion Animal Nutrition (ANSC 422; 3 credits)
Required for certificate and pre-requisite for ANSC 526 - This course will cover the digestive physiology and basic nutritional considerations of companion animals, with primary focus on dogs and cats. Topics will include macronutrient and micronutrient digestion, metabolism, and function, nutritional idiosyncrasies of dogs and cats, unique nutritional needs throughout the life cycle, nutrient needs during exercise, common pet food ingredients, and nutritional sustainability.
Pet Food & Feed Manufacturing (ANSC 424; 3 credits)
Integrates principles of animal nutrition with various aspects pertaining to pet food and animal feed manufacturing. Topics discussed in this course include processing technologies (e.g., extrusion, retorting, baking) involved in the manufacturing of pet foods and animal feeds, principles of diet formulation and nutritional guidelines, and an overview of regulatory affairs, quality control, and good manufacturing practices.
Advanced Companion Animal Nutrition (ANSC 526; 3 credits)
Students will learn how to effectively apply advanced concepts related to pet nutrition and disease, including the metabolism within healthy and diseased dogs and cats, how nutrition may aid in preventing and treating disease, and the science behind pet food formulation and production.
Pet Food Formulation, Regulations, and Market Trends (ANSC 499; 3 credits)
Provides information on the principles of diet formulation, nutritional guidelines and recommendations, regulatory affairs, and recent market trends of the pet food industry.
