Zoology Schools and Programs in The United States

Zoology Studies in The United States

Zoology is the branch of biology that studies animals: how they function at the level of cells, tissues and organs, how they have evolved, and how they interact with each other and with their environment. In the United States it is taught mainly as an undergraduate major inside a biology department at large public universities.

How the degree is organised

Undergraduate study leads to a bachelor's degree, which according to EducationUSA is usually completed in four years of full-time study. Each institution sets the number of credits needed to graduate. At Colorado State University the Major in Zoology has a programme total of 120 credits, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison also requires 120 degree credits for its Zoology degrees.

Many universities offer the major both as a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and as a Bachelor of Science (B.S.). Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, explains that the requirements are similar but that the B.S. may require more coursework in the physical sciences. The University of Maine says that its B.S. requires more maths, chemistry and physics and is chosen by most of its Zoology students, while the B.A. has a stronger focus on the social sciences and humanities.

The content follows a common pattern: a foundation in general biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, followed by advanced courses on animals. Examples from the schools on this page:

• University of Wisconsin-Madison: students can focus on ecology, evolution and animal behaviour; on anatomy, physiology and organismal biology; or on cellular, molecular and developmental biology
• Colorado State University: a two-semester introductory biology sequence, one course each in invertebrates and vertebrates, and courses in evolution and ecology
• University of Maine: concentrations in Pre-Medical Studies (B.S.) and in Ecology (B.A. or B.S.); the university states that the degree cannot be completed online because of its laboratory and field work

Community colleges offer two-year associate degrees. EducationUSA describes a "2+2" route in which two years at a community college are followed by two years at a university to complete a bachelor's degree.

Graduate study

EducationUSA describes the master's as a two-year degree providing additional specialisation and the doctorate as a programme of five to eight years. In zoology this matters for a career in science: according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), zoologists and wildlife biologists may need a master's degree for higher-level jobs and typically need a Ph.D. to lead research projects.

Admission and language

EducationUSA states that undergraduate applicants in general must have completed high school and be at least 17 years old, and that US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. Applications for a September start are typically due between November and January, so EducationUSA advises starting the search 12 to 18 months before the academic year.

To apply for an F student visa, a student must first be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Teaching is in English.

Where to study zoology in the United States

The schools on this page are spread over many states. Public research universities with a zoology major include the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Miami University in Oxford (Ohio) and the University of Maine in Orono. The list also includes other large public universities such as The Ohio State University in Columbus, Oregon State University in Corvallis and the University of Florida in Gainesville, Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware (Ohio), and community colleges such as North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene.

Recognition of the qualification

US higher education is not centrally organised. Institutions are accredited at national or regional level by independent accrediting bodies, and EducationUSA notes that recognition of credits and degrees by other institutions and employers is linked to that accreditation. Students who plan to work or continue studying in another country should check there how a US bachelor's degree is recognised before they enrol.

Careers

The BLS describes zoologists and wildlife biologists as scientists who study animals, in captivity and in the wild, and how they interact with their ecosystems. It counted 19,500 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects employment to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations, with about 1,400 openings a year.

Many graduates use the degree in other fields. Colorado State University says its major prepares students for research, private industry, graduate school or professional studies, and the University of Maine lists careers in human and veterinary medicine, scientific research and development, education, and environmental monitoring and regulation.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a zoology degree take in the United States?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study. A master's adds about two years, and a doctorate takes five to eight years according to EducationUSA.

What is the difference between a B.A. and a B.S. in Zoology?

Both cover animal biology. The B.S. generally requires more chemistry, physics and mathematics, while the B.A. leaves more room for the humanities, social sciences or a second major.

Do I need a zoology degree to work as a zoologist?

Not necessarily. According to the BLS, the typical entry requirement is a bachelor's degree in zoology, wildlife biology or a related field, and some students major in biology with coursework in zoology. A Ph.D. is typically needed to lead research projects.