As our local and global populations grow, healthy and efficient ways of feeding our communities are more important than ever. That’s why students who major in poultry science are in such high demand after graduation for some of the top food companies, public agencies and research centers. Our evolving research methods and improved facilities allow us to address industry needs in fresh and innovative ways.
With a degree in poultry science, your career can be as local or as global as you want it to be. Many of our students work in the industry right here in Alabama, but there are abundant opportunities around the globe.
Undergraduate programs
What you'll study
The poultry production major option will provide you with the technical background needed for a career in food safety, microbiology, food processing, product quality assurance or product development.
The curriculum allows flexibility to develop expertise in a specific area of interest.
Career options
- Production management
- Quality control management
- Process engineering
What you'll study
The poultry pre-veterinary medicine and pre-professional major option provides the strong science background needed for graduate programs and veterinary school, as well as technical industry positions.
Career fields
- Medicine and veterinary medicine
- Animal health and nutrition
- Hatchery management
Graduate programs
We offer the Master of Agriculture, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in poultry science. These degrees are designed to prepare outstanding students for careers in the commercial poultry industry, allied industries, government and academia. Research training and experience can be acquired in the specialized areas of poultry management, poultry nutrition, poultry health (parasitology, pathology, virology), poultry physiology, processing and product technology and food safety.
The Master of Agriculture (M.Ag.) program in poultry science is a non-thesis program that prepares students for careers in secondary education and areas of poultry science, processing, management and more.
Learning outcomes
Graduates with a Master of Agriculture in poultry science from Auburn University will:
- Articulate research findings to a broad audience in written or oral formats.
- Demonstrate poultry knowledge commensurate with the master’s level.
- Possess an understanding of the scientific process and how to find answers to poultry-related problems.
- Conduct a literature review on a poultry-related topic
- Be able to interpret data and draw valid conclusions.
Curriculum and requirements
The Master of Agriculture (M.Ag.) requires a research project with a written report, a comprehensive final oral examination, and a minimum of 33 semester credit hours.
The Master of Science in poultry science offered by our department provides advanced education and technical training in preparation for careers in public and private sectors related to the poultry industry as well as preparation to advance to a Ph.D. program in the subject area.
Learning outcomes
Graduates with a Master of Science in poultry science from Auburn University will:
- Articulate research findings to a broad audience in written or oral formats.
- Demonstrate poultry knowledge commensurate with the master’s level.
- Possess an understanding of the scientific process and how to find answers to poultry-related problems.
- Conduct a literature review on a poultry-related topic.
- Be able to use the scientific method to conduct scientific experiments that address questions in poultry.
- Interpret data and draw valid conclusions.
Curriculum and requirements
The Master of Science (M.S.) requires a research project and comprehensive final oral examination with a formal written thesis and 30 semester credit hours.
The graduate program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in poultry science provides advanced education and technical training in preparation for careers in public and private sectors related to poultry science, safety, production, technology and more.
Learning outcomes
Graduates with a Ph.D. in poultry science from Auburn University will:
- Effectively communicate research findings to a broad audience in written or oral formats.
- Demonstrate poultry knowledge commensurate with the doctoral level.
- Possess an understanding of the scientific process, solve poultry-related problems, conduct a literature review on a poultry-related topic, independently conduct scientific experiments that address questions in poultry, demonstrate an understanding of experimental design, and statistically analyze and interpret data as well as draw valid conclusions.
- Effectively prepare and deliver lecture and/or laboratory material to undergraduate students.
Curriculum and requirements
For the Ph.D., a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate coursework beyond the M.S. — 60 hours beyond the bachelor’s degree — is required. Courses are selected in conjunction with the major professor and advisory committee to address the area of emphasis.
Upon completion of course work, students must pass general written examinations administered by the advisory committee, followed by a comprehensive preliminary oral examination. After satisfactory completion of these exams, the student advances to candidacy. A dissertation based on an independent research project is required to earn a Ph.D. After completion of the dissertation, the student must pass a final doctoral oral examination defending the dissertation.
Grad school resources
- GRA M.S.: $18,000 and Ph.D.: $21,000 per year.
- GRA receives a full tuition waiver.
- The exact amount is at the department’s discretion and is subject to change by the college and Auburn University.
- Salaries are paid in accordance with the budget policies and payroll procedures of the university.
- International students: At least 4-5 months prior to the start of the intended semester.
- Domestic students: At least 2-3 months prior to the start of the intended semester.
- Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis and the availability of positions with individual faculty.
- Submission of GRE score is not required for admission.
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We do NOT require students to contact a potential professor prior to applying.
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In case the student gets admitted to the program and wishes to attend Auburn University, they will have to demonstrate financial backing to support their education.
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However, we recommend prospective students contact faculty with similar research interests to determine if they have a GRA position or funding for a graduate student, which will ensure the student has the financial support to attend Auburn University.
