Just over 60 colleges offering zoology programs in the U.S., including 14 private schools. The five Christian universities covered in this article are among those 14, and they all offer undergraduate programs in zoology, preparing you for a career working in animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, or zoology.
School Comparison
Most Christian universities that offer zoology as a major are located in a concentrated area of states. The Midwest and South tend to offer the most options. The table below shows the tuition costs for a school year at each institution.
| School Name | Institution Type | Denomination | Location | Undergraduate Tuition (2021-2022)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Wesleyan University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | United Methodist | Owensboro, KY | $29,660 |
| Union University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Southern Baptist | Jackson, TN | $35,510 |
| Malone University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Friends | Canton, OH | $33,400 |
| Liberty University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Evangelical Christian | Lynchburg, VA | $22,713 |
| Olivet Nazarene University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Church of the Nazarene | Bourbonnais, IL | $37,440 |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Overview of Christian Universities Offering Zoology
The schools below all offer bachelor's degree programs in zoology. These programs combine spirituality, volunteer work, and pedagogical time. Many zoology students choose to volunteer with animal-based organizations, spreading the love of Christ through their passions.
Kentucky Wesleyan University
In 2016, all undergraduate students who applied for financial aid at Kentucky Wesleyan University (KWU) received a package and a grant or scholarship. This kind of aid does not need to be repaid and keeps tuition costs down. At KWU, ministry is very important. There are several prayer and service opportunities throughout the month. Every Wednesday is chapel and a stories hour to hear what God is doing in students' lives. Rotating every other Monday, student-led prayer services and campus huddles are held for community time. For the zoology program, students will spend time with internship groups, working with and for animals around the globe. Courses in the bachelor's degree program include ichthyology, entomology, animal behavior, vertebrate zoology, and conservation.
Union University
The bachelor's degree program in zoology at Union University is just one of the 100+ degree programs offered. Students complete research papers as part of their program to look at some important facts and trends in ecology, conservation, and animal patterns. At the end of the program, students are encouraged to seek publication for their research. There are several courses that you will take, including ecotoxicology, parasitology, marine biology, histology, and plant-insect interactions. With BIOME, zoology students come together with other biology students to grow in Christ. Events are held at least monthly, if not more often, and can include service opportunities in the biology field, guest speakers, and even field trips. You may find yourself volunteering at an animal rehab center or the zoo.
Malone University
Malone University gave scholarships and grants to 100% of undergraduates who sought financial aid for the 2016 year. At Malone, students are expected to earn 20 spiritual formation opportunities (SFO) credits every semester. So what counts as an SFO credit? Chapel, or community worship, is held every Wednesday and counts. You can also take part in other spiritual campus events, life groups, or missions and service to meet these credit requirements. At Malone, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Zoo and Wildlife Biology, and you can easily add on a minor in psychology due to the needed curriculum. While not exactly the same as zoology, you will be given a broader education to work with animals in a number of settings, including husbandry, wildlife management and veterinary medicine.
Liberty University
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Commission on Colleges. Many of Liberty's degrees, such as nursing and law, have specific accreditation as well. The Bachelor of Science is Zoology program prepares you to work with animal behavior, veterinarians, zoos, and other ecological groups. Along with core competency courses, some of the zoology courses you'll take include comparative animal physiology, history of life, origins, and ecology. When it comes to spiritual life on campus, there is no shortage. Between 24-hour prayer and chapel services, there are several missions opportunities and community events. The Global Focus week is held yearly to connect students with other cultures and their needs around the world.
Olivet Nazarene University
At Olivet Nazarene University, spiritual life doesn't end when school isn't in session. Over the summer, students take parts in spiritual summer camps for high school students, and during spring breaks, students can take part in outreach ministries. And for zoology majors, many go on to volunteer at animal shelters and rehab centers. Every Monday evening, devotional is held to bring students and faculty together. Zoology students have the chance to complete field work, which can be seen as essential for students to understand research and habitat areas, such as watersheds. In fact, many trips are planned with field research in mind, such as trips to the Arctic circle, areas for scuba diving, working in the rainforests of Costa Rica, or working with national refuges.
