Overview
careers
Animal Care Technician
Breeding Manager
Livestock Consultant
Feed Sales Representative
Farm/Ranch Management
Vet Assistant
Feed Lot Manager
Insurance
Sales/Marketing
Producers whose livelihoods depend upon the production of animals that are safe and healthy for consumption are a vital part of today’s modern food culture. Students who study Animal Science will learn the most efficient ways to breed and manage herds to ensure the sustainability of the animals and the environment.
Mitchell Tech’s highly qualified instructors, including a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, will teach a variety of classes including management, breeding, genetics, nutrition, disease, growth and feed production. Students will also become proficient in related areas like accounting, ag law, insurance, finance and other areas that will help them succeed.
Another feature of this program is an animal lab available to students. This working beef production facility allows students access to cattle from birth to sale and helps students learn not only the hands-on labor needed to maintain a beef herd, but also the marketing process for making a profit.
Graduates will find work in many areas of agriculture including farms, ranches, feedlots, genetics and breeding, sales, marketing and livestock handling.
Curriculum
Award: AAS Degree
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Any student who enrolls in Commercial Driver training must obtain a South Dakota driver’s license in order to complete the CDL training course. A Class A CDL is a graduation requirement for this program.
Mitchell Tech recommends that applicants to the Animal Science program obtain a physical examination for their safety and protection.
Please Note:
- Students enrolled must possess a Class A CDL license before the end of the 10th day of their first semester of enrollment or be registered for TRAN 100 during their first semester.
- Students must pass the Commercial Applicator’s License exam in order to graduate
Computer Requirements
This program requires a laptop computer so that you can effectively integrate computing skills with your technical education. Many resources that instructors assign are online or require specialty software. To address these needs, Mitchell Tech requires that students entering this program purchase their laptops from Mitchell Tech. The cost for a Mitchell Tech laptop averages about $1,000 for this program. Please be aware that our machines come fully loaded with the software required for this program.
Whether it’s Microsoft Office, or a specialty software for a technical program, your needs will be met by your Mitchell Tech laptop. And our laptops are serviced for free by our Technology office. You will not be able to bring a laptop from home into a Mitchell Tech laptop program as we cannot provide support services for every make and model of laptop. Please consider this carefully before making any laptop purchase and check with the Admissions office for more details.
Outcomes
At the completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate agribusiness principles in livestock operations
- Explore equipment and facilities
- Apply problem solving skills in agriculture scenarios
- Plan a successful livestock reproduction program
- Identify common diseases, treatment, and prevention in livestock
- Apply nutrition and feed utilization in a livestock operation
- Evaluate livestock characteristics to accurately identify and select the appropriate type and kind for specific production goals
- Understand basic farm accounting principles
- Apply basic crop production principles to produce quality livestock feed
Annual Program Review
Check out the 2025-26 Annual Program Review for information on how faculty ensure the quality and effectiveness of the program.
Cost
Other Required Costs
Laptop/Software $1,600
CDL $1,500
Books / Tools (estimated) $799
Scholarships
Mitchell Tech offers a variety of scholarships to qualified applicants. The application period runs from October 1 through November 1 for current students and January 1 through March 31 for incoming students.
Other Related Programs
If you’re interested in Animal Science, you might also be interested in these other agriculture & transportation programs at Mitchell Tech.
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Diesel Power – Light Truck Technology
Powersports & Marine Technology
