Massive open online courses (MOOCs) as a window into the veterinary profession.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Science
• Online Education
• Professional Development

Background:

• Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offer scalable educational opportunities.
• The veterinary profession attracts diverse individuals, including prospective students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a five-week MOOC on veterinary medicine.
• To assess the MOOC's impact on career decisions and professional understanding.

Main Methods:

• A five-week MOOC was delivered via an established online platform.
• 11,911 individuals registered, with 8,137 interacting and 1,716 completing the course.
• Participant demographics and career intentions were surveyed, with qualitative data collected.

Main Results:

• The majority of participants (84%) were female, with a wide age range and representation from North America and the UK.
• 65% of completers intended to work in the veterinary profession; 33% did not.
• Qualitative feedback indicated the course aided career decisions for undecided individuals and provided a useful introduction for others.

Conclusions:

• MOOCs can effectively introduce individuals to the veterinary profession.
• This MOOC facilitated career decisions for prospective veterinary students.
• The course provided valuable insights into veterinary medicine for a broad audience.