Graduate Certificate in
The certificate in Zoo Animal Science is designed to offer a focused curriculum that will meet the needs of zoo professionals, recent college graduates, animal veterinary professionals seeking to increase their expertise in exotic animal welfare and husbandry.
The Zoo Animal Science Certificate is specifically for professionals holding 4-year degrees from accredited institutions of higher education who wish to extend their education at the graduate level, but do not necessarily want to earn a graduate degree (MA or MS). The designated 12 credit hours of coursework required are specific to the challenges within animal management fields and are offered in an asynchronous online format to facilitate program completion by students across North America with full time jobs.
The applied knowledge and experience gained through the MS in Biology will prepare students for continued education through Biology PhD program matriculation. Obtaining the MS in Biology will significantly increase the likelihood that a student will be accepted into, and successfully complete a quality PhD program.
Students who complete the MS in Biology from West Liberty University will be qualified to work as research technicians in many of the research intensive universities in the surrounding areas, such as the University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University.
Over 30 job openings for positions involving biological research at the University of Pittsburgh that require a Master’s degree and 29 at The Ohio State University were identified. These openings indicate that in the local area, there is a substantial need for more individuals with graduate-level training in the biological sciences.
The education attained by completing the MA in Biology curriculum will substantially prepare students planning to enter professional programs such as medical school. These students will have shown that they are capable of completing graduate courses with the level of rigor associated with medical and other professional schools.
This will be especially helpful for students with identified academic challenges in the undergraduate background, as admission boards are more likely to accept these students when presented with evidence that they have had success beyond the undergraduate level.
Students who attain a Master’s degree in biology represent the preferred pool of applicants for a multitude of careers in the environmental sciences as well. State Departments of Natural Resources, Departments of Environmental Protection, Forestry Departments in addition to environmental non-profit organizations and private environmental consulting firms all prefer to hire applicants who have completed the requirements for a Master’s degree in biology over individuals lacking a graduate degree.
A job search conducted on 15 January 2016 on the Texas A&M Environmental Jobs Board found that nationally all full-time positions (n = 26) with both leadership roles and salaries above $40K/year required an MS in Biology or related fields. Federal employment in the U. S. Forest Service, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency is ceilinged for individuals lacking a graduate degree, and limited primarily to technician positions.
Acquisition of a Master’s degree enables access to higher paying positions that often deal with environmental policy, regulation, and major national decisions. Acquisition of a Master’s degree at WLU will enable our graduates to join this workforce.
Students within the MS in Biology program will also have the opportunity to prepare for entry-level and managerial positions within the animal care and husbandry industry. Training within the program will prepare students for research opportunities associated with this industry.
The United States Department of Labor reported that the rate of job growth for various positions related to animal care careers will increase at a more rapid (15%) rate than other job markets from 2012 – 2022.
Examples of potential careers within this line of work include: veterinary assistants and technicians; laboratory animal caretaker; zoo and aquarium animal keepers, curators, and research biologists; animal trainers; keepers and managers at sanctuaries, wildlife rehabilitation facilities, and nature centers; and managers within the pet care industry.
Other Potential Animal Husbandry Related Careers:
As graduation rates increase, students will need to further their education to compete for research and management positions in a market of individuals who have successfully completed Bachelor degree training.
To learn more about the coast of our programs, please visit the Business Office Webpage.
Please Note: This is based on being enrolled in 12 credit hours for the year.
2023-2024 MA/MS BIOLOGY Financial Aid Cost of Attendance | In-State Off-Campus | In-State On Campus |
Tuition & Fees | $7,140 | $7,140 |
Food and Housing | $10,720 | $12,054 |
Books & Supplies | $762 | $762 |
Personal Expenses | $1,542 | $1,542 |
Transportation Expenses | $3,193 | $2,448 |
Federal Student Loan Fees | $2,889 | $2,889 |
TOTAL | $26,246 | $26,835 |
2023-2024 MA/MS BIOLOGY Financial Aid Cost of Attendance | Out-of-State Off Campus | Out-of-State On Campus |
Tuition & Fees | $8,340 | $8,340 |
Food and Housing | $10,720 | $12,054 |
Books & Supplies | $762 | $762 |
Personal Expenses | $1,542 | $1,542 |
Transportation Expenses | $3,193 | $2,448 |
Federal Student Loan Fees | $2,889 | $2,889 |
TOTAL | $27,446 | $28,035 |
For more information please visit the Business Office Website
source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/biological-technicians.htm#tab-6
Employment of biological technicians is projected to grow 7% from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.
Greater demand for biological and medical research is expected to increase the need for these workers.
Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/biological-technicians.htm%
Upon completion of the Zoo Animal Science Certificate, graduates will be able to
All applicants must provide a complete application file, which contains the following items to be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies:
For additional questions regarding the application process, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies at 304-336-8015.
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GRADUATE PROGRAMS
West Liberty University
208 University Drive
West Liberty, WV 26074
Call 304.336.8015
Toll Free: 866-WESTLIB