The Gary E. West College of Business at West Liberty University is proud to announce our newest major:

Zoo Management

Interested in Business?  Love the thought of working with animals?  If you answered yes to both of these questions we have developed the perfect degree for you!  In a typical zoo, over half of all employees work in administrative and support functions.  Management is needed to oversee such things as: daily operations, finance and accounting, human resources, fund raising, promotional activities, concessions, and development and expansion of the facility.

West Liberty’s Zoo Management program is designed to educate the student on the functions of Zoo Management from not only the business application, but also by having the basic animal acumen necessary for success in a zoo management role. Students will get hands on experience during their internship working with animals at Oglebay’s Good Zoo in Wheeling, WV, which is nationally recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  They will also learn behind the scenes facets of the zoo environment. In addition, students will develop a comprehensive knowledge base specific to policies related to the operations management aspects of Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institutions. This degree program is an inter-disciplinary degree and upon completion the student will obtain a Bachelor’s of Science business degree with a concentration in Zoo Management. 

In addition to the core business area, the courses for the major in Zoo Management are:

• BIO 180 – Principles of Zoo Science
• BIO 186 – Introductory Zoo Biology
• BIO 280 – Zoo Education
• BIO 455 – Zoo Operation Internship
• GBUS 360 – Public and Non-Profit Management
• MGT 343 – Zoo and Aquarium Operations
• MGT 474 – Organizational Behavior
• MGT 475 – Human Resource Management
• MKT 341 – Integrated Marketing Communications

For more information, please contact Mrs. Sherry Rocchio at srocchio@westliberty.edu.