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Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation

Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation

Bachelor of Science

Quick Facts

Total Credit Hours: 120
Time to Completion: 12-24 months*
Tuition: $448 per credit hour**

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Bachelor of Science

Online Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation Degree

When wild animals are injured, orphaned, displaced or impacted by the environment, they may require specialized care grounded in science, ethics and conservation principles. If you’ve always dreamed of working in a zoo, an aquarium or a rehabilitation center, Husson University’s 100% online Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation is your path forward.

Husson University continues to expand its commitment to wildlife and animal-care programs with the new BS in Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation. This degree expands upon our established animal-focused programs, such as Wildlife Biology and Conservation and Animal Care and Behavior, alongside our certificates in Animal Training and Aquatic Animal Care. Our faculty aren’t just academics; they are experts from real-world zoos and rehabilitation facilities who bring current, evidence-based practices to your online platform.

Prepare for a career in wildlife biology and conservation

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Upcoming Start Dates

Aug. 31, 2026

Multiple start dates throughout the year
Pause for a term for added flexibility

 

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What You Will Learn

Vet holding a golden eagle.

Caring for wild and exotic species requires more than a kind heart—it requires a foundation in biology, a deep understanding of animal psychology, and the technical skill to navigate complex ecosystems.

  • Apply Biological Principles: Learn to provide medical care, nutrition, and psychological support to diverse wild species.

  • Navigate Policy: Understand the legal and ethical frameworks that govern wildlife permits and conservation management.

  • Evaluate Welfare: Use scientific reasoning to assess animal health and design effective rehabilitation or enrichment plans.

  • Manage Captive Environments: Implement best practices for habitat design, behavior management, and social enrichment.

  • Communicate with Impact: Effectively share rehabilitation practices with the public and professional scientific communities.

 

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* Based on a student transferring in between 60-90 credits. **All rates subject to change. Please see Cost and Aid for more information.

Why Husson Online

Start When You're Ready

 

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Multiple start dates and no set class times or locations.

View Flexible Start Dates

Experiential Learning

 

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Gain even more real-world experience.

 

Read about internship benefits

Academic Support

 

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Reach your goals with our personalized online support services.

Explore Student Support Services

Course Highlights

Your courses are designed to provide a 360-degree view of the animal care industry, from triage to long-term sanctuary management. 

  • Wildlife Rescue, Transport, and Triage: Learn the critical first steps in responding to injured or orphaned wildlife.

  • Designing Captive Wildlife Experiences: Explore how to build habitats that promote natural behaviors.

  • Human Dimensions of Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation: Examine how humans and wildlife coexist and the ethics of animal rehabilitation.

  • Animal Disease: Study the transmission and prevention of diseases within captive and wild populations.

*Your curriculum will depend upon the credits that are transferred.

Related Programs

Marine Biology and Conservation

Animal Care and Behavior

Wildlife Biology and Conservation

Your Career Begins Here


How to Apply

The admissions process breakdown

Learn How to Apply to Husson

 


Tuition

An affordable education to help you increase your earnings potential

 

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Financial Aid

Explore ways to help cover costs of your degree

 

Learn How to Reduce Your Costs

Career Outlook for Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation Majors


Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation majors are prepared to enter a competitive field with the credentials needed to work in sanctuaries, zoos, and government agencies.

Faculty Spotlight

Haley Beer, Ph.D., M.S.

Image of Haley Beer, a faculty member at Husson University.

Haley Beer, Ph.D., M.S., is an animal scientist and entrepreneur whose work focuses on improving animal welfare in human-managed environments, particularly in zoological settings.

Haley earned both her M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her graduate research examined stress physiology in giraffes and behavioral assessment in cheetahs, which included international fieldwork and collaborations across zoological institutions.

Before beginning her graduate studies, Haley worked as a zookeeper, where the realities of daily animal care helped shape her long-term interest in improving welfare through both research and applied practice. She now serves as an instructor and continues to collaborate with Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium on innovative research exploring the use of machine learning for noninvasive, autonomous monitoring of animal behavior in western diamondback rattlesnakes.

Haley is also the co-founder and chief science officer of Etholytics, a company focused on developing tools that help animal care teams monitor behavior and assess welfare more consistently. Her goal is to translate emerging technologies into practical solutions that support earlier, more informed management decisions and ultimately improve quality of life for animals in human care.

In her free time, Haley enjoys preparing fresh “chop” (a finely mixed blend of fresh vegetables, grains and legumes) for local parrot owners, including her own lively flock of five parrots.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Transfer Made Easy

You're not alone. Hundreds of students transfer to Husson each year, some with just a few college credits, and others looking to transform an Associate's degree to a Bachelor’s or a Master’s. Best of all, you can transfer up to 90 credits toward your undergraduate degree or nine credits toward your graduate degree. We’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure you’re more than ready for the rewarding future you have in mind.

Whether you are transferring from a community college, looking to maximize your transfer credits, or trying to find an affordable school, Husson Online is a great choice.

Transfer Up To 90 credits
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Husson University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

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For more information

Name
 Phone and Email Address
Online Enrollment Counselor Online Enrollment Counselor

 207.992.1972
online@husson.edu		 Peabody Hall
1 College Circle
Bangor, Maine 04401