Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare

What you will learn

Building on the highly successful BS in Animal Care and Behavior program, Husson now offers one of the only online master’s in animal behavior degrees in the country. Through our flexible curriculum, you’ll gain an advanced understanding of the behavior, health and nutrition of both domestic animals and wildlife. Whether you aspire to perform scientific research or work with animals in a more hands-on environment, such as a zoo, farm, wildlife conservation facility or rehabilitation clinic, you can graduate in as few as 12 months with the skills and knowledge you need for success in a quickly growing career field. 

In this program, you will learn to:

• Evaluate human-animal interactions and identify risks to the safety and welfare of both
• Build training plans grounded in classical and operant conditioning
• Apply animal welfare legislation to real care and compliance decisions
• Weigh the business and operational side of zoos, farms and shelters, including staffing, finances and shelter management
• Assess behavior across species using a data-driven approach
• Design and carry out a professional captstone project in your area of focus

Who this program is for

This graduate program is designed for anyone who has a bachelor's degree and is looking to expand their knowledge and skillset around animal behavior and well-being. It's a good fit for both graduates of our BS in Animal Care and Behavior program and students who hold a bachelor's degree in a life or physical science discipline. A master's degree in animal behavior is also a common step for working professionals who want to move from hands-on animal care into research, consulting or a leadership role.

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*Time to completion varies based on allowable transfer credits from any prior undergraduate coursework. **All rates subject to change.

AB 621: Applied Animal Management - Zoos, Farms and Shelters 

In this course, you will study how the missions of zoos, farms and shelters can aim to support animal and human welfare. As part of this course, you’ll explore management considerations for zoos, farms and shelters, including finances, staffing and services. You’ll evaluate the efficacy of different business models for zoos, farms and shelters in the context of animal and human welfare. 

AB 701: Advanced Animal Behavior 

In this course, you will study the biology of animal behavior across a variety of species. You’ll follow a data-driven approach to examine the role of anatomy and physiology, genetics, and evolution in animal behavior, with a focus on a species or behavior of your choice. 

AB 702: Advanced Animal Training 

In this course, you will study applied animal behavior and develop an in-depth training plan. You’ll explore classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and techniques for application of a variety of methods of training that are effective and humane. 

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*Student’s curriculum will depend upon which credits are transferred.

Admissions Requirements:

Admission to the MS in Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare requires an earned BS degree in Ecology, Animal Behavior, Biology, or another related natural or physical science discipline. If the BS degree is in a non-biology discipline, applicants must have completed an animal behavior course and a statistics course prior to starting graduate coursework. Admitted students have the option to complete the undergraduate animal behavior and statistics courses at Husson as part of the master's program.

Master of Science in Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare Program Outcomes

Faculty Spotlight

Taylor Rezvani, Ph.D, M.A.T.

Dr. Taylor Rezvani is an Assistant Professor at Husson University. Taylor has 20 years of experience working in veterinary practices and in animal behavior education. With interdisciplinarity as an important and natural part of her educational trajectory, Taylor earned her undergraduate degrees in media studies and in human biology (focus: animal behavior- biology/psychology/sociology) from Pitzer College. After working in the veterinary field, Taylor returned to pursue a masters degree in teaching biology from Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. integrating biology, education, and psychology from Washington State University. Taylor is passionate about improving animal-human relationships and animal welfare through educational outreach, especially regarding the veterinary field and domestic dog preventative behavioral care. She co-founded a non-profit school for future dog trainers and appreciates opportunities to support students in their application of course content. As an educator, Taylor strives to foster an inclusive environment and guide students in accessing their most authentic selves as lifelong learners and engaged global citizens. She has designed and delivered in-person and online curricula for high school, undergraduate, graduate, veterinary, major and non-major, and vocational learners. Taylor appreciates the diverse narratives that Husson University students bring to their courses and is grateful for the opportunity to support them in their academic and career pursuits. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is an animal behavior degree?

The goal of an animal behavior degree is to provide students with a deep understanding of animal behavior, health and nutrition. A master’s degree in animal behavior helps students build on their bachelor’s degree to pursue advanced roles in this field.

How much does an online master's in animal behavior cost?

Tuition is $598 per credit hour and the progrom is 30 credits, so the tuition cost of the degree is about $17,940 before financial aid. Rates are subject to change. Husson offers a range of financial aid options for graduate students, and an enrollment counselor can help you work out what you qualify for. See tuition costs and fees for details.

What are the admission requirements?

Admission requires an earned BS in Ecology, Animal Behavior, Biology or another related natural or physical science discipline. If your degree is in a non-biology discipline, you must complete an animal behavior course and a statistics course before starting graduate coursework, and you can take both at Husson as part of the master's program.

Do you need a thesis to graduate?

No. The program ends with a professional capstone course rather than a traditional thesis, which is designed around applied work in your area of focus rather than an academic research defense.

Is an animal behavior degree worth it?

The value of any degree program depends on the quality of education and career goals of each student. If you want to develop the skills to succeed in animal behavioral-related careers, this program could help you succeed. With this program, you can develop essential knowledge and professional skills in an interactive online environment, while learning from faculty with professional experience in the subjects they teach.

Husson University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.