Upcoming Events

Countdown to PSM 2025 Spring Symposium
  

Our graduating second years present at this annual spring event – join us in celebrating their PSM capstone accomplishments and master’s journeys!

About the PSM Program in Zoo, Aquarium, and Animal Shelter Management

You’ve always imagined your life helping animals. Veterinary school is not the only career path that allows you to work with animals. By providing a combination of coursework and experiential learning, the Professional Science Master’s (PSM) program in Zoo, Aquarium, and Animal Shelter Management prepares students for an applied career with animal organizations. 

Our vision is to provide future leaders in animal welfare and conservation with the professional skills they need to amplify their influence within animal organizations. This highly flexible and mobile degree is responsive to the needs of our environment and our communities. We collaborate within and across professional animal organizations that represent the leading edge of animal welfare and conservation. In addition to fostering an inclusive environment that enables curious, creative, and courageous minds, we work independently and collaboratively to pursue answers, challenge assumptions, and exercise ethical responsibility within this field.

With an emphasis on hands-on learning, PSM students gain the necessary skills to lead an organization with animals in a variety of capacities. Although the name of the program lists our main areas of study (zoo, aquarium, and animal shelter), there are diverse experiential and career options available to explore throughout the program and into the field. 

Current job titles of recent graduates include:

  • Executive Director
  • Development Director
  • Behavior & Enrichment Manager
  • Animal Shelter Manager
  • Conservation Engagement Programs Manager
  • Manager of Humane Education
  • Guest Services Manager
  • Animal Trainer
  • Education Programs Manager
  • Community Engagement Coordinator
  • Keepers in elephants, sea lions, primates, and hoof stock
  • And more! 

Do you have a calling to work with animals? There’s no need to settle for a job you’re not passionate about.

Contact us to discuss if the PSM program in Zoo, Aquarium, and Animal Shelter Management is the next step in your journey toward becoming a leader in an animal organization.