College Counseling: Great Schools for Zoology and Zoo Management Programs

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Emily Standish, GoLocalPDX College Admissions Coach

Elephants at the Oregon Zoo

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Last week my College 3X5 list offered suggestions for students who are interested in pursuing a veterinary career and this week’s post could work as a pre-veterinary track, too. But zoology and zoo management programs train students for specific careers in wildlife parks, zoological parks or aquariums, and some may choose to specialize in exotic animal management and conservation.

Here are five colleges with 4-year programs in Zoology and/or Zoo Management; next week I will list 2-year programs that prepare students to work in zoo environments or to advance to a 4-year program.

Colorado State University, Fort Collins

The zoology major provides a core program with either general training in animal biology or an option in one of the following areas: animal behavior, aquatic biology, ecology, genetics and evolution, invertebrate organisms, cellular/molecular biology and physiology, systematics and morphology, or vertebrate organisms.
Internship possibilities for zoology students include the Denver Zoo, Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, The Butterfly Pavillion, Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, and other US and international organizations.
By the numbers: 77% acceptance rate; SAT Mid-ranges: CR 510-620, M 510-630; ACT Mid-range: 22-27; 4-year graduation rate: 37.7%.

Malone University, Canton, OH

The Zoo and Wildlife Biology program at Malone collaborates with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for student research, internships and mentoring.
Malone maintains an exotic animal collection consisting of a variety of reptiles and several native and exotic mammals.
By the numbers: 59% acceptance rate; SAT Mid-ranges: CR 350-490, M 420-550; ACT Mid-range: 18-24; 4-year graduation rate: 45.7%.

Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH

The Zoology Department at Ohio Wesleyan offers four versions of its zoology major, each tailored to the career goals of the students in the major: Zoology/General, Zoology/Genetics, Zoology/Pre-professional, and Zoology/Biology.
The campus zoology museum houses specimens of mammals, birds/eggs/nests, insects, mollusks, and corals; the Summer Science Research Program encourages students to collaborate with faculty in paid summer research projects.
By the numbers: 75% acceptance rate; SAT Mid-ranges: CR 490-620, M 500-630; ACT Mid-range: 22-27; 4-year graduation rate: 58.6%.

Otterbein University, Westerville, OH

Otterbein's Zoo and Conservation Science program admits only 24 students each academic year. Students wishing to major in Zoo and Conservation Science must be admitted to Otterbein University as a Pre-Zoo and Conservation major and can then apply to the program during spring semester of their first year.
An eight-month long internship at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is available for ten Otterbein students per year, where students get the chance to work closely in a single area of zookeeping.
By the numbers: 74% acceptance rate; SAT Mid-ranges: CR 490-590, M 480-580; ACT Mid-range 21-26; 4-year graduation rate: 51%.

University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

University of Wyoming’s four-year plan for zoology majors leads students increasingly toward areas of concentration and leaves
Students may apply for summer research grants up to $5000 as part of a cooperative effort between the University of Wyoming and the National Park Service, enabling students to design wildlife management and zoology projects in Grant Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
By the numbers: 96% acceptance rate; SAT Mid-ranges: CR 480-620, M 510-620; ACT Mid-range: 22-27; 4-year graduation rate: 24%.

Other colleges offering zoology and/or wildlife management degrees are Cornell University (NY), Friends University (KS), Kent State University (OH), Michigan State University, Ohio State University, Oklahoma State University, Oregon State University, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY), Texas A&M University, and Washington State University. Lists of colleges that offer zoology programs can be found on the website of the Zoological Association of America and The Wildlife Society maintains a list of schools offering course work in wildlife management.

Emily Standish is a partner in Portland, Oregon-based College Admission Coach LLC which helps students identify and gain admission to right-fit schools where they will thrive academically and personally. Contact me at [email protected].

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