Schedule: October 2026 – July 2027
Format: 8-course cohort program
Two Payment Option: $2850 per payment ($5700 total). Pay half now and half at the start of the third term.

The BWZS Certificate Program is an immersive, professional-level training experience designed for animal care and training professionals seeking both practical skills and a deeper understanding of behavior science.

The program includes eight courses delivered over four terms from October 2026 through July 2027, combining structured coursework, hands-on experience, and individualized coaching.

The culmination of the program is a five-day, in-person workshop held at a working zoo facility. For the 2026–2027 cohort, the workshop will take place at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where students will gain direct experience training a giraffe and other species. (Travel and lodging are not included in tuition fees.)

Throughout the program, students participate in monthly video coaching sessions. Students submit one-minute training videos and meet with experienced instructors for structured feedback using the Start–Continue–Stop model. This coaching component is available only as part of the full certificate program and is designed to strengthen both hands-on training skills and the ability to coach others effectively.

The BWZS Certificate Program emphasizes deep behavioral expertise, ensuring practical training proficiency as well as the conceptual tools to mentor and lead within their organizations.

Additional Information

• Discounts are available students enrolling in the full curriculum. A $100 discount may be applied per participant each of the following criteria:

  • Full tuition prepaid upfront

  • Multiple participants enrolled from the same facility (one discount per person)
    Use the Contact Us page to request the discount code.

Schedule: October 2026 – July 2027
Format: Single-course enrollment

This option allows students to enroll in one individual course from the BWZS Certificate Program. How Learning Works - Our Most Empowering Biological Endowment is a prerequisite for all à la carte choices.

The individual course follows the same academic standards and instructional quality as courses within the full certificate program and is delivered within the established program schedule.

Important Considerations

The in-person zoo workshop and monthly video coaching are not included with single-course enrollment. These experiential components are reserved exclusively for students enrolled in the full eight-course certificate program.

Courses in the BWZS Certificate Program have been intentionally sequenced to build toward mastery of critical skills. How Learning Works - Our Most Empowering Biological Endowment is a prerequisite for all à la carte choices. The Practitioner’s Guide to Evidence-Based Practice is a prerequisite for taking either Freeing up the Operant - The ABA & Ethology Handshake or WTF Function-Based Assessment - The Why Matters.

Students who intend to complete multiple courses should be aware that enrolling in the full certificate program offers significant cost savings. By registering for the complete curriculum, students save $2,500 (45%) compared to purchasing individual courses separately, in addition to gaining access to the hands-on workshop and individualized coaching. Scholarships and discounts are only offered for the full certificate program.

* Click “Add to Cart” to access the course selection list. Click “Add to Cart” again for each additional course.