Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is this program relevant for animal care professionals working outside of a zoo setting with companion or working animals?
Yes! Although our name is Behavior Works Zoo School, we welcome animal professionals from all walks of life and levels of experience, including domestic and companion communities. The curriculum we’ve developed is highly relevant for anyone working with animals and interested in an academic foundation.
2. Can you describe the core mission of Behavior Works Zoo School (BWZS) and what inspired its creation?
We were ready to have more impact than single courses provide. Working together over a longer period of time allows us to dive deeper into the philosophy and science of modern animal care. Our mission is to provide a unique fusion of different fields of expertise in learning and behavior essential for a contemporary and holistic approach to the care and wellbeing of domestic, companion, and zoo animals.
3. How does BWZS differ from traditional animal behavior or zoo science programs?
BWZS takes an intradisciplinary approach, intentionally bringing together the relevant “science sisters” that collectively support animal wellbeing. Our curriculum integrates ethology, behavior analysis, animal welfare science, and leadership with faculty that has deep expertise in each of these areas.
4. What goal is most central to your curriculum?
At BWZS, our goal is to prepare students to work with the “three C’s”: compassion, confidence, and collaboration in all settings. These “three C’s” also guide our faculty’s interactions, as we know that when people are supported, both people and animals benefit.
5. Can you walk us through the structure of the year-long certificate program and what students can expect by the end?
The year-long certificate program combines structured coursework, ongoing mentorship, applied practice, and an immersive in-person workshop. By the end of the program, students will have a strong scientific foundation and practical skills they can immediately apply to navigate complex challenges in animal care settings.
6. What are the instructional practices used in BWZS?
Flipped classrooms, Socratic queries, student-led inquiry, structured reading guides, and frequent feedback to and from students.
7. What are some examples of the hands-on or experiential components included in the curriculum?
The certificate program includes monthly video coaching, a capstone project, and a 5-day immersive, hands-on workshop. After building relationships over eight months of coursework, students arrive at the in-person workshop already functioning as a team. This allows us to spend nearly all our time focusing on supervised, hands-on training practice with a variety of species. The availability of several workshop sites allows students to pick locations best suited to their needs and interests: https://bwzs.org/workshops
8. How does monthly video coaching enhance the learning experience compared to classroom-only instruction?
Our approach is informed by years of success using 1-minute training videos in zoo consulting. We find these short videos provide enough information to set clear, actionable goals for improvement using a stop, start, continue framework.
9. Your faculty includes leading experts in behavior analysis, training, animal welfare, and leadership. How do their backgrounds shape the program experience?
Our faculty is truly a dream team. The curriculum is closely aligned with the faculty’s expertise, ensuring that students learn directly from professionals who have actively shaped the field throughout their careers.
10. What role does mentorship play in student success?
Mentorship is central to BWZS. We consider our students our most precious resource, and they are supported throughout the program by course instructors, training coaches during video reviews, guidance during capstone project development, and faculty during the five-day hands-on workshop. We fully expect to maintain these relationships into the future.
11. How does BWZS prepare graduates for real challenges in zoos, sanctuaries, and other animal care settings?
BWZS provides students with the scientific foundation and practical application tools necessary for navigating real-world challenges in animal care. Without a solid science foundation, we are left to rely on personal “recipes,” which are often insufficient for today’s high standard of care.
12. How does evidence-based behavior science fit into the program?
Our work is grounded in real-world examples where applying behavior science has led to measurable improvements in animal welfare. These examples are integrated throughout the curriculum.
13. How do you incorporate ethical guidelines and welfare considerations into behavior-change strategies?
Ethical practice is foundational to BWZS. We emphasize decision-making that follows the least intrusive principle, ensuring behavior-change strategies prioritize both process and outcome. This principle is shared among many professional fields, including special education, mental and physical healthcare, law, and bioethics.
14. What challenges does the field of animal behavior and welfare still face—and how can education like BWZS help address them?
The animal care field is grappling with complex issues of animal welfare, public perception, competing priorities, and the need to bridge science and daily practice. BWZS helps by preparing professionals who can think critically, collaborate effectively, and apply science compassionately in real-world settings.
15. What’s the biggest misconception people have about behavior science and animal training?
One major misconception is that the causes of behavior are inside the organism. A lack of focus on the conditions in which the organism behaves severely limits both our understanding of behavior and the practical applications available when we wish to influence those behaviors. BWZS teaches multiple levels of analysis, offering a practically relevant perspective on how both genetics and individual experience with the environment influence what an animal does.
16. Who is your ideal student or professional audience?
Our ideal students are animal care professionals seeking a deeper understanding of the science of behavior and who value practical approaches to behavior change that are both humane and effective. If you’re a lifelong learner ready to grow, BWZS is designed for you.
17. Are there opportunities for alumni to stay engaged or contribute to the community after graduation?
Yes. We are committed to ongoing community building, networking, and opportunities for alumni to stay connected, collaborate, and contribute to the broader animal care community, such as conference presentations and other professional opportunities.
18. Would this certificate be valued by a zoo if applying for a position?
Graduating from BWZS should increase your chances of being hired for zoo work, as you will bring a comprehensive education, hands-on experience with faculty, and connections with fellow students. However, we also recognize that hiring decisions involve more than education, experience, and contacts—factors such as team fit, shared culture, and common goals also play a role.
19. How do I enroll?
Enrollment is available through the BWZS website: https://bwzs.org/enroll .
The cost for the 9-month certificate program is $5,700 (a $100 discount is available).
20. Is there a way to alleviate the full $5,700 cost with a payment plan?
Yes. On the enrollment page, you will see a two-payment option. The first payment of $2,850 is due at the time of purchase, and the second half is due at the start of the third term (February 2027 for the current session). Courses can also be purchased à la carte for $1,000 per course. Monthly video coaching and the 5-day immersive workshop cannot be purchased à la carte.