Certificate Program
Animal Behavior & ConservationAbout the
Certificate Program
The Animal Behavior & Conservation Advanced Certificate program provides formal recognition of the training in Animal Behavior & Conservation for students who already possess a baccalaureate or graduate degree in another area, and, by virtue of prior educational or practical experience in animal behavior and conservation, are qualified for the additional training described in this program.
Animal Behavior & ConservationCertificate Program
Degree Requirements
Students who do not have an adequate background in statistics and/or research methodology will be required to take such courses in addition to those required for the certificate.
Courses taken for the certificate may be used as credits towards the Animal Behavior & Conservation MA program, if a student applies and is accepted.
Research Project
Although a thesis is not required for non-degree students, the ability to conduct research in the Animal Behavior & Conservation area must be demonstrated either through prior experience or completion of a research project while in the Certificate program.
Animal Behavior & ConservationCertificate Program Curriculum
15 credits, 5 courses
- The Animal Behavior & Conservation (ABC) Advanced Certificate Program consists of two required courses and three elective courses.
- Each course carries three credits.
- All required, and most other courses, are offered after 5:30 pm, enabling students to complete the requirements while working.
- Not all courses listed are scheduled every year and may vary by semester.
Required Coursework6 credits, 2 courses
PSYCH 71700 - Animal Behavior and Conservation in Captivity and the Wild
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 3 hours including conference
Department: Psychology
Introduces concepts and techniques of wildlife biology and comparative psychology, with contributions from researchers in social behavior, reproductive biology, wildlife conservation, captive breeding, and animal cognition and communication.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Hours: 3 hours including conference
Department: Psychology
Introduces concepts and techniques of wildlife biology and comparative psychology, with contributions from researchers in social behavior, reproductive biology, wildlife conservation, captive breeding, and animal cognition and communication.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
*PSYCH 64100 - Comparative Psychology
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Hours: 45 hrs including conference
Department: Psychology
Development and evolution of the behavior of various species, major theoretical issues, classic experiments, and contemporary research and theory.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Hours: 45 hrs including conference
Department: Psychology
Development and evolution of the behavior of various species, major theoretical issues, classic experiments, and contemporary research and theory.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
*PSYCH 75103 can be taken in lieu of PSYCH 64100, though taking PSYCH 64100 is generally recommended.
Elective Coursework9 credits, 3 courses
Animal Behavior Electives
PSYCH 64100 - Comparative Psychology
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Hours: 45 hrs including conference
Department: Psychology
Development and evolution of the behavior of various species, major theoretical issues, classic experiments, and contemporary research and theory.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Hours: 45 hrs including conference
Department: Psychology
Development and evolution of the behavior of various species, major theoretical issues, classic experiments, and contemporary research and theory.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
PSYCH 68058 - Companion Animals ►Special Topics◄
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 2 lecture hours, 2 conference or lab hours
Department: Psychology
Covers descriptive statistics and inferential methods, including t-tests, analyses of variance, correlation, simple regression, and an introduction to multiple regression. Some assignments require the use of a statistical computer package.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 2 lecture hours, 2 conference or lab hours
Department: Psychology
Covers descriptive statistics and inferential methods, including t-tests, analyses of variance, correlation, simple regression, and an introduction to multiple regression. Some assignments require the use of a statistical computer package.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
PSYCH 68066 - Companion Animals ►Special Topics◄
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 2 lecture hours, 2 conference or lab hours
Department: Psychology
Covers descriptive statistics and inferential methods, including t-tests, analyses of variance, correlation, simple regression, and an introduction to multiple regression. Some assignments require the use of a statistical computer package.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 2 lecture hours, 2 conference or lab hours
Department: Psychology
Covers descriptive statistics and inferential methods, including t-tests, analyses of variance, correlation, simple regression, and an introduction to multiple regression. Some assignments require the use of a statistical computer package.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
PSYCH 69000 - Companion Animals ►Special Topics◄
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 2 lecture hours, 2 conference or lab hours
Department: Psychology
Covers descriptive statistics and inferential methods, including t-tests, analyses of variance, correlation, simple regression, and an introduction to multiple regression. Some assignments require the use of a statistical computer package.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 2 lecture hours, 2 conference or lab hours
Department: Psychology
Covers descriptive statistics and inferential methods, including t-tests, analyses of variance, correlation, simple regression, and an introduction to multiple regression. Some assignments require the use of a statistical computer package.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
PSYCH 71000 - Advanced Physiological Psychology I (Neuroscience I)
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 45 including conference
Department: Psychology
An introduction to fundamental methodology in neuroscience research and a focus on the functioning of individual neurons and communication between neurons. This team-taught course is part of a two-term sequence covering fundamental concepts in neuroscience.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser. Neuroscience I is not a prerequisite for Neuroscience II.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 45 including conference
Department: Psychology
An introduction to fundamental methodology in neuroscience research and a focus on the functioning of individual neurons and communication between neurons. This team-taught course is part of a two-term sequence covering fundamental concepts in neuroscience.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser. Neuroscience I is not a prerequisite for Neuroscience II.
PSYCH 71100 - Advanced Physiological Psychology II (Neuroscience II)
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 45 including conference
Department: Psychology
Topics in neuroscience, including development of neural patterns, cellular differentiation, pathways and synaptic connections, the genetics of neural development, neural sexual differentiation, neural plasticity and endocrine factors, somatosensation, motor systems, and vision.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 45 including conference
Department: Psychology
Topics in neuroscience, including development of neural patterns, cellular differentiation, pathways and synaptic connections, the genetics of neural development, neural sexual differentiation, neural plasticity and endocrine factors, somatosensation, motor systems, and vision.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
PSYCH 71600 - Animal Behavior I: Mechanisms of Behavior
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 45 including conference
Department: Psychology
History of approaches to animal behavior; behavior development; proximate causation of behavior (motivation, neuroethology, and biorhythms); animal orientation and communication; cognitive ethology and culture.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 45 including conference
Department: Psychology
History of approaches to animal behavior; behavior development; proximate causation of behavior (motivation, neuroethology, and biorhythms); animal orientation and communication; cognitive ethology and culture.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
PSYCH 71700 - Animal Behavior and Conservation in Captivity and the Wild
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 45 including conference
Department: Psychology
Introduces concepts and techniques of wildlife biology and comparative psychology, with contributions from researchers in social behavior, reproductive biology, wildlife conservation, captive breeding, and animal cognition and communication.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 45 including conference
Department: Psychology
Introduces concepts and techniques of wildlife biology and comparative psychology, with contributions from researchers in social behavior, reproductive biology, wildlife conservation, captive breeding, and animal cognition and communication.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
PSYCH 71751 - Field Study in Animal Behavior and Conservation
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 45 including conference
Department: Psychology
Observation and study of the behavior of animals in their natural environment and application of techniques of observation and data analysis.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 45 including conference
Department: Psychology
Observation and study of the behavior of animals in their natural environment and application of techniques of observation and data analysis.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
PSYCH 71800 - Ethology (Animal Behavior II – Behavioral Ecology)
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 45 including conference
Department: Psychology
Examines behavioral genetics, which covers the importance of single-gene effects, polygenic behavioral traits, and the utility of the concept of heritability; behavioral evolution, which covers the methods of elucidating the phylogeny of behavior when fossil evidence is not available; behavioral ecology, which focuses on mating systems, territorial behavior, feeding strategies, antipredatory behavior, and sociobiology.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 45 including conference
Department: Psychology
Examines behavioral genetics, which covers the importance of single-gene effects, polygenic behavioral traits, and the utility of the concept of heritability; behavioral evolution, which covers the methods of elucidating the phylogeny of behavior when fossil evidence is not available; behavioral ecology, which focuses on mating systems, territorial behavior, feeding strategies, antipredatory behavior, and sociobiology.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
PSYCH 73900 - Research Methods in Animal Behavior
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 30 hrs lecture, 30 hrs lab
Department: Psychology
Designed to develop skills required for the study of animal behavior, such as procedures for obtaining data in laboratories or in captive and natural environments; includes observational techniques, single-subject designs, issues of reliability and external validity, non-parametric statistics.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 30 hrs lecture, 30 hrs lab
Department: Psychology
Designed to develop skills required for the study of animal behavior, such as procedures for obtaining data in laboratories or in captive and natural environments; includes observational techniques, single-subject designs, issues of reliability and external validity, non-parametric statistics.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
PSYCH 75084 - Evolution of Animal Play
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours:
Department: Psychology
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours:
Department: Psychology
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
PSYCH 75096 - Cultural Conflicts in Conservation
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours:
Department: Psychology
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours:
Department: Psychology
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
PSYCH 75103 - Basic Psychological Processes 1: Perception, Learning and Comparative Cognition
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 45 hrs including conference
Department: Psychology
Covers the basic concepts in perception, learning and comparative psychology. Each topic is taught by a faculty member whose expertise and research is in the area to be covered.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 45 hrs including conference
Department: Psychology
Covers the basic concepts in perception, learning and comparative psychology. Each topic is taught by a faculty member whose expertise and research is in the area to be covered.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
PSYCH 75400 - Applied Animal Welfare & Behavior
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours:
Department: Psychology
Fundamental principles of animal behavior discussed in context of their applications to captive animal management (in laboratories, farms, zoos, aquariums, and shelters), animal welfare, and conservation. Programmatic approaches to animal care (e.g. enrichment and training) and animal welfare assessment tools will be described and evaluated.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours:
Department: Psychology
Fundamental principles of animal behavior discussed in context of their applications to captive animal management (in laboratories, farms, zoos, aquariums, and shelters), animal welfare, and conservation. Programmatic approaches to animal care (e.g. enrichment and training) and animal welfare assessment tools will be described and evaluated.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
PSYCH 75700 - Animal Thinking and Communication
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours:
Department: Psychology
Prerequisite: PSYCH 71700 or permission of instructor or of Animal Behavior and Conservation Coordinator
This course focuses on animal cognition and communication from the perspectives of communication theory, animal behavior, cognitive ethology and comparative cognition. Research on chimpanzees, dolphins, elephants, parrots and other animals will be covered.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours:
Department: Psychology
Prerequisite: PSYCH 71700 or permission of instructor or of Animal Behavior and Conservation Coordinator
This course focuses on animal cognition and communication from the perspectives of communication theory, animal behavior, cognitive ethology and comparative cognition. Research on chimpanzees, dolphins, elephants, parrots and other animals will be covered.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
PSYCH 75800 - Conservation Biology/Psychology)
Credits: 3.00
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 30 hrs lecture, 30 hrs lab
Department: Psychology
This course provides an understanding of biodiversity, human impacts on biodiversity, the theory and practice of maintaining biodiversity in a developing world, and the social psychology of motivating action to protect nature.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Semester: Fall (only)
Hours: 30 hrs lecture, 30 hrs lab
Department: Psychology
This course provides an understanding of biodiversity, human impacts on biodiversity, the theory and practice of maintaining biodiversity in a developing world, and the social psychology of motivating action to protect nature.
Permission for all courses must be obtained from the graduate adviser.
Animal Behavior & ConservationCertificate Program Admissions Criteria
Students must demonstrate research skills, either through relevant work outside of the program or by the successful completion of an independent research or field project.
Applicants will be ranked according to grade point average, two letters of recommendation, personal statement, as well as course work and experience relevant to animal behavior and conservation.
Application Checklist
You must meet the following minimum requirements in order to be considered for admission. Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance to the program.
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution comparable in standard and content to a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College.
- Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0.
- A statement of purpose of approximately 500 words describing your objectives in undertaking graduate study. In reviewing applications, considerable importance is placed on the applicant’s interest in and commitment to advanced study and professional development.
- Two letters of recommendation from appropriate academic or professional sources.
- Applicants whose native language is not English and who have taken all or part of their undergraduate education in a country where English is not the native language are required to submit scores on the TOEFL/IELTS. The following minimum scores must be obtained:
- TOEFL iBT: 80/ Paper Based Test: 550/ Computer Administered Test: 213
- IELTS; 6.5 Overall Band Score
Apply Now
Hunter College Online ApplicationTo access an existing application, please visit the applicant login portal.
Application Deadline
May 1, 2023
Contact
Nicolina Steinhoff, Acting Graduate Advisor & Academic Program Coordinator
ns2715@hunter.cuny.edu
gradpsych@hunter.cuny.edu