Ask to set up an informational interview with someone who can tell you what the institution looks for in employees and the working environment. Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors. ", "This kind off helped me figure things out better. People who work with pets are called Applied Animal Behaviorists. But most jobs in animal behavior require a graduate degree. Professionals with the official title of “animal behaviorist” are certified by the Animal Behavior Society (ABS). ", "This helped me. For example, inquire at your local university about fellowship opportunities or look at organizations such as the National Science Foundation or Animal Behavior Society. You may be able to find advertisements for professional positions in academic publications, so check these in addition to other job listings in newspapers and professional recruiting sites. If you have a Ph.D., you may work at private research institutes or government laboratories, or as curators or researchers at zoos, museums, and aquariums. Attend conferences with other animal behaviorists and/ or specialists from related fields. Complete a Bachelor's Degree. To pursue a career as an animal behaviorist, you should: 1. Veterinary behaviorists are trained to address the relationships between an animal’s health, environment, experiences and its behavior. I was interested in behaviorology. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. ACAAB certification requires a Masters degree (including a variety … It’s important to analyze the animal to determine the reasons for their behavior, which may be attributed to evolutionary traits or physical environment. With a bachelor’s or master’s degree, you are most likely to find employment as an educator with a museum, zoo or aquarium. The IHC Group. Or, you may want to focus on zoology, biology, science or animal biology. Have you ever wondered how to become an animal behaviorist? Investigate the different types of work you could do. For tips on searching for a job after you graduate, keep reading! Throughout the course of your education, look for internships or entry-level jobs that will help you earn practical experience, such as at a zoo, a veterinary clinic, or a government institution. Do you have strong observational skills, compassion, and personable character? You may also work as a research assistant. [2] Subscribe to journals in fields related to your specific interest such as psychology, zoology, anthropology, or biology. To become a Veterinary Behaviorist, veterinarians must become certified through the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB). Next, you must complete your graduate study in animal behavior. You will need to finish your Bachelor’s degree to pursue a graduate degree or career... 2. If you’re interested in working as a researcher, you may spend significant amounts of time by yourself in a lab. If you get easily attached to animals, you may want to consider if it will be easy to separate yourself from the animal in order to do your job effectively. I believe this site should be a reference for all students of all, "I liked how it took you by steps and explained what you need or should do to make your career path more reachable. Research source Attend conferences including panels and any social events offered. There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 83,391 times. To become an Animal Behaviorist, the aspiring candidates must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in biology, psychology, zoology, behavioral science or animal science. They have extensive knowledge of psychotropic … As a resident, you’ll learn to diagnose and treat behavioral problems in dogs and cats. Because he is medically trained, a veterinary behaviorist can use all the skills of behaviorists and they can also prescribe medication as needed to help resolve these problems. Working with animals, their owners, colleagues, authorities or public organizations can be a significant part of your job. There are several certificate options in the field of animal behavior that can enhance a candidates professional credentials. Understand that many degree programs and employers may require internships or residencies to graduate or start a job. If your university doesn't have a degree program in animal behavior science, consider getting your education in one of the two fields most directly involved with being an animal behaviorist: ethology and comparative psychology. Certification involves a two-year residency program under the supervision of a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and a comprehensive board exam. Once you’ve completed all of the educational requirements to become an animal behaviorist, it will be time to choose a career path. Search online listings, research at a local career center, and attend job fairs at conferences to find other opportunities. Do you have the ability to work with a team? wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Most of these institutions require a PhD, though some may only ask for an MA or MS. Be aware that some universities, such as Indiana University, offer programs specific to becoming an animal behaviorist. You’ll also need to have compassion and a love for animals to work as an animal behaviorist. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Participate in laboratory studies of animal tissues, samples or … ©Copyright 1999 - 2021. Step 1: Undergraduate education. At a minimum, it would require a bachelor’s degree, with study in the fields of biology, zoology, psychology, animal behavior or a related field. Some universities offer specific programs for this field. Another path to becoming an animal behavioral specialist is to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and complete a residency. For tips on searching for a job after you graduate, keep reading! For example, if you are a biology major, you may also want to take classes in psychology and anthropology to expand your understanding of the field. To learn more about dog behavior, go to our article Understanding Bad Dog Behavior. Ask educators, colleagues, and friends about potential employers and their experiences. Another option is to study towards a … These can often help you meet new people who may share your interests. A Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist has a doctorate in biological or behavioral science and five years of professional field experience. Ask her if it would benefit you to work or volunteer in places such as zoos, research labs, or at vets’ offices. So, how do you become an animal behaviorist? As an animal behaviorist, you’ll need to assess the unique situations with each pet, understanding the issues that are causing the bad behavior. Are you a critical thinker with the ability to solve problems and determine diagnoses? Degrees in topics like animal behavior, zoology, and biology can be applied to careers in animal … In doing so, an individual can end up holding the title DVM which stands … Applicants should also have at least two years of professional … There is a range of suitable courses designed for entry into the profession. This can be completed in addition to a Ph.D. … By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Certification with these boards shows that you possess the key skills and knowledge to do the job. For example, if you become an animal behavioral ecologist, your work would center on how animal behavior is linked to environmental and social conditions. This article gave, "This is the most useful site of all websites. Read journals from the field of animal behavior studies. [1] Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 83,391 times. Some schools offer undergraduate programs specifically in animal behavior. You may also begin your career pathway by working as an animal trainer or carer, or within the veterinary team in order to gain hands on experience. Get a graduate degree. The Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist category has more … Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists have a Master’s Degree in a biological or behavioral science and at least two years of professional experience in the field. As an animal behaviorist, it is important to continue your education throughout your career by attending continuing education events hosted by professional organizations. Submit any information requested by the job advertisement. If you want to be a vet and treat pets’ behavior, you will need to get a DVM and specialize in treating behavioral problems. Then the student will … Gaining Education and Practical Experience 1. ", levels of education. Some even earn a graduate degree and consider voluntary certifications. If you are interested in becoming an animal behaviorist, read below for more information. A Bachelor of Veterinary Science is necessary to follow this career and a Master’s Degree in Biology or Behavioural Science with Animal Behaviour is an advantage. "I'm currently studying biology and looking for a career path. Bachelor's degree programs in animal behavior are available, but … wikiHow's. If you enjoy learning and striving for specific goals, being an animal behaviorist could be a great option for you. Major in biology or psychology or animal behavior in college. Get to know professional animal behaviorists, making it clear that you are interested in this type of career. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Become-an-Animal-Behaviorist-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-an-Animal-Behaviorist-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Become-an-Animal-Behaviorist-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid1447636-v4-728px-Become-an-Animal-Behaviorist-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"