Animal Shelter Administration

Master of Science in Leadership in Animal Services Management

39 Credit Hours

The Master of Science degree program in Leadership in Non-Profit Animal Services Management is designed to educate future administrators, managers, executives and directors of government and non-government organizations (NGOs) whose mission is to care for homeless and displaced companion animals and to use its resources to find them suitable and permanent family homes. The core curriculum consists of online coursework intended to establish a foundation of knowledge and operational skills in nonprofit leadership and management including strategic planning, fundraising, grant-writing, ethical practices, compliance; public, community and government relations, budgeting and financial management, animal nutrition, animal husbandry and wellness, maladaptive behavior change, infectious disease control and general shelter operations.

Students learn to synthesize and apply theoretical knowledge to solve original problems through completing online theoretical coursework, hand-on practical skills training with animals, basic research and training alongside experienced professionals. A one-semester graduate research project is included in the core curriculum as is a real-world externship practicum assignment in an animal-related setting, often completed in the student’s home community. There are two possible tracks that a student may choose from depending on their career objectives. They are: Module I- Animal Shelter and Sanctuary Management or Module II- Animal Care and Control.

Graduated students can seek employment in animal care-related organizations such as SPCAs, humane societies, animal sanctuaries, or government animal care and control agencies. Students may also use their knowledge and training to form nonprofit organizations that will engage in activities such as fundraising and grant writing to assure sustainability of operations and community service.

Program Outline

Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours	Clock Hours
GEND 1000	College Orientation	–

	*Core Courses* (6)
ANSC 6401	Non-Profit Leadership and Management	3	45
ANSC 6405	Fundraising and Grant Writing	3	45
ANSC 6407	Ethics and Compliance in Nonprofit Management	3	45
ANSC 6417	Public, Community, and Government Relations	3	45
ANSC 6419	Financial Management of Nonprofit Organizations	3	45
ANSC 6458	Infectious Disease Management in Animal Science	3	45
ANSC 6501	Graduate Research Capstone	3	45

	*Externship* (2)
ANSC 7501	Master Externship Practicum I	3	45
ANSC 7502	Master Externship Practicum II	3	45

	Students must complete either Module I or Module II

	*Module I – Animal Shelter and Sanctuary Mgt. (5)*
ANSC 6003	Exploration of Animal Behavior	3	45
ANSC 6007	Companion Animal Husbandry and Wellness	3	45
ANSC 6015	Companion Animal Nutrition	3	45
ANSC 6411	Current Issues in Animal Shelter Management	3	45
	OR
	*Module II – Animal Care and Control (5)*
ANSC 6513	Community Animal Control Management	3	45
ANSC 6515	Current Issues in Animal Control and Animal Rights	3	45
ANSC 6517	Investigating Animal Cruelty	3	45
ANSC 6519	Animal Care and Protection	3	45

	TOTAL:	39

Technical and Physical Requirements

Students enrolled in this program are required to work with certain animal species associated with the curricula, e.g. dogs and cats, and possibly horses and birds in academic residency, field project or externship practicum. Working with animals requires certain physical requirements including, but not limited to, responding quickly to animal movement, bending, use of hands to hold leashes, food reinforcers, and clicker signaling devices; restraining an animal such as a large dog on a leash, donning and removing training or safety equipment and placing and removal animals into cages, carriers or kennels. Students should be confident that they are capable of performing these physical tasks, with or without accommodations, prior to enrolling in a program. If a student has questions about their ability to perform these physical tasks, it is advised that they seek the guidance of their personal physician before applying.