Where Can I Find a List of Colleges that Offer Zoology?

<h3 id="section---OverviewOfAZoologyProgram">Overview of a Zoology Program</h3> <p>The field of zoology focuses on every aspect of the biology of all different types of animals, including humans. All programs will generally have a broad focus covering both vertebrates and invertebrates, while some may also offer specialty areas of study. Students studying zoology can also expect to spend much of their time in research, gaining valuable skills to prepare them for careers as doctors, researchers, veterinarians, conservationists, or environmental monitors. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisFieldOfStudy">Important Facts About This Field of Study</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> Common Courses </td><td> Developmental Biology, Infectious Disease, Principles of Genetics, Mammalogy</td></tr> <tr><td> Degree Levels </td><td> Bachelor's, master's, doctorate</td></tr> <tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> Veterinarian, conservationist, zookeeper, zoologist, research scientist, teacher, doctor</td></tr> <tr><td> Concentrations </td><td> Ecology, Marine Biology, Neuroscience</td></tr> <tr><td>Median Salary (2021)</td><td> $64,650 (<i>zoologists and wildlife biologists</i>)<br />$100,370 <i>(veterinarians)</i></td></tr> <tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td>1% (<i>zoologists and wildlife biologists</i>)<br />19% <i>(veterinarians)</i></td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---U.S.NewsAndWorldReport">U.S. News and World Report</h3> <p>The <i>U.S. News and World Report</i>'s college rankings, <i>www.usnews.com,</i> have become a standard in college searches. You can do a search for 'zoology programs' on their website to find a list of colleges that offer bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral degrees in zoology. This list also provides ranking information, statistics concerning average acceptance rates and class sizes, as well as the colleges' mission statements. </p> <h3 id="section---NationalCenterForEducationStatistics">National Center for Education Statistics</h3> <p>The National Center for Education Statistics, <i>nces.ed.gov</i>, provides a free database called the 'College Navigator' that anyone can use to search for accredited universities. You can search for universities by selecting 'zoology/animal biology' in the 'programs/majors' field. The resulting list will provide a brief profile of each university, including statistics on student population and enrollment, housing options, accreditation, tuition and fees and financial aid. </p> <h3 id="section---ZoosAndProfessionalZoologicalAssociations">Zoos and Professional Zoological Associations</h3> <p>Zoos and professional zoological associations can be valuable resources in your quest for generating a list of colleges that offer zoology. Many major zoos such as the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, <i>nationalzoo.si.edu,</i> pair with universities, providing a hands-on learning laboratory for future zoologists. You might e-mail the educational departments of major zoos to see if they can recommend some top academic zoology programs. You can also contact associations like: </p> <ul><li>The American Association of Zookeepers, <i>www.aazk.org</i> </li><li>The International Congress of Zookeepers, <i>www.iczoo.org</i> </li><li>The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, <i>www.aza.org</i> </li></ul><p>Not only do these associations provide symposia, workshops, publications and other educational resources of their own, but they also have vast professional and academic networks. Contact them for advice about how to find the top zoology programs. </p> <h3 id="section---FindingTheBestZoologyProgram">Finding the Best Zoology Program</h3> <p>Once you've generated your list of universities that offer zoology programs, it's important to narrow the field and find the college program that's best-suited to your needs. Consider official accreditation, class size and available resources. Prioritize colleges that have relationships with zoos and wildlife research institutes where you can gain hands-on experience during your studies. Also, make sure that the faculty members are well-published in the leading biology and zoology journals.</p>