Our program has a core curriculum of applied science and management coursework. There is ample room for specialization with our rich elective options, allowing you to customize this degree in many ways. Check out our professional skills electives section below or our page on the CSU course catalog for our full range of options.

As a PSM student, you will complete a capstone master’s project in partnership with an organization. This is not a thesis-based program, but we often do projects that include publishable research. Students may also complete a deliverable project, process, or event.  

We have three paths towards completion of the PSM degree.

Traditional 2-Year Program

  • Are you interested in a career in leadership in animal organizations? Do you have a Bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.75 or higher and 3-4 internships or equivalent volunteer experience in the field? Our two year experiential program is for you!
  • See the PSM Curriculum Plans and Overviews section below to learn more about the curriculum and experience
  • Apply through the Graduate School application and choose the option “Professional Science Master’s in Zoo, Aquarium, and Animal Shelter (M.P.S.M.)”

Online 3-Year Program

  • Are you a career professional already working in the field? Do you have a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and 3-5 years of paid experience in the field? Our three year fully online program is for you!
  • See the PSM Curriculum Plans and Overviews section below to learn more about the curriculum and experience.
  • Apply through the Graduate School application and choose the option “Professional Science Master’s in Zoo, Aquarium, and Animal Shelter (M.P.S.M.) – Distance”

Accelerated Master’s Program

  • Are you a motivated CSU undergraduate student majoring in Biology or Zoology? Do you have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA with B’s in classes required by your major? Check out this amazing option! The Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) allows you to complete your bachelor’s degree and our PSM degree concurrently in five years. 
  • See the PSM Curriculum Plans and Overviews section below to learn more about the curriculum and experience of the AMP option. 
  • Apply through this Microsoft Form and direct your references to send their recommendations to PSM Assistant Coordinator Annie Wallin at annie.wallin@colostate.edu.

PSM Curriculum Plans and Overviews

Traditional Two-Year Program

Students interested in a career in leadership within animal organizations who have completed a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 30 and have 3-4 internships or equivalent volunteer experience in the field.

42-43 credits

21 months, 5 semesters

Fall Year 1 Courses (11-14 credits): 

  • NSCI 579 – Applied Animal Behavior
  • NSCI 601 – Ethics for Animal Careers
  • NSCI 611 – Leadership for Animal Professionals
  • NSCI 688A – PSM Capstone: Preparation
  • NSCI 693A – PSM Graduate Seminar
  • ANEQ 522 – Animal Metabolism* 

Spring Year 1 Courses (13-14 credits): 

  • NSCI 621 – Workplace Wellness for Animal Professionals
  • NSCI 631 – Non-Profit Marketing and Community Relations for Animal Professionals
  • NSCI 641 – Fiscal Management for Animal Welfare Leaders
  • NSCI 688B – PSM Capstone: Proposal Writing
  • NSCI 693A – PSM Graduate Seminar
  • Professional Skills or STEM Elective

Summer (1 credit):

NSCI 688C – PSM Capstone: Project 

Fall Year 2 Courses (8-9 credits): 

  • NSCI 651 – Non-Profit Fund Development and Grant Writing
  • NSCI 688D – PSM Capstone: Support for Deliverable and Job Search
  • NSCI 693A – PSM Graduate Seminar
  • Professional Skills or STEM Elective

Spring Year 2 Courses (7 credits):

  • NSCI 688E – PSM Capstone: Completion
  • NSCI 693A – PSM Graduate Seminar
  • Professional Skills or STEM Elective

Online Three-Year Program

The online version of the program is completed over three years instead of two to allow full-time working students to gain their PSM degree. 

43-45 credits

33 months, 8 semesters

  • Career professionals in shelters, zoos, aquariums, wildlife rehabilitation organizations; veterinarians in shelter and zoo settings who want to level up into management but are looking to build skills, experience, or educational level
  • Prerequisite experience: Current full-time paid position at an organization OR five years of paid experience at an organization

Fall Year 1 (8 credits): 

  • NSCI 579 – Applied Animal Behavior
  • NSCI 601 – Ethics for Animal Professionals
  • NSCI 688A – PSM Capstone: Preparation
  • NSCI 693A – PSM Graduate Seminar

Spring Year 1 (6 credits): 

  • NSCI 621 – Workplace Wellness
  • NSCI 688B – PSM Capstone: Proposal Writing
  • NSCI 693A – PSM Graduate Seminar

Summer Year 1 (1 credit):

Begin NSCI 688C – PSM Capstone: Project

400 hours of project to be completed on site with your organization over the following 1.5 years

Fall Year 2 (7 credits): 

  • ANEQ 322 (Fall) or 323 (Spring)
  • NSCI 611 Leadership for Animal Professionals
  • NSCI 688D – PSM Capstone: Support for Deliverable and Job Search (1 credit)
  • NSCI 693A PSM Graduate Seminar

Spring Year 2 (8 credits):

  • NSCI 631 – Non-Profit Marketing and Community Relations for Animal Professionals
  • NSCI 688D – PSM Capstone: Support for Deliverable and Job Search (1 credit)
  • NSCI 693A – PSM Graduate Seminar
  • Electives (3 credits)

Summer Year 2 (3 credits):

Electives

Fall Year 3 (6-7 credits): 

  • NSCI 651 – Non-Profit Governance and Accounting
  • NSCI 688D – PSM Capstone: Support for Deliverable and Job Search (1 credit)
  • Electives (2-3 credits)

Spring Year 3 (4 credits):

  • NSCI 641 – Fiscal Management for Animal Welfare Leaders
  • NSCI 688E – PSM Capstone: Completion

Accelerated Master’s Program

The accelerated master’s program (AMP) is a unique opportunity for Biological Science and Zoology majors at CSU to complete their undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree and master’s degree with just one additional year. 

42-43 credits

21 months, 5 semesters –  first two semesters are concurrent with final year of Biology or Zoology undergraduate degree program

How does the Accelerated Master’s Program work? 

  • Students can save a year of time by graduating with their master’s degree following only one additional year beyond their B.S. degree. 
  • Students apply in the Fall of their Junior year for acceptance for concurrent enrollment in their Senior year. No GRE is required to apply. 
  • Accepted students can complete up to, but no more than, nine (9) credits of PSM coursework prior to completing their undergraduate degree. Depending on each student’s graduation requirements during their senior year, different core PSM classes may be taken.
  • Some 500-level PSM courses or electives may double count for both undergrad and the PSM degree. 
  • AMP students will apply to the Graduate School to begin graduate status in the summer following undergraduate graduation. 
  • AMP students stay as undergraduate students until their B.S. graduation to maintain financial aid status, and don’t begin paying graduate program fees until Year 2 in the PSM program. 
  • Capstone Master’s Project will be completed in the summer after undergraduate graduation. 
  • AMP students are eligible to apply for GTA positions once they have graduate status.

Fall Year 1 Courses (6-7 PSM credits): 

  • NSCI 579 – Applied Animal Behavior OR NSCI 611 – Leadership for Animal Professionals
  • NSCI 688A – PSM Capstone: Preparation
  • NSCI 693A – PSM Graduate Seminar

Spring Year 1 Courses (3 PSM credits): 

  • NSCI 688B – PSM Capstone: Proposal Writing
  • NSCI 693A – PSM Graduate Seminar

Summer (1 credit):

NSCI 688C – PSM Capstone: Project 

Fall Year 2 Courses (14-17 PSM credits): 

  • NSCI 579 – Applied Animal Behavior OR NSCI 611 Leadership for Animal Professionals (whichever not taken in Fall Year 1)
  • NSCI 601 – Ethics for Animal Careers
  • NSCI 651 – Non-Profit Governance and Accounting
  • NSCI 688D – PSM Capstone: Support for Deliverable and Job Search
  • NSCI 693A – PSM Graduate Seminar
  • ANEQ 522 – Animal Metabolism* 
  • Professional Skills or STEM Elective

Spring Year 2 Courses (17-18 PSM credits):

  • NSCI 621 – Workplace Wellness for Animal Professionals
  • NSCI 631 – Non-Profit Marketing and Community Relations for Animal Professionals
  • NSCI 641 – Fiscal Management for Animal Welfare Leaders
  • NSCI 688E – PSM Capstone: Completion
  • NSCI 693A – PSM Graduate Seminar
  • Professional Skills or STEM Electives (5-6 credits)

*Students choose one metabolism (ANEQ 522) or nutrition (ANEQ 322 or ANEQ 323) course, at minimum. See course listings below for more details. 

Core PSM Curriculum

ANEQ 522: Nutrient digestion, absorption, transport and metabolism in monogastric and ruminant domestic species as affected by physiological change

  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-requisites: graduate student status
  • Fall, Spring

 

ANEQ 322: Nutrients, nutrient requirements, feeding practices, food sources and  management for companion animals (dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, etc.). 

  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-requisites: ANEQ 320
  • Fall ONLY (online)

 

ANEQ 323: Unique nutritional requirements of  mammalian, avian, and reptile captive wild animals; management protocols needed.

  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-requisites: ANEQ 320
  • Spring ONLY (online)

 

Students choose one metabolism (ANEQ 522) or nutrition (ANEQ 322 or ANEQ 323) course, at minimum. 

Description: How animals learn, perceive their work, and behave, and how all of those intersect to alter behavior in managed care. 

  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-requisites: admission to PSM program/BZ 300 or BZ 478 or BZ 479
  • Fall ONLY

Description: Ethical issues involving care and treatment of animals in captive environments

  • Credits: 1
  • Pre-requisites: admission to PSM program
  • Fall ONLY

Description: Management training and specific leadership tools aimed at future professionals leading an animal organization

  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-requisites: admission to PSM program
  • Fall ONLY

Description: Professional training, specifically tailored communication skills and ways to engage personnel designed to meet the needs of animal professionals

  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-requisites: admission to PSM program
  • Spring ONLY

Description: Marketing designed to meet the needs of animal professionals

  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-requisites: admission to PSM program
  • Spring ONLY

Description: Provides animal welfare leaders with a background in managerial accounting as well as ethical business practices. Principles and best practices are examined for non-profit excellence in finance and accounting. Become familiar with policies and IRS regulations, develop skills to manage a board of directors and hire accountants.

  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-requisites: NSCI 611
  • Spring ONLY, Partial Semester

Description: Knowledge, concepts, and skills necessary for animal professionals to raise funds in a non-profit environment. Gain both theoretical and practical knowledge of primary fund and donor development. 

  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-requisites: NSCI 631
  • Fall ONLY, Partial Semester

Description: Development of professional skills for students in the Professional Science Master’s in Natural Sciences, Zoo, Aquarium and Animal Shelter Management specialization. Initial matching of students with mentors and professional organizations that host capstone projects.

  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-requisites: admission to PSM program
  • Fall ONLY

Description: Development of proposals for partnerships with animal non-profit organizations, and initiating service-learning experience.

  • Credits: 2 
  • Pre-requisites: NSCI 688A
  • Spring ONLY

Description: Service learning experience in partnership with an animal non-profit organization.

  • Credits: 1
  • Pre-requisites: NSCI 688B with a grade of B or better
  • Summer ONLY

Description: Support and guidance in completing capstone research or deliverables. Best practices in job searches, resumes, cover letters and interview techniques in the field of zoo, aquarium, or animal-shelter management. 

  • Credits: 2 
  • Pre-requisites: NSCI 688C
  • Fall ONLY

Description: Completion of the Capstone Masters Project and associated service-learning commitment in partnership with an animal non-profit organization. 

  • Credits:
  • Pre-requisites: NSCI 688D
  • Spring ONLY

Description: Discussion of current research and presentations from career professionals in the field

  • Credits: 1 credit each semester – 4 credits total
  • Pre-requisites: admission to PSM program
  • Fall, Spring

Electives: STEM and Professional Skills Courses

Along with a metabolism or nutrition class choice outlined in the curriculum section above, PSM students complete at least three other electives totaling 8-9 credits.

Electives allow PSM students to further specialize this degree further by focusing on elective courses related to behavior, reproduction, conservation, physiology, marine science, or nutrition. Electives must include at least one STEM-related course and one Professional Skills course, and final elective choices and specialization will be discussed with and approved by the PSM advisor on a case-by-case basis.

An extensive list of elective options can be found on the PSM program’s CSU Course Catalog page and exploration is encouraged. Listed below are just a slice of common electives taken by PSM students as well as some newer courses at CSU that students can take advantage of as electives! Course information and availability subject to change.

 

Professional Skills Elective Examples

Description: Introduction to digital marketing: the landscape and tactics needed to execute marketing strategy in an online, connected, world.

  • Credits:
  • Pre-requisites: MKT 300 or MKT 305
  • Fall, Spring

Description: Provides the knowledge and skills to effectively use social media to market a business. Obtain in-depth knowledge and understanding of the various facets of social media marketing strategy, platforms and tactics, and how social media integrates into the overall marketing and communication plan.

  • Credits:
  • Pre-requisites: MKT 300
  • Fall, Spring

Description: Concepts surrounding the starting, planning, and managing of a tourism business with a small business creation and management approach. Focus is given to: (1) connections between commercial recreation/tourism and entrepreneurship, (2) starting and managing a business including selecting the form of business, raising funds, financial/marketing management, and (3) legal aspects including identifying and minimizing risks, supervision of workers and employment laws.

  • Credits:
  • Pre-requisites: NRRT 231 or NRRT 270
  • Fall, Spring (online)

Description: Application of the tools, knowledge, and understanding of how to provide strength-based nonprofit program development and management.

  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Fall ONLY (online)

Description: Application of the tools, knowledge, and understanding of how to provide strength-based nonprofit financial development.

  • Credits:
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Spring ONLY (online)

Description: Theoretical framework for understanding volunteerism and practice skills for building and managing an effective volunteer program.

  • Credits:
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Summer ONLY (online; partial semester)

*Students who complete this series of courses earn the Non-Profit Administration Certificate. The courses can be taken in any order. No additional graduate application necessary. 

 

STEM-Related Elective Examples

Description: The interface between animal  behavior and conservation  biology, exploring how  behavioral tools can be applied  to conservation problems.

  • Credits:
  • Pre-requisites: BZ 110 and BZ 300
  • Spring ONLY

Description: Interactions of physiology,  neurobiology, and genetics on the behavior of domestic cats, and how evolution and  domestication influenced  these traits.

  • Credits:
  • Pre-requisites: BZ 110
  • Spring, Summer (online)

Description: Interactions of physiology,  neurobiology, and genetics on the behavior of domestic dogs, and how evolution and  domestication influenced  these traits.

  • Credits:
  • Pre-requisites: BZ 110
  • Spring, Summer (online)

Description: A comparative overview of reproduction in vertebrates (focusing on mammals) emphasizing both conserved and species-specific aspects of physiology.

  • Credits:
  • Pre-requisites: BMS 300 or BMS 360
  • Spring ONLY

Description: The nature of the human-animal bond and animal-assisted interventions including animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy presented as intervention methods. Includes various theories, protocols, and therapeutic practice methodologies with people across the lifespan.

  • Credits:
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Fall ONLY (online); must register for recitation section

Description: A variety of 1 credit seminars in Behavior, Genetics, Ecology, DEI, etc. Usually involve literature review and discussion.

  • Credits:1-3 (generally 1) 
  • Pre-requisites: Graduate status
  • Fall, Spring (availability varies by semester)