WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — Classes for the first-of-its-kind zoo science major in West Virginia will be available for students at West Liberty University this fall.
WLU and Oglebay’s Good Zoo partnered to create the new major that will offer students hands-on curriculum in animal care.
“We’re planning on giving students applied experience — taking care of animals and learning about how to take care of animals while they’re in school that way they have experience already once they graduate to help them find jobs,” said Joe Greathouse, assistant professor of biology at WLU, who designed the program.
Greathouse told MetroNews he worked his way through several animal and conservation jobs after interning at the Good Zoo in 1998. He said he’s seen the benefits of pursuing such a career.
“The handling experience and the actual experience of taking care of animals is something that you cannot get or cannot learn about from a book,” he said.
About 25 students will get the opportunity to intern at the Good Zoo per year for a 10-week summer program for about 8-12 hours per week, Greathouse said. The internship is unpaid.
Graduates of the program will earn a bachelor of science degree in biology and will be prepared to work at any of the 230 Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoos in the United States, he said.
“Students have the option, with what they’re getting trained to do, to go to be keepers, to be eventually curators, to manage zoos or be directors, educators or interpreters,” Greathouse said of the different careers.
“It will make them much more competitive for applying for those types of positions,” he added.
To apply for the program, visit West Liberty’s website.