View our recent webinar about the Animal Protection Policy degree program!
We are transitioning our Master of Animal Protection Policy degree to a Master of Public Policy. If you are interested in a degree in animal protection law and policy, please visit this page to learn more about our Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree, which offers a concentration in animal protection policy.
The Master of Animal Protection Policy (MAPP) degree program is designed to educate animal law and policy leaders. Through specialized courses and practical training, students gain skills to navigate law and policy landscapes and effect change for animals in a wide range of arenas and growing career paths.
Program Description
Our innovative and specialized residential and distance learning courses focus on training students on the political, scientific, and ethical aspects of effective strategic animal advocacy. Students learn from leading experts and accomplished scholars with unique experiential learning opportunities including clinics or externships with prominent practitioners.
VLGS master's degrees are designed for advocates not seeking a law degree, however law students may enroll to earn a joint degree. VLGS allows students from other schools and non-degree seeking students to enroll in courses, and provides a discount to audit for alumni. The master's in Animal Protection Policy degree, including online courses and summer session, offers flexibility and accessibility for students and professionals to learn how to advance protections for animals. Please contact us to learn more!
Degree Details
- Degree Requirements and Electives
- How To Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Scholarships including the Animal Protection Policy Scholarship
- Learning Outcomes
- Deadlines
- Contact Admissions
- Online Learning
Career Options
- Campaign Director
- Communications Professional
- Community Organizer
- Conservation Specialist
- Development Professional
- Humane Educator
- Leader in Animal Protection Organizations
- Legislative Aide
- Lobbyist
- Policy Advocate/Analyst
MASTER OF ANIMAL PROTECTION POLICY (MAPP) CURRICULUM
AUGUST
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Introduction to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 0 |
Subtotal 0 credits |
FALL
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Legislation/Regulation Survey | 3 |
Intro to Policy Research and Writing | 3 |
Animal Ethics | 3 |
Quantitative Analysis | 2 |
Structural Inequality | 1 |
Professionalism | 0 |
Public Participation | 0 |
Elective | 2-3 |
Subtotal 14-15 credits |
SPRING
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Animal Protection Policy | 3 |
Clinic or Externship | 4-6 |
Negotiation & Consensus Building | 0 |
Subtotal 7-9 credits |
SUMMER
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Policy Design | 3 |
Science of Animal Law and Policy | 3 |
2 to 3 Electives | 5-6 |
Subtotal 11-12 credits |
AUGUST
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Introduction to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 0 |
Subtotal 0 credits |
FALL
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Legislation/Regulation Survey | 3 |
Intro to Policy Research and Writing | 3 |
Animal Ethics | 3 |
Structural Inequality | 1 |
Professionalism | 0 |
Public Participation | 0 |
Quantitative Analysis | 2 |
Elective | 2-3 |
Subtotal 14-15 credits |
SPRING
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Animal Protection Policy | 3 |
Thesis Seminar I | 3 |
Elective | 2-3 |
Negotiation & Consensus Building | 0 |
Subtotal 8-9 credits |
SUMMER
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Policy Design | 3 |
Science of Animal Law and Policy | 3 |
Thesis Seminar II | 1 |
Elective | 2-3 |
Elective | 2-3 |
Subtotal 11-13 credits |
YEAR 1, FALL TERM 1
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Intro to Policy Research and Writing | 3 |
Subtotal 3 credits |
YEAR 1, FALL TERM 2
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Legislation/Regulation Survey | 3 |
Subtotal 3 credits |
YEAR 1, SPRING TERM 1
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Animal Ethics | 3 |
Structural Inequality | 1 |
Subtotal 4 credits |
YEAR 1, SPRING TERM 2
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Quantitative Analysis | 2 |
Subtotal 2 credits |
YEAR 1, SUMMER TERM 1
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Animal Protection Policy | 3 |
Introduction to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 0 |
Professionalism | 0 |
Subtotal 3 credits |
YEAR 1, SUMMER TERM 2
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Policy Design | 3 |
Public Participation | 0 |
Negotiation & Consensus Building | 0 |
Subtotal 3 credits |
YEAR 2, FALL TERM 1
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Science of Animal Law and Policy | 3 |
Subtotal 3 credits |
YEAR 2, FALL TERM 2
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Elective | 3 |
Subtotal 3 credits |
YEAR 2, SPRING TERMS 1 and 2
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Externship | 7 |
Subtotal 7 credits |
YEAR 2, SUMMER TERM 1
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Elective | 3 |
Subtotal 3 credits |
YEAR 1, FALL TERM 1
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Intro to Policy Research and Writing | 3 |
Subtotal 3 credits |
YEAR 1, FALL TERM 2
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Legislation/Regulation Survey | 3 |
Subtotal 3 credits |
YEAR 1, SPRING TERM 1
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Animal Ethics | 3 |
Structural Inequality | 1 |
Subtotal 4 credits |
YEAR 1, SPRING TERM 2
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Quantitative Analysis | 2 |
Subtotal 2 credits |
YEAR 1, SUMMER TERM 1
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Animal Protection Policy | 3 |
Introduction to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 0 |
Professionalism | 0 |
Subtotal 3 credits |
YEAR 1, SUMMER TERM 2
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Policy Design | 3 |
Public Participation | 0 |
Negotiation & Consensus Building | 0 |
Subtotal 3 credits |
YEAR 2, FALL TERM 1
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Science of Animal Law and Policy | 3 |
Subtotal 3 credits |
YEAR 2, FALL TERM 2
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Research Seminar | 3 |
Subtotal 3 credits |
YEAR 2, SPRING TERM 1
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Thesis | 1 |
Elective | 3 |
Subtotal 4 credits |
YEAR 2, SPRING TERM 2
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Elective | 3 |
Subtotal 3 credits |
YEAR 2, SUMMER TERM 1
Class | Credits |
---|---|
Elective | 3 |
Subtotal 3 credits |