Watch the Master of Animal Protection Policy webinar for more information!
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. MAPP students choose either a thesis track with supervision from leading experts and accomplished scholars, or a practice track with unique experiential learning opportunities including clinics or externships with prominent practitioners.
VLGS master's degrees are designed for those who do not seek a professional 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 MAPP degree, including online courses and summer session, offers flexibility and accessibility for students and professionals to learn how to be effective advocates for animals. Please contact us to learn more!
At A Glance
Program Center: Animal Law and Policy Institute
Location: Online, on-campus or a hybrid of both
Credit Requirements: 34 credits
Degree Details
- MAPP Degree Requirements and Electives
- How To Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Scholarships including the Animal Protection Policy Scholarship
- MAPP 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 |
| Professionalism | 0 |
| Subtotal 0 credits | |
Fall
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Legislation/Regulation Survey | 3 |
| Environmental Research and Writing | 3 |
| Animal Ethics | 3 |
| Structural Inequality | 1 |
| Public Participation | 0 |
| Elective | 2-3 |
| Subtotal 12-13 credits | |
SPRING
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Policy Design | 3 |
| Animal Protection Policy | 3 |
| Clinic or Externship | 4-6 |
| Negotiation and Consensus Building | 0 |
| Subtotal 10-12 credits | |
SUMMER
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Analysis | 2 |
| Science of Animal Law and Policy | 3 |
| 2 to 3 Electives | 5-6 |
| Subtotal 10-11 credits | |
AUGUST
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 0 |
| Professionalism | 0 |
| Subtotal 0 credits | |
Fall
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Legislation/Regulation Survey | 3 |
| Environmental Research and Writing | 3 |
| Animal Ethics | 3 |
| Structural Inequality | 1 |
| Public Participation | 0 |
| Elective | 2-3 |
| Subtotal 12-13 credits | |
SPRING
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Policy Design | 3 |
| Animal Protection Policy | 3 |
| Research Seminar | 3 |
| Elective | 2-3 |
| Negotiation and Consensus Building | 0 |
| Subtotal 11-12 credits | |
SUMMER
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Analysis | 2 |
| Thesis | 1 |
| Science of Animal Law and Policy | 3 |
| Elective | 2-3 |
| Elective | 2-3 |
| Subtotal 10-11 credits | |
YEAR 1, FALL TERM 1
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Environmental 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 and 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 |
|---|---|
| Environmental 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 3 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 and 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 | |