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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!

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

 

 

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