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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
 

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