How would I become an animal behaviorist?

How do you become an animal behaviorist?

• how many years? what classes?

• Answer:

  Count on 8 or 9 years of College and Grad School. "The general approach in education would be to earn a BA/BS in either biology or psychology and then a Ph.D. in Animal Behavior. There are many graduate programs in animal behavior in nearly every part of the country. These may be in Biology, Psychology, Ethology or another department. While few of them will offer specific courses or opportunities in companion animal behavior, they will provide the broad basic background needed in animal behavior principles, including Learning Theory, Comparative Psychology, Ethology, Experimental Psychology and Physiology. The graduate program should also include a strong background in research methods and analysis. The most important element in choosing a graduate program will be to find a faculty member willing to support an applied approach, and flexibility in taking interdisciplinary courses."