Certificate in Animals & Society

Our students become well-rounded critical thinkers who examine the relationships between humans and animals and who can pursue a range of careers related to wild or domesticated animals.

The undergraduate animals and society certificate builds on a rapidly growing field devoted to the examination and evaluation of the relationships between humans and animals. The certificate is useful for students in the social sciences and humanities who would like to pursue careers or interests related to wild or domesticated animals but do not wish to become biologists, zoologists or veterinarians.

  • Explore the complexities of animals' lives and human-animal relationships 
  • Gain insight to ethical and moral concerns about animals
  • Learn the significance of animals in human evolution, history and civilization

Learn from one of only two dozen college programs worldwide offering a program in animals and society

Our interdisciplinary program is led by faculty in the departments of anthropology, ecology and evolutionary biology, history, philosophy and sociology, among others

Gain hands-on experience from several animal welfare-related Boulder County internship sites

Be successful.

Be prepared to meet the needs of our 21st-century society by applying your knowledge of animals in a variety of related careers.

 

Enhance your degree by facilitating practical work experience, which can give you with an advantage in the job market

 

Policy manager, wildlife rehabilitator and educator are common job opportunities with this certificate

 

Work for animal protection and environmental organizations, animal shelters, law enforcement or government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Fish and Wildlife Service

Academic Plan & Requirements

The animals and society certificate emphasizes scholarship from the social sciences and humanities, but includes elective options in the natural sciences. The program is open to all CU Boulder undergraduates.

Community & Involvement

We offer students many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies, and get the most out of their undergraduate experience.

Be inspired.

The Department of Sociology has an extensive alumni network in a variety of fields across the globe.

Some alumni of the program include:

Alice Fothergill

(PhD'01)
Associate professor of sociology, University of Vermont

Melissa D. Kanack

(BA'11)
A plastic surgeon practicing in La Jolla, California

Boroka Bo

(BA'12)
PhD candidate in sociology/demography at the University of California, Berkeley, recipient of a Soros fellowship and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research fellowship