"The best possible start for my career! I learned so much, and loved every minute of my internship at SLEWTHS!"
- Malgosia Kaczmarska, Mammal trainer, Vancouver Aquarium
Certification in Beginning Marine Mammalogy requires the completion of two classes which focus on working with marine mammals in addition to a five day internship. This program provides education in both hands-on and classroom settings.
The two courses required for the completion of a Beginning Marine Mammalogy certification are: Animal Training 101 online class, and the Working With Marine Mammals online class. Both courses are available anytime on demand. The class requirements may also be completed by taking:
Bio 347: Working With Marine Mammals: This 3 credit course (offered Dec/Jan, 2022/23) is designed to assist people who are interested in developing a career in marine mammalogy. It will provide practical information about marine mammals and careers working with them, drawing on the rich background of marine mammal work in the Monterey Bay area. The course will include many live experiences with the marine mammals at Moss Landing Marine Labs and in the surrounding areas.
This class will instruct students in captive marine mammal husbandry (care and maintenance), training, basic physiology, an overview of common research topics and techniques, as well as public display, education, and current issues in marine mammalogy. Students will experience a virtual intern day at the lab assisting in the care of research-trained California sea lions. They will also develop a resume, go through a mock job interview, and public presentation.
Bio 148: Introduction to Animal Training: This 3 credit course (offered Dec/Jan, 2022/23) provides students an in-depth understanding of the discipline of animal training across many different types of terrestrial and aquatic animals and techniques. It provides an exceptional background in relevant animal behavior and psychological principles related to the practical goal of modifying animal behavior.
These techniques are demonstrated using trained sea lions, horses, and other domestic and exotic animals. Students will intern a day at the lab assisting in the care and training of research-trained sea lions (or virtual internship during covid19). Topics covered will include: Captivity, Why Train? Communication, Motivation, Desensitization, Aggression, and Practical Training. (sometimes offered as PSY395)
These courses are provided through ATR Intl., in conjunction with California State University at Monterey Bay (CSUMB)
For more information on the five day intern portion of the Beginning Marine Mammalogy please visit our Intern page
The following people have earned a Certificate in Beginning Marine Mammalogy:
Acridge, Ashley
Agent-Martinez, Amber
Allen, JoAnn
Alexander, Courtney
Ambrose, Joshua
Andrade, Isis
Andrighetto, Nicholas
Arizpe, Prescilla
Armstrong, Savannah
Arvidson, Jessica
Ayala, Alexandria
Belden, Julia
Berkowitz, Marc
Berryman, Jill
Booth, Haley
Braga, Livia
Canzoneri, Nicolette
Cavagnaro, Amy
Clark, Kristen
Cloud, Lindsay
Collins, Kate
Collins, Sarah
Cooke, Heather
Cousins, Amanda
Craft, Alex
Crisosto, Vickie-Lynn
Crosby, Siobhan
Cushnie, Deborah
Cuzick, Megan
Daggett, Rachel
Darling, Sophie
DeShane, Allison
Diaz, Edward
Dickson, Jane
Dodson, Kelsey
Dudley, De'Mi
Eberle, Glenda
Edwards, Heather
Ellsworth, Jennifer
Elson, Aliza
Engelhoff, Jenny
Freeborn, Mel
Freeman, Kinsey
Gale, Jennifer
Godat, Erica
Graves, Megan
Guzman, Natalia
Hansen, Brandy
Harvey-Gurr, Craig
Heath, Oceana
Huang, Jorim
Hunziker, Tritia
Hyson, Danielle
Imm, Sarah
Jaeger, Carlyn
Jacky, Marissa
Jaramillo, Maren
Jones, Michelle
Kampen, Kaitlyn
Kaczmarska, Malgosia
Keating, Danielle
Kechely, Samantha
Keith, Colleen
LaBar, Jennifer
Landmesser, Karen
Larwood, Veronica
Leikvoll, Kristi
Lentz, Katie
Lewis, Wendy
Levitt, Vera
Limbaugh, Allison
Lindemann, Dana
Lynn, Melodie
Martin, Jana
McCarthy, Julie
Merrit, Jessica
Michaelis, Carrie
Miller, Lydia
Mullins, Jamie
Munoz, Jacquilene
Newcomer, Sarah
Nicholson, Annalise
Pacheco, Ariana
Paolini, Gina
Peinado, Lacey
Perske, Coll
Peters, Shelby
Petrie, Dustin
Pirlo, Jeanette
Preston, Angela
Pritchett, Katelyn
Radloff, Sarah
Ragland, Rebecca
Regalia, Ashley
Richter, Beau
Rifkin, Jacklyn
Rodriguez, Roberto
Rogers, Shannon
Romero, Arielle
Rudelic, Max
Schreiber, Michael
Seganti, Scott
Sierra, Camille
Simpson, Jessica
Smith, Arianna
Spader, Christine
Stephens, Amber
Sterns, Elizabeth
Stoner, Robin
Sutherland, Linda
Caitlyn Swe
Thompson, Ryan
Thorson, Tammy
Todd, Chantel
Troyer-Turvey, Barbra
Tyrrell, Alexandra
Walecka, Hilary
Warren, Jennifer
Watrud, Kara
Weinstein, Shannon
Wenkel, Nancy
Wheeler, Bree
Young, Mia
Yugo, Elizabeth
Ziriax, Brandy