Application Period is now Closed. Information regarding Applicant Information Meeting will be sent out via email to all applicants with a completed application.
Selected Students will be notified by the 1st week of May.
For questions about the EATM program or application process please email EATMapplication@vcccd.edu or call 805-378-1441
About the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program
Time
The Exotic Animal Training & Management (EATM) Program is a unique experience that combines academic classroom coursework with hands-on animal and zoo experience. Because of this, there is high time requirement. The EATM Program requires a continuous two-year commitment. As part of the program curriculum, EATM students gain hands on experience working at the Zoological Facility called America's Teaching Zoo located on the Moorpark College campus. This requirement is in addition to the time spent attending classes and extends the typical day of a "normal" college student. Students typically spend about 50-60+ hours a week on campus arriving early in the morning and leaving at end of day at around five in the evening.
Considering the time spent at the zoo, in the classroom, and studying, there is leaves little time for other outside activities and strong time management skills help aid in student success. It may also be difficult to maintain a typical job to provide financial support. We highly encourage students to apply for Financial Aid & other assistance. Connect with a Counselor to find out more.
Academic
Students are required to achieve a "C" grade in every course required while in the EATM program. Any grade lower then a "C" in any of the required courses, will result in dismissal from the EATM program.
Some Classes that are part of the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program may be completed at Moorpark College before entering the program. These Courses are listed below and still must be completed with a grade "C" or better.
Safety
The zoo is the home to potentially dangerous animals. Safety is the primary concern of the program and there are rules and regulations that must be followed to ensure the safety of the animals, students, staff and faculty, as well as zoo guests. There is also risk for Zoonotic diseases for there is close contact with exotic species experienced throughout the program.
Physical Demands
The care for and cleaning of animal enclosures requires physical work of bending, lifting and walking large amounts. Students should be able to do some moderately heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds) and work outdoors in a wide range of weather conditions, including heat, cold and rain.
Students not only work with the animals at America's Teaching Zoo, but also help to educate the public that attends the zoo about the importance of wildlife conservation. This is done with Wildlife Education Programs or Shows performed in front of large crowds of all ages. A foundation of public speaking is strongly suggested and developed in course curriculum throughout the program.
These Performance Standards are reflected in the EATM program courses and are to assist each applicant in determining eligibility and the need for accommodations or modifications. The EATM Faculty in conjunction with the Moorpark College Health Services and community animal facilities will determine, on an individual basis, whether the necessary accommodations or modifications can reasonably be made.
Mobility - sufficient to rapidly walk the entire length of America’s Teaching Zoo without interruption, run distances of 50 yards, maneuver in small confined spaces while reaching overhead objects. Examples: running to capture an escaped animal, shifting animal cages in overhead storage areas.
- STANDING/WALKING - The student must be able to move forward, backward, and laterally on dirt, gravel, asphalt and cement while providing and managing animal care, gathering supplies and medications, obtaining and returning equipment. Approximate distance = 3 to 6 miles. It is also necessary for a student to have the capability of maintaining an upright position during many functions.
- SITTING - The student must be able to sit while operating computers, answering the telephone, writing reports and documenting.
- LIFTING - The student must be able to lift floor to knee, knee to waist, and waist to shoulder level while handling supplies (5-10 lbs.). Lift and transfer animal, equipment and supplies up to 6 inches from a stooped position, then push or pull the weight up to 3 feet. Lift and transfer animal crates from a stooped to an upright position. Average lifting requirement is 50 pounds.
- CARRYING - The student must demonstrate the ability to carry items at waist level.
- PUSHING/PULLING - The student must be able to effectively move carts or wheelbarrows.
- STOOPING/KNEELING - The student must demonstrate the ability to move to low enough positions to retrieve supplies or animals.
- CROUCHING/CRAWLING - The student must demonstrate the ability to retrieve items or animals from under and behind items
- REACHING/STRETCHING/TWISTING - The student must demonstrate the ability to extend their reach and move appropriately when cleaning or building enclosures, moving animals, reaching for supplies.
Motor Skills - gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective animal care. Examples: dexterity ranges from restraining a small bird or lizard to being able to stack bales of hay, lift 50lbs.
Hearing - ability sufficient to monitor and assess animal behavior and health needs and to heed emergency signals. Example: animal behavioral changes are frequently accompanied by vocalization, must be able to recognize these changes, hear cries for help.
Visual - ability sufficient for observation and visual assessment in well-lit and dimly-lit areas. Examples: observe animal responses and changes in condition, do a positive cage count of animals in varying conditions.
Tactile - ability sufficient for safe and humane handling of various-size animals. Examples: appreciation for the strength necessary for controlling a camel versus that for handling a rat, able to palpate the pulse rate of an animal.
Teamwork
Students work very closely with other students. Almost all the work done at the zoo is done as part of a team. This requires that the student have communication, conflict resolution, problem solving and collaborative skills.
Other
We aim to mirror current animal industry guidelines for safety, training and other typical aspects of animal care and management. Therefore; on occasion, students care for and nurse sick animals, including administering medications. Students are sometimes involved in evaluating the quality of life of geriatric or sick animals and may assist with the humane euthanasia of an animal when the time comes to end its life. This part of working with animals is difficult, we aim to help students process this difficult and emotional element.
There are extra costs in addition to college enrollment and tuition. A Zoo Uniform is required at all times while on grounds, additional financial costs may include books, off-campus trips, internships called "Projects". Read more about the financial costs and considerations.
Academic Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to accepting a position into the Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) Program. These courses will help prepare you for the rigorous curriculum in the EATM program. Typically, about 40% of the students in the program have Associate Degrees, and 25% of the students who start our program already have a Bachelor's Degree. The age range of the students may vary from 18 - 50+. Students who have recently graduated from high school, or those without an adequate academic preparation, may find the course work load & other time demands very difficult. Check out the demands of the Program to learn more.
Five Prerequisite Courses
- General or Introductory Biology or Zoology course with a lab - 4 or more semester units or 5 or more quarter units
- Freshman College English Composition - must be 3 or more semester units or 4 or more quarter units
- Public Speaking Course (Speech or Communication class or Acting class) - must be 3 or more semester units or 4 or more quarter units
- Intermediate Algebra Math course (or higher) - must be 3 or more semester units or 4 or more quarter units
- Safety and/or First Aid Course by accredited organization*
* If you take a Red Cross or similar first aid course, this will count for your pre requisite. If you desire obtain an Associated Science degree when completing the program ( and do not already have a degree), you will need to fulfill this GE requirement.
The unit values may differ at various colleges, check with a Counselor if you have questions or see this equivalent charts for assistance.
All Prerequisite Courses Must:
Be completed before you accept a position in the Exotic Animal Training and Management - you may only have 2 prerequisite courses in progress at the time of applying. In progress courses must be completed by June.
Be completed at an Accredited College - They do not have to be completed at Moorpark College, yet need to appear on a College Transcript.
Be completed with a grade "C" or better.
Some Classes that are part of the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program can be taken at Moorpark College before entering the program. These Courses are:
What else is needed to attend the EATM Program?
Admission is dependent on clearance of:
- Proof of TDAP vaccine given in the last 10 years
- Tuberculosis clearance
- Proof of One round of completed Covid-19 vaccine
Other physical standards are part of the course work. See these here.
Below you will find the estimated general costs of college, including living expenses. Moorpark College does not have dorms or any type of living arrangements for students. Students are responsible for finding their own housing, many students within the Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) Program live with other students and find housing through networking before the start of the program.
In addition to college enrollment and tuition, there are extra costs associated with attendance of the EATM Program; a Zoo Uniform is required at all times while on grounds, additional financial costs may include books, off-campus field trips, and internships called "Projects".
With the high demand on time; students may find it difficult to maintain a typical job to provide financial support. Having financial needs in place or planned ahead helps a student focus on their experience and success within the program.
If financial assistance is needed we encourage students to apply for Financial Aid & other assistance. Other student resources can be accessed at Raider Central Basic Needs)
2022 Estimated College Costs per year for the EATM Program
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Moorpark College Registration Fees and Tuition ($46 per unit) | $1,500 |
| Books, Supplies, Uniforms | $2,000 |
| Housing (Room and Board) (Note - Students are responsible for their own housing. The EATM Program and Moorpark College do not have on-campus housing- estimated as renting a room |
$10,000 - $12,000 |
| Transportation, Car Insurance, Gasoline, etc. | $1,000+ |
| Personal Expenses | $2,000+ |
| Total Expenses - California Residents | $16,000 to $18,000+ |
|
Non-California residents add $319 per unit for tuition |
add $8,000+ to above Total Estimate |
Applying to the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program is a separate application and acceptance from enrollment into Moorpark College. Acceptance into Moorpark College is also needed to proceed within the program.
One cohort of students is accepted each year starting mid-August, in the Fall Semester.
The application period is from January 1st through March 15th.
Applications received outside this time period will not be accepted.
To Apply to the Exotic Animal Training & Management Program (EATM):
Complete EATM Online Application
Apply for Admission at Moorpark College - acceptance into Moorpark College does not mean acceptance into the EATM program.
Send copies of Unofficial High School & College Transcripts with completed Pre-requisites to EATMapplication@vcccd.edu
- Transcripts must be in PDF, JPEG, or TIFF format.
- Rename file to be your last name first name & transcript type separated by a period (.) Ex. Halpert.Jim.HighScoolTranscripts
Request & Send Official High School & College Transcripts to Moorpark College
Send by mail:
Moorpark College Admissions and Records
7075 Campus Road
Moorpark, CA 93021
By email:
mcadmissions@vcccd.edu
All of the above information MUST be received by the end of the application period: March 15th. Information concerning a mandatory Applicant Information Meeting (AIM) will only be sent to those who have all the requested application materials on file by above date.
Please refer all questions regarding the Application, the progress of your application, or the selection process EATMapplication@vcccd.edu
Timeline of Application & Acceptance Process
March 15th - Application Period Closes
April - Applicant Information Meeting
1st week of May - Notification of Selected Students
June 1st - Deadline to Accept
June 30th - Last day to submit In Progress class transcripts
2nd Week of August - Classes Start
Selection of Students
Moorpark College is a Public California Community College, admission to the EATM Program is a lottery system. It is not based on grades, experience, education or any other factor. All students who have completed the application process at the appropriate time have an equal chance of admission to the Exotic Animal Training & Management Program. The application process includes submitting a complete application form, the required transcripts, and attendance at an AIM meeting as stated above.
After the AIM meeting is concluded, if there are still more interested students than we have space available for, a random selection will be made. The chance of being admitted is usually about 50-75%.
If not chosen for the first roster of students, an "alternate list" is created in case any students who are admitted decide not to attend. Alternates will be notified when and if a space becomes available and are offered a spot in sequential order drawn and listed. During the random selection process you will be notified if you have been admitted, are on the alternate list, or have not been randomly selected for either. If you are not selected, you will need to reapply for subsequent years.
Certificate of Achievement
Upon completion of the curriculum within the Exotic Animal Training & Management Program a Certification of Achievement is awarded.
If you desire to earn a Associates Degree in addition to the certificate you will need to meet other General Education requirements for an Associates Degree. These are additional classes not part of the EATM curriculum. These classes can be previously completed individually or as part of another Associates or Bachelor's Degree at an Accredited College.
Taking the additional General Education Requirements needed to obtain an Associates degree while in the program may prove difficult with the already heavy course and work load.
For Other Recommended College Courses needed to complete an Associate of Science Degree at Moorpark College.
FAQs
Learn more about the Demands of the Program
Five prerequisite courses must be completed prior to accepting a position into the Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) Program.
Five Prerequisite Courses
- General or Introductory Biology or Zoology course with a lab
- Freshman College English Composition
- Public Speaking Course (Speech or Communication class or Acting class)
- Intermediate Algebra Math course (or higher)
- Safety and/or First Aid Course from accredited organization
To see unit requirements and more detailed information see Prerequisite Requirements
Some Classes that are part of the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program may be completed at Moorpark College before entering the program. These Courses are listed below and still must be completed with a grade "C" or better.
ANSC M09 Animal Behavior
ANSC MO9L Animal Behavior lab
ANSC M17 Animal Diversity
The Exotic Animal Training & Management Program uniquely combines academic classroom learning with hands on experience on the grounds of America's Teaching Zoo. The academic course work helps develop scientific animal knowledge with Animal Diversity, Anatomy & Physiology and Animal Behavior as well as teach animal care & husbandry in courses like Care & Handling, Animal Nutrition, Avian & Herpetology, Health & Safety to name a few. A unique focus of this program is the emphasis on Operant Conditioning Training & Wildlife Education. This is mirrored in the coursework as well.
See Course Map for Certificate in Exotic Animal Training & Management for all courses
Some Classes that are part of the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program may be completed at Moorpark College before entering the program. These Courses are listed below and still must be completed with a grade "C" or better.
Applying to the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program is a separate application and acceptance from enrollment into Moorpark College. Although both are needed to attend the program. For more details follow the link below.
Application is submitted online and open from January 1st through March 15th
Yes! We recommend coming on a Weekend Day when we are open to the public, that way you can see what it's really like to be a student. If you are from out of town and visiting on a feel free to Fill Out Our Prospective Student Tour Request and we will be in contact to set one up.
Admission is dependent on clearance of:
- Proof of TDAP vaccine given in the last 10 years
- Tuberculosis clearance
- Proof of One round of completed Covid-19 vaccine
Other Physical Standards my be referred to under the Demands of the Program