Zoo Animal Technology, A.S.

After reading through the information on this program page, we highly recommend scheduling a potential student tour directly with the zoo. Potential students will be guided around the zoo by a student currently in the program and then have an opportunity to schedule a Zoom advising meeting with our Zoo Animal Technology program advisor. Schedule a potential student tour.

Interested in learning more about our program before you get here? Watch this interview with the SF Teaching Zoo director and students enrolled in our program!

The Zoo Animal Technology program is a limited access program. We accept 60 students with each starting cohort (see timeline for application and start dates). All applicants must meet the minimum qualifications below by the application deadline unless otherwise stated:

• High school diploma or equivalent by the class start date
• Apply to and be accepted by Santa Fe College (apply at any time)
• Complete or test out of MAT1033 (Intermediate Algebra) or MGF1100 (Math Readiness) and have results on file with Santa Fe College by application due date
• Complete or test into ENC1101 and have results on file with Santa Fe College by application due date
• Have a 2.0 overall GPA in all college-level classes, if applicable, by application due date

Learn more about testing requirements and details on showing college level math eligibility and college level English eligibility.

Note: You must apply directly to the Zoo Animal Technology program through a separate paper application during specific time frames. The Zoo Animal Technology program doesn’t start a new class every semester, but every other semester.

Upcoming Admission Dates

All tuition and fees are estimated costs and subject to change without notice. The A.S. degree in Zoo Animal Technology requires 66 credit hours of courses.

Estimated program costs:

Tuition – In-State 

• Zoo Core Classes: 47 credit hours x $106.77/hour = $5,018.19
• General Education: 19 credit hours x $106.77/hour = $2,028.63
• Lab Fees: 6 credit hours x 250.000/hour = $1,500.00
• Books: 350.00 x 5 semesters = $1,750.00

In-State Estimated Total: $10,296.82

Tuition – Out of State

• Zoo Core Classes: 47 credit hours x $382.90/hour = $17,996.30
• General Education: 19 credit hours x $382.90/hour = $7,275.10
• Lab Fees: 6 credit hours x 250.000/hour = $1,500.00
• Books: 350.00 x 5 semester = $1,750.00 

Out of State Estimated Total: $28,521.40

For more information, please visit Tuition Costs and Due Dates.

Financial Aid

There are many options to finance your education. You may be eligible for federal grants, state grants, work study, federal loans and institutional scholarships. For more information and how to apply, please visit the Financial Aid page.

Scholarships

There are many other scholarships available for SF students. Please visit the college's Scholarships page for more information and how to apply.

Typical Job Titles and Average Salaries

• Zookeeper: $33,083*
• Animal Trainer: $35,852*
• Education Specialist: $35,110* 

Other Job Titles

• Wildlife Care Park Ranger
• Veterinary Technician
• Animal Care Specialist
• and more!

Some positions may require additional degrees or certificates.

*Based on Association of Zoos and Aquariums Member Compensation Survey 2018

Program Length: Five (5) consecutive semesters, including one weekend day per week, holidays, and breaks between semesters. College semesters consist of spring (sometimes referred to as winter), summer and fall.

The Zoo Animal Technology students progress through the program in cohorts. We do not start a class every semester, but every other semester.

General Education Course Requirements (19.0 credit hours)

As long as courses are complete by expected graduation, the student can take them in any order throughout the five semesters enrolled in the ZAT program. Students can also transfer in already completed general education courses to fulfill these requirements when taken at another accredited college or university. Please make sure all final transcripts are on file with Santa Fe College by the application deadline of your chosen cohort.

• ENC1101 English Composition I
• SPC2608 Public Speaking
• Humanities (ARH1000, HUM2020, LIT1000, MUL1010, PHI2010, THE1000)
• Math (MAC1105, STA2023, MFG1106, MGF1107)
• Natural Science with Lab (BSC2005/L, BSC2010/L, BSC2085/L, CHM2045/L, PHY2048/L, PHY2053/L)
• Civic Literacy (AMH2020, POS2041)

Florida’s civic literacy competency requirements includes passing a civic literacy course (AMH2020 or POS2041) and the state civic literacy exam.

Learn more at sfcollege.edu/registrar/graduation/faq/.

Core Courses Required and their Progression

1st Term (15 clock hours per week)

• PAZ1002 Introduction to Zoos and Aquariums (3.0 Credit hours, 3.0 Clock hours/week)
• PAZ1310 Basic Keeper Technology (3.0 Credit hours, 3.0 Clock hours/week)
• PAZ1310L Basic Keeper Technology Lab (2.0 Credit hours, 9.0 Clock hours/week)

Semester 2 (29 clock hours per week)

• PAZ2322 Aviculture (4.0 Credit hours, 4.0 Clock hours/week)
• PAZ2540 Animal Nutrition (3.0 Credit hours, 3.0 Clock hours/week)
• PAZ1331 Animal Management Lab 1 (4.0 Credit hours, 22.0 Clock hours/week)

Semester 3 (25 clock hours per week)

• PAZ2317 Zoo Topics (3.0 Credit hours, 3.0 Clock hours/week)
• PAZ1332 Animal Management Lab 2 (4.0 Credit hours, 22.0 Clock hours/week)

Semester 4 (28 clock hours per week)

• PAZ2325 Mammal Culture (4.0 Credit hours, 4.0 Clock hours/week)
• PAZ2320 Herpeculture (3.0 Credit hours, 3.0 Clock hours/week)
• PAZ2333 Animal Management Lab 3 (4.0 Credit hours, 21.0 Clock hours/week)

Semester 5 (27 clock hours per week)

• PAZ2328 Aquarium Culture (3.0 Credit hours, 3.0 Clock hours/week)
• PAZ2551 Animal Breeding (3.0 Credit hours, 3.0 Clock hours/week)
• PAZ2334 Animal Management Lab 4 (4.0 Credit hours, 21.0 Clock hours/week)

Program Performance Standards

Zoo Animal Technology program applicants should possess sufficient physical, motor, intellectual, emotional and social/communication skills to provide for animal care, safety, utilization of equipment, guest interaction and proper team relationships.

Some of the performance standards for the program are outlined below. This list is by no means complete but should give potential students an understanding of what is to be expected. If a potential student believes they do not possess these skills or abilities, please contact the Zoo Animal Technology program advisor before applying to the program.

• Work around potentially dangerous animals
• Handle a variety of food items including meat, rodents, insects and fish
• Safely handle, grasp and restrain collection animals
• Move around our 10-acre outdoor facility safely and quickly, maneuver in small spaces, lift and carry 50 pounds, stand for hours and be physically flexible
• Auditory ability and visual function sufficient to observe and assess animal needs
• Learn, reason, assimilate and understand a wide variety of subjects
• Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform animal care
• Handle plant material
• Safely work around moving machinery
• Handle marked changes in outside temperature, humidity and rainfall; ability to work in dusty, windy and hot conditions
• Cope with demands that are associated with the job and/or work environment
• Have access to reliable transportation
• Manage bites, stings, scrapes, bumps, bruises and abrasions

Fifty Pound Weight Test

All students entering the Zoo Animal Technology program will be tested on their ability to lift 50 pounds safely to their shoulder and carry the item for 50 feet. The test will be given on their first day of Basic Keeper Laboratory (PAZ1310L) prior to the withdraw deadline. Any student that fails to show that they can complete the test will be dropped from all Zoo Animal Technology program courses and not allowed to continue in the program at that time. If the student is still interested in pursuing the program, they will need to reapply for the next open cohort.

For the actual test, the student is required to properly life a 50-pound bag of dry animal feed from the ground to their shoulder, while in a kneeling position. Next, stand up with the bag balanced on your shoulder and walk with the bag for 50 feet. Finally, carefully lower the bag back down to the ground. During the exam, the instructor will also be watching for any signs of physical challenges that would jeopardize your safety in the program.

Demonstration of 50-pound weight test

Need more information on what to expect for this program? Visit Frequently Asked Questions.

Overall Post-secondary GPA

The accumulation of the total post-secondary GPA from all accredited institutions, regardless of attainment of degree.

• 3.75 – 4.00 (8 points)
• 3.25 – 3.74 (7 points)
• 3.00 – 3.24 (6 points)
• 2.75 – 2.99 (3 points)
• 2.50 – 2.74 (2 points)
• 2.00 – 2.49 (1 point)

Previous Degree

Any previous degree from an accredited institution.

• Master’s Degree (10 points)
• Bachelor’s Degree (8 points)
• Vet Tech Degree (6 points)
• A.A. / A.S. Degree (3 points)
• Ag / Technical High School (3 points)
• High School Diploma / GED (1 point)

Gen. Ed Courses Completed

A (3 points), B+(2 points), B (1 points) OR AP/IB/AICE (1 point)

Any combination of the following applicable general education courses:

• English Composition I (ENC1101)
• Public Speaking (SPC2608)
• Math (MAC1105, STA2023, MFG1106, MGF1107)
• Natural Science (BSC2005/L, BSC2010/L, BSC2085/L, CHM2045/L, PHY2048/L, PHY2053/L)
• Natural Science Lab
• Civic Literacy (AMH2020, POS2041)

Volunteer/Work Experience

Related experience is any animal field: zoo, aquarium, shelter, pet store, farm, domestic animals, etc. All related volunteer and work experience must be concisely documented on official agency/organization stationery and signed by volunteer coordinator or supervisor. Incomplete documentation will not count toward points consideration

• 100+ hours animal related paid work (12 points)
• 100+ hours animal related volunteer (10 points)
• 100+ hours non-animal related paid work (8 points)

Military Service

Military Service points will be awarded to U.S. Armed Forces active duty and honorably discharged veterans. This includes recent Reservist and National Guard combat deployments. DD-214 or proof of current service required. Minimum one year active duty service required.

• DD 214 (5 points)

Potential Student Tour

• On-site Tour w/ Meeting (5 points) OR
• ZOOM Meeting w/ video (3 points) OR
• Phone Meeting (2 points)

*This system is subject to change for future enrollment periods.