Foundations of Inquiry students explore nature through collaboration and play while at Denver Zoo.

Bachelor’s Degree. Enrollment is open to applicants with a bachelor’s degree, regardless of academic major. The AIP is designed for a broad range of environmental and education professionals, as well as those who have a vested, personal interest in our natural world. Our cohorts include teachers, informal educators, working professionals, retirees, stay-at-home parents, recent college graduates, and more!

GPA in Good Standing. For admission to Miami’s Graduate School as a degree candidate, you must have earned a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale) at the institution awarding your bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate coursework taken after the completion of your bachelor’s degree will not be considered in determining your grade point average.

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Biology Basics. All MA and MAT students are required to have completed (final grade of B- or better) one university-level general biology course or its equivalent prior to completion of their MA/MAT degree. If you haven’t met this requirement through your undergraduate studies, we recommend taking a qualifying course during the first two years of your MA or MAT study.

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Denver Zoo
AIP Web+ Course Descriptions

The AIP curriculum encompass diverse courses, to be completed on a flexible time frame specifically designed to accommodate working professionals. All AIP courses are delivered online by a Miami University instructor. Two-thirds of AIP courses also include up to five days or equivalent per course of experiential learning and field study on grounds at Denver Zoo, at other DZ facilities, or at sites across the greater Denver area.To learn more about potential courses of study through the AIP program in collaboration with Denver Zoo, use our Program Outline (Course Sequence) and Course Descriptions found in the Downloadable Documents box below to explore our program and course structure. 

Degrees

MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE (MA) IN BIOLOGY

Perfect for non-licensed educators or other professionals, our MA Degree Program enables you to drive your own experience with projects and opportunities based on your personal goals. Develop knowledge and skills in the realms of biodiversity threats and conservation, evolution, social science, community engagement, inquiry-based education, science writing/publishing, conservation leadership and more.

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING (MAT) DEGREE IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Ideal for licensed K–12 educators who want to use their knowledge and passion to facilitate significant shifts in the communities in which they live and work, this track combines the focus areas above with additional curricula exploring how to leverage local engagement to become a driver of environmental and social change.

CONTINUING GRADUATE STATUS (CGS)

Not interested in seeking an advanced degree—but looking for something more meaningful than your sourdough starter? There are seven different courses CGS students are welcome to attend, including Biomimicry, Human Dimensions of Conservation, Climate Change, Environmental Stewardship, Graduate Book Discussion, and Environmental and Informal Education.

For details about the various courses offered through AIP, visit the Project Dragonfly website

The combination of online coursework via Miami University and on-site fieldwork at Denver Zoo make AIP surprisingly affordable—between $395 and $520 per credit hour, thanks to Miami and the Zoo's commitment to investing in the planet's future. Financial aid is also available in the form of small scholarships, grants, loans and more.

Find more information about program costs at the Project Dragonfly website.

Costs

Estimated total tuition for the AIP degree is around 16,500 + graduation fees—roughly 30% less than what you’d pay for obtaining a degree with in-state tuition on Miami University’s main campus. 

Additional Fees

To participate in fieldwork off-site, Denver Zoo has a Regional Ecology Lab Fee to cover the costs of travel, lodging, food and materials. Should you decide to participate in an Earth Expeditions course, those fees would be required. You do have the option of enrolling in other Web+ courses that have experiential learning at different AIP site to apply towards your 35 credit hours. However, additional tuition, travel and lodging costs may apply.

Financial Aid

With reduced fees as part of Miami University’s support for this program, each AIP course already reflects significant discounts. However, there are still a variety of ways to help offset program costs, including a variety of scholarships, grants, loans and even employer tuition reimbursement. Denver Zoo does not currently offer financial aid or scholarships, but here are some of helpful resources to help you get started:

Financial Aid

Miami University Student Assistance

 

Q: What kind of coursework can I expect from this program?  

A: The core of this program is becoming a driver for environmental and social change in your community, whatever this means to you—whether it’s your immediate neighborhood, school district, workplace, zoo, nature center, city, faith family, or your own interpretation. We encourage critical thinking and inquiry-based learning as tools for creating strategies for change. AIP courses focus on environmental and social topics and devising strategies for communicating with your community on these topics and issues.  

In this program, students drive their own master’s experience through projects and opportunities they design, so your area of focus will ultimately depend upon your own personal goals. In general, you can expect to develop content knowledge and skills in the realms of biodiversity threats and conservation, evolution, social science, community engagement, inquiry-based education, science writing and publishing, and conservation leadership—among others. Through the development and exposure of these tools, students will create a framework for bringing social and ecological change to their community.

Q: Do I need to live in Denver to complete this program?

A: You don’t! All courses are taught by Miami University instructors online. The program requires you to be at Denver Zoo about two to four times per semester. As long you’re willing to travel to Denver for each course’s in-person components, you can live practically anywhere. We try to do most of our in-person components on Saturdays specifically to accommodate travel and work schedules. Over the years, we have had many students in our program who lived outside the Denver metro area—coming from all over Colorado, Nebraska, Utah, Wyoming, Texas and even Alaska.

Q: Are there any major in-person experiences outside the main coursework?

A: Yes. While all courses are taught online by Miami University instructors, many of our courses are Web+courses which include immersive learning experiences at Denver Zoo and around the Denver Zoo Metro area. We require students to take at least these three specific Web+courses, but most students take more. 

Q: Is it possible to pause my studies for a semester, if needed?

A: Yes! It’s not uncommon for students to take a lighter load occasionally—or even take a full semester off—while things in their personal or work lives settle. The program is designed to accommodate these pauses; you just have to plan to finish within five consecutive years from when you started the program.

Q: What is the general size and makeup of the AIP student body?

A: Miami University accepts only around 30 students per year to this online master's degree with experiential learning at Denver Zoo. Students come from a variety of backgrounds such as: formal and informal educators, stay-at-home parents, physicians, lawyers, financial consultants, retirees, informal educators, IT specialists, recent college grads, animal care professionals, and more.

Q: What key outcomes often come from a program like this?

A: In addition to making new contacts and friends and diving into a world of environmental studies, two major themes emerge from this program: leadership and community engagement. Throughout the various courses and assignments, students are asked to tackle issues and topics they’re passionate about, and also asked to dream bigger and push themselves beyond their normal day-to-day routines.

Through our Miami University/Project Dragonfly family, students have gone on to receive grants, create brand-new events or programs in their communities, collaborate with sanctuaries and preserves, take on leadership roles at work or promotions, write books, improve husbandry practices at zoos and even start their own nonprofit organizations. This program creates opportunities for people to do and explore the things they’ve always wanted to.

Q: Can my AIP master’s degree lead to a Ph.D. program?

A: Possibly. Overall, if you are interested in a Ph.D. in a hard science field with a heavy research base like biology, chemistry, etc., it might be tougher to find a Ph.D. program that will accept an M.A./M.A.T. over an M.S. On the other hand, going into a Ph.Ed. or a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies (or other interdisciplinary-type fields like sustainability education, etc.) would be more feasible.

If you have a Ph.D. program that you’re interested in, we recommend discussing our program with your advisor. In addition, because this is a non-traditional academic program, it might require educating the Ph.D. department or university in question a bit more about what the AIP is about in order to help them understand what we accomplish, our coursework and philosophies, etc. Any Ph.D. program advisor is welcome to reach out to Project Dragonfly’s leadership team at Miami University to inquire further.

Q: Can I apply before I obtain my bachelor’s degree?

A: Yes! You can apply during the last year of your undergraduate program. During the application process, just upload the most recent version of your unofficial transcripts. Then, you will need to submit a final transcript to Miami University after your acceptance into AIP and graduating with your bachelor’s degree.

Q: Do I need to take the GRE for this program?

A: No! The GRE is not required for your application to this program.

Q: Can I get a job as a zookeeper after I graduate with this degree?

A: Not with this degree alone. Keeper positions require extensive experience in animal husbandry and animal science. These qualifications often include college degrees, but also heavily rely on hands-on, practical work experience in animal husbandry or veterinary medicine. Without this experience, there is simply no stand-alone degree that will help you qualify as an animal care specialist at Denver Zoo.

Your AIP studies will help build your conservation content, leadership skills, and networking possibilities, but our courses do not focus on “how to be a zookeeper” or put you in any direct animal care scenarios. That experience can only come from volunteer experience, internships or attending a teaching or trade school geared specifically toward animal care—like the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo in Florida.

Q: Will AIP help me “get my foot in the door” at Denver Zoo, so that I can get a job there when I’m done?

A: Potentially. You’ll definitely meet Denver Zoo staff and learn about opportunities along the way. Because we’re an internationally recognized Zoo and a center for wildlife conservation, our job openings are promoted nationally, so that the very best candidate can be found. You may hear about a job opening because of your association with AIP, but you’ll be considered along with the rest of the candidates that apply.

Q: I want to become a conservation biologist and help protect wildlife. Will AIP help me achieve this?

A: In part. As a Master of Arts program, AIP leans more towards those in the environmental studies and community engagement realm versus building your field methods skill sets. Being able to communicate conservation plans to the public requires you to know how to engage people in conservation issues. So, AIP will certainly enhance your career as a conservation biologist, but you’ll need more pure conservation research experience before you’ll be ready to find a job as a conservation biologist.

That said, the degree is open to interpretation and is often largely impacted or influenced by the projects, experiences, and new contacts you create while you’re in the program. If field conservation is your passion, and you work to leverage your community partnerships to support those goals, you could use this degree program to build the hands-on experience and the academic background you’re looking for.

Q: Can I volunteer to work with the animals?

A: Limited potential, but possible for the right candidate. In general, the AIP master’s journey does not include direct animal care or training with animals as a part of the degree. However, there are a variety of volunteer and internship opportunities available at the Zoo, and many of these could lead to opportunities to work closer with our animal ambassadors. Click this link to learn more about volunteering with us.

Can’t find the answer to your question above? Have more logistical questions about pre-requisites, the application process, or registration? Check out the program’s full FAQs

here

 

Applications for the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) open in September for the following summer. While applications are accepted through February 28, we encourage you to complete the Miami University Graduate School application portion of your AIP application by February 18. Doing so will help ensure that all materials (e.g. undergraduate transcripts, professional recommendations, etc.) will be received and processed in a timely manner by the 28th deadline. Otherwise, your application may be delayed or disqualified.

Candidate screening will begin immediately following this February 28th deadline, with acceptance decisions being made mid-March through mid-April. Applicants will be notified by April 15. Admittance is not final until you receive the official letter from the Graduate School of Miami University.

If you are interested in applying, head to the Project Dragonfly website to let us know and to get your application started!

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	Molly Maloy Molly is the Graduate and Adult Programs Manager at Denver Zoo. She has overseen the AIP  since it began at Denver Zoo in 2012. Molly has worked at Denver Zoo for 20 years in the fields of Conservation Education and Community Engagement. She also works with the AZA’s African Vulture SAFE program. Molly recently was invited to be a member of the IUCN Vulture Specialist Group to assist in global conservation efforts for vultures. She has a great affinity for Africa and has lived in Zambia and worked with communities impacted by tourism and human-wildlife conflict. Her favorite part of being a part of the AIP is being able to help adults harness their passion and create a path for conservation action.
	Sofia Prado-Irwin Sofia is the Graduate and Adult Programs Coordinator at Denver Zoo. She recently completed her Ph.D. in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, where she studied evolutionary and ecological patterns in Central American lizards. She has a B.S. in Biology from Barnard College, and an M.S. in Biology from San Francisco State University, where she studied amphibian disease and microbial ecology. She is thrilled to be able to apply her academic skills to the Advanced Inquiry Program and help students explore and achieve their personal and professional goals. Outside of work, you can find Sofia taking photos of insects and birds, learning new recipes to cook and bake, and working on her crochet skills.

 

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