Animal Behavior Science and Technology • 2 Species - Dip.ABST

The Animal Behavior Science and Technology program is our rigorous/intensive 600–hour / 1–year completely distance-oriented flagship program of study intended to help animal trainers, animal behavior technologists, or other animal field professionals upgrade and expand essential skills beyond current industry standards for their careers and helping clients resolve problem behaviors in the species of choice. This program offers two species for study: choose between Canines, Felines, Equines, and/or Parrots. ​​ The program addresses key topics in behavior change project management in great depth, including the principles of behavior, tactics, strategies, and procedures in non-coercive animal training, functional assessment, contingency management planning, professional activities, and professional ethics. Students will have the opportunity to conduct hands-on training with their own companion animal and participate in a project aimed at resolving problem behaviors. ​ The graduate will have a solid fluency with the natural science of behavior at the Masters level and have had the opportunity to engage in hands-on training utilizing both basic and advanced procedures and to work through a behavior change project to resolve a problem behavior (achieved by first training a harmless "problem" behavior). CASI employs a shaping model of education, setting students up for success and providing support/guidance, and multiple opportunities to refine and resubmit assignments. This results in greater conditioning and minimal stress for the student. It also means that incorrect answers do not result in failure or low grades but rather an opportunity, with guidance, to condition the correct response. ​ Graduates will possess a thorough and in-depth knowledge of of behavior, along with a systematic strategy for applying powerful, science-based procedures to change behavior effectively and efficiently in even the most complex cases. ​ Graduates may use the credential letters ABST.