Back to School with HSU

Last year, knowing there was a longstanding void in the academic field and wanting to offer more career paths for animal advocates, The HSUS launched the first higher education institution exclusively devoted to providing academic curriculum in animal protection studies—Humane Society University (HSU).

HSU
Ramona Kunkel, left, and Darlene Harris, our first HSU graduates.

Today, I’m pleased to announce our first graduates from HSU, Darlene Harris and Ramona Kunkel. Darlene and Ramona have received academic graduate certificates in Humane Leadership, a program focused on nonprofit management, shelter management, and humane education. The curriculum includes courses such as HL331/631, Animal Cruelty and Interpersonal Violence, and HL333/633, Fundraising for Animal Care and Protection Organizations.

If you’re looking for a more meaningful career, or if you’d like to become an animal welfare leader in your community, I encourage you to consider one of HSU’s academic programs or continuing education courses.

Humane Leadership is just one of the areas of study within HSU's School of Arts and Sciences. Other degree tracks include Animal Policy and Advocacy, examining the relationships between political institutions, corporations, and social movements, and Animal Studies, focused on human-animal interactions, animal behavior, and the role of animals in society in both U.S. and global contexts. Academic terms run at eight-week intervals, with the upcoming fall term beginning Oct. 30 and the winter term starting Jan. 15.

HSU
Humane Society University Dean Tracy Zaparanick.

And HSU offers nearly 60 specialized, non-credit continuing education courses and certificate programs through our School of Professional Development. Topics range from animals in disasters to animal fighting investigations, from mastering animal sheltering basics to confronting compassion fatigue. Some courses are taught online, while others are offered locally throughout the country. Two upcoming non-credit online courses include Essentials of Fundraising, from Sept. 27-Nov. 7, and Pets for Life: Behavior Assessment, running Oct. 11-21.

Be sure to take a look at all that HSU has to offer. And congratulations to Darlene, who describes her experience at HSU as “the best thing I ever did,” to Ramona, and to all of our future graduates.