What degree is required for becoming a dolphin and/or whale trainer?

Question

Psychology could come into play as well as marine biology, but I'm not sure which would be better and what level to take it to. [i.e. bachelor's or master's] I'm also curious for the average income of a trainer.

Answer 1

You don't actually need a degree to become a trainer. look at some of the bios of the SeaWorld trainers; ex-body builders, stewardesses, some people with journalism degrees as well if I'm not mistaken.

I had a look at a proposal to build an aquarium in Panama a while ago which contained credentials of staff that would be working there, most of them had worked at Seaworld for 5 or more years in animal training or animal care and out of about 9 people only one person had a BSc degree in Marine biology, the others were: Bsc. of psychology, Bsc. of Marketing, Bsc. in business adminstration, Ba in Journalism, bsc of communication,two times courses taken at a college with no mention of a degree and one person just had a high school diploma.

So yes, Bsc degrees for most of them, but most of them also entirely unrelated. Places like Seaworld generally say that they would prefer someone with a a degree but they also admit it's not really a requirement.

You definately wouldn't need to take it past Bsc. level, most likely psychology or if there is the possibility, an animal behaviour or animal training course, I believe there is one school that offers exotic animal training as a Bsc. somewhere, I think it's Moorpark:
www.moorpark.cc.ca.us/
Generally a Bsc. in psychology should do you though. The reason being training has nothing to do with marine biology, you don't need to have an advanced degree like an Msc. or something like that because what you are doing has nothing to do with science or research that focuses on studying animals in their natural environment to gain a better understanding of them, rather you are manipulating animals to behave in a certain way for entertainment purposes.
See also SeaWorlds career page:
http://www.seaworld.org/animal%2Dinfo/info%2Dbooks/training/animal%2Dtraining%2Dcareers.htm
and schools they think will prepare you for working in a park:
http://www.seaworld.org/animal%2Dinfo/info%2Dbooks/training/appendix-educational-institutions.htm
Trainers don't get paid well, apparently barely over minimal wage:
http://www.theswig.com/FAQ.htm

Also have a look at some of these sites on dolphin training:
http://www.dolphintrainer.com/career_guide.htm
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/381
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/33
http://www.synalia.com/articles/trainDolphin.html

You might also want to look into the controversy surrounding captive cetaceans, even if nothing comes of it apart from to see what sort of criticism you may have to deal with at points in your career. Good starting points:
http://members.aol.com/OrcaInfo/
http://planktonforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=4522&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=high+tech+shamu+show&start=0
http://planktonforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=3443&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=theme+park+dolphins&start=20
http://planktonforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=3341&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=theme+park+dolphins&start=10

Good luck pursuing your career.

Answer 2

Your best bet is to do a combined honours in animal behaviour and marine biology. I was gonna study this and found the only place that combines them together is ARU in cambridge however there may be others now as it is becoming increasingly popular to combine the two. However it is a very difficult field to get into. I originally wanted to go into this field but after discovering how many people wanted to go into this field decided to study animal behaviour and welfare so i can work with troubled or abused animals when i graduate as well as training. I hope this helps and good luck

Answer 3

seek the internet for the "superb marine biology undergraduate." likelihood is the excellent courses are in CA or FL, in line with all i've got examine in well-known technological information media. this could take better than 4 years of faculty. additionally, being a coach is a uncommon, uncommon pastime- there are a number of extra researchers who're marine biologists. look up the biography of a well-liked coach or individual who you have considered appearing, and notice how they have been provided that pastime, and stick to that path. additionally, next time you flow to a pair place that has a knowledgeable dolphin like a sea entertainment park, see in case you could ask the instructor working there. i'm specific that they had be satisfied to speak somewhat with somebody seeking to do it themselves.

Answer 4

I'm always on the lookout for a good trainer. Keep me posted, but if the fish ain't fresh I ain't jumping for nobody!