Where Can You Earn a Wildlife Rehabilitation Degree in Person?

Degrees in wildlife rehabilitation are offered as dedicated bachelor’s programs or as concentrations within wildlife biology or animal science. Unity Environmental University’s Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation is taught in person at Unity at Pineland in Maine and includes animal care training, enrichment design, the full rescue-to-release sequence, and an internship.

Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation Degree │ Unity at Pineland

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Wildlife Rehabilitation Degree Overview

Wildlife rehabilitators, animal caretakers, zookeepers, and animal educators all build their careers on the same knowledge: how animals eat, heal, behave, and recover, and how to care for them in ways that support their health and, for wildlife, their return to the wild. Unity Environmental University’s Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation builds that knowledge through in-person coursework at Unity at Pineland in Maine.

This wildlife rehabilitation degree pairs animal science and wildlife ecology with enrichment design, animal training methods, wildlife policy, and current rehabilitation techniques. Coursework follows the full rehabilitation sequence, from rescue and medical care to nutrition, behavior, and release, preparing you for roles in zoos, aquariums, wildlife rescue centers, and conservation programs.

As an animal rehabilitation degree built around applied practice, the program also includes an internship that puts these skills to work with animals in a professional setting, so you build the practical experience employers look for before you apply for your first role.

Learning Outcomes

Describe animal reproduction, sensory responses, anatomical adaptations, and physiological processes.
Analyze animal husbandry practices considering their impact on animal health.
Apply current animal rehabilitation techniques and policy formulation strategies to contribute effectively to wildlife conservation efforts.
Implement animal enrichment and training methodologies to enhance the well-being and behavior of wildlife in captivity.
Complete an internship or capstone experience that builds practical, career-ready skills for wildlife care and rehabilitation roles in zoos, aquariums, and wildlife conservation organizations.

Career Outlook

Salary and Job Outlook for Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation Careers

$ 76 k

Annual Pay for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists, 2025

4 %

Projected Job Growth for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists, 2025–2035

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Unity Environmental University cannot guarantee employment or salary outcomes. Pay data reflects median earnings for the occupation and includes workers at all levels of education and experience.

Wildlife Rehabilitation Courses You’ll Take

Taming the Wild: Foundations of Animal Care and Training

Build the daily practices behind professional animal care, from habitat maintenance to sanitation, held to the highest standards of care.

Instinct and Action: Decoding Animal Behavior

Study why animals behave the way they do through the lens of evolution, physiology, and ecology.

wildlife-conservation-degree-unity-college

From Rescue to Release: Wildlife Rehabilitation Techniques

Learn the professional techniques wildlife rehabilitators use at every stage, from rescue and treatment to release.

Credits and Coursework Requirements

To earn a Baccalaureate degree in Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation, you must complete:

General Education Core: 44 credits
Program Core: 43 credits
Electives: 33 credits

University Wide Requirements: A minimum of 120 earned credit hours, 30 credits at the 300 level or above, a minimum of 30 credits earned at Unity, and an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.

Wildlife Rehabilitation Degree FAQs

Requirements vary by state. Many states require wildlife rehabilitators to hold a state permit, and working with migratory birds also requires a federal permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. An animal rehabilitation degree, such as a wildlife care and rehabilitation degree, builds the animal care, medical, and behavior knowledge that employers and permitting agencies look for.

Graduates pursue roles such as wildlife rehabilitator, animal caretaker, zookeeper, animal educator, and conservation program staff at zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, wildlife rescue centers, and conservation organizations.

Degrees in wildlife rehabilitation are offered as dedicated bachelor’s programs or as concentrations within wildlife biology or animal science. Unity Environmental University’s Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation is taught in person at Unity at Pineland in Maine and includes animal care training, enrichment design, the full rescue-to-release sequence, and an internship.

Why Study Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation at Unity

In-person training in animal care, enrichment, and the full rehabilitation sequence, from rescue to release.

Coursework that spans animal behavior, genetics, and conservation medicine in a single degree.

An internship with a zoo, aquarium, wildlife rescue center, or conservation organization, built into the program.

How Unity Prepares You for This Career

Environmental and sustainability-oriented programs provide the education and experience to launch your career.

Career-Focused

Applied learning modeled around real world scenarios.

Learning Options

Study in person at Unity at Pineland, with dedicated instructors guiding your coursework and internship.

Applied Coursework

Master ecosystem processes and human-environment interactions that address environmental problems.

Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation
Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation