Animal Studies

Registration will open in early January 2025. Sign up for our newsletter below to receive program updates.

Walk on the Wild Side!

This program is the perfect opportunity for high school students to explore Animal Studies as a potential major. Modeled after our undergraduate curriculum, students will work with our internationally recognized faculty on our prime waterfront location on the Gulf of Mexico. Animal Studies is a truly interdisciplinary major at Eckerd College, drawing from the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities to trace the history and consequences of human relationships to animals. Participants will gain experience in quantitative, critical thinking, communication, and research skills while exploring the multitude of ways to approach animal studies.

Core Topics

  • Animal behavior and training
  • Animal research and observation strategies
  • Animal rescue and rehabilitation
  • Animals in literature and field guides
  • Animals in entertainment
  • Animal assisted interventions

 

Students enrolled in this program will:

  • Participate in citizen science wildlife research surveys on and off campus
  • Attend classes led by Eckerd faculty
  • Visit local aquaria, zoos, or shelters to learn about animal husbandry, enrichment, and research.

Take a look at our sample schedule to get a sense of the daily activities.

June 15-20, 2025
Students entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade in Fall 2025
$1,925 per student. Cost includes: participation in (and transportation for) all sessions, activities, labs, program supplies, field trips, entrance fees, use of college recreational facilities, meals, lodging and snacks. 
Check-in: Sunday, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Check-out: Friday, 2:30-4 p.m.
Students will be required to submit a written statement about interest in animal studies as part of the registration process.

Required Forms

Parent/Guardian Waiver
Medical and Travel Form

Eckerd Animal Studies in the news
  • Pre-College students at Zoo Tampa
  • Pre-College Student observing Rhinos
  • Pre-College Students with kittens
  • Pre-College Students with kittens

Room and Board

Facilities

Few colleges have a more attractive setting than Eckerd College. Our 188-acre waterfront campus provides a magnificent atmosphere and safe environment. Eckerd College is located in St. Petersburg, just off I-275, exit 17.

Directions & Map

Counselors

Residential counselors work with students in the late afternoons, evenings and overnight. Staff consists of well-trained Eckerd College students and recent graduates eager to share their enthusiasm for learning.

Housing

Students will live in air-conditioned Eckerd College student residence halls, double- or triple- room occupancy, reserved exclusively for participants in this program. Counselors will be present in each single-sex residence hall.

Meals

Student participants will eat in the main cafeteria which can accommodate allergies, lactose and gluten-free diets. We also have kosher, vegetarian and vegan options available to students. If you have particular needs, please be sure to note them on the General and Medical Information form.

Faculty

Refund Policy

Withdrawal DateRefund
60 days before start date100%
30 days before start date50%
20 days before start date20%
<20 days before start date0%

Processing fee of $25 is non-refundable.

No refund will be issued for the following:

  • If a participant fails to show up for the program.
  • If a participant is dismissed from the program by the College.

Participants who cancel their registration and are eligible for a refund should contact precollege@eckerd.edu or 727.864.8422.

Subscribe to Receive Pre-College Program Updates:

* indicates required