How to become a cognitive ethologist

Is becoming a cognitive ethologist right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Overview
What do cognitive ethologists do?

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How to become a Cognitive Ethologist

Becoming a cognitive ethologist requires dedication and curiosity and typically involves a combination of education, research experience, and specialization in the field of cognitive animal behavior. Here is an overview of the pathway to the career:

High School Diploma or Equivalent
Earn a high school diploma or equivalent. High school education provides a foundation in basic communication and math and organizational skills, and it lays the groundwork for further learning.

Bachelor's Degree
Pursue a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, zoology, psychology, neuroscience, ecology, animal sciences, wildlife science and management, or another related discipline. Ensure that your coursework includes subjects like animal behavior, cognition, ecology, evolutionary biology, statistics, and research methods.

Master’s Degree (Optional)
While some entry-level positions in cognitive ethology may be available with a bachelor's degree, many cognitive ethologists choose to pursue a master's degree for deeper specialization and research experience. A master's program typically involves coursework, independent research, and a thesis.

Doctoral Degree (Optional)
For those aiming for advanced research positions, university faculty roles, or leadership positions in the field, a Ph.D. is often necessary. A Ph.D. program involves more extensive independent research, often leading to a dissertation that contributes to the body of knowledge in ethology.

Research / Teaching Experience
Seek opportunities for undergraduate and graduate research projects, field studies, or internships with organizations involved in wildlife research, conservation, or animal behavior and cognition. This hands-on experience is crucial for developing observational skills, field methodologies, experimental design skills, statistical techniques, and data analysis capabilities.

If you’re interested in pursuing academic positions, pursue teaching assistant (TA) roles during your graduate studies.

Specialization
Choose a specialization within cognitive ethology based on your interests and career goals. Options include spatial cognitive ethology, social cognitive ethology, and evolutionary cognitive ethology. For a complete list of specializations in the field, please see the What does a Cognitive Ethologist do? section in the career overview.

Continuing Education and Research Publication
Stay informed about the latest research and advancements in cognitive ethology. Attend workshops, conferences, and seminars to present your work, and participate in professional development and networking activities to keep your knowledge current.

As you progress in your academic journey, aim to publish your research findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Certification and Professional Organizations
There isn't a specific certification widely recognized as a standard credential for ethologists comparable to certifications in some other fields. Instead, the qualifications and credentials of ethologists are primarily based on their educational background, research experience, and expertise in specific areas of animal behavior. There are, however, professional certifications and training programs related to specific skills or methodologies that ethologists might find useful, depending on their focus or specialization. Here’s a sampling:

  • International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) – The ISAE is an organization that provides a forum for the presentation and discussion of advances in applied animal behavior science and education. Its mission is to contribute to greater understanding of the interactions between humans and other animals and to help create a better balance between animal welfare and the requirements that humans have of other animals.
  • International Council of Ethologists (ICE) – The purpose of the ICE is entirely scientific and educational. Every four years, it gathers ethologists from around the world to discuss and present their research.
  • International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) – While not specific to ethnologists, the IAABC is an organization for professionals in the field of animal behavior consulting. It provides education, certification, and a network for individuals working with animal behavior issues.
  • Animal Behavior Society (ABS) – The ABS is a non-partisan, non-profit professional organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the scientific study of animal behavior, and to creating an inclusive scientific environment that supports a diverse membership. Members of ABS study behavior across all levels of biological organization, under natural and controlled conditions, and using descriptive and experimental approaches. ABS offers the Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) credential for professionals who have completed graduate-level education and research in animal behavior.
  • Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) – The ASAB is a British organization founded in 1936 to promote the science and study of animal behavior. ASAB holds conferences, offers grants, and publishes a peer-reviewed journal, Animal Behaviour, first published in 1953.
  • International Society for Comparative Psychology (ISCP) – The ISCP is dedicated to promoting research and collaboration in comparative psychology, which often intersects with cognitive ethology. The society hosts an annual conference, publishes the Journal of Comparative Psychology, and provides a forum for researchers interested in understanding the cognitive abilities of diverse species.
  • Comparative Cognition Society (CCS) – The CCS is an interdisciplinary organization that brings together researchers interested in comparative cognition, including cognitive ethologists, comparative psychologists, and neuroscientists. The society hosts an annual conference and publishes the Comparative Cognition & Behavior Reviews.
  • The Wildlife Society (TWS) – TWS is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the science and practice of wildlife management and conservation. It grants the Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB) professional designation, which is designed to recognize individuals who have met specific education and experience requirements in the field of wildlife biology.
  • Zookeeping and Husbandry Certifications – For ethologists working in zoos or focusing on captive animal behavior, certifications related to zookeeping, animal husbandry, or enrichment strategies may be relevant. These certifications are often provided by organizations like the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK).
  • Conservation Biology Certifications – Professionals in the field of conservation, including ethologists, might find certifications related to conservation biology beneficial. These are offered by organizations such as the Society for Conservation Biology.
  • Research Methodology and Statistics – Ethologists often use statistical methods and research methodologies. Courses or certifications in statistics, experimental design, or specific data analysis tools, such as R or Python, could be beneficial.