Many dolphin researchers have bachelor's degrees.
There are many more people who want to work as dolphin trainers than there are jobs to employ them, according to the Dolphin Research Center in Florida. Those who do train dolphins seldom earn much money, typically less than $20,000 a year. However, the best way to make a decent living training or otherwise working with dolphins or other marine animals is to get a solid education in science and hands-on experience volunteering with animals.
Science
Most people who work with marine animals are scientists with at least a bachelor's degree in a science such as biology or animal behavior. According to the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key, Florida, many marine mammal organizations prefer to hire people with four-year degrees. According to the National Marine Mammal Laboratory at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, people hired to work with marine mammals are primarily scientists with backgrounds in biology, chemistry and physics, as well as math and computer science.
Animal Training
Some schools such as Moorpark College in California, offer hands-on animal training courses, which could help toward a job as a dolphin trainer. Moorpark, for example, offers an associate degree in Exotic Animal Training Management. Moorpark's website lists other colleges and universities with animal training programs such as Santa Fe College's Teaching Zoo in Santa Fe, New Mexico (see Resources).
Scuba Certification
The Dolphin Research Center says most marine mammal organizations require trainers and others who work with the mammals to have scuba certification. This involves taking many courses in swimming, scuba diving, decision-making, scuba teaching and group leadership skills with a scuba school such as those run by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. Some of these can be taken online.
Specialized Classes
The more education you have in subjects related to dolphins, the more you are likely to get a job at a marine mammal center. Volunteering or doing an internship at a place that deals with marine mammals strengthens your chances of getting a job. Even more certain is pursuing not a training career but a degree as a veterinarian, researcher or husbandry expert for marine mammals.
Tags: Dolphin Research, Dolphin Research Center, marine mammals, Research Center, with marine