Courses
Enrich Your Career: Reach New Heights
Enroll today to gain valuable knowledge and skills!
AZA's in-person and virtual professional development courses are team-taught by experienced and knowledgeable professionals from the zoo and aquarium industry. Students are presented the unique chance to learn about the latest techniques, information, and tools available and are afforded an unequaled opportunity to network with current and future leaders. In general, each course is offered annually around the same time each year. Click here for course policies.
AZA Learn
AZA Learn is an online learning portal that offers many professional development opportunities to AZA members. From virtual courses to workshops, webinars, and live events, visit AZA Learn to experience professional development and events that are facilitated by knowledgeable professionals in the zoo and aquarium industry. Check out AZA Learn's upcoming webinars and the current learning catalog here.
In-Person Courses
Dates and locations will be updated as they are confirmed. Please note that registration typically opens two to six months in advance of a course offering. Students are notified about their acceptance to the course or their status on the course waiting list after the Early Bird registration deadline. Registration closes four weeks prior to course start dates.
October 6-11, 2024
Course is full, registration closed.
Hosted by the Hyatt Place Columbus/OSU in Columbus, OH
October 13-18, 2024
Registration Open
Hosted by the Brookfield Zoo Chicago in Brookfield, IL
November 11-16, 2024
Registration Open
Hosted by the Inn at the Colonnade in Baltimore in Baltimore, MD
November 13-17, 2024
Course is full, waiting list only.
Hosted in New Orleans, LA
February 10-15, 2025
Registration Open*
Hosted by The National Conference Center in Leesburg, VA
- Avian Leadership & Management
- Conservation Learning: Principles
- Conservation Learning: Leadership
- Institutional Records Keeping
- Population Management I *Course is full, waiting list only
- Population Management II
- Principles of Elephant Management I
February 22-27, 2025
Registration Open
Hosted by Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, FL
February 23-28, 2025
Registration Open
Salt Lake City, UT
- Effective Leadership: Foundation & Development *Course is full, registration is closed
- Effective Leadership: Continuous Growth
April 6-11, 2025
Registration Open
Columbus, OH
Please note that the Crocodilian Biology and Management course is now being hosted by the Crocodilian Advisory Group and the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. Please contact the St. Augustine Alligator Farm directly for inquiries about the course.
Animal Training Applications in Zoo and Aquarium Settings - April 6-11, 2025
Animal Transport for Animal Care Professionals - Expected May 2025
Animal Welfare: Evidence-Based Management - October 13-18, 2024
Avian Management, Biology and Conservation - February 10-15, 2025
Behavioral Husbandry Best Practices for Your Animal Welfare Program - Virtual, asynchronous course on AZA Learn
Conservation Learning: Principles - February 10-15, 2025
Conservation Learning: Leadership - February 10-15, 2025
Creating Successful Exhibits - November 11-16, 2024
Effective Leadership: Foundation & Development - October 6-11, 2024
Effective Leadership: Continuous Growth - February 23-28, 2025
Environmental Enrichment in Zoos and Aquariums - February 22-27, 2025
Institutional Records Keeping - February 10-15, 2025
Managing Animal Enrichment and Training Programs - November 13-17, 2024
Population Management I: Data Management and Processing - February 10-15, 2025
Population Management II: Data Analysis and Breeding Recs - February 10-15, 2025
Principles of Elephant Management I - February 10-15, 2025
Principles of Elephant Management II - Expected October 2025
Principles of Ambassador Animal Management - November 11-16, 2024
Questions? Contact AZA's Professional Development Department.