Occupational Associate's Degree in Marine Mammal Behavior, Care, and Training

Students who complete the Marine Mammal Behavior, Care and Training (MMBCT) program will acquire the practical knowledge and skills to successfully assess marine mammal behavior, adeptly provide appropriate husbandry care and apply positive training techniques for the well being and enrichment of marine mammals in human care. Additionally, graduates of this program will learn a variety of presentation techniques to assist them in educating a wide range of audiences. Students learn to give presentations that are entertaining, informative, flexible and motivating. This guides audiences towards positive conservation practices benefitting marine mammals and the environment. Students will also gain important critical thinking and communication skills that prepare them to participate in a work environment as a cooperative, supportive, positive team player. Graduates will be prepared to seek positions as experienced marine mammal trainers at facilities that house/display cetaceans and/or pinnipeds, although skills may easily be transferred to other marine or terrestrial species.

Program length is August through April for 36 weeks. This is an intensive immersion program which requires students to participate in programming up to 10 hours a day and up to 5 days a week (not including study time). Students will be trained to function as an experienced member of a team of marine mammal care and training specialists caring for and actively training marine mammals in a human care setting. Graduates of this program will have received both classroom instruction and hands-on lab experience that will prepare them to effectively care for and train marine mammals.

This experience will fully prepare graduates for entry-level employment at a marine mammal facility. Extensive training (both theoretical and hands-on) will help students to develop skills to confidently narrate and present marine mammals to the public (both large and small audiences), as well as conduct interactive dock programs between people and dolphins in a safe, enjoyable and entertaining manner. All theoretical, lab instruction and practice will be conducted on-site at Dolphin Research Center.

General Student Performance Standards

All students are expected to maintain the highest personal and ethical standards of conduct consistent with the professional effort expected by DRCTI faculty and all personnel at Dolphin Research Center. These standards are outlined below. Any information indicating that such standards are not being maintained will be reviewed by faculty and may result in student dismissal by the college administration.

Attendance

All students must meet attendance requirements as defined by program policy or guidelines. Absences must be planned and coordinated in advance with the program director. Programming extends up to 10 hours a day and up to 6 days a week, not including study time. As this program includes participation in the operation of a marine mammal facility that is open to the public, students are expected to work holidays and weekends. Due to the nature of a facility that cares for live animals, students are expected to be on call for the entire duration of the program.

Communication

All students will be expected to:

• Communicate effectively
• Meet the unique needs of different audiences
• Absorb new information without difficulty
• Speak and write clearly, concisely and coherently
• Express information accurately and in an organized manner
• Listen to all of the information given and listen respectfully to others’ opinions
• Keep the appropriate people properly informed
• Use the appropriate communications channels.

Critical /Analytical Thinking

All students should be able to:

• Exercise sound judgment
• Prioritize
• Understand critical issues in complex situations
• Know how much analysis is needed to move ahead
• Assess risks and rewards with a minimum of data and know what data is missing and how to get it
• Gather facts before making decisions
• Take actions rather than acting on assumptions.

Interpersonal skills

All students should demonstrate the ability to:

• Interact with individuals and groups of various ages with diverse social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds
• Facilitate cooperation to implement/adhere to college and program policies
• Actively seek to establish and maintain relations with individuals at all levels
• Cooperate readily with others and elicit cooperation to achieve goals
• Modify personal behavior to adapt to the requirements of the people and program involved
• Function effectively under stressful conditions
• Deal positively and confidently with unexpected events.

Personal Integrity

All students will be expected to demonstrate personal integrity in all matters including:

• Honesty
• The ability to maintain confidentiality
• Earning the respect and confidence of others
• Portraying a positive role model for others
• Accepting responsibility for negative results
• Maintaining an open mind and deal productively with differing opinions
• Treating all others with appreciation, respect and courtesy
• Adhering to organization policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Problem Solving

All students should show the ability to:

• Use appropriate conflict-resolution techniques and confront difficult tasks effectively
• Seek reasonable and mutually beneficial agreements/solutions to solve problems/achieve goals/directives.

Program Specific Performance Standards

In addition to DRCTI’s ‘General Student Performance Standards’, the following program specific performance standards apply:

Mobility:Without assistance, sufficient to rapidly walk the span of Dolphin Research Center without interruption, run and swim distances of 50 yards, easily maneuver on and off floating/moving platforms without assistance, maneuver in tight spaces while manipulating overhead objects, work outdoors in both intense sun and heat as well as under rainy and cold conditions. Students are required to participate in facility cleaning and maintenance including the repair and maintenance of  habitats, fences, equipment, and training props. Students will be required to prepare the diets of all animals in the facility under the supervision of DRCTI/DRC staff members and are also required to conduct extensive cleaning of husbandry area and materials daily.

Motor Skills:Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective animal care, including: without assistance, the ability to routinely lift 50 lb. boxes of frozen fish and maneuver non-motorized rolling carts carrying up to 60 lbs. over the entire span of the facility (approximately 230 yards) without interruption.

Hearing:Ability sufficient to monitor human communication, auditory training bridges and animal vocalizations and behavior across large distances (half the length of the facility animal habitats combined). 

Visual:Ability sufficient for observation and visual assessment of animals, humans and habitats in extreme high light (intense sun) and low light situations, both indoors and outdoors. Students must see well at a distance of 90 feet or more. This is in accordance with human and animal safety issues and observational needs  

Travel Expectations

Each MMBCT student is responsible for his or her own transportation and travel expenses. A portion of the curriculum involves travel by students to other marine mammal facilities within Florida that might fall within a 150 mile round trip from Dolphin Research Center.

MMBC&T Program Tuition and Fees

Other costs incurred by Marine Mammal Behavior, Care and Training (MMBCT) students may include, but are not limited to: physical health examination, equipment replacement fees, copy and printing fees, field trips and travel, food, personal supplies, and living expenses.

Payment Schedule

Program pricing does not include food, transportation, personal living expenses or housing. Students are also responsible for all fees associated with any physical examinations that may be required.

The Course Registration Fee ($150.00) must be submitted with the Student Enrollment Agreement.

After acceptance into the program, full tuition and all program fees are due by the following payment plan:

Payment in Full (by August 15)

Or the following payment plan:

$2,000 initial payment due prior to the beginning of the course (by August 15).

Thereafter students would pay 8 installments of $2,250 at the beginning of each month throughout the program beginning Sept 1 through April 1. ($18,000).

Payment may be by check, certified check, money order or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover).

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Financial Aid

The DRCTI is licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education (CIE), License No. 4766 and accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), #M07566

The DRCTI is embarking on becoming eligible for Title IV funding. This process will be ongoing for two years or more.

Until the DRCTI is approved to accept Title IV funding, students must obtain private funding. Until we are approved, by law, we cannot accept financial aid funding for students.

Kibby Memorial Scholarship

The DRC Training Institute is pleased to offer the Kibby Memorial Scholarship each year to a deserving student.

Kibby was a member of the DRC dolphin family for many years and was a great teacher to all of his human friends.  After his passing in 2013, we wanted to honor his memory in a special way.  A major donor learned of this need and generously provided an endowment for this purpose.

Each year, one student will receive a scholarship of $20,000.00.  The award will be based on the greatest financial need out of the pool of students who apply for the scholarship.

* More detailed information and an application will be provided to all students once they are accepted into the program.

** All scholarship opportunities are available based on funding each year.

DRC Training Institute Student Residence Housing Option

The DRCTI Student Residence provides economical housing for up to six students throughout the entire duration of the MMBCT program. DRCTI Student Residence bedrooms are shared with two to three students per room. One private bedroom is also available. Cost per month of these rooms is rated based on the amount of space shared and the value of the room. The shared bedrooms are composed of either bunk or loft beds. All bedrooms will have desks and clothing drawers space. Closet space is also available. One full bathroom in the residence is communal. The DRCTI Student Residence has a full kitchen, dining area, living room, a study room, and laundry facilities.

Housing costs include a washer and dryer, water, electric, cable, internet service, and building maintenance services. Bed linens will be provided but students will be responsible for providing their own towels, blankets, and pillows. Lodging fees are based upon the number of people per room. Room selection is based on a first come, first serve basis. However, while the DRCTI Student Residence is considered co-ed, bedrooms within the residence are not. Therefore, the DRCTI reserves the right to determine the best configuration so co-ed habitation of the bedrooms is avoided. Should a larger number of students apply for a specific room type that can be accommodated, those applicants will be subject to a lottery to determine room assignments. The DRCTI offers assistance in locating alternative housing. Students are not required to lodge at the DRCTI Student Residence should they have alternative housing secured. Costs per room are the following:

3 person bedroom:  $250 per month, due the first of every month.

2 person bedroom:  $375 per month, due the first of every month

Private bedroom:      $750 per month, due the first of every month.

DRCTI Student Residence applications will be included in student enrollment packages upon acceptance into the MMBCT program.

Students may apply for a Work Study Award which provides a $150 per month discount from DRCTI Student Residence rent (regardless of the room assigned) in exchange for weekly cleaning responsibilities as outlined in the Work Study Award description.

Senate Bill 524

This legislation requires each licensed institution to inform students and employees of the existence of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) sexual predator and sexual offender registry website and toll free telephone number.

FDLE website - http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/homepage.do

FDLE toll-free number - 1-888-357-7332 for TTY Accessibility - 1-877-414-7234

DRCTI Work Study Award

The DRC Training Institute offers one work-study award which will be given to a student accepted into DRCTI programming whose motivational levels exceed their bank accounts. This award will provide a $150.00 discount per month on the DRCTI Student Residence housing for the duration of the program in exchange for weekly cleaning responsibilities of the entire residence throughout the duration of the student's program enrollment.

The DRCTI Student Residence can accomodate up to six students and is made up of two multi-person bedrooms and one private bedroom  with two full bathrooms shared by all students. In addition, the residence has a full kitchen, dining area, living room, a study room, and laundry facilities. Weekly cleaning responsibilities would include:

• Sweeping and mopping of the floors in each room of the building
• Thorough cleaning of each bathroom, including floors, sinks, toilets and shower stalls.
• Thorough cleaning of the kitchen area including the floors, interior/exterior of refrigerators, countertops, sinks, microwave and stove.

The Work-study award is made each year based on financial need. 

Students accepted into the program will be sent a Work Study Award application.

You will be notified of your status by letter, mailed after May 1st.