Program Overview

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Introduction to the M.S. in Animals and Public Policy (MAPP) Program

The M.S. in Animals and Public Policy (MAPP) program is designed to examine the changing roles of animals in society, teach students how to effectively evaluate research and policy arguments, and polish their communication skills. Students follow either a "research track" or an "applied track" and pursue their own interests by choosing from a flexible menu of electives and completing an individualized capstone project.

Program Structure

• The program consists of core courses, electives, and a capstone or externship experience.
• Core courses include:
  • Animals & Society I & II
  • Public Policy Analysis
  • Research Methods I
  • Statistics I
• Electives include:
  • Animal Law
  • The Study of Animal Welfare
  • Exploring Human Dimensions of Animal Behavior
  • Applied Animal Behavior
  • Wildlife in Captivity
  • Service: Animals in the Community
• Track-specific courses include:
  • Communicating Policy Positions (Applied Track)
  • Statistics II (Research Track)
  • Research Methods II (Research Track)

Capstone or Externship Experience

• Students in the research track complete an independent research project, with the expected outcome being an article that is potentially publishable in a peer-reviewed journal, or other scholarly product.
• Students in the applied track complete a mentored externship at a government agency, legislative office, non-profit organization, or other entity that influences, makes, or implements animal policy or advances human-animal relationships.

Past Externship Experiences

• 2021 MAPP Externships
• 2020 MAPP Externships
• 2019 MAPP Externships
• 2018 MAPP Externships
• 2017 MAPP Externships

Core Courses

Animals & Society I & II

Drawing on Cummings School faculty and outside speakers, Animals & Society uses lectures, discussions, student presentations, and written assignments to survey contemporary issues regarding animals and how those issues play out in public policy and community practices toward animals.

Public Policy Analysis

This course focuses on the theories, analytical approaches, and techniques of public policy analysis and provides students with an opportunity to critically examine theoretical frameworks in the context of animal policy.

Research Methods I

This course will focus on exploring the academic research process and some of the most common research methodologies. Through this course, students will gain familiarity with the scope and limitations of various methods for gathering both quantitative and qualitative data.

Statistics I

This course introduces students to the basics of statistical methods and research design. Students learn to state hypotheses, evaluate sampling procedures, create and manage data sets, and carry out basic statistical testing.

Electives

Animal Law

In this course, we will explore the changing legal status of animals and the unique challenges they pose to the legal system as something not quite "person" or "property."

The Study of Animal Welfare

This course blends readings, lectures, practical experience, discussion, and student projects to develop student understanding of various perspectives and definitions of animal welfare, methods for scientific study and evaluation of animal welfare, the effect of policy and markets on shaping of practices, and current welfare issues in areas such as animal agriculture, sport, science, and education.

Exploring Human Dimensions of Animal Behavior

How do our attitudes and perceptions of animals and their behavior influence our beliefs about, interactions with, and management of animals? How do our beliefs, values, and behavior impact animals, their behavior, welfare, and long-term survival?

Applied Animal Behavior

This course will focus on applied behavior topics of common companion and farm animals. We will discuss animal body language and typical behavior and compare that to people’s perceptions of that behavior.

Wildlife in Captivity

This lecture/discussion class examines the ethical, welfare, health, conservation, and policy issues surrounding the keeping of wildlife in captivity.

Service: Animals in the Community

Students may receive elective credit for participating in a variety of community-service oriented activities, including animal shelter visitation, community cat clinics, support for the Tufts at Tech Community Veterinary Clinic, Tufts Paws for People, and the Tufts Pet Loss Hotline.

Track Specific Courses

Communicating Policy Positions (Applied Track)

The course requires students to draft and revise documents targeted at diverse audiences, including letters to the editor, blogs, op-eds, fact sheets, legislative testimony, and formal comments on draft regulations and other proposals for government actions.

Statistics II (Research Track)

Intended for advanced research track students and tailored to their interests, this course will focus on experimental design and analysis of survey data, exploring the use of analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression models, factor analysis, and other advanced techniques using SPSS or an equivalent statistical package.

Research Methods II (Research Track)

This course provides a more in-depth exploration of survey design, content analysis, and qualitative techniques such as interviews, ethnography, and focus groups. All students will produce a research proposal, which for research track students will lead directly to their capstone research project.