Animal Welfare & Behavior Program Calendar

Stay on top of important dates within the Animal Welfare & Behavior Programs.

Application Deadlines for 2025
Program	Priority Deadline	Application Deadline	Notification Deadline
Master of Science	April 15	May 15	June 15
Graduate Certificate	April 15	May 15	June 15

*Please note, our application will open on October 2, 2024.

Fall '24
July 24	Orientation Month Begins for Incoming Students
August 27	Classes Begin
Year 1 Courses: VCSN 6390: Animal Welfare Science (1 CU): August 27 – October 18, 2024 VCSP 6390: Animals and Society (1 CU): October 21 – December 13, 2024 (No classes November 25 - November 29) Year 2 Courses: VCSN 6580: Evolution of Animal Welfare (0.5 CU): August 27 – October 18, 2024 VCSN 6600: Animal Welfare Assessment (0.5 CU): October 21 – December 13, 2024 VCSP 6440: Zoo Animal Welfare (0.5 CU): October 21 – December 13, 2024 VPTH 6370: Capstone Proseminar (1 CU): August 27 – December 13, 2024 *Please refer to the program's policies and procedures for course withdrawal policies and drop deadlines
October 2	Application open date for AWB Graduate Certificate and Master of Science Programs
October 20	1st and 2nd Year Student Virtual Happy Hour/Social
November 4	Deadline to apply for December Graduation (MSc students only)
November 25-29	Thanksgiving Break (no classes)
December 13	Last day of classes

Spring '25
January 18	Classes Resume
Year 1 Courses: VCSP 6330: Fundamentals of Animal Behavior (1 CU): January 15 – March 7, 2025 VCSN 6500: Applied Animal Welfare and Behavior (1 CU): March 17 – May 2, 2025 Year 2 Courses: VCSN 6590: Contemporary Issues in Animal Welfare (0.5 CU): January 15 – March 7, 2025 VCSN 6310: Natural Horse Behavior (0.5 CU): January 15 – March 7, 2025 VCSN 6520: Regulations and Animal Welfare (0.5 CU): March 17 – May 2, 2025 VPTH 6360: Rodent Welfare in Biomedical Research (1 CU): March 17 – May 2, 2025 VCSN 6530: Capstone Seminar (1 CU): January 15 – May 2, 2025 *Please refer to the program's policies and procedures for course withdrawal policies and drop deadlines
February 28	Deadline to apply for May Graduation (MSc students only)
March 8-16	Spring Break (no classes)
May 2	Spring Term Ends
May 19	University of Pennsylvania Commencement
TBD	Program Specific Graduation Celebrations

Dates are subject to change.

Any classes dropped within the drop period are deleted from the student’s record. Following the drop deadline, a withdrawal from the course is necessary and a ‘W’ is recorded on the transcript. Full financial obligation applies.

Animal Welfare & Behavior Program Calendar

Policies and Resources

Office Hours