Advanced Inquiry Program

Ignite ecological and social change while earning your master’s degree

Pursue your passion with the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) while you earn your master’s online from Miami University through the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP).

Created for working professionals, the AIP is a one-of-a-kind master’s program that immerses students in collaborative inquiry and action as they champion change. Through web-based coursework from Miami and face-to-face experiential learning and field study at the DZS, you will connect with classmates, Miami University faculty, DZS experts, and community leaders locally, nationally, and globally.

Applicants elect to enroll in either a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree in the Biological Sciences (for teachers with an existing license; does NOT lead to licensure) or a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Biology.

The AIP is designed for students from a range of backgrounds and career stages. With professional and academic mentoring and self-designed Master Plans, students adapt their degree path to fit their interests in fields such as community-engaged conservation, inquiry-driven education, environmental justice, learning across K-12 and informal settings, animal care and welfare, green business innovation, climate change, urban ecology, human-nature relationships, environmental restoration, and public engagement in science.

An unprecedented network of premier public zoos and botanical gardens across the United States and conservation organizations worldwide have joined together to support the AIP. This extraordinary learning collaborative, the largest of its kind, fosters groundbreaking ideas, collaborations, professional connections, and study opportunities. AIP students can integrate an Earth Expeditions field course at a global field site into their degree path. The AIP is overseen by Project Dragonfly, an education reform initiative located within the Department of Biology at Miami University.

Who Can Apply & Program Details

Eligibility:

Eligibility Enrollment is open to applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree, regardless of academic major or profession. Students should have internet access and be able to attend in-person experiential learning days at DZS sites and/or locations within the surrounding region. For more information, visit the Advanced Inquiry Program page. 

Details:

Students can enroll in either a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in the biological sciences for formal K-12 teachers or a Master of Arts (MA) in biology for all other professionals. The MAT does not confer a teaching license. All courses are delivered online by a Miami University instructor. Two-thirds of AIP courses also include experiential learning on grounds at Detroit Zoological Society sites and in and around Michigan. Miami University is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

• Miami University
• Project Dragonfly
• Program Costs
• FAQ