ModernEdu
CoursesCareer GuidesTestimonials
Sign in
Animal Care · Advanced Certificate

Protect New Zealand's Unique Wildlife
And Build a Career in Conservation

This course is for Kiwis who are passionate about our native species. It gives you the practical knowledge of zoology, ecology, and conservation sought by organisations like DOC, zoos, and environmental groups across New Zealand.

Free first lesson
Or enrol on the spot
Rated 5 by our students
From $25
Per Week
ICOES + CPD
Endorsed Certificate
14-Day
Money-Back Guarantee
100%
Online, Self-Paced
24/7
AI Tutor
Where this can take you

Upskill. Career or Business. Made for New Zealand.

And if you ever wanted to take it further, these are the kinds of roles it could lead to:

Zookeeper
Wildlife Park Attendant
Conservation Assistant
Animal Research Assistant
Wildlife Carer
Environmental Education Officer
Curriculum

What You’ll Learn.

10 modules · 100 lessons · Study at your own pace

01Welcome & IntroductionFree
02What Zoology Is and Why It Matters in New Zealand
03The Tree of Life: How Animals Are Classified
04Vertebrates vs Invertebrates: The Big Split
05Animal Cells, Tissues, and Body Systems
06How Animals Reproduce and Develop
07Metabolism, Energy, and Animal Life
08Animal Senses and Communication
09Genetics Basics for Zoologists
10Evolution and Natural Selection in the New Zealand Context
11Reading the Scientific Literature: A Practical Guide
Included with your course

Your 24/7 AI Tutor.

It knows where you are

Your tutor sees the lesson you are on and what you have covered, so every answer fits your progress.

Explains Until You Get It

Confused by a concept? Ask for a simpler take, a real-world example, or a quick quiz to test yourself.

There at 11pm

Study when it suits you. Your tutor is available around the clock, every day of your enrolment.

Inside this course · Your tutor
I keep hearing about Predator Free 2050, but what does the work on the ground involve? Is it just trapping?
That's a great question. While trapping is a big part of it, Predator Free 2050 is much broader. Success also depends on things like biosecurity to stop pests reaching protected islands, community engagement programs, and developing new technologies. It's a combination of field work, science, and policy. We can look at the goals and methods in more detail if you like.
ModernEdu
This certifies that
Charlotte Reeve
has successfully completed the
Advanced Certificate in Zoology NZ
Issued by Modern Education New Zealand
Certificate No. ME-2026-04871
Verify at modernedu.co.nz/verify
Your certificate

Proof of What You Know.

Endorsed

Endorsed by ICOES, the International Council for Online Educational Standards, and CPD-eligible.

Verifiable online

Every certificate carries a unique number an employer or client can verify on our site in seconds.

Made to share

A printed hard copy is included with upfront enrolment, and a digital version for LinkedIn and your CV.

Student reviews

What People Are Saying.

5 average rating

Set up a plant styling business, and maintain it too

The content was clear and practical — including the set-up of a plant styling business, and ongoing maintenance too.

Emily P. · Verified student

The financial part of the business

Learning about the financial part of the business.

Kristine S. · Verified student

The first weeks are the foundation, not a warm-up

The first weeks in the home are not a warm-up phase, they are the foundation. The guidance we give owners during this window can prevent months of remedial work later, making early intervention one of the most powerful tools we have as trainers.

Gaylene D. · Verified student
What you get

Everything Included.

In this course

100 lessons across 10 modules, read, listen, or watch every one
Your 24/7 AI tutor, built into every lesson
Assessments and your ICOES-endorsed, CPD-eligible certificate
12 months access, with extensions available on request

As a Modern Edu student

Student discount on any additional course
Printed hard-copy edition of your course
More student extras on the way
How it works

Four Steps to Your Certificate.

01

Try It Free

Start lesson 1 right now, free. See the course and meet your tutor before paying anything.

02

Enrol Easily

Pick the option that suits you. Every option is covered by the 14-day guarantee.

03

Make Real Progress

Read, listen, or watch each lesson. Go at your own pace with your tutor beside you.

04

Get Your Certificate

Pass your assessments and receive your endorsed, verifiable certificate.

Enrolment

Easy Ways to Get Started.

Try the first lesson free. When you are ready, split it into four with Afterpay or Klarna, save $200 upfront, or take the simple weekly plan.

Start Here · No Card Needed
Free first lesson
Start lesson 1 right now and meet your AI tutor. See exactly how the course works before you decide anything.
No card. No commitment. Your progress carries over when you enrol.
When you are ready to enrol
Recommended · Split Into Four
$199.75 ×4
Afterpay or Klarna covers the $799 upfront price for you. You get every upfront bonus and the $200 saving, then repay in four fortnightly amounts. Nothing more after that.
A second course free, your choice
Printed edition of your course included
Save $200 compared with the weekly plan
Continue With Afterpay or Klarna
Four interest-free payments of $199.75 for approved applicants. Late fees may apply.
Upfront · Save $200
$799
One payment by card if you would rather settle it in one go. Same bonuses: second course free and the printed edition.
CardAfterpayKlarna
Enrol Upfront for $799
Afterpay and Klarna split $799 into 4 payments of $199.75.
Weekly Payment Plan
$25 /week
40 weekly payments · $1,000 total
Upfront bonuses not included.
Start the Weekly Plan
Visa · Mastercard · Amex · Afterpay · Klarna accepted.    14-day guarantee
Not sure yet?
Before you enrol

Is It Right for You?

This course is for you if

Anyone in New Zealand passionate about our native animals who wants deep, structured knowledge.
People thinking about a career change into conservation, environmental science, or wildlife management.
Those hoping to find work with organisations like DOC, zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, or local councils.
Volunteers who want to better understand the science behind the conservation work they do.
Individuals wanting a strong foundation before considering further study or specialisation.

It is probably not for you if

If you need a formal university degree, like a Bachelor of Science, for a specific academic or research role.
If you need an NZQA-listed qualification. Our courses are for professional development and are internationally accredited by ICOES.
Anyone looking for hands-on, in-person training with live animals. This is an online course designed to build your knowledge base.
If you want to become a vet. That requires a specific veterinary science degree and registration.

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee.

Try the full course for two weeks. If it is not for you, we refund you in full. No questions asked, no conditions.

More from students

“I love that it has different ways to learn! I'll keep learning about each flower's conditioning needs — I feel I've learnt so much already.”

Tammie O. · Verified student

“Very informative, and I like the focus on clients. It's better to give advice in small segments — just as we do with our dogs. Small steps.”

John H. · Verified student

“Real world responses — wow. The laws, and what it means to run a facility, is an eye opener. Even the less-common-pets section was eye opening — rabbits are illegal to keep as pets here in Queensland!”

Lee P. · Verified student
Good to know

Common Questions.

Do I need a science background to enrol?+
No prior experience is needed. The course starts with the basics, covering animal cells, body systems, and how animals are classified, before moving into more applied topics like conservation genetics and environmental impact assessment. If you have some biology knowledge already, you can move through the early lessons quickly and get to the content that interests you most.
What New Zealand-specific content does this course cover?+
A lot. There are full lessons on kiwi, kakapo, tuatara, weka, takahe, Hector's dolphin, kokako, and other endemic species. The course also covers the Wildlife Act 1953, the Department of Conservation's structure and priorities, Predator-Free 2050, Treaty of Waitangi and wildlife management, and how threatened species are listed and managed here in New Zealand. This is not a generic zoology course with a few local examples added at the end.
How long does the course take to complete?+
The course is designed for around 241 hours of study across 100 lessons and 10 modules. If you want to move through it faster, there is a fast-track path that takes around 22 hours and focuses on the core content. You have 12 months of access, so you can fit study around your work or family commitments.
What certificate will I receive, and is it recognised?+
You will receive an Advanced Certificate in Zoology NZ, issued by Modern Education New Zealand. The course is accredited by ICOES (International Council for Online Educational Standards), which is an independent international quality body. This is not a nationally recognised qualification under NZQA, so if you need a formal qualification for a specific role, a polytechnic or PTE registered with NZQA may be a better fit. For professional development, building knowledge, or strengthening a conservation career, this course is a solid step.
How is this different from watching wildlife documentaries or YouTube videos?+
Documentaries are great for inspiration, but they do not teach you how to read an ecological report, design a behavioural observation study, or write a species conservation profile. This course is structured so each lesson builds on the last, and you have an AI tutor on every lesson you can ask specific questions. You finish with a capstone project: a species conservation briefing for a New Zealand decision-maker.
What does the AI tutor do?+
Every lesson has an AI tutor you can talk to as you study. You can ask it to explain a concept in simpler terms, test your understanding, or help you think through how a topic applies to a local species or situation. It responds to your question directly, rather than pointing you to a menu or a help page.

Start With a Free Lesson.

Start with the free first lesson, or enrol on the spot from $25 a week.

ModernEdu
Online certificate courses with an AI tutor built in. Study from anywhere in New Zealand.
Courses
All coursesAnimal CarePopular courses
Company
About usTestimonialsContact
Support
FAQRefund policyVerify a certificate
© 2026 Modern Education New ZealandPrivacy · Terms · Refunds
Advanced Certificate in Zoology NZ
First lesson free · $25/week · 14-day guarantee