Session 1 

Online Portion: 

Online Classes Open: March 9, 2026

• The online portion must be completed prior to arriving for the onsite portion.
• Online classes are at your own pace and schedule.

Onsite Portion:

May 17, 2026 - May 23, 2026 OR June 1, 2026 - June 7, 2026

• Application Information: Application Deadline: February 28, 2026
• You must submit a completed application with all required documents for your application to be considered valid.
• Scholarship Application Deadline: February 15, 2026

Session 2 

Online Portion: 

Online Classes Open: August 10, 2026

• The online portion must be completed prior to arriving for the onsite portion.
• Online classes are at your own pace and schedule.

Onsite Portion: 

INFO COMING SOON

• Application Information: Application Deadline: August 1, 2026
• You must submit a completed application with all required documents for your application to be considered valid.
• Scholarship Application Deadline: July 19, 2026

Enrollment and Admissions Information:

• Upon acceptance, you will be provided with an enrollment form to complete
• Minimum age: 18 years old
• International students are eligible 

All students are expected to maintain the highest personal and ethical standards of conduct consistent with the professional effort expected by DRCTI staff 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 staff and may result in student dismissal by Dolphin Research Center Training Institute.

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 can exceed 10 hours a day during the onsite portion of the program. As this program includes participation in the operation of a marine mammal facility that is open to the public, appropriate behavior is expected. Due to the nature of a facility that cares for live animals, students are expected to be understanding and flexible in scheduling.

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 communication 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 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 dealing 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 the cleaning of coolers and other materials related to animal care.
 

Motor Skills: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective animal care, including without assistance, the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. 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, 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 student is responsible for his or her own food, transportation, travel arrangements, and expenses.

The DRCTI Student Residence provides housing for up to six students throughout the duration of the on-site portion of the Dolphin Academy program. Student Residence bedrooms are shared with two to three students per room. The shared bedrooms are composed of either bunk or loft beds. All bedrooms will have desks and space for clothing drawers. Closet space is also available. Two full bathrooms in the residence are communal. The Student Residence has a full kitchen, dining area, living room, study room, and laundry facilities.

Housing costs include: 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. Room selection is based on a first-come, first-served basis. However, while the Student Residence is considered co-ed, bedrooms within the residence are not. Therefore, DRCTI reserves the right to determine the best configuration so co-ed habitation of the bedrooms is avoided.

Other costs incurred by students may include but are not limited to travel, food, personal supplies, and other living expenses.

Download the credit card authorization form in the Application & Forms tab. Upload the completed form to your application/enrollment forms. Please submit your application and remember to complete any additional requirements such as deposit, letters of recommendation, etc. 

Full payment of tuition is due 30 days before the start date of the program. If the date is within 30 days of the start of the program, the balance is due immediately. Payment of the balance not received by this deadline will result in the automatic removal of the applicant from the program.

Scholarship - CLOSED (Deadline July 13th)
In order to further this mission, we would like to make our Dolphin Academy program available to individuals whose interest and passion to pursue a career with marine mammals exceeds their bank accounts. Through the generosity of a DRC donor, the Dolphin Academy Scholarships were created to make this possible.  

Each scholarship will cover tuition. The scholarship award will be based on the greatest financial need and highest motivation to share knowledge acquired in the program for the benefit of marine mammals around the world.

For mor information about available scholarships, email [email protected]

Cancellation and Refund Policy:
The $200 deposit is refunded in the event the applicant is not accepted into the Dolphin Academy program or if the session is canceled by Dolphin Research Center.

Should a student’s enrollment be terminated or canceled for any reason, all tuition fees will not be refunded after the online class start date. 
 
Refunds will be considered if DRCTI is notified in writing prior to the online class start date.

Application will reopen June 1st, 2026 

Apply Now!