Southwest Wildlife Online Tracking Training

Frequently Asked Questions
  1. I've heard very positive things about SWOTT from other trackers. To what do you atribute your success?
  2. Who should take these classes?
  3. Should I take these classes instead of some other class?
  4. Are these classes easy?
  5. Do I have to live in the southwestern USA to be accepted into the class?
  6. How many students are admitted per year?
  7. What is the length of each class?
  8. Who qualifies for admission?
  9. Can I take individual classes out-of-order?
  10. How does these classes differ from other tracking classes?
  11. How good will I be at track & sign identification after taking this this course sequence?
  12. Will I get a certificate if I take this course sequence?
  13. What is the cost for each class?
  14. How can you afford to offer classes at that price?
  15. When does the next class begin and what is the schedule for 2025?
  16. I want to enroll in one of the mini-classes but the posted schedule sequence doesn't work for me. What can I do?
  17. How do I apply for admission?
  18. Under what conditions can tuition be refunded?

  1. I've heard very positive things about SWOTT from other trackers. To what do you atribute your success?

    Our student:instructor ratio is about 1:1.5. You review our instructors' bios here and their tracker credentials at the "Find A Tracker" tab here.

  2. Who should take these classes?

    The mini-course sequence is designed for beginning and intermediate trackers. Applicants involved in some aspect of wildlife conservation are given precedence in admission.

  3. Should I take these classes instead of some other class?

    Not necessarily. In-person classes offered by top-notch tracking schools provide a much more well-rounded experience. Our classs are primarily intended for persons who have yet to have the opportunity to attend such classes. We suggest interested persons look at the list of tracking schools at NatureTracking.

  4. Is these classes easy?

    No. Most of our questions are based on photographs of partial and obscure tracks and require short essay answers. The weekly workload is about what you would expect for a 3-unit college class (6-9 hours of work per week). Students are expected to answer about ten exercise questions per week. The instructor for that question will pose followup questions until the student's responses meet the instructor's satisfaction. Well-prepared students typically receive, at most, one follow-up question. Poorly prepared students experience several cycles of responses and follow-up questions that take more than a week to resolve.

    There are also one or more tests in each class.
  5. Do I have to live in the southwestern USA to be accepted into the class?

    No. We focus on species found in San Diego County because we have thousands of photographic examples of tracks and signs from that area. The approach we use to track & sign identification applies to species from any region. Our students have come from as far away as Mexico, Canada, and Europe.

  6. How many students are admitted to each class?

    Class size is determined by the number of available instructors. The student-to-instructor ratio is typically about 1.5:1.

  7. What is the length of each class?

    Six or seven weeks.

  8. Who qualifies for admission?

    We give precedence to applicants currently contributing to wildlife conservation or who intend to apply track & sign identification to some aspect of wildlife conservation. This can be as simple as being a member of iNaturalist, volunteering at an animal shelter, or helping with beach cleanups. A wide range of activities qualify. We have found that people involved in wildlife conservation make the most serious and dedicated students.

  9. Can I take individual classes out-of-order?

    Yes. However, you must receive a passing score on the entrance exam for classes 2,3,4, and 7 if you have not taken the previous class. The cost of the entrance exam is $20 and it can be applied to the tuition for the class.

  10. How does these classes differ from other tracking classes?

    These classes emphasizes detailed observation and objective comparison of the track features of multiple species to come to a conclusion in track & sign identification. It is highly analytical.

  11. How good will I be at track & sign identification after taking this this course sequence?

    The quality of T&S identification skills cannot be predicted. Students who complete the course sequence will have acquired skill in using multi-factor analysis in track & sign identification. However, students must supplement their learning with time in the field. Students with the strongest interest and who consistently take the initiative to track in the field become the best trackers. This is true whether or not they take our classes. Our class accelerates a particular learning phase for such individuals. At the time of this writing, all alumni of the course sequence participated in Cybertracker evaluations have received Cybertracker Track & Sign Certificates.

  12. Will I get a certificate if I take this this course sequence?

    Students who complete the T&S 1-7 mini-course sequence and receive a passing score on the comprehensive T&S 7 test receive a completion certificate. Students who recieve a completion certificate are granted observer accounts which entitle them to view future class operation and course materials for the duration of SWOTT . Southwest Wildlife Online Tracking Training hosts Cybertracker evaluations on a regular basis. At the time of this writing, all alumni who have participated in Cybertracker evaluations have received a Track & Sign certificate from Cybertracker.

  13. What is the cost for each class?

    The tuition cost of each of the seven mini-classes is $40 as of September 16, 2024. Tuition is used to cover operating costs, to subsidize class tuition for disadvantaged students, and to subsidize Cybertracker evaluations and tracking workshops for our graduates. Instructors donate their time and expertise and receive no financial compensation.

    Southwest Wildlife Online Tracking Training will cover the cost of tuition for any deserving student for whom the cost would be burdensome.

  14. How can you afford to offer classes at that price?

    Instructors receive no monetary remuneration. We currently have a faculty of eleven instructors. Each instructor has volunteered to donate an average of one hour per week of their time. In that hour, an instructor handles an average of 1.4 questions for an average of 7.5 students. We are able to attract such highly skilled instructors because of their commitment to wildlife conservation and by limiting the amount of time they donate to one hour per week. Our operational costs are roughly $25 per month. The amount in excess of the amount obtained in tuition is applied to subsidize participation in Cybertracker evaluations for recent graduates and tuition for financially disadvantaged students.

  15. When does the next class begin and what is the schedule for 2025?

    The min-class schedule has been developed to enable ambitious trackers to complete the seven mini-course sequence within one year while enabling others to proceed with long breaks between mini-courses.

    • T&S 1 - January 19 - March 2: Multi-factor Analysis, Track Measurement, and Track Pattern Analysis FULL
    • T&S 1 - March 9 - April 20: Multi-factor Analysis, Track Measurement, and Track Pattern Analysis
    • T&S 2 - TBD: Track & Sign of Canidae, Felidae, Leporidae, Procyonidae, and Didelphidae*
    • T&S 3 - TBD: Track & Sign of Mephitidae, Mustelidae, Soricidae, Talpidae, Ursidae, Equidae, and ungulates*
    • T&S 4 - TBD: Track & Sign of Rodentia*
    • T&S 5 - TBD : Mammal Skulls
    • T&S 6 - TBD: Track & Sign of Birds, Reptiles/Amphibians, and Invertebrates
    • T&S 7 - TBD: Comprehensive Review*

    *Requires completion of the previous numbered class or a passing score on an admission test.
  16. I want to enroll in one of the mini-classes but the posted schedule sequence doesn't work for me. What can I do?

    Additional offerings of these mini-classes may be made subject to demand by at least five applicants and instructor availability.

    Inquire by email at
    email address

  17. How do I apply for admission?

    Apply by email to
    email address

    Please include the following information:

    • Your name
    • Email address
    • A description of your experience and/or intentions related to tracking and wildlife conservation.

    Class placement is contingent on SWOTT's accptance of your application and by first-come, first-served receipt of tuition payment.

  18. Can my tuition be refunded?

    There is a tuition refund deadline for each class. It is typically four to six week before the class begins. It is difficult to fill vacant slots after the deadline. The tuition refund deadline is disseminated to accepted applicants.


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