The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), founded in 1954, is the world's largest animal protection organization. The HSUS envisions a world in which people satisfy the physical and emotional needs of domestic animals; protect wild animals and their environments; and change their relationships with other animals, evolving from exploitation and harm to respect and compassion. The HSUS promotes the protection of all animals through investigation, rehabilitation, public education, political and consumer advocacy, and litigation.

 Humane Society University is a program of The HSUS. HSU offers professional development to the animal care and control community and to others who have an interest in humane and environmental issues.

The mission of Duquesne University's School of Leadership and Professional Advancement (SLPA) is to enhance people's lives and contribute to society through the delivery of quality education. The SLPA has received national awards for its adult-oriented programs. Duquesne University, founded in 1878, is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Recent honors include the Creative Use of Technology and Distinguished Credit Program awards from the Association of Continuing Higher Education and the Outstanding Leadership Program award from the Association for Leadership Educators.

The School of Leadership & Professional Advancement has offered online educational opportunities since 1996. SLPA programs are listed in the Sloan Consortium Catalog of Online Educational Programs, which recognizes high quality online degree programs. Sloan-C, sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, focuses on five pillars of quality in online education: student satisfaction, access, learning effectiveness, faculty satisfaction and institutional cost effectiveness.