Equine Science

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Equine Science degree is an innovative and balanced approach to learning, designed to prepare students for various careers in the equine industry. The program combines a broad-based curriculum of equine science classes with practical hands-on experiences. Students have the opportunity to work with renowned horse professionals while learning the skills and knowledge it takes to be a professional in the equine industry. The degree in Equine Science is also designed to prepare students to transfer to a four-year institution. The degree requires the successful completion of General Education courses including but not limited to English, Math, Humanities, and Science. A Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Equine Science is also available.

Details

Offered At
Scottsdale
Field of Interest
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Equine Science (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3022
Total credits required
67-76
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Students interested in transferring to an Arizona public university can satisfy the relevant Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC-A) and transfer requirements by completing the following courses:

An additional course with the Humanities, Arts and Design [HU] general studies designation 3
An additional course with the Natural Science [SQ OR SG] designation 4
An additional course with the Social Behavioral [SB] designation 3

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Implement safety protocols in the health, care, management, and handling of individual or groups of horses at various life stages according to industry standards.
  2. Apply equine related business, facilities, and event management best practices within the industry.
  3. Utilize emerging technologies for management, marketing, research, and communication.
  4. Apply scientific knowledge, including health and disease, nutrition, reproduction, and anatomy and physiology, to critically evaluate the various components of equine management.
  5. Identify legal issues and safety standards within the equine industry.
  6. Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with diverse populations on equine related subjects.
  7. Apply anatomical evaluation techniques to successfully manage serviceability of the equine based on form and function.
  8. Identify preventive protocols and rehabilitative modalities for continued equine health and performance.
  9. Practice industry accepted professional standards and ethical behavior as a steward for equine welfare.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

$85,620

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

$57,810

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products

$92,820

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

$55,180

Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials

$50,630

There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:
  • Reporters and Correspondents
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

When to Start Taking Classes

It is suggested that you begin taking the courses found in this course sequence starting in a Fall Semester.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Fall Semester (Term 1)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 1)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EQS105 Principles of Equine Science 3
EQS162 Equine and Stable Management I Critical course Students must take either EQS162 hands on* OR if going to vet tech or vet school must take EQS162VT in the summer instead; instructor permission required. 3
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
MA Mathematics MAT14+ OR Any higher approved general education course in the mathematics area MA 3–6
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3
EQS264 Equine and Stable Management II 3

Spring Semester (Term 2)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 2)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EQS120 Equine Anatomy and Physiology 4
EQS130 Equine Business and Law 3
EQS140 Equine Behavior 3
BPC110 or
CIS105
Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems CS or CS 3
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

Fall Semester (Term 3)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 3)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EQS280 or
EQS285
Equine Science Internship or Equine Science Practicum 2–3
EQS250 Equine Evaluation 3
EQS225 Equine Health And Disease Management 3
RE Restricted Electives 3
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology SB 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or SB or L or SB 3

Spring Semester (Term 4)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 4)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EQS200 Principles of Equine Nutrition 3
EQS220 Equine Reproduction 3
EQS275 Equine Lameness 4
EQS283 Special Event Internship 1
SQ or SG Natural Sciences SG OR SQ*BIO or CHM recommended 4
HU Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design 3

Restricted Electives: 

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ASL+++++ Any ASL American Sign Language course 4
EQS195 Equine Therapies I 3
EQS283 Special Event Internship 1
MGT253 Owning and Operating a Small Business 3
MKT110 Marketing and Social Networking 3
MKT263 Advertising Principles 3
SPA+++++ Any SPA Spanish Language Course 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Fall Semester (Term 1)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 1)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EQS105 Principles of Equine Science 3
EQS162 Equine and Stable Management I Critical course Students must take either EQS162 hands on* OR if going to vet tech or vet school must take EQS162VT in the summer instead; instructor permission required. 3
EQS264 Equine and Stable Management II 3
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Spring Semester (Term 2)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 2)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EQS120 Equine Anatomy and Physiology 4
EQS130 Equine Business and Law 3
EQS140 Equine Behavior 3

Fall Semester (Term 3)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 3)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EQS280 or
EQS285
Equine Science Internship or Equine Science Practicum 2–3
EQS250 Equine Evaluation 3
EQS225 Equine Health And Disease Management 3

Spring Semester (Term 4)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 4)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EQS200 Principles of Equine Nutrition 3
RE Restricted Electives 3
BPC110 or
CIS105
Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems CS or CS 3

Fall Semester (Term 5)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 5)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EQS220 Equine Reproduction 3
EQS275 Equine Lameness 4
EQS283 Special Event Internship 1

Spring Semester (Term 6)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 6)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or SB or L or SB 3
SQ or SG Natural Sciences SG OR SQ*BIO or CHM recommended 4

Fall Semester (Term 7)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 7)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology SB 3

Spring Semester (Term 8)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 8)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MA Mathematics MAT14+ OR Any higher approved general education course in the mathematics area MA 3–6
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design 3

Restricted Electives: 

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ASL+++++ Any ASL American Sign Language course 4
EQS195 Equine Therapies I 3
EQS283 Special Event Internship 1
MGT253 Owning and Operating a Small Business 3
MKT110 Marketing and Social Networking 3
MKT263 Advertising Principles 3
SPA+++++ Any SPA Spanish Language Course 3
Course Area Key

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=186698).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.