Equine Studies - B.S.
The Equine Studies bachelor's degree program introduces students to all facets of the equine field. Students have the opportunity to complete a general course of study or focus their education on equine business management or equine-assisted services specialization. By combining a foundation of comprehensive equine courses with a solid business or equine therapeutic-focused core curriculum, students are prepared for a diversity of careers working with horses. Students learn how to select, care for and manage horses involved in all aspects of the equine industry.
Foundational equine classes develop their understanding of horses with study in anatomy, physiology, behavior, lameness, sports therapy, genetics, nutrition, diseases and reproduction. Further classes develop the ability to evaluate horses for sport and develop skills in equine facilities design, operation and event management.
Students gain hands-on experience in all aspects of horse husbandry, including handling and health maintenance, nutrition, facilities management and equipment usage.
All students participate in the internship program, which allows them to work in the equine industry at approved establishments.
Core and elective courses in the College of Arts & Sciences provide the critical thinking and communication skills that are considered essential by employers along with the chance for students to explore areas of personal interest.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:
- Design a comprehensive health plan that addresses the needs of different classes of horses, integrating best practices in disease prevention, nutrition and management.
- Evaluate the conformation, anatomy and movement of sport horses to determine the most appropriate use for each individual horse.
- Apply basic learning theory and implement ethical equine training practices.
- Evaluate the impact of various international influences on the historical development of the modern equine industry.
Specialization in Equine Business Management
Students choosing a specialization in equine business management take a suite of courses from the College of Business designed to provide them with up-to-the-minute business skills. Students develop financial literacy, strategic planning, entrepreneurship, operations management and total quality management skills alongside traditional business majors. Students completing this specialization are prepared to manage all aspects of the equine industry. Examples of careers include farm manager, equine advertising account manager, equine business entrepreneur, sales representative, insurance agent, horse show personnel, and horse/breed association publicist.
Upon completion of the Equine Business Management specialization, students are expected to:
- Develop a comprehensive business plan for the management and marketing of various aspects of an equine-related business.
Specialization in Equine-Assisted Services
Students choosing an emphasis in equine-assisted activities and therapies take a suite of courses that enhance and strengthen the qualifications of graduates interested in equine-assisted activities and therapies. This specialization gives students the opportunity to gain additional knowledge and skills in the expanding field of therapeutic riding and equine-assisted learning. Students completing this specialization can pursue careers in therapeutic riding instruction, therapeutic horse management, therapeutic riding program management, and equine-assisted learning and therapy.
Upon completion of the Equine-Assisted Services specialization, students are expected to:
- Demonstrate the skills and knowledge requisite for pursuing a career in equine-assisted services.
To participate in the Equine Studies program, each student, with or without reasonable accommodations, must be able to safely (including the safety of the animal, where applicable) meet minimum technical standards as described for this program.
Equine Studies
A four-year program leading to the bachelor of science degree
Credits Major Courses | ||
| EQN1001 | Introduction to Equine Studies | 3 |
| EQN1006 | Introduction to Equine Studies Laboratory | 1 |
| EQN1030 | Equine Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| EQN2030 | Equine Lameness and Sports Therapy Laboratory | 1 |
| EQN2000 | Equine Diseases and Conditions | 3 |
| EQN2001 | Foundations of Horsemanship and Riding Theory (Equine Lameness & Sports Threapy) | 3 |
| EQN3010 | Equine Reproduction and Genetics | 3 |
| EQN3025 | Equine Nutrition | 3 |
| EQN3040 | Sport Horse Evaluation and Judging | 3 |
| EQN3350 | Equine Facility Design and Operation Management | 3 |
| EQN4410 | Equine Behavior and Training | 3 |
| Major Electives or Specialization | ||
| Choose 27 credits of the following* (maximum of three credits in horseback riding) or Specialization listed below:† | 27 | |
| Financial Accounting | ||
| Managerial Accounting | ||
| Marketing Communications | ||
| Principles of Animal Behavior and Training | ||
| Perspectives in Animal-Assisted Interventions | ||
| Animal Welfare, Health and Wellness | ||
| Special Topics in Animal Science I | ||
| Special Topics in Animal Science II | ||
| Special Topics in Animal Science III | ||
| General Biology - Cellular and General Biology Laboratory - Cellular | ||
| General Biology - Organismal and General Biology Laboratory - Organismal | ||
| Introduction to Business and Management | ||
| Foundations in Chemistry and Foundations in Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Digital/Social/Mobile Media | ||
| Macroeconomics | ||
| Microeconomics | ||
| World Economic Geography | ||
| The Global Economy in the 21st Century | ||
| Managerial Economics | ||
| Contemporary Economic Issues | ||
| Introduction to Sports Writing | ||
| Introduction to Entrepreneurship | ||
| Pitching & Planning New Ventures | ||
| Small Business Management | ||
| Growth and Sustainability for Small Business | ||
| Marketing for Entrepreneurs | ||
| Financing New Ventures | ||
| Collegiate Horseback Riding | ||
| Methods of Horseback Riding Instruction | ||
| Equine Competition Management and Course Design | ||
| Introduction to Equine-Assisted Services | ||
| Application of Equine-Assisted Services | ||
| Horse Farm Management and Business Planning | ||
| Equine International Experience | ||
| Special Topics in Equine Studies I | ||
| Special Topics in Equine Studies II | ||
| Special Topics in Equine Studies III | ||
| Equine Industry Experience | ||
| Introduction to Event Management | ||
| The Business of Event Management | ||
| Fairs and Festivals | ||
| Spreadsheet Design for Business Solutions | ||
| Finance | ||
| Orientation to the Hospitality Industry | ||
| Exploring the Private Club Industry | ||
| The Legal Environment of Business I | ||
| Introduction to Media & Communication Studies | ||
| Writing for Radio, Television and Film | ||
| Introduction to Media Production | ||
| Foundations of Digital Photography | ||
| Media Texts | ||
| Writing for Publication | ||
| Contemporary Business Management II | ||
| Human Resource Management | ||
| Marketing Foundations | ||
| Environmental Science | ||
| Introduction to Exercise Physiology | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology | ||
| Introduction to the Sports, Entertainment and Event Management Industry | ||
| Sporting Activities in Private Clubs | ||
| Athletic Coaching and Administration | ||
| International Sports, Entertainment, Event and Venue Management | ||
| Adventure, Sport and Nature-Based Tourism | ||
| Applied/Experiential Learning | ||
| Choose 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| College of Arts & Sciences Internship Ic | ||
| Directed Experiential Education D | ||
| Undergraduate Research Experience | ||
| Honors Directed Academic Experience | ||
Study Abroad Sa | ||
| Related Professional Studies | ||
| CAR0010 | Career Management | 1 |
| FYS1020 | First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| A&S Core Experience | ||
| Communications Foundation Courses | 9 | |
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition II | ||
| Communication Skills | ||
| Integrative Learning | 6 | |
Two ILS courses, one at the 2000 level, one at the 4000 level | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 6 | |
Two courses from different disciplines: ART, HIST, HUM, LIT, PHIL, or REL | ||
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| Fundamentals of Algebra | ||
| Statistics I | ||
| Science | 3 | |
| Introduction to Life Science | ||
| Social Science | 6 | |
| Introductory Psychology | ||
One course from ANTH, ECON, GEND, LEAD, PSCI, RES or SOC | ||
| A&S electives | 6 | |
Two courses with EASC attribute | ||
| Free Electives # | ||
| 12 credits selected from 1000-4999 numbered offerings within the university | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 124.0 | |
- *
Students are responsible for meeting prerequisites.
Credits †Specialization in Equine-Assisted Services | ||
| Students must select 11 additional Major Elective credits if selecting this specialization. | ||
| EQN3001 | Methods of Horseback Riding Instruction | 3 |
| EQN3280 | Introduction to Equine-Assisted Services | 3 |
| EQN3290 | Application of Equine-Assisted Services | 3 |
| PSYC2002 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Choose one from the following: | 4 | |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | ||
| Kinesiology and Kinesiology Laboratory | ||
| Total Credits | 16.0 | |
Credits †Specialization in Equine Business Management | ||
| Students must select 3 additional Major Elective credits if selecting this specialization. | ||
| ACCT1210 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ECON1001 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ENTR2001 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| or ENTR3015 | Small Business Management | |
| EQN4050 | Horse Farm Management and Business Planning | 3 |
| FIT1040 | Spreadsheet Design for Business Solutions | 3 |
| FISV2000 | Finance | 3 |
| LAW2001 | The Legal Environment of Business I | 3 |
| MRKT1001 | Marketing Foundations | 3 |
| Total Credits | 24.0 | |
IcTypically, internships require a minimum of six credits. Students interested in a 9 or 12-credit internship can apply additional experiential learning and free elective credits, if available. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty advisor before scheduling internship and free elective credits.
D Directed Experiential Education (DEE) opportunities are based on project availability with community partners and student eligibility. For more information, visit Experiential Education & Career Services (EE&CS).
SaTo be eligible to count toward Applied/ Experiential Learning, a Study Abroad offering must meet certain requirements. Contact JWU Global to discuss eligible Study Abroad options for this degree program.
# In addition to classes, free elective credits may be applied to a number of options such as internship, study abroad, Directed Experiential Education courses and courses in a specialization or minor as relevant. For Accelerated Master's program students, up to three graduate-level courses may apply. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty advisor before scheduling free elective credits.
NOTE: Students must pass MATH0010 Pre-Algebra or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in required math course(s).
Note: Students must pass ENG0001 Writing Workshop or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in ILS 2000-level courses
In collaboration with academic colleges across all JWU campuses, JWU Global Study Abroad programs offer a variety of international options for major, minor, arts and sciences, and elective credit at many affordable price points for students during the academic year, break periods, and summer. Faculty-led, exchange, affiliate, and direct-enroll programs range in duration from one week to a full semester or full year. Financial aid may be applied and scholarships are available. Visit the study abroad website for information, program descriptions and online applications. Where will you go?