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

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
71-79
Catalog Year
2026-2027
Effective Term
Fall 2026
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) and transfer requirements should consult with an Academic Advisor.

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

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.

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
$92,820
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
$55,180

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 Degree Progress Report 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.

Semesters intro

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
BPC110 or
CIS105
Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems CS or CS 3
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
EQS105 Principles of Equine Science 3
EQS130 Equine Business and Law 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
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
EQS120 Equine Anatomy and Physiology 4
EQS140 Equine Behavior 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
EQS283 Special Event Internship 1

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
EQS220 Equine Reproduction 3
EQS225 Equine Health and Disease Management 3
EQS250 Equine Evaluation 3
EQS280 Applied Equine Skills I 3
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology SB 3
RE Restricted Electives 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
EQS275 Equine Lameness 4
EQS285 Equine Science Practicum 2
MA Mathematics MAT14+ OR Any higher approved general education course in the mathematics area MA 3–6

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
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
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design 3
SQ or SG Natural Sciences SG OR SQ*BIO or CHM recommended 4

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
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3
BPC110 or
CIS105
Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems CS or CS 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
EQS140 Equine Behavior 3
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 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
EQS130 Equine Business and Law 3
EQS200 Principles of Equine Nutrition 3
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology 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
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
EQS250 Equine Evaluation 3
EQS283 Special Event Internship 1
RE Restricted Electives 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
EQS225 Equine Health and Disease Management 3
EQS275 Equine Lameness 4
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

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
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
EQS280 Applied Equine Skills I 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

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
EQS285 Equine Science Practicum 2
MA Mathematics MAT14+ OR Any higher approved general education course in the mathematics area MA 3–6

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
EQS220 Equine Reproduction 3
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
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=16459482).

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.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Equine Science