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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

Academic Career
Credit
Degree/Certificate Type
Career and Technical Associate Degree
Academic Plan
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan Code
3022
Total Credits Required
66-72
Catalog Year
2020-2021

When to Start Taking Classes

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

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.
Career Opportunities

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 annual median wages* for this program. 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.

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

$74,490

Animal Caretakers

$25,910

Animal Trainers

$31,180

Athletes and Sports Competitors

$26,370

Conservation Scientists

$66,920

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

$49,120

Fish and Game Wardens

$37,390

Insurance Sales Agents

$50,060

Photographers

$36,830

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

$67,440

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products

$75,160

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

$48,490

Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials

$37,440

Veterinarians

$102,560

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

$35,260

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

$59,030

* Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2019.
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 AAA/CPD150, AAA/CPD150AC, CPD104, and AAA115/CPD115. 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.

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
AAA/CPD115 or
AAA/CPD150 or
AAA/CPD150AC or
CPD104		 Creating College Success or Strategies for College Success or Educational and Career Planning or Career and Personal Development 0–3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
BPC110 or
CIS105		 Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems CS 3
MAT Any approved general education course from the Mathematics area. MAT 12X needed if going to vet tech or MAT14X/MAT15X if transferring to a four-year institution 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. 2

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 Critical course 3
EQS264 Equine and Stable Management II 4
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 0–3

Summer Semester (Term 3)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Summer Semester (Term 3)
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EQS280 or
EQS285		 Equine Science Internship or Equine Science Practicum 2–3
EQS162VT Equine Management for the Veterinary Technician 0–2

Fall Semester (Term 4)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 4)
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology SB 3
EQS225 Equine Health And Disease Management 3
EQS250 Equine Evaluation 3
EQS130 Equine Business and Law 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or L 3
RE Restricted Electives 3

Spring Semester (Term 5)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 5)
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EQS220 Equine Reproduction 3
EQS200 Principles of Equine Nutrition 3
EQS275 Equine Lameness 4
SQ or SG Natural Sciences SG OR SQ*BIO or CHM recommended 4
HU Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design 3
EQS283 Special Event Internship 1

Restricted Elecitves: 

A list of program electives for this pathway map
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EQS175 Introduction to Equine Therapies 3
EQS283 Special Event Internship 1
MGT253 Owning and Operating a Small Business 3
MKT110 Marketing and Social Networking 3
MKT263 Advertising Principles 3
SLG+++++ Any SLG American Sign Language course 4
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 or
EQS162VT		 Equine and Stable Management I or Equine Management for the Veterinary Technician 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. 2
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 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
AAA/CPD115 or
AAA/CPD150 or
AAA/CPD150AC or
CPD104		 Creating College Success or Strategies for College Success or Educational and Career Planning or Career and Personal Development 0–3
EQS264 Equine and Stable Management II 4
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL 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
MAT Any approved general education course from the Mathematics area. MAT 12X needed if going to vet tech or MAT14X/MAT15X if transferring to a four-year institution 3
EQS120 Equine Anatomy and Physiology 4
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 0–3

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
BPC110 or
CIS105		 Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems CS 3
EQS140 Equine Behavior Critical course 3
EQS280 or
EQS285		 Equine Science Internship or Equine Science Practicum 2–3

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
EQS250 Equine Evaluation 3
EQS130 Equine Business and Law 3
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
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology SB 3
EQS225 Equine Health And Disease Management 3
RE Restricted Electives 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
EQS200 Principles of Equine Nutrition 3
EQS275 Equine Lameness 4

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
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or L 3
SQ or SG Natural Sciences SG OR SQ*BIO or CHM recommended 4

Fall Semester (Term 9)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 9)
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EQS220 Equine Reproduction 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design 3

Restricted Elecitves: 

A list of program electives for this pathway map
Course
Number		 Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EQS175 Introduction to Equine Therapies 3
EQS283 Special Event Internship 1
MGT253 Owning and Operating a Small Business 3
MKT110 Marketing and Social Networking 3
MKT263 Advertising Principles 3
SLG+++++ Any SLG American Sign Language course 3
SLG+++++ Any SPA Spanish language course 3
Course Area Key

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

  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
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 curriculum website for the Associate in Applied Science in Equine Science (http://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm3?id=136443).

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.

Other Versions

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. Other versions of this pathway map from different catalog years are available below:

Catalog YearEffective Dates
2019-20205/28/2019 – 5/25/2020