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
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
EQS162VT is required for Veterinary Technician students currently enrolled in Mesa Community College (MCC) Veterinary Technology Program or students currently enrolled in Scottsdale Community College (SCC) Equine Science Program on track with Mesa Community College (MCC) Veterinary Technology Program upon graduation from SCC.
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
Complete MAT14+ or MAT15+ or higher 3-5 to satisfy the Mathematic General Education requirement
Students pursuing the Veterinary Technology program should complete MAT12+.
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:
- Implement safety protocols in the health, care, management, and handling of individual 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.
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 Show expanded career information for Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Animal Caretakers
$25,910 Show expanded career information for Animal Caretakers
Animal Trainers
$31,180 Show expanded career information for Animal Trainers
Athletes and Sports Competitors
$26,370 Show expanded career information for Athletes and Sports Competitors
Conservation Scientists
$66,920 Show expanded career information for Conservation Scientists
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
$49,120 Show expanded career information for First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
Fish and Game Wardens
$37,390 Show expanded career information for Fish and Game Wardens
Insurance Sales Agents
$50,060 Show expanded career information for Insurance Sales Agents
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
$48,780 Show expanded career information for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
Photographers
$36,830 Show expanded career information for Photographers
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
$67,440 Show expanded career information for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
$75,160 Show expanded career information for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
$48,490 Show expanded career information for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
$37,440 Show expanded career information for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
Veterinarians
$102,560 Show expanded career information for Veterinarians
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
$35,260 Show expanded career information for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
$59,030 Show expanded career information for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
- Animal Breeders
- Animal Scientists
- Farm and Home Management Advisors
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)
| 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)
| 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)
| 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)
| 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)
| 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 Electives:
| 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 | |||
| ASL+++++ | Any ASL 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)
| 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)
| 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)
| 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)
| 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)
| 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)
| 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)
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQS200 | Principles of Equine Nutrition | 3 | |||
| EQS275 | Equine Lameness | 4 |
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)
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQS220 | Equine Reproduction | 3 | |||
| HU | Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design | 3 |
Restricted Electives:
| 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 | |||
| ASL+++++ | Any ASL American Sign Language course | 3 | |||
| SPA+++++ | Any SPA Spanish language course | 3 |
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
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=157466).
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.