Program Requirements

     
Degrees offered: B.A. or B.S.

The B.A. or B.S. in Equine Studies will provide an outlet of learning and exploration for those with a strong interest in the field of equitation and provide a sound and academically rigorous, yet flexible, course of study for students. Graduates will be prepared to achieve in a variety of areas: barn management, business, horse racing, therapy, and graduate study.

The Major in Equine Science consists of the following 32-34 hours:

EQS 201             Introduction to Equine Studies             (3 hours)
EQS 232             Equine Management                          (3 hours)
EQS 331             Equine Disease Management               (3 hours)
EQS 333             Animal Nutrition                               (3 hours)
EQS 400             Seminar                                          (1-3 hours)
EQS 402             Small Business Management               (3 hours)
EQS 431             Principles of Light Horse Training         (3 hours)
EQS 432             Rider Instructor Training - Beginning    (1 hour)
EQS 471             Internship                                        (3 hours)
EQS                   Riding Classes                                  (3 hours)
BIO 310              Parasitology                                     (3 hours)
PSY 402              Exceptional Children                          (3 hours)


Equine Studies majors are required to take following as prerequisites:
BUS 101             Principles of Macroeconomics     (3 hours)
BIO 103              Foundations of Biology OR
BIO 104              Principles of Biology                 (4 hours)
PSY 201              General Psychology                  (3 hours)


The Minor in Equine Science consists of the following 19 hours:
EQS 201             Introduction to Equine Studies             (3 hours)
EQS 232             Equine Management                          (3 hours)
EQS 331             Equine Disease Management               (3 hours)
EQS 333             Animal Nutrition                               (3 hours)
EQS 431             Principles of Light Horse Training         (3 hours)
EQS 432             Rider Instructor Training - Beginning     (1 hour)
EQS                   Riding Classes                                  (3 hours)


Equine-Facilitated Mental Health Emphasis
A student interested in pursuing an Equine Therapy may do so as part of a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology (B.S.) or, when available, as part of the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree program. Students wishing to become a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH – previously NARHA) Registered Instructor will have the opportunity to perform volunteer work and to complete a Therapeutic Horsemanship Internship at a PATH Premier Accredited Center in the Birmingham or Montgomery area. For an emphasis in Equine Therapy, in addition to the core requirements of the student’s major field of study, the following academic coursework is recommended:

BIO 205            Human Anatomy                                    (4 hours)
HPE 214            First Aid & CPR                                      (2 hours)
EQS 232            Equine Management                               (3 hours)
EQS 311            Animal Partnership                                (3 hours)
EQS 431            Principles of Light Horse Training             (3 hours)
EQS 432            Riding Instructor Training – Beginning       (1 hour)
PSY 204            Human Growth & Development                (3 hours)
PSY 402            Exceptional Children                              (3 hours)