Equine Science

The A.S. degree in Equine Science will provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to be competitive in the equine industry. Training and skill development include; the study of anatomy and physiology, disease management and prevention, equine nutrition, equine restraint and behavior recognition, equipment and facility maintenance, equine training and riding skill development, equine breeding and reproduction. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to enter the workforce as nutrition and pharmaceutical sales representatives, assistant trainers, equine veterinary assistants, ranch management, breeding and reproduction specialists, diagnostic equipment assistants, office and advertising personal. Contact the division office in the Agriculture Building for advising assistance. 

a.    Enrollment and Completer Projections

The MJC Equine Science Program presently projects 50 enrollees in its first year. Students enter the program to pursue various goals within the degree such as a program certificate that can be achieved during the educational degree process as well as individual skills based certificates for various topics. We anticipate the current program will achieve 15-20 completers range per year by its 2nd year and maintain this completion range rate through its fifth year of operation.

The goal of the Equine Science program is to increase and improve the number, preparation and technical expertise of equine science students. Equine specialists and assistants who are prepared to improve equine industry management, clinical efficiency, and overall standards of care in the equine and animal science industry are a vital part of this areas success in the workplace. Equine students will work closely with industry experts to identify technology and critical skills that are needed in the field. The horse industry contributes approximately 50 Billion dollars in direct economic impact to the US industry (source: American Horse Council, 2017). This industry has a direct employment impact of 988,394 jobs(source: American Horse Council, 2017). The equine industry provides economic vitality to the Valley and is a foundation component of many hobby as well as professional business in our area. With the number of horses in our state at an estimated 534,500 and the average equine owner spending between $1-300.00 dollars per year on each animal, the need for qualified equine technicians and health care providers is rising (source: American Horse Council, 2017).According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2017) animal scientists and more specifically; production animal operation managers have a median wage of$60,000, putting our equine science graduates into an income category that meets or exceeds current employability within the agriculture field.

The equine industry is heavily reliant on experience and employee skills to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Over the last several years, evolving technology has changed the way industries that use diagnostic and therapeutic tools, thereby impacting skill requirements of students in the equine field. They must be able to deliver effective patient care where and when it is needed. To address the education and skill needs of the industry, two specific objectives are developed to achieve the project goal of preparing students: 1) Develop and deliver standardized curriculum that advances the knowledge and skill level of our graduates. 2) Create a pipeline of skilled, certified graduates that meet current equine employment requirements.

Skill development and knowledge embedded in this new program enables graduates to become a valued and vital role in the equine industry, in addition to contributing to this multi-billion dollar industry.

To earn an Associate in Science Degree in this major, the student must complete the requirements detailed in the Career Technical Education Pathway or the University Preparation Pathway which include completion of the requirements below.

Agriculture Career Courses (Complete 5 units)

AgricultureScience Breath Courses (Complete 9 units)

MajorRequired Courses (Complete 12 Units) 

ElectiveCourses (Complete 4 Units)  

Any Agriculture class not used in Area II for breadth core

Any Animal Science class not used in Area III for major core

TOTAL UNITS= 28-30 UNITS