Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies with a Concentration in Science

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Applicants to the Equine Studies program (EQS) are admitted into Midway University through the Office of Admissions as pre-Equine majors.

Admission Criteria

To be fully accepted into the Equine Studies major, students must meet the following requirements by the end of the spring semester of the second academic year:

Have completed Biology and Chemistry in high school with grades of C or above, or have completed Biology 103/104 or Chemistry 150/151 or higher at Midway University with a minimum grade of C in order to demonstrate acceptable levels of scientific knowledge.
Complete EQS 109 and 111 with a minimum grade of C in order to demonstrate appropriate knowledge of management procedures in the University’s equine facilities as well as work ethic, attitude, and ability to work with others. In addition to scheduled class time, students will be required to complete additional hours some afternoons during the week and one weekend a month at the University’s equine facilities.
Complete EQS 165 and 215/216 with a minimum grade of C to demonstrate basic understanding of the equine industry and basic equine anatomy and physiology.
Demonstrate the ability to handle horses on the ground according to criteria developed by the Equine Studies faculty and staff.
Cumulative GPA of 2.5 during first year of attendance
Interview with committee of faculty, staff, and industry professionals.

Program Description

The Equine Studies program at Midway University seeks to prepare students to enter the equine industry. Students have opportunities to work with a variety of horses and to perform multiple tasks in a farm setting, thereby learning basic horse handling techniques as well as barn and farm management principles and practices. Through academic preparation in theories and methods, students acquire the basis on which to make decisions affecting horse care; and through more focused knowledge in science, horse rehabilitation, farm management, and business practices, students prepare for graduate school or for entry-level positions in their choice of professions within the equine industry. Students will also have opportunities to apply the knowledge gained in class through application on the University’s farm.

Student Learning Outcomes of Program

Students who graduate with a degree in equine studies will be able to:

implement and assess safe, ethical, and sustainable equine management practices
communicate effectively to members of the equine industry, and to utilize emerging technologies related to the global equine industry
demonstrate awareness of the human-horse bond and of diversity in the competitive and the non-competitive equine industries
identify and evaluate equine anatomy and physiology and relate form to function and feeding strategy
possess the practical knowledge, skills, and work ethic to work with a variety of horses
ethically manage an equine facility
accept the diversity of the equine industry, and be able to work with people from a variety of backgrounds without prejudgment

Students must complete a minimum of 21 hours in the concentration from the courses listed below. Students who intend to pursue graduate studies in veterinary or animal sciences should complete the science courses required by the graduate school of their choice.