Equine Studies Degree Program

Earn a bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree in equine studies to prepare for a career in the equine industry. SMWC’s Mari Hulman George School of Equine Studies is one of 20 equine colleges in the U.S. to offer this degree.

Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies Overview

Are you ready to turn your love of horses into a rewarding career? The Mari Hulman George School of Equine Studies at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) prepares students to meet the challenges of an expanding equine industry. As an equine studies major, you will experience a solid academic foundation for your career by choosing from four equine concentrations.

Major curriculum – 36-40 credit hours

Associate curriculum – 31 credit hours

Minor curriculum – 22 credit hours

Concentrations

Equine Business Management

Equine Business Management is essential for students wishing to own or work in an equine-related business. In addition to horse care, you will focus on business management skills including business plans, marketing strategies, financial and legal initiative, management and professional development.

Equine Training and Instruction

Equine Training and Instruction prepares students for a rewarding career teaching equitation and for those interested in working as a professional instructor in the Western and Hunt seat disciplines. While the primary emphasis is on training the instructor, students may also avail themselves of a variety of courses designed to develop the foundational skills in training and schooling horses in a variety of disciplines.

Equine Science

Equine Science educates students in the scientific aspects of the equine industry. Students can pursue a variety of different careers such as veterinary technology, pharmaceuticals, nutrition, breeding management and barn management. This concentration will also prepare students for graduate school in the science-related industries.

Equine Communication

Equine Communication prepares students to enter fields of journalism, photography, mass/digital media, advertising or public relations as they relate to an equestrian career. Courses include digital imaging, digital video and audio production, photography, advertising, professional writing and public speaking.

Minors

If you are interested in combining equine with another career field, you may consider one of these minors.

Equine Studies

Equine Studies provides courses in areas of general equine health, stable management, equine nutrition and feeding, and equine operations.

Equine Science

Equine Science minor provides a foundation for the pre-veterinary student wishing to specialize in equine practice.

Equine Assisted Therapy

Equine Assisted Therapy combines elements of education, mental health and organizational leadership. This helping profession minor is applicable to a wide variety of careers in health and human services.

Equine Studies Career Paths

Careers in the equine industry are diverse in nature and requirements. In a small privately-owned facility with only a few employees, equine jobs typically require considerable versatility. Whereas in large elaborate operations, positions can be specialized. Some students are in line to take over a family business; others are hoping to start a business of their own.

Check out our blog, 10 Careers you can have with an equine studies degree

Employers of Some of our Graduates

  • Alpha Equestrian Center, Georgia
  • Double Run Farms, North Carolina
  • Equine Country, North Carolina
  • Hoosier Park Race Track, Indiana
  • Love Way Therapeutic Center, Indiana
  • Maple Ridge Sport Horses, Indiana
  • Pine View Farms, Ohio
  • Reins of Life, Indiana
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Veterinary Hospital, Kentucky

Equine Internships

We assist you in finding educational internships for the summer and during school breaks. Previous internships have included work at breeding farms, lesson and show barns and summer camps. Internships are a valuable learning tool and we strongly encourage students to take advantage of this experience even before you begin your college education.