For more information, please contact Dr. Charlotte Quist | (406)683-7030 | c_quist@umwestern.edu.
The primary objective of the AAS: Equine Studies program is to provide students with a realistic venue for pursuing their passion for horses. The program is designed to increase students’ knowledge of the science, behavior, care and management of horses, and to expand their awareness of the equine industry well above that of the average horseperson. The University of Montana Western’s experiential approach and broad-based curriculum allows the successful graduate to pursue a wide range of equine-related professions.
Discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Be well-versed in general knowledge about the equine industry including the common breeds, equine activities and events, and equine-related career options.
Understand the principles of equine nutrition and basic horse care to maximize horse health, and performance.
Understand the basic anatomy and physiology of the horse, and be conversant with the common disease and lameness problems seen in horses.
Be knowledgeable about selecting, evaluating and purchasing horses.
Understand and implement basic preventative herd health programs for horses.
Communication skills (especially oral and written):
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, on equine-related subjects with a wide variety of equine professionals and others in the industry.
Work collegially with others.
Problem-solving skills:
Possess the knowledge and skills required to assess a horse’s basic health status.
Be able to assess a horse’s conformation and gait and relate it to that horse’s suitability, function, and health Be able to recognize and evaluate a variety of horse feeds and pasture situations.
Be conversant about and be able to recognize common disease problems in horses.
Understand and evaluate the effectiveness of equine preventive health programs.
Discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Equine studies students’ are assessed for discipline-specific knowledge, skills and abilities in the courses listed below through one or more of the following: exams, reports or papers, internship portfolios, evaluations.
Specific courses and assessment activities:
EQST 101 Introduction to Equine Studies: quizzes, examinations, reports, papers, presentations
EQST 102 Equine Selection & Judging: quizzes, reports, examinations
EQST 200 Internship: internship portfolios, presentations
EQST 201 Basic Horse Care & Nutrition: quizzes, examinations, lab practicals, papers
EQST 202/203 Equine Science I & II: quizzes, examinations, lab activities, journal article reports
EQST 204 Equine Facilities Management: papers, presentations, lab activities, examinations
Communication skills (especially oral and written):
Equine studies students are assessed for communication skills via observation, and oral and written presentations required in the courses listed below. Internship supervisors also provide feedback on the students’ communication skills via evaluations.
Specific courses and assessment activities:
EQST 101 Introduction to Equine Studies: reports, papers, presentations
EQST 200 Internship: internship portfolios, presentations
EQST 204 Equine Facilities Management: papers, presentations
Problem-solving skills:
Equine studies students’ problem-solving skills, including critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and decision making, are assessed during the courses listed below. Assessments are made both by direct observation during classes and laboratory periods, as well as by evaluations of written materials including examinations and reports, papers or journals.
Specific courses and assessment activities
EQST 102 Equine Selection & Judging: quizzes, reports, examinations
EQST 201 Basic Horse Care & Nutrition: quizzes, examinations, lab practicals, papers
EQST 202/203 Equine Science I & II: quizzes, examinations, lab, journal article reports
EQST 204 Equine Facilities Management: papers, lab activities, examinations
Feedback from current students:
Equine Studies faculty receive program feedback from current students via the following venues:
UMW graduate/exit survey
Internship coordinator's feedback
Internship portfolio
Capstone assignment: final exam, written and oral presentation in EQST 204
Feedback from outside constituencies:
Survey feedback from graduates one year after graduation (implemented AY 2006-07, feedback from 2004-05 program graduates)
Survey feedback from employers of one-year-out graduates (implemented AY 2006-07, feedback of 2004-05 program graduates)
Feedback from internship supervisors
Evaluation of teaching:
During the fall semester, the VCAA chooses the faculty member's course to be evaluated. Each faculty member chooses a course during spring semester that s/he wants evaluated by students. Feedback is compiled and shared with the faculty member and VCAA. In addition, each faculty member also has at least one peer evaluation per year.
Curriculum Review
The curriculum for the AAS: Equine Studies option was reviewed and revised for the implementation of block scheduling. Once the Business and Equine faculty begin receiving the results of employer and alumni surveys from the Career Services Office, they will review the information and make adjustments to the AAS: Equine Studies degree as necessary.
Criteria and procedures for admission and retention of students
The criteria and procedures for admission into the AAS: Equine Studies program are those of the admission process for The University of Montana Western. There are no specific departmental admission requirements.
Appraisal of annual program goals and assessment of their success
Potential modification of curriculum based upon feedback from recent graduates, graduates following one year of employment, employers, and collected exhibits/artifacts.
Self-study or reports from program reviews
A focused interim report on the AAS: Equine Studies program was submitted to NWCCU in March 2004. The program was reviewed on-site by Dr. Lucille T. Stoddard, external reviewer representing NWCCU in April 2004. The reviewer noted that "the program is being implemented in a manner consistent with Commission standards." In a letter dated July 1, 2004, NWCCU reaffirmed accreditation for The University of Montana - Western on the basis of the spring 2004 focused interim report and visit regarding the previously approved Substantive Change proposal to offer the AAS in Equine Studies degree program.
Program-specific curriculum development bodies and advisory groups
All faculty teaching in the Equine-specific degree areas assist with program-specific curriculum development. No other curriculum development bodies exist at this time.