Tarleton State Equine Science Certificate Program
The Tarleton State University Equine Science Certificate Program is designed to provide students with a thorough background in equine management, physiology, and production. Students must complete the introductory course, ANSC 1309, with an 80% grade or higher to be accepted into the program. Those accepted into the program are required to earn a B or higher in all remaining courses that apply to the program. Those that complete the program are awarded an official certificate, upon graduation, documenting their proficiency in equine science. There is a minimum of 22 credits required: 16 credits of core classes and 6 credits of electives classes. This option is available to all majors.
Required Core Class (16 Credits)
ANSC 1309-Introduction of Horse Production (Fall, Spring)
ANSC 3101-Issues in the Equine Industry (Fall, Spring)
ANSC 3314-Applied Equine Nutrition (Spring)
ANSC 4301 Equine Breeding Management (Spring)
ANSC 4330-Horse Enterprise Management (Spring, Fall)
VTSC 4331 Equine Disease and Health Management (Fall)
Elective Classes (choose 6 credits of the following)
Directed Elective classes (choose 1 from the list; 3 credits):
ANSC 2305 Horse Handling Techniques (Spring)
ANSC 3305 Equine Evaluation (Spring)
ANSC 3325 Equine Exercise Physiology (Fall, odd years)
ANSC 3335 Behavior Modification (Fall)
ANSC 3340 Basic Therapeutic Riding (Fall, Spring, Summer)
ANSC 4084 Internship-needs to have an equine focus (Fall, Spring, Summer)
ANSC 4086 Special Problems (1-3 credits)-needs to be equine focus (Fall, Spring, Summer)
ANSC 4325 Equine Sales Prep and Marketing (Fall)
Business/Communication Directed elective block (choose 1 from the list; 3 credits)
ACOM 3321. Communicating Agriculture to the Public
AGEC 4325. Recreation and Tourism Economics
AGEC 4350. Natural Resource Economics
ANSC 4325 Equine Sales Prep and Marketing (Fall)
COMM 3304 Interpersonal Communication
MGMT 3300 Principles of Management
MGMT 3304 Small Business Management
MGMT 3350 Organization Behavior
MKTG 3312 Marketing
Admission: Students may apply for admission to the certification program after the completion of ANSC 1309 with a grade of a B (80%) or higher.
Academic requirements: Students have to earn a B or higher in all certificate courses. If, at any time, a student’s GPA drops below these levels, the student will be dropped from the certification program. Students have the option to re-take courses and be re-admitted into the certification program. The student may continue to enroll in equine courses, but they will not receive the equine certification. Certificates of completion will be awarded following verification of final transcripts. All certificate students must maintain a 2.5 overall GPA
Example course schedule for completing the Equine Science Certificate
| First Semester | Second Semester |
| ANSC 1309 | ANSC 1309 (if not taken Fall semester) |
| Third Semester | Four Semester |
| Direct/Business Elective Course | ANSC 3314 |
| Fifth Semester | Sixth Semester |
| VTSC 4331 | ANSC 4301 |
| ANSC 3101 | |
| Seventh Semester | Eight Semester |
| ANSC 4330 | Direct/Business Elective Course |
Students typically take ANSC 1309 during their freshman or sophomore year. It is common to take more than 1 equine course per semester once the ANSC 1309 course is completed if their degree plan allows for several elective courses. Several courses are only offered once a year and may have prerequisites. Please check the course catalog and descriptions for more information about each course.
Equine Certificate students are encouraged to be active members of the Tarleton Block and Bridle (B&B) student organization and/or the Tarleton Bloodstock Club. The B&B group represents the American Collegiate Horseman’s Association (ACHA), a national student organization that works to promote and educate students and the public about the horse industry. The Bloodstock Club focuses on pedigree analysis and breeding strategies for the western performance horse.
A new opportunity for Equine Certificate students is to apply for the Tarleton Collegiate Equine Leadership Program. This is an intensive leadership training program that provides selected students the chance to develop networking, written and oral communication skills, and leadership qualities. Students who complete the training receive a completion certificate.