What is the best way to search for the various equine/equestrian related Graduate programs in the US?
I’m on a national listserv for college advisers, and a non-horse oriented adviser posted asking for help in providing a student with a list of schools and programs that will “allow her to continue to develop her riding skills/teaching experience, and prepare her to manage a farm.”
I thought I could help and then realized I knew very little about how to actually find these graduate programs.
The only post graduate program I know of is a Certificate in Equine Business offer by the University of Louisville’s School of Business. This is a one year program aimed at those who want careers in the equine industry.
http://business.louisville.edu/equine/
plus side if they ride and can get their track card at Churchill to do exercise riding the Downs is only a few blocks away
I can’t imagine that going to graduate school is the most effective way to learn to manage a farm, either financially or with regard to her time.
I don’t think you’re going to have much luck finding a graduate program with a focus on riding/teaching/barn management. That’s typically going to be an undergrad program. Once you get to graduate programs, you’re generally going to be looking at things like equine nutrition or genetics/breeding rather than riding/teaching or farm management.
If the student is determined to go to grad school, I would suggest looking for a university that offers a masters in some branch of equine science and has a big, active, undergraduate program in riding/training/farm management with an IHSA or NCEA program. That way, there may be avenues for involvement in the riding program as a grad student.
Student would be MUCH better off being a working student at a very good barn than in any equine science program.
The University of Edinburgh offers Graduate Certificates, Diplomas, and Masters in Equine Science all via distance learning. However, I can say having just done the program and now having a Masters, it will not in any way help with teaching and riding.
I’m thinking though… suggest the student in question look into the options in the UK for the BHS exams. It’s not a graduate program, but it covers riding skills, teaching, and stable management.
I don’t know of any actual grad programs, although the University of Guelph here in Canada offers online and onsite certificates and diplomas http://equineguelph.ca/education/progams_list.php. Guelph is generally a highly regarded school, and they are home to Ontario’s only vet school. As others have stated however I have heard mixed reviews of their actual preparation for employment (but don’t have any direct first hand knowledge).
The lack of programs out there is one giant indication that it’s not a good investment. I mean, sure, you can find some highly specialized fields where only a few universities offer that certain degree, but I don’t think any of us believe that equine business is that specialized. (Full disclosure, I don’t think even an undergrad equine studies degree is a good idea-- get a b-school or pre-law degree and take a ton of riding lessons instead.)
Seriously, what is the logical justification to pursue an expensive graduate degree in a low-paying field? You are either independently wealthy & willingly devoting yourself to a passion, or you are a gullible mark.
If I had to choose between an instructor who had learned riding coming up through the ranks, working and showing and one who “developed riding skills” in grad school, there would be almost no thought needed for the decision. I’d run far away from the grad school rider.
[QUOTE=HungarianHippo;8901011]
but I don’t think any of us believe that equine business is that specialized. .[/QUOTE]
I used to work for the company that is currently the largest share holder of Churchill Downs, we owned Arlington Park before they rolled that into acquiring control of Churchill Downs Corporation.
Specialized business degrees were required and the pay was very good.
[QUOTE=red mares;8901187]
If I had to choose between an instructor who had learned riding coming up through the ranks, working and showing and one who “developed riding skills” in grad school, there would be almost no thought needed for the decision. I’d run far away from the grad school rider.[/QUOTE]
Would it not be a better choice to eschew the either-or dichotomy and review the actual skills of the person involved?
The equestrian art is a “doing” art and the people who teach it have to be able to “do” it to effectively teach it. But they also must have a sufficient theoretical background to teach a non-abusive method. The mere fact of an MA after a teacher’s name (or a BA or AA, either, for that matter) would neither draw me in nor send me away.
There’s more to being an “equine professional” than just being able to ride. Or to teach. How many threads do we have here about “business” skills that barn owners, managers, and employees lack? Or the ability to analyze a problem and apply a sound solution? If the “ranks” someone came up through are not to be admired (like, say, the TWH Big Lick show ranks) does that change the equation?
In today’s world I don’t see much a return on graduate level education in horsemanship. I don’t see it as useless, however.
G.
Graduate programs typically involve advanced research - so the lack of availability is moreso an issue of compatibility I would think. There are definitely Master’s and PhD programs in areas such Animal Nutrition, Animal Sciences, Veterinary Sciences, etc as the research is important to many industries.
Riding and teaching are practical skills, not really something you ‘research’ which is why I assume none of them exist.
[QUOTE=toady123;8901244]
Graduate programs typically involve advanced research - so the lack of availability is moreso an issue of compatibility I would think. There are definitely Master’s and PhD programs in areas such Animal Nutrition, Animal Sciences, Veterinary Sciences, etc as the research is important to many industries.
Riding and teaching are practical skills, not really something you ‘research’ which is why I assume none of them exist.[/QUOTE]
Yes. That’s my take on it, as well.
Perhaps graduate program in Ag Education? I received a master’s from NC State in Ag Ed there is potential to take other “minor” courses in Equine Science.
Ag Ed tends to be geared for teaching high school or through extension but not necessarily. Quite a few master’s programs out there
[QUOTE=Guilherme;8901233]
Would it not be a better choice to eschew the either-or dichotomy and review the actual skills of the person involved?
The equestrian art is a “doing” art and the people who teach it have to be able to “do” it to effectively teach it. But they also must have a sufficient theoretical background to teach a non-abusive method. The mere fact of an MA after a teacher’s name (or a BA or AA, either, for that matter) would neither draw me in nor send me away.
There’s more to being an “equine professional” than just being able to ride. Or to teach. How many threads do we have here about “business” skills that barn owners, managers, and employees lack? Or the ability to analyze a problem and apply a sound solution? If the “ranks” someone came up through are not to be admired (like, say, the TWH Big Lick show ranks) does that change the equation?
In today’s world I don’t see much a return on graduate level education in horsemanship. I don’t see it as useless, however.
G.[/QUOTE]
I kind of have to agree with this.
Just reading this board demonstrates the overarching lack of training and professionalism in the equine industry - and I mean that pretty much across the board.
Not quite sure I buy the idea of needing an advanced degree to “manage a farm”, but I do think we need something.
There are universities in practically every state that advertise graduate studies in Equine Science, but they tend to be specialized toward veterinary disciplines.
Maybe if you do a search for riding academies you’ll do better than by searching for grad programs.
An academy will be training for a number of years, probably four. Some people go to these instead of a college undergrad program. I had two riding mates in HS go to one, but I don’t remember what it was called or which state. I’m certain that along with riding they will be teaching all aspects of horse husbandry and the industry.
Sometimes you can find that a noted clinician is affiliated with such an academy. I think that’s how the two I’m thinking of learned of the one they went to. We had a clinician from there come to our stable.
Others who are serious about pursuing this career simply sign on as an employee to a training barn, where they will work as groom and assistant trainer (warming up horses for trainer). Lessons with a professional trainer are often provided as a fringe benefit, and iMO this would be the best and quickest way to learn the business.
You can find these jobs in the Help Wanted ads for the equine industry.
[QUOTE=Charliezmom;8900131]
What is the best way to search for the various equine/equestrian related Graduate programs in the US?
I’m on a national listserv for college advisers, and a non-horse oriented adviser posted asking for help in providing a student with a list of schools and programs that will “allow her to continue to develop her riding skills/teaching experience, and prepare her to manage a farm.”
I thought I could help and then realized I knew very little about how to actually find these graduate programs.[/QUOTE]
In general, graduate programs (MA or PhD) focus on scholarly research, and produce researchers and professors.
Professional schools can also be post-graduate (ie, you need a BA to apply) and train for a specific profession: law, medicine, vet, accounting, journalism, teacher education, business MBA, etc (of course some of these can be done as BA degrees as well)
And then there are the MFA fine arts grad programs, especially in Creative Writing, where you work on your own creative project for the degree.
Then there is a whole world of “professional development” “post-grad” certificates out there that aren’t really grad school or professional school, tend to be rather expensive, and pop up in areas that are currently trendy, and that can be expected to draw mid-career professionals, maybe with a subsidy from their current employer. Digital publishing, journalism, various tech things.
I think student is a bit late to the game in looking for horse content in a grad program or professional school, if she hasn’t already got a BA major that is an obvious fit for vet, animal behavior, nutrition, etc.
If she wants to learn how to run a farm, maybe she should have enrolled in an agricultural program for her BA?
Riding isn’t taught anywhere as part of a BA, MA, or PhD curriculum, and neither is any other sport, but student could always be part of a school riding team, if she was in a university with one.
I am going to assume that student is not especially talented, or at least not on a strong competitive track. I’d say that if she wants to be a happy amateur horse owner, what she needs is a good solid salary, from some other field where the wages are higher.
http://www.williamwoods.edu/academics/online/graduate/masters_in_equestrian_education.html
I just searched for master’s degree equine.
Thanks all! I forwarded the info to the student’s adviser and hope this is helpful for them.
This is primarily an industry with a basis in “on the job” training experience. There’s no substitute for being in a top notch barn and learning all about what it takes to provide that level of care.
I was fairly surprised though that some sort of comprehensive online resource didn’t exist for those students who are interested in equine related graduate programs. I know I would have enjoyed getting a Masters in something horse related had it been an option at my school :).
[QUOTE=Charliezmom;8905270]
Thanks all! I forwarded the info to the student’s adviser and hope this is helpful for them.
This is primarily an industry with a basis in “on the job” training experience. There’s no substitute for being in a top notch barn and learning all about what it takes to provide that level of care.
I was fairly surprised though that some sort of comprehensive online resource didn’t exist for those students who are interested in equine related graduate programs. I know I would have enjoyed getting a Masters in something horse related had it been an option at my school :).[/QUOTE]
That is true in the US, but not necessarily the case elsewhere. The BHS qualifications are one example; the German licensing system is another, and both are pretty rigorous. Either one might be an option for the student in question.
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