Horse Science, Equine Education Concentration, M.S.

Admission Requirements

Admissions are based on a comprehensive assessment of a candidate’s qualifications including Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, undergraduate and graduate grade point average, letter of intent, letters of recommendation, and a personal interview.

Applicants who do not meet admission requirements but whose overall record indicates the potential for success may be considered for non-degree admission. Students must meet all conditions established by the Horse Science Graduate Committee in order to gain full acceptance to the program.

Application Procedures

All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

The application deadline is April 15 for those wishing to be considered for graduate assistantships and admission in the Summer or Fall. October 1 is the application deadline for admission in the Spring. Applications will be accepted after these dates, but admission consideration is not guaranteed.

Applicant must

1. submit an application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php). Once this initial application has been accepted, the applicant will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
2. submit three letters of recommendation from professors or professionals that address the applicant’s potential to successfully complete an M.S. program in Horse Science;
3. submit official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Successful applicants typically have GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores exceeding 146 and 140 respectively, with a total combined score that exceeds 286, and a GRE Analytical Writing Score of 4.0 or higher;
4. submit official transcripts of previous college work reflecting a 3.00 GPA from a minimum of 12 credit hours of upper-division, undergraduate animal science and/or equine science courses or equivalent industry experience as approved by the Horse Science Graduate Committee;
5. submit a letter of intent that addresses the following:
   1. In 500 words or less, applicant should describe his/her horse experience to date (which may include but is not limited to college coursework, club/team involvement, breed/discipline groups, etc.) as well as other experiences which may have impacted the decision to pursue this degree; and
   2. In 500 words or less, applicant should describe future plans and goals as they relate to obtaining an M.S. in Horse Science degree;
6. after application review, participate in an invited interview with the Horse Science Graduate Committee at the applicant’s expense before final acceptance into the program.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Horse Science with a concentration in Equine Education requires completion of 36-39 semester hours (thesis option) and 36 semester hours (non-thesis option).

Candidate must

1. successfully complete a written comprehensive examination (may be taken no more than twice) during the semester in which the candidate intends to graduate;
2. successfully complete and defend a thesis or equine experiential learning project; students have the option to conduct and complete a traditional research-based thesis project or to select a more contemporary non-thesis option.

All students in the graduate program will be expected to complete a minimum of two consecutive semesters of full-time study in residence at MTSU.

Curriculum: Horse Science, Equine Education

The Equine Education concentration offers a skill set needed to teach and provide instruction at a postsecondary equine program or leadership within the Cooperative Extension Service. Students in the Equine Education concentration have the option to conduct and complete a traditional, research-based thesis project or to select a more contemporary non-thesis option.

The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements.