Abstract

University programs must to be willing to change and adapt curricula based on student needs, workforce readiness, and recommendations from alumni, current students, peers, and industry professionals on how to better prepare students. This study explores the development of an instruction specialization within a post-secondary natural horsemanship degree program. Participants in key informant interviews identified common skills, knowledge, and coursework to be integrated into this new specialization. The primary needs identified were unique hands-on experiences, coursework on teaching and learning strategies, and business competencies, including management, communication and technological proficiencies. Participants also noted that educators must connect coursework with real-world industry experiences through quality internships to help students network in the industry. This new specialization represents a renewed opportunity for equine students to take courses in non-formal instruction, communication, and educational programming. Regardless of the discipline of agriculture, these findings support critical competencies and employment expectations that are becoming more important for all students today. The fundamental experiences of experiential learning, teaching, life-skill development, communication, and working with people apply across fields should serve as a foundation for academic programs. Agricultural programs must continue to market their expertise to attract a diverse student body and expand their impact.