Equine Assisted Mental Health (EAMH) - Graduate
I have learned from many of the finest and most respected in the field of EAMH, and I have been provided exceptional opportunities to gain a better foundation of where the field currently stands. I truly feel that the EAMH concentration at Prescott College values the inner process and evolution of each individual, and much like our dear companion; the horse, the EAMH faculty, courses, and intensives encourage students to become more aware of their own infinite possibilities. - Nathan Lee, M.A. ‘11
Prescott College’s pioneering Equine-Assisted Mental Health (EAMH) program is a unique opportunity for students pursuing a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology while specializing in the rapidly evolving modality of partnering with equines in therapy. This 75 semester credit graduate program prepares students for licensure or certification in their home state as mental health professionals with a concentration in Equine-Assisted Mental Health.
The EAMH program blends a comprehensive theoretical framework with hands-on experience in equine-assisted/facilitated work under the guidance of internationally renowned practitioners. The concentration consists of five courses. Four of these courses each include a four-day residential intensive workshop, and the fifth course is a supervised clinical work experience in the field.
Coursework (15 graduate credits)
· Explorations in Equine-Assisted Mental Health
· Applied Relational Horsemanship in Equine-Assisted Mental Health
· Group Process and Facilitation in Equine-Assisted Mental Health
· Best Practices in Equine-Assisted Mental Health
· Equine-Assisted Mental Health Clinical Field Experience (includes 100 hours of supervised client work)
The EAMH program provides a breadth of resources, perspectives and faculty support that informs and enhances your personal journey and exploration of bringing people and horses together to support profound growth and change. The student-directed nature of the program allows you to discover ways of partnering with the horse in the field of mental health that suit you and the populations you want to work with.
Relational Horsemanship at Prescott College
The principles of relational horsemanship are not new, they are fairly universal, and lay the framework for relationships of many kinds, human to human, and human to the natural world. Engaging with the horse in a way that does not only focus on the task at hand requires meeting each individual where they are and staying present in the moment. Relationships with horses, like those with people, need to be developed, and they take a lot of the same skills: listening, observing, leading and following, collaboration through partnership, and creating connection. A central part of this process is the ability to recognize your own authentic expression.
Residential Intensives
Students in the Master of Arts program in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Equine-assisted Mental Health attend four-day Residential Intensives at the Prescott College equine facility, Chauncey Ranch, as part of their coursework. Residential Intensives are held immediately before or after the required Master of Arts Colloquia. Students pay a fee of $475 per intensive for ranch accommodations, food, and facility use, as well as for care and feeding of the equine herd. The fee can be covered through financial aid.
Applicants seeking a similar educational experience but without the goal of pursuing professional licensure are encouraged to apply to the Equine-assisted Learning concentration through the Masters of Arts program with a concentration in Education.
A Post-M.A. Certificate in Equine-assisted Mental Health or Equine-assisted Learning is also available. Contact admissions at 877.350.2100 for additional information.
