Correspondence Course
One of the most frequently asked questions is if the Race Track Industry Program (RTIP) degree can be completed by correspondence or if you REALLY have to move to Arizona. The answer is that you DO need to come to the University of Arizona to complete the degree.
The rate of employment of RTIP students immediately upon graduation is so high due to the skills and expertise they develop through participation in the opportunities and experiences that can’t be provided in a “distance learning” format.
Here are some examples:
Guest Lecturers
The RTIP brings in 1 –15 guest professors each year; the “Who’s Who” of the racing industry. Not only do they bring their expertise to the classroom but they also interact with the students in a one-on-one basis allowing the students to network and create positive industry connections.
Independent Study Projects
Offered as an avenue to actively participate in the racing industry while still a student. The projects are done with a small number of students and generally undertaken at the request of an industry organization or racetrack. These small group projects are best completed in an environment where all the students can work face-to-face and interact with the faculty advisor. Equally important is having a single point of contact for the industry sponsor to enable their interaction throughout the project.
Symposium on Racing & Gaming
RTIP students play an important role at each year's Symposium. Students are valuable members of Symposium committees. Committee member responsibilities include organizing registration, publications, exhibit booths, and audio/visual services. In this way, RTIP students have a unique opportunity to meet and interact with many of the industry's best known and respected leaders.
The Mentor Lunch is another invaluable opportunity that students can participate in during Symposium. This event brings students together, one-on-one, with the industry professional of their choice.
Senior students also have the option to display their senior projects during the conference. Few other educational programs provide this kind of access and networking with the industry that employs its students.
Internships
An invaluable part of the educational process. Unlike internships offered in other fields where a “standard template” is the norm, the RTIP creates internship opportunities custom-designed for the student. It is impossible to create a unique opportunity without truly knowing the students, their skills and most importantly, their career goals.
Current Events
Coursework is evolving to reflect the many changes that take place in the business on a continual basis. Current events are an integral part of the racing classes.
We encourage everyone who is interested in attending the RTIP to visit the University of Arizona campus, meet the faculty and current students and sit in on some racing classes to see first-hand why RTIP is the unique educational opportunity that puts you on the right track.
Web Course Ans 142
Introduction to Animal Racing Industry
The RTIP does offer one class that may be completed before coming to Tucson: Introduction to the Animal Racing Industry (ANS 142), a primer on the many aspects of the racing industry.
Course Strengths
- Mirrors the live version of the course.
“The depth and presentation of the course information was well developed which will help to serve as a valuable reference source for me in the future.”
– Steve Bates (Japan) - Fully self-contained.
- Students have access to course instructor via email to insure full comprehension of the material.
- Course covers all aspects of the racing industry from the history of the breed registries to current cutting-edge issues.
- The turnkey course can be purchased by schools to use as an in-house course (may re-number as such). Pricing is per student/per semester, with discounts as students increase.
- This course is also offered as a correspondence course by the University of Arizona’s Office of Continuing Education & Academic Outreach enabling individual students to take the course and use it as a transfer credit at their home institution.
Benefits to the Student
- Exposure to an aspect of the equine business not usually covered in traditional animal or equine science curriculums.
- Exposure to a business aspect of the equine industry that is a large part of the entire economic impact of the equine industry. As per the Barrent’s Economic Impact study — Even though the percentage of horses (by number) that are attributed to racing is only 10% of the total and the total number of people is only 7% — the value of goods and services attributed to the racing sector is 30% of the total horse economic impact and the full time jobs is 40%.
- Exposure to many new career opportunities.
For information on registering for the on-line version of ANS 142, contact the U of A Office of Continuing Education and Correspondence at www.eu.arizona.edu or click here to go directly to the course listing.