Do you accept any transfer of credit?

Since CEC is a licensed trade school all students take all the classes together. We are unable to accept transfer credits from other institutions. A few colleges have accepted CEC credits, however.

Do you offer online classes?

The faculty of CEC strongly believes the best way to learn is through hands-on practical application. Therefore, no online classes are offered.

Would you suggest having a job while going to CEC?

Due to the nature of the intensity of the program planning to have an outside job is not recommended. Money should not be a stress when you attend. It would be much better to work a few years and save up to come to school, then to try to work during school.

Describe the housing.

Students are required to live on campus. CEC provides dorm style housing. All first year female students will live in the Ranch Loft dorms. First year male students will live in the Men’s Round House. Second Year female students live in the Women’s Roundhouse and Training Center Dorms. Second Year male students live in the Men’s Round House. Each dorm has a minimum of two students and up to four. Private housing is available the second year in Alder.

What is the average age of students?

The average age of our students is 20. The oldest graduate was 31. The minimum age requirement for students is 18. We realize many students graduate from high school at a younger age, but our students are also our staff and upon arrival go through a CHA Instructor Certification Clinic and must be 18 to be certified.

What is the weather like in Oregon?

Western Oregon is fairly green and therefore rainy. A rare snow or ice storms sometimes come through. From November through March it is usually fairly rainy and muddy. Students are required to bring rain gear and rubber boots. (Students are provided with two jackets that are three quarter length and have fleece liners.)

Are you affiliated with a specific church?

No, we are non-denominational. We are conservative and teach the Bible book by book, chapter by chapter and verse by verse.

Tell me about the camps.

Each student has the opportunity and is required to gain ministry experience in our weekend horsemanship camp ministry. This usually means two or three in the fall and two or three in the spring. First year students facilitate a spring break camp the last week of March.

What are Fellowship Rides?

Students again have the opportunity to grow in their teaching and ministry skills by being a part of our Fellowship Riding Lesson program one night a week. Fellowship Rides is a lesson program for the public. There is one hour of riding and one hour of Bible study. First year students are paired with staff or second year students to mentor them in the fall and then begin to take more of a leadership role in the spring of their first year, continuing with mentoring a first year students their second year.

What will students learn?

What resources are available at the facility?

How much hands-on horse time?

Our students receive three lessons per week, plus they are required to put in rides outside of class. So that is about ten hours total. All teaching classes and herd management, anatomy classes incorporate a hands-on portion nearly every lecture period. All students participate in a Required Work Ministry experience program, where they work in crews to feed and clean stalls, and do ranch chores as well as serve one weekend a month in our weekend camp programs and also in our Fellowship Riding Lesson program after school for the public one or two nights a week.

Do students learn to teach riding lessons?

All students teach and are a part of weekend camps and Fellowship Riding lesson program. We partner first year students with second year students or faculty the fall term. Spring Term first year students have more of a leadership role with a second year student or faculty member there to assist them. Students who apply themselves really excel as in any class type situation! All of our students and staff are certified through Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA).

What is CHA?

All staff and students are Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) certified riding instructors. Our incoming students participate in a CHA Clinic upon arrival and our second year students participate in another clinic in April of their second year. The cost of these clinics is built into the activity fee. There is no additional out of pocket expense. To learn more about CHA you can go to their website at www.cha-ahse.org.

Do students get a horse to practice training?

Yes, Canyonview provides the horses for the second year Breaking and Training class. Some of these horses are donated to CEC, or local horses that come in for training or students may bring their own and pay board and training fees.

Can I bring my own horse? Or is it required to bring a horse?

It is not necessary for any incoming or returning student to bring their own horse to CEC. We have over 60 horses for our students to ride and all the essential tack. We find that riders improve when they ride a variety of horses. If an applicant or returning student would like to bring a horse, the horse board form must be filled out and approved by faculty. There is no guarantee that a personal horse will be used in your riding classes. There is a boarding fee for students’ horses boarded at CEC.

Describe your Internship program...

This is for enriching the students beyond the scope of the college as well as preparing them for graduation and making contacts for the future. There are three classifications of our internships; horsemanship, ministry and special interest. Internships are on Fridays, and are a total of 80 hours in the summer, fall and winter terms.

What is the policy for Part Time Students?

There is not a curriculum or program for people to take part in this program as a part time or auditing student. The curriculum is organized that subject matter is interwoven in several classes. We do offer a Ladies Horsemanship Retreat in the fall and a Cowboy Retreat in the spring, along with several horsemanship clinics each year.

What do most of your students do after graduation?

Work in the horse industry in their interest level; Christian Camping, boarding/training stables, guest ranches, veterinarian techs, CHA instructors or clinicians, or more schooling. The training they receive here will prepare them to live their life as a ministry wherever the horsemanship job door opens.

Do you help with job placement?

Yes, there are more jobs available than we have graduates. Students may need to move to a different part of the country. Their level of experience prior to CEC, and their dedication to their studies and the overall experience will obviously help any applicant get a better job post graduation.

Do students transfer to a four year university?

It really just depends on each student’s goals. For some this is the only schooling they will ever complete, others have had a BS or BA degree before attending and have learned a lot here, and others go on to more schooling.

What are the admission requirements and procedures?

Canyonview Equestrian College’s objective is to accept applicants who have a vibrant relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, who are interested in using horses as a ministry tool, have horsemanship skills that they want to actively improve, and have a strong work ethic and integrity.

The goal at Canyonview Equestrian College (CEC) is to provide students with a “Christ-Centered Education for Horsemanship Ministry.” This is done by preparing them through intense academic class-work (a minimum grade of 70% in each class must be maintained to continue in the program), riding lessons, practical application in the barn and arena. This happens through seminars, field trips, our Fellowship Riding Lesson program, weekend camps and internships. CEC is a full-time, two-year resident program. Outside employment is almost impossible due to the intensity of the program.

Prerequisites include a high school diploma or equivalent. All applicants must be at least 18 years old by September 1, the year of application.

What is the Application Process?

The application process includes:

1. Applicants need to complete the CEC application and essay and return with their application fee of $25.
2. Faculty will review the application and contact personal references.
3. Applicants that meet baseline criteria will be invited to a personal interview on-site. (At this time a riding evaluation, horsemanship knowledge test will take place as well as a time to share their personal testimony, meet the staff and experience the program and tour the facility.) If an applicant cannot come for an on-site interview, a riding video and conference call is permitted, but not preferred.
4. All applicants will receive written notice of their acceptance status.

Students must fill out a CEC application; provide proof of high school graduation (or pending gradation), and provide names for references to be sent; Friend, Teacher/Employer and Christian Worker. Upon positive references and strong application the applicant will be invited for a personal interview on site. Many applicants come with one or both parents. It is best to plan to come for two days so you can get to know students and faculty, and tour the facility. Each applicant that comes for an interview will ride in their stronger seat of English or western. A riding pattern will be provided before the interview. A written horsemanship knowledge test will be taken. Lastly, the personal interview will be conducted with selected faculty and the applicant. It is our desire that applicants know their acceptance status within thirty days of the interview, depending on the timing of the interview and the number of applications this may need to be extended at times. After a student is accepted they would have 30 days to return their enrollment agreement and $500 deposit.

Are ACT and SAT tests required?

These tests are not required by CEC for admittance.

What are the prerequisites?

CEC does not have any published prerequisites as far as High School classes or College courses. It would be beneficial to have strong essay writing and public speaking skills.

Describe any Financial Aid available to applicants.

CEC is a licensed trade school and is not a Title IV school that is able to accept federally funded financial aid, such as loans, grants and work study options. West Coast Bank in Silverton, OR provides a loan option, although it is not deferred. We are always looking for a lending institution that would provide a deferred loan for our students. CEC will accept any scholarship that would accept our scope of education. At times 4-H clubs, churches and other organizations have given scholarships to our students.

Do you accept married students?

The faculty of CEC would desire to accept married students. At this time there is no married student housing on campus. And most couples can’t afford to have one or both students enrolled and not working. This would need to be discussed on a case by case basis with faculty.

How would I visit your school?

Call (503) 873-3249 or e-mail us and make an appointment. We would love to meet you.

Is CEC open to international students?

This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students. You can contact us to find out the process for application.