Bachelor of Arts in Outdoor Education

The outdoor education program offers concentrations in adventure education/wilderness leadership and environmental education. You will gain essential technical training in outdoor pursuits, adventure leadership and environmental education in combination with cross-disciplinary study in education, psychology, biology, health and physical education.

Adventure education and wilderness leadership graduates work for a variety of employers, including outdoor adventure outfitters and guide services, outdoor education centers and camps that include programs in outdoor living/travel and ropes courses, and outdoor leadership development programs. Students complete wilderness or adventure leadership experiences and then a required internship as part of this concentration.

As an environmental education student, you might eventually work at an outdoor education, environmental or nature center; as a naturalist or interpreter in a federal, state or local parks; you might conduct nature or environmentally oriented activities for a municipal or community recreation program; or, you might serve as a summer camp nature specialist or as a school or college workshop leader and curriculum consultant.

Requirements, Concentrations and Electives

Core Requirments                                                                Credits

EDU-2040

Child Development *

3

EDU-2170

Adolescent Development **

3

PSY-2070

Developmental Psychology**

3

EDU-3020

Educational Psychology

3

ENV-1110

Introduction to Environmental Problems

3

ENV-2050

The Natural History of Vermont

 

or

   3

BIO-2130

Natural History of the Yellowstone Plateau

 

OER-1000

Introduction to Outdoor Education

4

OER-3010

Learning in the Outdoors

4

OER-3020

Program Planning in Outdoor Education

3

OER-4900

Research in Outdoor Education

3

PSY-1010

Introductory Psychology

3

* At least one of the human development courses       

**Adventure Education and Wilderness Leadership majors must select either EDU-2170 or PSY-2070.

Internship

OER-4810     Outdoor Education Internship                        6-12

Total                                                                                            39-45

 

Adventure Education & Wilderness Leadership Concentration

Students in this concentration will be prepared for work in the fast-growing field of educational and recreational outdoor programs. Employers of these graduates might include adventure outfitters and guide services, outdoor education centers and camps that include programs in outdoor living/travel and ropes courses, and outdoor leadership development programs. Graduating students could also pursue advanced degrees in outdoor education, outdoor recreation or outdoor therapeutic recreation.

Students in this concentration must document at least 25 days of wilderness or adventure leadership experiences when they apply for their required internship. Leadership opportunities are offered through various courses, the Outing Club, and local schools and agencies. Students should consult with their advisor early in their program to obtain details about this requirement.

 

Outdoor Education                                                               Credits

Activities  (0.5-3.0 credits each)                                    4-10

Select six of the following:

Backpacking, Advanced Backpacking, Fly fishing, Hiking & Camping, Rock Climbing I, Advanced Rock Craft, Ice Climbing, Orienteering, Ropes Course, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Introduction to River Kayaking, Whitewater Kayaking, Coastal Kayaking, Winter Expedition, Teaching Assistant Internship Winter Expedition, skills class Teaching Assistant Internship, or approved activity-based special topics course, such as OER-2XXX Wilderness Canoe Touring.

OER-2050

Rock Climbing Instructor

 

or

  

2

OER-2XXX

Coastal Kayak Guide Training

 

OER-2060

Wilderness First Responder (or proof of equivalent or higher level Leadership)

4

OER-2140

Ropes Course Leadership

2

OER-3070

Adventure Education Theory and Practice

3

OER-4030

Wilderness Leadership Techniques

4

PSY-2420

Group Process: Theory and Practice

3

 

Environmental Education Concentration

Students in this concentration will be prepared for employment in a variety of settings, including working at outdoor education, environmental, and nature centers; as naturalists or interpreters in federal, state, or local parks; conducting nature or environmentally-oriented activities for municipal or community recreation programs; as summer camp nature specialists; and as school and college workshop leaders and curriculum consultants. Students can also pursue advanced degrees in outdoor education and environmental education.

                                                                            Credits

BIO-1210

Introduction to Biology

4

or

    

BIO-1211

Introduction to Biology: Ecology & Evolution

 

BIO-2340

Fundamentals of Ecology

4

ENV-1050

Introduction to Earth Science

4

ENV-3220

Environmental Interpretation

3

ENV-3230

National Parks and Wilderness Management

3

ENV-4010

Global Environmental Issues

3

 

Natural Science Field Course                                                    3-4

(choose one of the following):  

BIO-2145

Plant Biology

4

BIO-3110

Field Ornithology

3

BIO-3310

Wildlife Field Methods

4

GEY-3120

Filed Geology

4

   

Environmental Education Concentration Total                20-21

 

Course Descriptions, Program and Degree Requirements

For detailed course descriptions, program and degree requirements, see the Undergraduate Course Catalogue.