Bachelor of Science programs.
Available as a Minor in:
Bachelor of Arts, major in Environmental Studies
Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts, major in Physical Education
Outdoor Education combines traditional academic courses with outdoor expeditions and field studies. This combined approach allows students to develop a strong theoretical foundation in outdoor education and environmental studies as well as excellent wilderness travel and leadership skills.
These combinations are particularly potent given continued growth in outdoor and adventure activities and increased awareness of environmental issues. In addition, they provide a framework that allows for a wide variety of career opportunities.
Theory courses include:
Wilderness travel skills, expedition planning, wilderness ethics, history and philosophy of outdoor education, group dynamics and leadership, avalanche awareness and hazard evaluation, geography, parks and wilderness, resource and environmental management and more.
Activities courses include:
Lake canoeing (solo and tandem), moving water canoeing (solo and tandem), river rescue, cross-country skiing, indoor climbing, adventure games and many more.
Expeditions and Field Studies include:
Backpacking, orienteering, river tripping, river rescue and moving water canoeing instructor certifications, solos, ski touring (telemark) and winter camping (snow caving), and Arctic canoe and dogsled expeditions.
Many costs are covered by tuition. There are additional costs for expedition-based courses.
Our program includes the opportunity to study Outdoor Education (Friluftsliv) for a fall semester at Telemark University College in Bø, Norway. Bø is a small town of 5000 people two hours by train southwest of Oslo. Courses are taught in English and include hiking, canoeing and sailing trips as well as Norwegian handcrafts and the study of Norwegian history and culture.
More information about courses offered can be found on the Learning and Beyond website.