Environmental and Outdoor Education B.A.Sc.

Program Type
Major
Degree
Bachelor of Applied Science
Department
Applied Human Sciences
College:
College of Education and Human Service Professions

About this Program

If you love being outside and are looking for a degree program that leads to exciting jobs in outdoor learning and recreation, look no further! Turn your passions into a career with the Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Environmental and Outdoor Education (EOE). This blend of classroom learning and real-world application prepares graduates for dynamic careers in outdoor recreation, nature-based learning, park and recreation management, adventure-based guiding, and related fields.

Through a comprehensive curriculum working with highly engaged faculty who strive to get to know students personally, you will explore a wide range of topics, including ecology, environmental interpretation, nonformal teaching methodology, risk management, and leadership and group dynamics in outdoor settings. As one of the country’s longest standing bachelor’s degree programs, we have developed robust relationships with local partners to extend learning outside the classroom and apply academic concepts in real-world contexts.

If you are seeking a degree that combines a passion for the outdoors with a pathway to meaningful career options, the B.A.Sc. in Environmental and Outdoor Education is an ideal choice.

Core degree components include:

  • Place-based learning that cultivates local partnerships and integrates Indigenous ways of knowing.
  • Field-based courses in some of our nation’s most beautiful landscapes, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Lake Superior, and the many state and local parks in the region.
  • Opportunities to study abroad (past examples include Finland, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand).
  • Integration of social and environmental justice into degree curriculum.

Graduates of the program are well-positioned to be leaders in the outdoor recreation industry, a $1.1 trillion-dollar industry (2023, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable).

Acquired Skills

  • Nature-based interpretation
  • Experiential education & place-based learning
  • Natural resource management for sustainability
  • Foundational outdoor skills (camping, navigation, hiking, paddling, etc.)
  • Outdoor safety & risk management
  • Facilitating group experiences

Program Learning Outcomes

Career Possibilities

Entry Level:

  • Environmental Educator
  • Park Ranger
  • Nature Center Staff
  • Naturalist
  • Trail Guide
  • Adventure-based guiding (paddling, skiing, rock climbing, etc)
  • Recreation management
  • Camp programming

Advanced Degree:

  • College Campus Recreation/ Programming
  • Nature Center Director
  • College Outdoor Program Director
  • Environmental non-profit leadership
  • Outdoor Recreation/Conservation Policy
  • Nature-based therapy/Outdoor Behavioral Health
  • Recreational therapy

Recent UMD Graduates Job Placement Data

Admissions and Scholarships

Current students in CEHSP may be eligible for both merit-based and need-based scholarships. More than 100 scholarships are available each academic year, awarding over $370,000 annually to CEHSP students. For more information on scholarship opportunities, visit the CEHSP scholarship webpage.

Environmental and Outdoor Education students are eligible to apply for multiple scholarships specifically for EOE students. One example is the James M. and M. Martha Ryan Scholarship awarded to students interested in pursuing careers in environmental safety and protection, or who are interested in working in the national or state park systems.

Student Clubs

  • Outdoor Educators Club
  • Environmental Outdoor and Education Club
  • Recreation Sports & Outdoor Program (RSOP) Department: RSOP facilities outdoor adventures, skill building, and practical application of many of the concepts in EOE.  

Faculty Highlights

  • Internationally and nationally recognized in their field.
  • Experts in Outdoor & Environmental Education teaching methods and outdoor skills with audiences ranging from early childhood to retirees.