About This Program
Previously known as Environmental & Outdoor Education, the Outdoor Learning & Recreation B.A.Sc. could be a great fit for you if you love being outside and are looking for a degree program that leads to exciting jobs in outdoor learning and recreation. Turn your passions into a career with the Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Outdoor Learning & Recreation (OLR). 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 you 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. 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 Outdoor Learning & Recreation program is an ideal choice.
Program Highlights
- 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
Student Internships
- UMD, Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center
- Hartley Nature Center
- New Vision Wilderness
- US Dept of Agriculture, Forest Service
- Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
- UMD, Rec Sports & Outdoor Programs
- State of MN, Dept of Natural Resources
- Wilderness Inquiry
- Long Lake Conservation Center
- City of Duluth, Parks & Rec
Potential Careers
- Environmental educator
- Park ranger
- Nature center staff
- Naturalist
- Trail guide
- Recreation management
- Camp programming
- Adventure-based guiding (paddling,skiing, rock climbing, etc)
Scholarships
Outdoor Learning & Recreation 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.
Get Involved
- Outdoor and Environmental Education Club
- Serve at UMD (community volunteering)
- UMD EcoReps (environmental sustainability)
Requirements
Refer to the link below for more detailed information about the program, admission requirements, sample plans, and contact information.
Outdoor Learning & Recreation B.A.Sc.