Outdoor Recreation [OREC] (Major)
The outdoor recreation major in the Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department allows students to focus on different aspects of the outdoor recreation/education field. Outdoor leadership, natural resource recreation management, camp management and environmental and cultural interpretation are designated concentrations in this major. This major, as well as the concentration in Natural Resource Recreation Management, is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).
Career Potential
- Outdoor leader in a variety of agencies from Outward Bound, to campus outdoor programs, to camps
- Camp director
- State or national park manager
- Outdoor educator or interpretation specialist with nature centers, parks and other environmental agencies
A. Professional Core Courses: 30 credit hours Three credit hours from the following: Three or four credit hours from the following: Three credit hours from the following: Three credit hours from the following: Choose one of the following concentrations: See sample list below. See sample list below: Students may not enroll in additional course work while enrolled in the internship. Example of B.S. in Outdoor Recreation over four years
B. Outdoor Recreation: 12-13 credit hours
Natural Environment Area
Ecology Area
Environmental Attitudes and Literacy Area
Environmental Teaching Area
Students in the natural resource recreation management concentration must take REC 310.
C. Required Concentration: 12-13 credit hours
Students in the natural resource recreation management concentration must take REC 469.
Outdoor recreation activity courses, by advisement (3 cr. hr.)
2. Natural Resource Recreation Management Concentration: 12 credit hours [NRRM]
Three credit hours from the following:
3. Camp Management Concentration: 12 credit hours [CAMP]
Three credit hours from the following:
4. Environmental and Cultural Interpretation Concentration: 12-13 credit hours [ENV]
Select one from the following:
Select one from the following:
Whichever is not taken in OREC Core
Elective in interpretation, by advisement (3-4 cr. hr.)
Whichever is not taken in OREC Core
D. Internship: 12 credit hours
E. Other: 15-16 credit hours
(specific to Outdoor Recreation)
Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 121
First Year
Fall total credit hours: 16-17
Spring total credit hours: 16-17
Second Year
Fall total credit hours: 16
Spring total credit total: 18
- GE 8 course
- Elective
- REC 310 - Wilderness and American Culture (3 cr. hr.)
- COM 210 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 370 - Outdoor Education Practicum (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 293 - Diversity and Inclusive Recreation Services (3 cr. hr.)
Fall total credit hours: 15
- GRY 324 - Introduction to Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (3 cr. hr.)
- BIO 307 - Field Natural History (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 375 - Wilderness First Responder (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 402 - Management of Recreation Resources (3 cr. hr.)
- POL 242 - Environmental Policy (3 cr. hr.)
- Elective
- REC 449 - Natural Resource Recreation Policy and Management (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 462 - Environmental and Outdoor Education (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 407 - Evaluation and Research (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 446 - The Law of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services (3 cr. hr.)
Fall total credit hours: 16
- Elective
- Elective
- Activity requirement(1 cr. hr.)
- REC 445 - Administration of Recreation (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 470 - Senior Seminar (3 cr. hr.)
- REC 441 - Site and Facilities Planning (3 cr. hr.)
Students may not enroll in additional course work while enrolled in the internship.
- REC 475 - Internship in Recreation and Leisure Services (12 cr. hr.)
