From the classroom to the great outdoors
We combine formal coursework and field-based learning in this emphasis area to prepare students for a variety of employment opportunities in organizations such as outdoor recreation and land management agencies, outdoor or adventure education programs, and nature-based tourism operators. From their first day of classes, ORS students are exposed to a number of innovative learning situations to help advance their critical thinking, group cooperation, data-driven decision making, and outcomes focused management.
Operating from a strong interdisciplinary and theoretical foundation, ORS students apply their knowledge to authentic, career-oriented issues.
Utah is Ideal for Outdoor Recreation Studies
Utah has world-renowned access to most major outdoor activities and 70% of the state’s majestic landscapes are public. This unique environment readily allows students to apply classroom knowledge during transformative field experiences in awe-inspiring locations.
ORS students engage in content related to:
- Outdoor leadership
- Visitor use management in parks and protected areas
- Environmental interpretation and communication
- Group management and facilitation
- Pedagogical approaches for outdoor settings
- Outdoor technical skills
- Advocacy of outdoor recreational opportunities
Potential employers of students completing degrees with this emphasis include:
- National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
- National Park Service
- Guide services, including international organizations
- Outward Bound
- Residential and/or expedition-based therapeutic wilderness programs or camps
- United States Forest Service
- Nature-based tourism operators
- Bureau of Land Management
- State Departments of Natural Resources, including State Parks
- Outdoor experiential education programs