Outdoor Recreation

Part of the Education Division

Outdoor recreation prepares students for careers that combine a respect for the outdoors with leadership skills necessary to create, manage, and facilitate safe and effective outdoor experiences, programs, and services. Students incorporate knowledge of psychological, sociological, artistic, and physical perspectives in a holistic approach toward experiential education. Graduates often pursue positions in tourism, management of outdoor programs and services as well as park management and law enforcement. Certification as a Wilderness First Responder is required.

Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved:

  1. Develop and defend a philosophy of outdoor recreation
  2. Given a case situation, develop a recreation plan for a specified population
  3. Demonstrate effective facilitation skills utilized in experiential education
  4. Identify the important ideals, obligations and consequences of ethical leadership and decision –making in an Outdoor Recreation context
  5. Develop and activate appropriate risk management assessments including treatment and evacuation plans
  6. Develop and defend  a business plan for a recreational business

The Major in Outdoor Recreation consists of a minimum of 53 hours that includes the following courses:

    PHR 102: Historical, Philosophical, and Sociological Foundations of Physical Education, Recreation, and Sports (3 hrs.)
    PHR 235: Group Facilitation (3 hrs.)
    PHR 315: Wilderness Emergency Response (3 hrs.)
    PHR 321: Physical Education and Recreation for Special Populations (3 hrs.)
    PHR 335: Outdoor Recreation Leadership (3 hrs.)
    PHR 337: Internship in Physical Education of Outdoor Recreation (7-15 hrs.) (9 hours required)
    PHR 343: Practicum (2-6 hrs.) (3 hours required)
    PHR 347: Professional Seminar (1 hr.)
    PHR 351-352: Senior Study (6 hrs.)
    PSY 101: Introductory Psychology (3 hrs.)
    BUS 201: Principles of Management (3 hrs.)
    BIO 311: Natural History of the Sothern Appalachians (4 hrs.)
    Six activity courses (Five must be outdoor related)
    One of the following courses:
        ENV 101: Introduction to Environmental Issues (3 hrs.)
        ENV 316: Population (3 hrs.)
        ENV 345: Environmental Politics (3 hrs.)

 Students majoring in outdoor recreation are encouraged to complete coursework for a minor such as business, psychology or sociology.

 The Minor in Outdoor Recreation consists of 16 credit hours. Required courses include:

    PHR 107: Paddling I (1 hr.)
    PHR 172: Camping and Outdoor Education (1 hr.)
    PHR 174: Orienteering (1 hr.)
    PHR 235: Group Facilitation (3 hrs.)
    PHR 321: Physical Education and Recreation for Special Populations (3 hrs.)
    PHR 335: Outdoor Recreation Leadership (3 hrs.)
    BIO 311: Natural History of the Sothern Appalachians (4 hrs.)

The minor also requires the completion of the Red Cross certification in Standard First Aid and Community CPR. The Minor in Outdoor Recreation is not open to physical education majors.

Core Curriculum Requirements

Each student must satisfy the core requirements and requirements for individual programs of study.