Why study Outdoor Studies and Tourism at MC?

With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the east, Music City in the center, Graceland in the west and numerous historical and recreational sites in between, Tennessee enjoys a tourism industry that adds several billion dollars to its economy annually. As the tourism and hospitality sector grows, so too does its intersection with issues of sustainability. Managing travel and adventure with their impacts on the environment is an increasingly important skill in the modern economy.

Maryville College’s Outdoor Studies and Tourism major will uniquely prepare you for careers that emphasize the importance of the natural environment, how humans can respectfully enjoy and interact with nature, and the value of active, safe, outdoor experiences. The curriculum equips you with the leadership skills and knowledge necessary to create, manage and evaluate effective outdoor experiences and sustainable tourism programs.

ON CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES

Founded on the MC campus in 1987 by alumnus Bruce Guillaume ’76, Mountain Challenge, LLC, is an outdoor adventure and teambuilding program serving students and businesses that strives “to provide high-quality, safe outdoor experiences designed to change the world for the better, one person at a time.” Mountain Challenge activities are incorporated into Orientation classes and, year-round, students can sign up for offcampus trips to canoe, hike, raft, bike, rock climb and cave.

Photo of Catelee Crow Crow

Catelee “Crow” Crow

Hometown: Clinton, Tennessee

Crow didn’t know what they wanted to with their life when they first toured Maryville College but seeing the beautiful outdoor oriented campus, the small community and learning about the Outdoor Studies and Tourism major, they knew they wanted to come to MC. “I enjoy being an Outdoor Studies and Tourism major because the professors always want to take the classroom outside. Class sessions can be hikes, paddling trips, rock-climbing and other physical learning experiences,” they said.

In addition to being a Mountain Challenge fellow, Crow was also the President of the MC Pride Club for two years and credits this experience with helping them to grow and become a leader in their community.

 

Photo of Matt Quizi

Matt Quizi ’23

Currently: Wildlife Keeper at Ober Mountain Adventure Park and Ski Area in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

Coming from Canada to Maryville College, Matt found his love for the outdoors through campus, athletics (he played on the Scots’ Golf Team) and Mountain Challenge events. As a wildlife keeper at Ober Mountain, Matt performs daily husbandry duties for a collection of native wildlife, including American black bears, river otters, bobcats, fox, raccoons, snakes, turtles and raptors. He also provides education to guests on the biology and ecology of the Smoky Mountains. He wants to continue working with animals and broaden his understanding of the natural world.

“Maryville College allowed me to realize what aspects of life I found most important and then showed me how to get myself into an environment that reflects those values,” he said.

 

Chair, Division of Health Sciences & Outdoor Studies, Professor of Exercise Science
Dr. Traci Haydu
Chair, Division of Health Sciences & Outdoor Studies, Professor of Exercise Science
More Info
Associate Professor of Exercise Science
Dr. Jennifer Flynn Oody
Associate Professor of Exercise Science
More Info
Director of Global Engagement
Kirsten Sheppard
Director of Global Engagement
More Info

Career Opportunities:

  • Activities Resort Facilitator
  • *Forester
  • *Park Naturalist
  • Rock Climbing Teacher
  • Activities Director
  • *Forestry Technician
  • *Park Officer
  • *Search & Rescue Personnel
  • Adventure Travel Coordinator
  • Park Ranger
  • Ski Instructor
  • Camp Director
  • Ski Patrol
  • Campus Recreation Director
  • *Professor
  • *Soil Conservationist
  • Commercial Fisher
  • Kayak Guide
  • Ecotourism Guide
  • Stadium Manager
  • Mountain Guide
  • Range Manager
  • *Environmental Inspector

 

  • *Natural Resources Specialist
  • Recreation Center Director
  • *Environmental Scientist
  • Outdoor Educator
  • Recreation Leader
  • Tour Guide
  • Writer
  • Outdoor Guide
  • *Recreational Therapist
  • Festival & Event Manager
  • Outdoor Guide Researcher
  • Watershed Manager
  • *Wildlife Technician
  • *Fish & Game Warden
  • Resort Operations
  • Writer/Editor
  • Forest Ranger
  • Retail Sales Associate
  • Youth Counselor

*Some careers require advanced education/training

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cycology Bicycles
Little River Trading Company
Maryville-Alcoa-Blount County Parks and Recreation
Ocoee Adventure Center
Phoenix Experiential Designs
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
University of Tennessee – Knoxville Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Program

Students who complete the program will develop and acquire the following:

  • Leadership skills necessary to create, manage, and facilitate safe and effective outdoor experiences.
  • Knowledge and skills necessary to create and manage sustainable tourism programs in a variety of settings.
  • Program skills necessary to create, manage, and evaluate programs that utilize outdoor natural settings to benefit human health

The Major in Outdoor Studies and Tourism consists of a minimum of 53 hours.

Required courses include:

Major and Major-Related Courses

OST 101: Introduction to Outdoor Studies(3 hrs)
OST 103: Introduction to Sustainable Tourism(3 hrs)
OST 215: Natural Environments and Health(3 hrs)
OST 315: Wilderness Emergency Response(3 hrs)
OST 335: Outdoor Recreation Leadership(3 hrs)
OST 337: Outdoor Studies and Tourism Internship(3 hrs)
OST 351: Senior Study I(3 hrs)
OST 352: Senior Study II(3 hrs)
PHR 235: Group Facilitation(3 hrs)
BUS 201: Principles of Management(3 hrs)
ENV 101: Environmental Issues and Foundations of Sustainability(3 hrs)

One of the following:

OST 302: Sustainable Tourism and Development(3 hrs)
Or
OST 303: Sustainable Tourism and Local Culture(3 hrs)

Five of the following outdoor activities:

PHR 107: Paddling I(1 hrs)
PHR 108: Paddling II(1 hrs)
PHR 142: Personal Fitness(1 hrs)
PHR 172: Camping and Outdoor Education(1 hrs)
PHR 174: Map and Compass(1 hrs)
PHR 176: Fly Fishing(1 hrs)
PHR 188: Rock Climbing I(1 hrs)
PHR 189: Rock Climbing II(1 hrs)

One of the following (noting relevant prerequisites):

PSY 221: Social Psychology(3 hrs)
PSY 224: Cross-Cultural Psychology(3 hrs)
PSY 333: Theories and Techniques in Counseling(3 hrs)
SOC 231: Environmental Sociology(3 hrs)

One of the following (noting relevant prerequisites):

BIO 311: Natural History of the Great Smoky Mountains(4 hrs)
BUS 242: Marketing(3 hrs)
PHR 321: Physical Education and Recreation for Special Populations(3 hrs)
OST 349: Selected Topics(3 hrs)

Students majoring in outdoor studies and tourism are encouraged to complete coursework for a minor in disciplines such as business, biology, psychology or sociology.

The Minor in Outdoor Studies and Tourism consists of at least 15 credit hours and involves coursework related to outdoor recreation, hospitality and tourism, health, and sustainability.

Required courses include:

Minor and Minor-Related Courses

OST 101: Introduction to Outdoor Studies(3 hrs)
OST 103: Introduction to Sustainable Tourism(3 hrs)
OST 215: Natural Environments and Health(3 hrs)
OST 337: Outdoor Studies and Tourism Internship(3 hrs)

One of the following:

OST 302: Sustainable Tourism and Development(3 hrs)
OST 303: Sustainable Tourism and Local Culture(3 hrs)

In addition to required courses for majors and minors, Maryville College students take classes in the Maryville Curriculum, a core program of general education. Consisting of 51 credit hours, the Maryville Curriculum ensures that students see their major in a wider context and develop the basic communication, quantitative, and critical thinking skills that are needed for success in college and career.

Catalog Apply

Request Info

Interested in this Program of Study at Maryville College? Submit your basic information and an Admissions counselor will contact you shortly to answer any questions you might have.

Loading…