Outdoor Education and Leadership Specialization
The Outdoor Education and Leadership Specialization is designed to prepare students in Environmental Studies to become professional, informed, and skilled leaders in outdoor education or recreation fields or apply skills of outdoor leadership, risk management, and education to careers in Environmental Studies. The Specialization is specifically focused on the theoretical, practical, and pedagogical skills necessary to work in instructional and educational outdoor fields.
*Internship opportunities are intended to help future outdoor leaders apply their knowledge and abilities in real leadership situations. They will be supervised by Outdoor Program staff. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Raft guiding
- NOLS Instructor Training
- Backpack guiding
- Wilderness Therapy guiding
- Rock climbing guiding
- Idaho Conservation Corps
- Outward Bound
- C of I Sustainability Council Project
- Snow School at Bogus Basin
- Foothills Learning Center
- McCall Outdoor Science School
- Field work with professor
- C of I Outdoor Program
Core (9-11 credits)
All students will take these courses. Note: The Wilderness First Responder course is taught by the Wilderness Medicine Training Center.
| HHP-130 | Introduction to Outdoor and Adventure Education | 3 credits |
| HHPA-310 | Wilderness First Responder | 2 credits |
| LSP-201 | Leadership Theories, Styles & Realities | 3 credits |
| LSP-497 | Internship | 1-3 credits |
Expedition Leadership Requirement
This element is fulfilled by taking ONE off-campus field study course from among those listed below. (4-6 credits)
Elective courses (6 credits)
Take any two of the following: (6 credits)
| BUS-225 | Principles of Management | 3 credits |
| EDU-202 | Introduction to Teaching | 3 credits |
| PSY-360 | Environmental Psychology | 3 credits |
| PSY-221 | Educational Psychology | 3 credits |
Take two outdoor-related activity courses from among those listed below to gain technical skills: (2 credits)
Total Credit Hours: 21-25