The Environmental Science and Leadership degree program is provided through a partnership with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). This unique program combines the wilderness experience courses offered through NOLS, with a rigorous science curriculum offered through CWC. The wilderness experience courses are designed to develop environmental awareness and an understanding of current conservation issues. The CWC science courses form the basis of a sound two-year program in natural science.

The core of this program is a combination of field-based courses offered by NOLS. Students taking a NOLS semester course for CWC credit must concurrently enroll in the following courses: BIOL 2045, EDUC 2015, and G&R 2050. Longer semesters will also include HLED 2010. As an alternative to the NOLS semester course, students may enroll in any of the courses listed below under Program Electives. However, no more than 16 credits of NOLS courses may be used toward graduation with this degree.

Consult the NOLS website or catalog for specific dates, locations, and formats of outdoor leadership courses, or directly contact the National Outdoor Leadership School at 307-332-5300. For detailed course descriptions on specific courses and seasons go to www.nols.edu. Courses offered through NOLS do not necessarily follow CWC semester schedules. To enroll in a NOLS course with CWC credit, a student must apply to both NOLS and CWC. The CWC application can be completed on line at our website: www.cwc.edu. Registration is coordinated through the CWC Records and Registrations Office. Contact admissions@nols.edu for availability and application forms for NOLS courses.

All wilderness courses require students to have the physical ability to carry a 65 pound backpack and hike 70-100 miles in rugged wilderness terrain. Regardless of the wilderness experience, four recurring themes are stressed: safety and judgment; leadership and expedition behavior; outdoor skills; and environmental ethics.

The Environmental Science and Leadership program is excellent preparation for leadership careers in natural resources and environmental science. It also transfers easily into Bachelor of Science degree programs at 4-year colleges and universities.

Associate of Science Degree

** BIOL 2045, EDUC 2050 and G&R 2050 taken together constitute the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) semester and must be taken concurrently. In addition HLED 2010 may be taken concurrently for select NOLS semesters.

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