Outdoor Program Leadership
Bachelor of Applied Science
This 8-semester program offers students an administrative perspective of the outdoor recreation service industry that includes learning, training, and assessment of leadership and program management skills. The program is especially appropriate for students wishing to: start their own outdoor-related small business, manage an outdoor recreation or education program, or build a career in leadership of parks, recreation, tourism, or natural resource management.
The Outdoor Program Leadership is a degree option of the Organizational Management and Leadership Bachelor of Applied Science degree.
Career Opportunities:
- Outdoor Educator
- Outdoor Program Director
- Parks & Recreation Director/Manager
- Outdoor Entrepreneur
- Park Ranger
- Natural Resource Management
- Guide Services
| Course Number | Course |
Credits |
| BIOL 1080 | Intro to Environmental Science |
4 credits |
| EDUC 1050 | Leading Adventure Programs |
3 credits |
| EDUC 1055 | Introduction to Outdoor Education |
3 credits |
| G&R 2020 OR G&R 2030 |
Mountaineering OR Wilderness Backpacking |
1 - 5 credits |
| IMGT 2400 | Intro to Information Management |
3 credits |
| ORTM 1000 | Foundations of Recreation and Tourism |
3 credits |
| PEAC 1380 | Outdoor Multi-Sport |
1 - 3 credits |
| PSYC 1000 | General Psychology |
4 credits |
| STAT 2000 | Statistics and the World |
3 credits |
| Course Number | Course |
Credits |
| COMM 4050 | Communication and Conflict |
3 credits |
| MDIA 3050 | New Media Ethics |
3 credits |
| MGT 3000 | Financial Analysis Budgeting |
3 credits |
| MGT 3005 | Foundations of Leadership |
2 credits |
| MGT 3010 | Personal Leadership |
3 credits |
| MGT 3110 | Business Ethics |
3 credits |
| MGT 3210 | Management and Organization |
3 credits |
| MGT 3410 | Human Resources Management |
3 credits |
| MGT 4005 | Leading Others |
3 credits |
| MGT 4020 | Innovation Management |
3 credits |
| MGT 4390 | Mgmt and Leadership Capstone |
2 credits |
| MGT 4400 | Leadership Practicum |
2 credits |
| ORTM 3000 | Tourism Theory and Practice |
3 credits |
| ORTM 3050 | Operations, Mgmt and Env Stewardship |
3 credits |
| ORTM 4970 | Internship |
1-6 credits |
| ORTM 4975 | Independent Study |
1-6 credits |
| PSYC 3110 | Cross-Cultural Psychology |
3 credits |
| PSYC 3200 | Industrial-Organizational Psychology |
3 credits |
Students must choose a minimum of 15 credits from the following list of approved Program Electives to ensure completion of at least 120 total program credits.
| Course Number | Course |
Credits |
| ECON 1010 | Macroeconomics |
3 credits |
| ECON 1020 | Microeconomics |
3 credits |
| EDFD 2450 | Human Life Span Development |
3 credits |
| EDUC 2045 | Outdoor Leadership Instructor |
1 - 5 credits |
| EDUC 2050 | Outdoor Education & Leadership |
1 - 5 credits |
| EDUC 2470 | Outdoor Education Practicum |
4 credits |
| ENR 1005 | Trailbuilding |
1 credit |
| ENR 2150 | NAI Certified Interpretive Guide |
3 credits |
| ENR 2200 | Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Naturalist |
4 credits |
| ENR 2425 | Mountain Environments |
4 credits |
| ENTR 1505 | Entr I: Entrepreneurial Mindset |
3 credits |
| ENTR 4050 | Entrepreneurship Essentials |
4 credits |
| G&R 1090 | Avalanche Lvl 1:Dsn Mkng Avlnch Terrain |
1 credit |
| G&R 2020 | Mountaineering: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2030 | Wilderness Backpacking: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2031 | Combined Expeditions: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2032 | Winter Expedition: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2033 | Rock Climbing: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2034 | Water Expedition: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2035 | River Rescue Certification |
1 credit |
| G&R 2050 | Environmental Ethics & Management: |
1 - 5 credits |
| G&R 2090 | Avalanche Lvl 2:Anlz Snwpk & Aval Haz. |
2 credits |
| HLED 2010 | Wilderness First Responder |
4 credits |
| HLED 2015 | Wilderness EMT |
9 credits |
| MKT 3050 | Social Media Marketing |
3 credits |
| MKT 3210 | Principles of Marketing |
3 credits |
| PEAC 1258 | Skiing & Snowboarding |
1 credit |
| PEAC 1259 | Cross Country Skiing |
1 credit |
| PEAC 1287 | Introduction to Outdoor Rock Climbing |
1 credit |
| PEAC 1297 | Whitewater Rafting/Rescue |
1 credit |
| PEAC 1380 | Outdoor Multi-Sport |
1 - 3 credits |
| PEAC 1387 | Indoor Rock Climbing |
1 credit |
| PEAC 1540 | Mountain Biking |
1 credit |
| PEAC 1600 | Ice Climbing |
1 credit |
| PEAC 2018 | Water Safety |
1 credit |
| PEAC 2025 | Wilderness Navigation |
1 credit |
| PEAC 2058 | Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding |
1 credits |
| PEAC 2088 | Alpine Climbing and Rescue |
1 credits |
Total Credit Hours: 120
More Information
Majors can choose to live at CWC’s Alpine Science Institute (ASI), near Lander. In the foothills of the Wind River Mountains, student cabins offer easy access to trout streams, world-class rock climbing areas, and a variety of hike and bike trails ideal for outdoor skill development. The required $250/semester equipment fee grants them access to bikes, cross country and downhill skis, snowboards, rafts, canoes, paddleboards, and climbing and camping gear.
Associate Degree Programs
Outdoor Education and Leadership
Outdoor Education at the Alpine Science Institute.
Outdoor Recreation
Learn about the business and entrepreneurial side of the outdoor recreation service industry.
Expedition Science
This unique degree is provided through a partnership with NOLS!
Alpine Science Institute
The ASI experiential learning strategy focuses on the integration of field-based skills with Outdoor Education, Environmental Science and Archaeology.
Meet Your Professor
Darran Wells
Professor of Outdoor Education and LeadershipDarran Wells is passionate about all kinds of outdoor activities - hiking, climbing, caving, and skiing, but mountain biking is a sport he dedicates most of his free time to.
Dr. Lael Noonan
Director/Instructor of CosmetologyDr. Lael Noonan is the cosmetology director and instructor at Central Wyoming College.
Kyle Trumble
Program Manager - Student Support ServicesKyle Trumble has experience as an entrepreneur and small business owner and has worked in management roles for many different companies. He has been a business instructor for more than two years at CWC.