Outdoor Recreation
Associate of Science
Learn about the business and entrepreneurial side of the outdoor recreation service industry through the Outdoor Recreation program. This program is a great launching point if you are a student eager to start your own outdoor-related small business or are seeking a career in parks, recreation or tourism.
Best practices in training, leadership assessment, and program management will be explored, along with developing skills in understanding human development and psychology in outdoor recreation program settings and risk management.
You'll have the option to spend up to one full semester taking wilderness-based courses with the NOLS. NOLS offers educational expeditions at remote, pristine locations in the U.S. and abroad. For more information on NOLS visit the NOLS website.
| Course Number | Course |
Credits |
| BIOL 1080 | Intro to Environmental Science |
4 credits |
| EDUC 1050 | Leading Adventure Programs |
3 credits |
| ORTM 1000 | Foundations of Recreation and Tourism |
3 credits |
| HLED 2010 OR HLED 2015 |
Wilderness First Responder OR Wilderness EMT |
4-9 credits |
| MATH 1000 OR MATH 1400 |
Problem Solving OR College Algebra |
3-4 credits |
| PSYC 1000 | General Psychology |
4 credits |
| PEAC | Choose 3 credits of PEAC from Electives below |
3 credits |
| STAT 2000 | Statistics and the World |
3 credits |
Students must choose seventeen (17) credits from the following list of approved electives:
| Course Number | Course |
Credits |
| ANTH 1100 | Introduction to Biological Anthropology |
3 credits |
| ASTR 1050 | Survey of Astronomy |
4 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 |
| ENR 2425 | Mountain Environments |
4 credits |
| G&R 1010 | Intro to Physical Geography |
3 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 |
| GEOG 2310 | Intro to Geographic Information Systems |
4 credits |
| HLED 2015 | Wilderness EMT |
9 credits |
| NAIS 1350 | American Indians in Contemporary Society |
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 2018 | Water Safety |
1 credit |
| PEAC 2025 | Wilderness Navigation |
1 credit |
| PEAC 2058 | Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding |
1 credit |
| PEAC 2088 | Alpine Climbing and Rescue |
1 credit |
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Writing Level I | 3 |
| Writing Level II | 3 |
| American and Wyoming Government | 3 |
| ARTS/HUMANITIES/SOCIOLOGY | 6 |
| Oral Communications | 3 |
| University Studies | 1 |
Total Credit Hours: 60
Get to know your instructors!
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.
Stacy Wells
Adjunct Professor of Outdoor Education and LeadershipStacy Tostrup Wells has been teaching professionally in the outdoors for more than 20 years.
Jacob Urban
Adjunct Professor of Outdoor Education and LeadershipAs an undergraduate professor, guide, program director, corporate trainer and business owner, Jake has been teaching in the outdoors for more than 20 years.
If you have an interest in anthropology, environmental science, geospatial information systems technology (GIST), or outdoor education you can begin your studies and career on top of the Rocky Mountains as part of the Alpine Science Institute at Central Wyoming College.
Take the next step in your outdoor leadership journey. 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.