Outdoor, Recreation, Tourism and Event Management Major: Outdoor Recreation Emphasis – BS
The outdoor recreation emphasis is for students who want to work in natural resource-based recreation settings. This program helps students develop skills in outdoor programming and leadership, environmental education, outdoor guiding and adventure, and nature-based recreation management. Students will develop these skills by completing coursework in outdoor education techniques, experiential learning, and nature-based resource management.
Potential careers:
- Conservation lobbyist/advocate
- Eco-tour guide
- Forest/Park ranger
- Naturalist/Environmental educator
- Outdoor adventure educator
- Outdoor center program director
- Outdoor programmer
- Outdoor trip guide (NOLS, Outward Bound, Wilderness Inquiry)
- Visitor services
- Wilderness instructor
(College of Science and Health)
56 credits
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| REC 150 | Leisure, Quality of Life, and Well Being | 3 |
| REC 301 | Introduction to Recreation Programming and Event Management | 3 |
| REC 306 | NatureRx: Environmental Ethics and Behaviors in Recreation and Tourism | 3 |
| REC 317 | Experiential Facilitation in Recreation | 3 |
| REC 325 | Leisure in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| REC 340 | Evaluation Methods and Practices | 3 |
| REC 350 | Experience Design, Promotion, and Communication | 3 |
| REC 390 | Principles of Management in Recreation | 3 |
| REC 400 | Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Facility Planning | 3 |
| REC 402 | Risk Management in Leisure Service Organizations | 3 |
| REC 440 | Professional Wellness in Contemporary Leisure Services | 1 |
| REC 449 | Internship/Professional Preparation 1 | 1 |
| REC 450 | Internship | 12 |
| Total Credits | 44 | |
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Enrollment in REC 449 requires completion or concurrent enrollment in all REC courses, except REC 450.
Outdoor recreation emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| REC 404 | Budgeting in Recreation Services | 3 |
| Three additional courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Introduction to Outdoor Skills & Leadership | ||
| Introduction to Outdoor Education | ||
| Principles of Recreational Land Management | ||
| Environmental Interpretation | ||
| Ecotourism | ||
| Camp Administration | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Other requirements
- Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.00 or greater to enter the program.
- Prior to enrollment in REC 449 Internship/Professional Preparation (1 cr.), majors must complete two 50-hour professional experiences. These are non-class field experiences at recreation management agencies.
- Before enrolling in REC 450, all required REC courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better; and the student must have a cumulative UWL GPA of at least 2.50.
- In order to graduate, students must have a "C" or better in REC 450.
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Students may only complete one emphasis area. Declare the major with emphasis choice in the College of Science and Health Academic Services Office, 105 Graff Main Hall.
All students must complete the general education, college core (waived for outdoor, recreation, tourism and event management majors), major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR.
Baccalaureate degree requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:
- Fulfill the general education requirements.
- Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
- Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
- Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
- At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
- Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
- A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
- Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
- 1
Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.
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The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.
No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.
Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.
The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.
General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.
At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level.
Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.
This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.
This major is exempt from the CSH College Core requirement.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| REC 150 (Gen Ed Health & Well-Being) | 3 | REC 301 | 3 |
| FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar) | 3 | CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral) | 3 |
| ENG 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written) | 3 | STAT 145 (Gen Ed Math) | 4 |
| Gen Ed Minority Cultures | 3 | Gen Ed Arts | 2-3 |
| Gen Ed Math/Lang/Logical Systems | 3 | Gen Ed World History | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| REC 306 | 3 | REC 325 | 3 |
| REC 317 | 3 | REC 340 | 3 |
| Gen Ed Natural Lab Science | 4 | Gen Ed Arts | 2-3 |
| Gen Ed Global Studies | 3 | Gen Ed Humanistic Studies | 3 |
| Gen Ed Self & Society | 3 | University Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| REC 390 | 3 | REC 350 | 3 |
| REC 400 | 3 | REC 402 | 3 |
| REC 404 | 3 | Outdoor Emphasis Elective1 | 3 |
| Outdoor Emphasis Elective1 | 3 | University Elective | 3 |
| University Elective | 4 | University Elective | 4 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| REC 440 | 1 | REC 450 | 12-16 |
| REC 449 | 1 | ||
| Outdoor Emphasis Elective1 | 3 | ||
| University Elective | 4 | ||
| University Elective | 3 | ||
| University Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||
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Select three of the following courses to satisfy the Outdoor Recreation Emphasis Elective: