Bachelor of Arts in Outdoor Recreation Leadership

Wellness & Movement Sciences
Fitness for Credit
Leighton Performance Lab
Challenge Course
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About

The Outdoor Recreation Leadership degree prepares you to develop and lead outdoor recreation experiences. You’ll have the opportunity to apply leadership skills in a real-life setting. The Inland Northwest makes a phenomenal classroom to learn basic technical and leadership skills in activities such as backpacking, whitewater boating, winter camping, rock climbing, mountaineering, and expedition planning. Most classes include single-day and multi-day wilderness-based experiences in the Inland Northwest. You’ll also take classes to learn how to manage risk, budget programs, manage personnel, and more.

In addition to a degree, you will obtain other certificates relevant to the outdoor industry, such as the Leave No Trace Trainer, Wilderness First Aid, and Swiftwater Rescue through the American Canoe Association. This program is fully accredited by the National Recreation and Parks Association.

For more information, contact Jeremy Jostad, PhD at jjostad@ewu.edu.

Curriculum & RequirementsSuggested Schedule

RTM_ORL Internship Manual 2022-23 1500 Hours RLSO

Accreditation

COAPRT logoThe EWU RCLS Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).

Evidence of continued compliance with COAPRT requirements can be found on the RCLS accreditation website.

Curriculum & Requirements

Outdoor Recreation Leadership Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The Outdoor Recreation Leadership program qualifies individuals as outdoor leaders or resource managers for public and private organizations, including government agencies.

Notes:

  • two years of a single high school foreign language or one year of a single college level foreign language is required;
  • computer competency is required for the this major.

Pre Major Declaration Requirement: ≥C in ENGL 201 (or equivalent).

Major Declaration Requirement: must complete ENGL 201 with a minimum grade ≥C.

Grade Requirements

  • a minimum grade ≥C must be obtained in each required RCLS course (if a lower grade is received, the course must be retaken);
  • a minimum cumulative GPA ≥2.0 shall be required for all university coursework;
  • failure to comply with the above standards will jeopardize professional internship eligibility.
Required–1500 hours of practical experience–see advisor.
Required Core Courses
RCLS 201RECREATION AND LEISURE IN MODERN SOCIETY4
RCLS 220LEADERSHIP IN RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES3
RCLS 240OVERVIEW OF THERAPEUTIC RECREATION SERVICES4
RCLS 270DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES2
RCLS 313PUBLIC LANDS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION4
RCLS 360FACILITY PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN4
RCLS 385PROGRAMMING IN RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES4
RCLS 400LEGAL FOUNDATIONS IN RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES4
RCLS 425EVALUATION, RESEARCH AND STATISTICS IN RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES4
RCLS 435EMPLOYMENT PROCESSES IN RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES2
RCLS 455RESORT AND COMMERCIAL RECREATION MANAGEMENT3
RCLS 470ADMINISTRATION, ORGANIZATION AND SUPERVISION IN RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES4
RCLS 480BUDGETING IN RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES4
Required Supporting Courses
RCLS 125RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES ACTIVITIES1
RCLS 206OUTDOOR LIVING SKILLS4
RCLS 290WILDERNESS AND REMOTE FIRST AID3
RCLS 305WINTER CAMPING AND TRAVEL4
RCLS 307MOUNTAINEERING3
RCLS 335CHALLENGE COURSE PRACTITIONER4
RCLS 375WHITEWATER RAFTING GUIDE TECHNIQUES4
RCLS 410OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP4
RCLS 422EXPEDITION PLANNING AND LEADERSHIP4
RCLS 438PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN OUTDOOR RECREATION2
RCLS 494OUTDOOR RECREATION PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP (majors must consult with their advisor)12
Required Senior Capstone
RCLS 490SENIOR CAPSTONE IN RECREATION4
Total Credits95

Catalog Listing

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully earn a BA in Outdoor Recreation Leadership from EWU should be able to do the following:

  • demonstrate a working knowledge of technology and its various uses in the recreation profession;
  • demonstrate a working knowledge of the career and entrepreneurship opportunities available upon graduation;
  • demonstrate an ability to plan and lead a backcountry field trip;
  • demonstrate an awareness of diversity, equity, inclusion, and will demonstrate multi-cultural competence in recreation and leisure service delivery settings;
  • demonstrate an understanding of the history, breadth, depth, and complexity of the recreation and leisure services industry;
  • demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills;
  • demonstrate essential skills in the areas of outdoor leadership, wilderness survival, backpacking, winter camping, mountaineering, and whitewater rafting;
  • demonstrate knowledge of and skill at research, problem solving, and critical thinking;
  • demonstrate the ability to perform in a variety of emergency situations including emergency response, wilderness first responder, and search and rescue management.

Careers in Outdoor Recreation Leadership

Graduates with a degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership are prepared for a variety of career opportunities.

Outdoor Guide

Public & Private Camps

State & National Parks

University Outdoor
Recreation Programs

Wilderness Therapy Programs