Frequently asked questions

Will  you accept someone directly out of college?
Generally, no. Past applicants who have been successful in the admissions process have demonstrated 2-5 years of relevant full-time work in education or human service settings prior to applying.

By “full-time work,” do you mean exclusively in an outdoor setting?
Full time work should consist of relevant work in education or human service settings, with a considerable portion of that work dedicated to outdoor/adventure education, but may include non-outdoor or non-adventure components. In other words, part-time outdoor education work as part of a larger career trajectory is acceptable, so long as candidates can demonstrate how their work experiences have prepared them for focused work at an advanced level in the outdoor education field.

Do you have any distance learning or summer options?
Not at the present time. Ours is a residency-based program that follows the UNH academic calendar.

Can I attend the program part-time?
This is possible, and it depends on an applicant’s specific life circumstances. To complete the program expeditiously, however, students should expect to spend at least their first year enrolled full-time in the program. Some students have found it possible to attend part-time in their second year, depending on their specific focus, which is typically developed in consultation with an advisor.

Do you accept international students?
Yes. Past students have joined us from Canada, Thailand, Singapore, and Turkey. We value a diverse student body and the unique perspectives that students bring to the program.

Do you offer any programs to defer the cost of tuition? 
Students from New England states other than New Hampshire may qualify for the New England Regional Tuition Compact discount. Additionally, the UNH Graduate School has some financial aid programs available. Finally, graduate students occasionally engage in part- or full-time assistantships funded through the Kinesiology Department. Contact the respective program coordinators (below) for information about anticipated assistantship availability.

How many applications do you receive?
In recent years, we have received around:
15 applications for the Masters program per year (we have accepted approximately 3-4 per year)
4 applications for the PhD program per year (we have accepted 1-2 per year)

How can I learn more about the program?
There are a two main ways you can learn more about the UNH OE program:

(a) Visit: Potential applicants are welcome to visit the UNH campus, meet with faculty members and current students, and attend a couple of classes. To arrange a visit, please contact Dr. Jayson Seaman.

(b) Email or Phone: For general inquiries about the MS in Outdoor Education program, please contact Dr. Jayson Seaman. For inquiries about the Dual OE/MSW degree program, or the about PhD in education, please contact Dr. Michael Gass. Interested individuals should also consider directing more specific inquiries to other OE faculty members and/or to current graduate students.