Ranked as one of Money Magazine’s “10 best colleges for people who love the great outdoors,” UNH is the northeast’s premier academic setting for students pursuing careers in the booming outdoor industry. The outdoor leadership and management program at UNH is the oldest continually accredited outdoor leadership major in the country, with an excellent reputation and prominent alumni working in every aspect of the Outdoor Industry.
UNH’s outdoor leadership and management program will prepare you for work in outdoor programs, parks and public or commercial recreation settings. Our graduates are guides, leaders, directors and managers of agencies that provide healthy outdoor activities for people across the lifespan. Our curriculum combines experiential learning in urban, rural and backcountry landscapes with a classic liberal arts education. You’ll gain a solid foundation in the theories, philosophies and methods of outdoor recreation leadership and management while gaining skills in outdoor activities such as climbing, canoeing and backpacking. This program will prepare you for dynamic careers in outdoor education, adventure programming, outdoor recreation management, parks and protected areas management, youth and after-school programming, and conservation.
Ranked as one of Money Magazine’s “10 best colleges for people who love the great outdoors,” UNH is the premier academic setting for students pursuing careers in the outdoor industry. The outdoor industry is prominent in all areas of New Hampshire. There is no better place for honing your skills than in the state’s towering mountains and cliffs, scenic coast and waterways, or iconic ski areas. This award-winning, internationally recognized program is the oldest nationally accredited program of its kind in the United States. As a student in outdoor leadership and management, you’ll build competencies through coursework and an applied internship. You will gain the administrative, management, and leadership skills necessary to work in a diverse array of public, private and non-profit outdoor organizations. Our program has 100% internship and job placement.
Phone: (603) 862-2391
UNH’s Outdoor Leadership and Management (OLM) Program is designed for students who want to study and work in outdoor programs, parks, and public or commercial recreation settings. Our graduates are guides, leaders, directors, and managers of agencies that provide healthy outdoor activities for people across their lifespan. Our curriculum combines experiential learning in urban, rural, and backcountry landscapes with a classic liberal arts education. You’ll gain a solid foundation in the theories, philosophies, and methods of outdoor recreation leadership and management while gaining skills in outdoor activities, pursuits or disciplines such as climbing, canoeing, and backpacking. This program will prepare you for dynamic careers in outdoor education, adventure programming, outdoor recreation management, parks and protected areas management, youth and after-school programming, conservation, and other outdoor fields.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RMP 490 | Recreation & Tourism in Society | 4 |
| RMP 501 | Recreation Services for Individuals with Disabilities | 4 |
| OUT 550 | Outdoor Education Philosophy and Methods 1 | 4 |
| RMP 557 | Program and Event Design | 4 |
| RMP 563 | Recreation Management and Policy Practicum | 2 |
| RMP 654 | Professional Development and Ethics | 2 |
| RMP 670 | Venue Management Design & Operations | 4 |
| OUT 681 | Theory of Adventure Education | 4 |
| OUT 686 | Wilderness Emergency Medical Care | 4 |
| RMP 711 | Recreation Resource Management | 4 |
| RMP 764 | Internship | 10 |
| RMP 772 | Law and Public Policy in Leisure Services | 4 |
| OUT 786 | Organization and Administration of Outdoor Education Programs | 4 |
| Leadership course - select one of the following: | 4 | |
OUT 682 | Experiential Teaching and Leadership | |
RMP 661 | Recreation and Event Leadership | |
| Field Based Leadership - select at least 3 of the following: | 12 | |
OUT 540 | Top Rope Rock Climbing | |
OUT 541 | Management of Challenge Courses | |
OUT 551 | Adventure Programming: Backcountry Based Experience | |
OUT 552 | Adventure Programming: Water Based Experiences | |
| Electives 18 credits (at least 8 credits from below), remaining 10 credits can be from the list below or from other electives per advisor or faculty mentor approval. | 18 | |
OUT 407B | Introduction to Outdoor Education & Leadership - Three Season Experiences | |
OUT 539 | Artificial Climbing Wall Management | |
OUT 542 | Sea Kayaking | |
OUT 543 | Winter Adventure Programming | |
OUT 545 | High Angle Rescue | |
OUT 546 | Whitewater Canoeing | |
OUT 547 | Lead Rock Climbing | |
OUT 549 | Wilderness Navigation | |
OUT 782 | Therapeutic Applications of Adventure Programming | |
RMP 559 | Program and Event Marketing | |
RMP 593 | Special Topics | |
RMP 603 | New Hampshire Ski Industry Management | |
RMP 668 | Youth Culture and Programs | |
RMP #775 | Entrepreneurial and Commercial Recreation | |
| Total Credits | ||
| Total Credits | 88 | |
| 1 | Required course for all OLM students to satisfy DISC INQ |
A supervised internship (RMP 764) is required of all majors and serves as their major capstone requirement. The internship is designed to create a bridge between theory and practical application. Students, working with their advisers and the internship coordinator, select an appropriate setting based on their professional and career interests. They must register for a minimum of a 10 credit, 10 week full-time internship (internships are variable credit, 10-16 credits = 10-16 weeks) that is under the supervision of a qualified professional. Specific requirements are identified in the Internship Manual available from the Department of Recreation Management and Policy.
