The outdoor education 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. The Department of Recreation Management and Policy has been accredited with the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions since the early 1980s, and is nationally-known for its Therapeutic Recreation and Program and Event Management programs.
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UNH’s outdoor leadership and management program prepares students 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
Approved for Academic Catalog year 2020/2021.
NEW - This Fall, the Outdoor Education and Leadership major will merge with the Department of Recreation Management and Policy and transition to the new Outdoor Leadership and Management Option.
This new major option is designed for students interested in outdoor education, adventure programming, outdoor recreation, parks and protected areas, youth and after-school programming, conservation and related professions. UNH is the leading university in New England for students pursuing careers in the outdoor industry. This option will capitalize on the strengths and assets of the Outdoor Education and Leadership major while expanding into the growing outdoor recreation and resource management fields. Students in this major will earn a bachelor of science in Recreation Management and Policy – Outdoor Leadership and Management.
The outdoor education 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. The Department of Recreation Management and Policy has been accredited with the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions since the early 1980s, and is nationally-known for its Therapeutic Recreation and Program and Event Management programs.
