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.
The outdoor leadership and management program at UNH prepares graduates for work in outdoor programs, parks and protected areas, and public and private recreation settings. Our alumni are guides, leaders, directors, and managers of organizations that provide high-quality recreation experiences for people across the lifespan. This program prepares graduates for dynamic careers in outdoor education, adventure programming, outdoor recreation management, parks and protected areas management, youth and after-school programming, and land and water conservation.
By combining experiential learning with a classic liberal arts education, outdoor leadership and management students learn foundational philosophies and theories, hone skills in outdoor activities such as climbing, canoeing and backpacking, and gain career competencies through an on-site internship.Our graduates leave with the administrative, management and leadership skills necessary to work in a diverse array of public, private and nonprofit outdoor organizations such as the National Outdoor Leadership School, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service and many others. The outdoor leadership and management program also boasts 100% internship and job placement.
Phone: (603) 862-2391
This form is only for prospective students who are not already enrolled at UNH. If you are a current UNH student and interested in this program, please reach out to the contact on this page.
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 Shared Core (24 credits) | ||
| RMP 490 | Recreation & Tourism in Society | 4 |
| RMP 501 | Recreation Services for Individuals with Disabilities | 4 |
| RMP 557 | Program and Event Design | 4 |
| RMP 563 | Recreation Management and Policy Practicum | 2 |
| RMP 654 | Professional Development and Ethics | 2 |
| RMP 764 | Internship | 8 |
| OLM Option Core (22 credits) | ||
| RMP 411 | Applied Recreation Risk Management | 2 |
| OUT 681 | Foundations of Adventure Education | 4 |
| OUT 686 | Wilderness Emergency Medical Care | 4 |
| RMP 711 | Recreation Resource Management | 4 |
| RMP 772 | Law and Public Policy in Leisure Services | 4 |
| RMP 776 | Human Dimensions of Natural Environments | 4 |
| Leadership or Management course - select one of the following: | 4 | |
OUT 682 | Experiential Teaching and Leadership | |
RMP 661 | Leadership in Recreation Services | |
RMP 670 | Venue Management Design & Operations | |
| Field Leadership - select at least 2 of the following: | 8 | |
OUT 540 | Top Rope Rock Climbing | |
OUT 551 | Adventure Programming: Backcountry Based Experience | |
OUT 552 | Adventure Programming: Water Based Experiences | |
| Electives minimum 10 credits (at least 4 credits of which must be selected from 2 credit outdoor LAP courses): | 10 | |
Field Leadership course (OUT 540, OUT 551, OUT 552 not selected above can be selected as an Elective) | ||
LAP 501 | Lifetime Activity Program (Select any applicable LAP course.) | |
OUT 539 | Artificial Climbing Wall Management | |
OUT 541 | Management of Challenge Courses | |
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 | |
RMP 603 | New Hampshire Ski Industry Management | |
RMP 668 | Youth Culture and Programs | |
RMP 775 | Entrepreneurial and Commercial Recreation | |
| Total Credits | ||
| Total Credits | 68 | |
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 an 8 credit, 400 hour internship 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.
