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.
WHAT IS OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT?
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 outdoor experiences for people across their 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.
WHY STUDY OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT AT UNH?
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 non-profit 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 placement and job placement.
POTENTIAL CAREERS
- College outdoor program director
- Outdoor adventure educator
- State or national park manager
- State or national park ranger
- Mountain and ski resort manager
- Municipal or commercial recreation director
- Nonprofit organization director
- Outdoor business owner
- Recreation and wilderness program leader
- Youth program director
- Outdoor recreation manager
From the CHHS Blog
Curriculum & Requirements
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.
Degree Requirements
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Major Requirements
Outdoor Leadership and Management Option Course Requirements
| 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: | 2-4 | |
OUT 682 | Experiential Teaching & 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 6 credits | 6 | |
Field Leadership course (OUT 540, OUT 551, OUT 552 not selected above can be selected as an Elective) | ||
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 663 | Management and Finance in the Experience Industry | |
RMP 668 | Youth Culture and Programs | |
RMP 775 | Entrepreneurial and Commercial Recreation | |
| LAP 500 Level Courses - Select 2 courses (with outdoor discipline) | 4 | |
| Total Credits | ||
| Total Credits | 66-68 | |
Professional Internship
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 an 8 credit or 12 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.
- Students will know and demonstrate the nature and scope of the outdoor industry, including outdoor education, adventure leadership, and parks and protected-areas management.
- Students will know and demonstrate the techniques and processes used by professionals and staff in the outdoor industry.
- Students will know and demonstrate the foundation of the outdoor industry in history, science, and philosophy.
- Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity in outdoor settings.
- Students will demonstrate entry-level knowledge about operations, strategic management, and administration in the outdoor industry.
- Students will demonstrate the potential to succeed as professionals at supervisory or higher levels in the outdoor industry through participation in structured practicum and internship experiences.
