Outdoor leaders create positive change in the world by facilitating and guiding inclusive populations in immersive and sustainable outdoor recreation experiences. For over 30 years, the Outdoor Leadership (OL) Emphasis Area in the Recreation and Outdoor Education Program (ROE) has created Professional Outdoor Leaders. If you love the natural world and are passionate about creating positive change in yourself and others, as well as interested in high-adventure outdoor pursuits in water, land, and snow environments, this program is for you. Western Colorado University is in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and our campus is a hub for expeditionary learning and outdoor adventure opportunities.
Program Overview
Follow your passion to your purpose.
The Outdoor Leadership (OL) Emphasis Area in the Recreation and Outdoor Education Program provides you with the necessary skills to become a Professional Outdoor Leader. Students seek employment as instructors with the National Outdoor Leadership Schools (NOLS), Outward Bound (OB), professional guides and outfitters, adaptive programs, government agencies, search and rescue, private schools, camps, guide services, and a variety of other business ventures in the billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry. Focusing on the six pillars of our program: Leadership, Communication, Involvement, Application, Knowledge, and Environment, we nurture your leadership development and guide you all along the way. If you have a passion for high-adventure outdoor pursuits, desire hands-on expeditionary learning, and want to share your passion with others, the OL Emphasis Area is for you; “On Belay – Climbing – Climb On!”
Becoming leaders
Surrounded by peaks and rivers, Western’s Outdoor Leadership program is positioned to develop decision-makers with self-awareness, emotional intelligence, risk-sensitivity and resilience.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Program Requirements
A minimum of 57 credits is required, including the 36-credit Recreation and Outdoor Education Core:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Recreation and Outdoor Education Core | ||
ROE 182 | Introduction to Recreation and Outdoor Education | 3 |
ROE 189 | PRINCIPLES OF OUTDOOR EDUCATN | 3 |
ROE 240 | Alternative Programming | 3 |
ROE 283 | Leadership and Facilitation | 3 |
ROE 351 | Inquiry into Sustainability | 3 |
ROE 398 | Program Planning (with laboratory) | 3 |
ROE 454 | Human Development and Counseling for Outdoor Educators | 3 |
ROE 468 | Leadership and Administration | 3 |
ROE 490 | Recreation Philosophy and Ethics | 3 |
ROE 491 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
ROE 499 | Internship in Recreation and Outdoor Education | 3-9 |
Total Credits | 33-39 |
Medical Requirement
All Recreation and Outdoor Education majors must obtain a medical competency prior to graduation. Recreation emphasis majors must take ESS 276 Emergency Response or equivalent. Students with an emphasis in Outdoor Environmental Education, Outdoor Leadership, or Recreation and Outdoor Education Major: Comprehensive Program with Five-Year Master in Environmental Management must obtain certification as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR).
And the following courses. Additionally, students must:
- become a certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR), and
- complete at least 100 hours of certification-based or skill-based courses (not including WFR, Project Wet, Project Wild, or other certifications associated with required courses).
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ROE 293 | OTDR PURSUITS EDUC-WATER W/LAB | 3 |
ROE 295 | OTDR PURSUITS EDUC-SNOW W/LAB | 3 |
ROE 296 | OUTDR PURSUITS EDUC-LAND BASED | 3 |
ROE 391 | Experiential Education Theory and Pedagogy | 3 |
One of the following: | 3 | |
BIOL 130 | Environmental Biology (GT-SC2) | |
ENVS 100 | Introduction to Environment and Sustainability (GT-SS2) | |
One of the following: | 3 | |
ROE 230 | Interpretation of Natural and Cultural History | |
ROE 235 | Foundations of Teaching Environmental Education | |
One of the following: | 3 | |
ROE 333 | Recreation and Sport Marketing | |
ROE 364 | Entrepreneurship and Commercial Recreation | |
Total Credits | 21 |
Capstone Course Requirement
The following courses in the Recreation and Outdoor Education Major fulfill the capstone course requirements:ROE 499 Internship in Recreation and Outdoor Education.
Graduation Requirements
Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 120 semester credits for graduation. Of those 120 credits, 40 credits must be in upper-division courses (those marked 300 and above). Fifteen of these 40 upper-division credits must be earned in courses that are part of the standard or comprehensive major program being pursued.
Students are expected to review all graduation requirements, which can be found in the Western Undergraduate Catalog: Graduation Requirements.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
Essential Skills | MATH | 3 |
Gen Ed | Natural Sciences | 3 |
Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
HWTR 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
ROE 182 | Introduction to Recreation and Outdoor Education | 3 |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
Gen Ed | Natural Sciences | 3 |
ROE 189 | PRINCIPLES OF OUTDOOR EDUCATN | 3 |
ROE 283 | Leadership and Facilitation | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Summer | ||
ROE 293 or ROE 296 |
OTDR PURSUITS EDUC-WATER W/LAB or OUTDR PURSUITS EDUC-LAND BASED |
3 |
Credits | 3 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
Elective | ROE Elective (Nat/Cult Hist/Teaching Env Ed) | 3 |
Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 3 |
Gen Ed | Natural Sciences | 3 |
Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
ROE 240 | Alternative Programming | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Elective | Elective | 3 |
Elective | Elective (upper-division) | 3 |
Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 3 |
ROE 295 | OTDR PURSUITS EDUC-SNOW W/LAB | 3 |
ROE 351 | Inquiry into Sustainability | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
Elective | ROE Elective (Rec&Sport Mktg or Ent/Com Rec) | 3 |
Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 3 |
Elective | Elective (upper-division) | 6 |
ROE 398 or ROE 333 |
Program Planning (with laboratory) or Recreation and Sport Marketing |
3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Elective | Elective | 3 |
Elective | Elective (upper-division) | 6 |
ROE 333 or ROE 398 |
Recreation and Sport Marketing or Program Planning (with laboratory) |
3 |
ROE 391 | Experiential Education Theory and Pedagogy | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Summer | ||
ROE 296 or ROE 293 |
OUTDR PURSUITS EDUC-LAND BASED or OTDR PURSUITS EDUC-WATER W/LAB |
3 |
Credits | 3 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
Elective | Elective | 3 |
Elective | Elective (upper-division) | 3 |
ROE 454 | Human Development and Counseling for Outdoor Educators | 3 |
ROE 499 | Internship in Recreation and Outdoor Education | 3-9 |
Credits | 12-18 | |
Spring | ||
ROE 468 | Leadership and Administration | 3 |
ROE 490 | Recreation Philosophy and Ethics | 3 |
ROE 491 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
ROE 496 | Field Experiences | 2 |
Credits | 11 | |
Total Credits | 120-126 |
Western is committed to doing our part to provide each student a clear path to graduation. This four‐year degree plan is a sample map for fulfilling requirements in the major and General Education. The pathway that you take to your degree may differ somewhat from this illustration, depending on where you start and the detours and side trips you may take along the way. You are responsible for ensuring your overall, upper division, and major‐specific credits as well as GPA requirements are fulfilled for graduation.
Spotlight
Careers
Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.
Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.
Scholarships
Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsWestern’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsAlumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.
Get Involved
Make your education a life changing experience.
A college education is so much more than just taking classes. Expand your community and network, while gaining hands-on experience in your field.
- Advanced Leadership Expedition: Students expand their global perspectives and hone their leadership skills by traveling to developing nations.
- Certifications: Students are required to obtain 100 hours of professional certifications in addition to their Wilderness First Responder certification.
- Field Courses: Four courses feature multiple days and nights spent in the backcountry.
- Internships: Students often land full-time professional positions in the agencies they intern with for their capstone experience.
- Teaching: Many students apply to work as TAs after their freshman year.
Exploring further
Outdoor Leadership students take part in Outdoor Pursuits Education courses that teach skills in areas such as leadership, facilitation, outdoor education, rescue techniques, rock climbing, mountain biking, backpacking and more.
News & Research
Department Information
Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science (RESS) Department
Department Chairperson
Gary P. Van Guilder, Ph.D.Professor of Exercise & Sport Science; Chair, Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science Department
Administrative Assistant
Terri StinsonAdministrative Assistant
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Paul Wright Gym 209
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231