Outdoor educators have the power to make a difference in the environment, the lives of at-risk youth and anyone who finds solace in the wilderness. At Western Colorado University, world-class adventures in the Rocky Mountains will challenge and train you to become a seasoned outdoor leader.
Program Overview
Take your education beyond the classroom—to the rivers, canyons and peaks of the Rocky Mountains.
Recreation & Outdoor Education (ROE) is about creating opportunities for people to live healthy, engaged and happy lives. In the program, you’ll acquire the managerial, technical, interpersonal and leadership skills, required of a successful professional in the billion-dollar outdoor industry. Located in the magnificent Gunnison Valley, Western’s ROE program combines a tightknit classroom environment with world-class field experiences for students to turn their passion for the outdoors into rewarding careers with organizations like Outward Bound, National Outdoor Leadership School and the National Park Service.
Extraordinary adventure
Located in the magnificent Gunnison Valley, Western’s ROE program combines a tightknit classroom environment with world-class field experiences for students to turn their passion for the outdoors into rewarding careers.
Courses
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.
| Code | Title | Credits | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROE 182 | Introduction to Recreation and Outdoor Education | 3 | View |
| ROE 189 | Principles of Outdoor Education | 1-20 | View |
| ROE 240 | Alternative Programming | 3 | View |
| ROE 283 | Leadership and Facilitation | 1-20 | View |
| ROE 293 | Outdoor Pursuits Education- Water Based (with laboratory) | 1-20 | View |
| ROE 295 | Outdoor Pursuits Education- Snow Based (with laboratory) | 1-20 | View |
| ROE 296 | Outdoor Pursuits Education- Land Based (with laboratory) | 1-20 | View |
| ROE 333 | Recreation and Sport Marketing | 3 | View |
| ROE 351 | Inquiry into Sustainability | 3 | View |
| ROE 364 | Entrepreneurship and Commercial Recreation | 3 | View |
| ROE 398 | Program Planning (with laboratory) | 3 | View |
| ROE 454 | Human Development and Counseling for Outdoor Educators | 3 | View |
| ROE 466 | Facilities and Administration | 3 | View |
| ROE 468 | Leadership and Administration | 3 | View |
| ROE 490 | Recreation Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | View |
| ROE 499 | Internship in Recreation and Outdoor Education | 3-9 | View |
Spotlight
Uma Costanza
Student
“I feel like our skills would be difficult to teach in a typical classroom setting. It’s difficult to teach when it’s a teacher, a projector and students in the seats."
Brooke Moran, Ph.D.
Faculty
"The approach-problem-based learning and experiential learning in the ROE program absolutely foster growth."
Careers
Career preparation starts your first year at Western and is the primary focus of every degree.
Visit Career Services in Library 120 or online to discover your interests, define your goals, and land the career of your dreams.
The data below is automatically collected by Burning Glass Technologies, a firm that sources job market data and provides analytics. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.
Scholarships
Eligibility
- ROE majors who show diversity and outstanding achievement
There are four Eastman Awards available:
1.) New Student Award
Open to both new freshmen and new transfer students. Students must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and freshmen must also have a 21 ACT or 990 SAT. Students must also show a documented commitment to recreation as their major field of study at Western. Must show outstanding achievement in at least three of the following five areas:
- Special Recreational Talents
- Unique Recreational Endeavors
- Obstacles Overcome
- Community Service
- Leadership
2.) Achievement Award
Available to junior and senior ROE majors with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students must act as an outstanding role model in and out of the classroom and uphold the values of the recreation and leisure profession. Must show outstanding achievement in at least three of the following five areas:
- Special Recreational Talents
- Unique Recreational Endeavors
- Obstacles Overcome
- Community Service
- Leadership
3.) Service to Humanity Award
Available to junior and senior ROE majors. Must provide documentation of their outstanding service project(s).
4.) Eastman Academic Award
Available to junior and senior ROE majors with a minimum GPA of 3.6 in the ROE program. Students must act as an outstanding academic role model.
Description
This scholarship is provided by Don Eastman, they are intended to recognize and encourage ROE majors who show diversity and outstanding achievement in the recreation field.
Amount depends on fund availability.
Selected by: ROE Faculty.
Application:
Contact the RESS Department for application and deadline information.
970.943.2010 | Wright Gym 209
The Ernest Degutis Scholarship
This scholarship is available to Exercise & Sport Science (ESS) majors with demonstrated excellence in academics and outstanding achievement in personal fields.
Eligibility Criteria:
- ESS Major
- Junior or senior class standing
- 3.0 Minimum GPA
- Demonstrated excellence in academics
- Show outstanding achievement in four of the following:
- Special talents
- Leadership
- Obstacles overcome
- Community service
- Unique endeavors
Application Procedures:
- A written letter of application – please include local address
- Unofficial transcript (may use DegreeWorks)
- Two letters of recommendation from Western faculty or staff
- Letters must NOT be from ESS department members
- At least one letter must be from a faculty member
- Essay addressing at least four of the five areas listed above
The Ernest Degutis Scholarship is Provided by:
Ernest Degutis
Amount depends on fund availability.
Scholarship Recipients Selected by:
Western Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science (RESS) Faculty.
Completed applications must be turned in to Terri in the RESS Department office in Wright Gym no later than the second Friday of April for the upcoming academic calendar year.
Eligibility
- Exercise & Sport Science and Recreation & Outdoor Education majors
- Full-time at Western
Description
This scholarship is provided by Alumni Donations. The Student Professional Development Fund is to support professional activities such as professional certification exams, conference attendance, research, or other professional preparation activities.
Approximately $400 awarded every semester.
Selected by: Western RESS faculty committee
Application:
Contact the RESS Department for application and deadline information.
970.943.2010 | Wright Gym 209
Learn more about Western’s Exercise & Sport Science Program.
Learn more about Western’s Recreation & Outdoor Education Program.
Alumni 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 15 for 2021. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Board, 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 freshman or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found here (click). 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.
Description
The Western Presidential Honors Scholarships, established by the Jack and Marilyn MacAllister Foundation shall be an elite class of scholarships awarded to Western’s highest achieving and most deserving students, celebrating the ideals of academic excellence and service to the campus and community. Recipients of the Scholarships will be members of the Western Colorado University Honors Program.
There are eight Presidential Honors Scholarships of $2500 each. Each year two new Presidential Honors Scholarships will be awarded to two incoming freshmen.
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.
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.
Developing leadership skills
Recreation and Outdoor Education students learn the technical, interpersonal and leadership skills—as well as managerial know-how—required of a successful professional in the billion-dollar outdoor industry.
News & Research
Additional Resources
Department Information
Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science (RESS) Department
Department Chairperson
Lance Dalleck, Ph.D.Professor of Exercise & Sport Science
Administrative Assistant
Terri StinsonAdministrative Assistant
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Paul Wright Gym 209
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231