Recreation & Outdoor Education with Master in Environmental Management

A small class of students gathers on their skin up Snodgrass Mountain. Mount Crested Butte can be seen in the background.

Part of: Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science Department, Clark Family School of Environment & Sustainability, School of Graduate Studies

Offered as: Accelerated Degree

Degree: Bachelor to Master in Environmental Management

Undergrad Pathway: Recreation and Outdoor Education

Part of: Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science Department, Clark Family School of Environment & Sustainability, School of Graduate Studies

Offered as: Accelerated Degree

Degree: Bachelor to Master in Environmental Management

Undergrad Pathway: Recreation and Outdoor Education

Our accelerated program allows students to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Outdoor Education and a Master of Environmental Management in a streamlined timeframe. Courses cover topics ranging from natural and cultural history to recreation philosophy and ethics, hands-on outdoor labs, and real-world climate science.

This program combines foundational knowledge in outdoor education with advanced environmental management skills. Students benefit from immersive, field-based learning experiences in the Rocky Mountains, preparing them for leadership roles in environmental education, conservation, and sustainable recreation management.

Recreation & Outdoor Education; Environmental Management Requirements

Accelerated Degree programs let students earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in less time. After an accelerated undergraduate study, students begin graduate courses, saving time and money. This fast-track option builds skills and experience, helping students start their careers sooner.

Program Requirements Degree Plan

IB Diploma Programme Students, with the opportunity to transfer up to 40 IB Higher Level and Standard Level credits with a score of 4 or higher, the accelerated timeline can become faster, typically two years of undergraduate and two years of graduate coursework.

International Baccalaureate

Once students in the accelerated program complete their undergraduate requirements, including the prescribed coursework, General Education, and electives, they become eligible for their BS degree conferral. At this point, students continue directly into the graduate portion of the Master’s in Environmental Management program and should follow the remaining curriculum outlined in their chosen emphasis area.

Scholarships

Scholarships by Department

The Western Colorado University Foundation offers scholarships for this program. Explore eligibility requirements and funding opportunities.

Explore Scholarships

General Western Scholarships

Western Colorado University offers merit—and need-based scholarships, recognizing achievement, financial need, and special talents.

Explore Scholarships

Environmental Interpretation
Risk Management
Program Development
Leadership & Group Dynamics
Sustainable Recreation Planning

Environmental Educator
Outdoor Program Coordinator
Park Ranger/Naturalist
Adventure Therapy Guide
Conservation Program Manager
Sustainability Consultant

Community Engagement

Environmental Educator
Outdoor Program Coordinator
Park Ranger
Adventure Therapy Guide
Conservation Program Manager
Sustainability Consultant

Department News

Shaping the Future of Physical Education and Sport: Kanae Haneishi’s Mission of Inclusion and Wellness

Sports and athletics have always been an important part of Kanae Haneishi’s identity. As a girl growing up in Japan, like any adolescent searching for…
Read More
Verzuh Ranch: Where Conservation Meets Education

Looking around the forty acres of prime wetland habitat Wynn and Ryan Martens recently donated to Western Colorado University, you can almost feel the pressure…
Read More
Western Graduate Students, Faculty Member Receive Distinguished Achievement Award

Recipients conducting important research in four disciplines Western Colorado University’s School of Graduate Studies is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 Distinguished Achievement…
Read More
Western’s Clark School wins grant to help add value to internships

Program focused on bringing underrepresented groups into the fold Let’s face it: Interns are often more work than they’re worth to the companies and organizations…
Read More
Prescribed Fire in Wilderness Research Team Honored by National USFS Award

This project embodies the spirit of the Center for Public Lands and the Clark School of Environment and Sustainability On December 14 at the 2023…
Read More
Western Colorado University study shows big benefit from AI-guided workouts

Western professor, students show us we can do more with less We get an added month of longevity for each workout, which is pretty remarkable…
Read More
Mountaineers Without Borders: From Concept to Colombia

Western students build clubs, coops, and bridges Two years ago, Joshua Clyncke found himself in a place a lot of first-year college students would envy:…
Read More
Western receives $10,000 Catalyst Grant to help fund push toward sustainability

GUNNISON, Colorado: Even before the leaders of Western Colorado University made sustainability a guiding principle of the latest Strategic Plan, programs and departments on campus…
Read More
Western, Palmer College of Chiropractic partner to offer headstart on graduate degree

“We are thrilled to give our students this unique opportunity to support career progress” GUNNISON, Colorado: Western Colorado University is pleased to announce a new…
Read More
Workshop synthesis paper describes value of prescribed fire in wilderness areas

We have both the opportunity and responsibility to recognize fire’s ability to renew the landscape GUNNISON, Colorado – Many of the wilderness areas that we…
Read More
Western Hosts West African Dance and Drummers

Mark Gibson, a Western Recreation and Outdoor Education professor, used his Alternative Programming Class to invite the Kissidugu Foundation to Western Colorado University’s campus. The…
Read More
Women Move Mountains: Western Students Attend UN Conference in Aspen

Katya Koepsel, a first-year student in the Master of Environmental Management (MEM) program, was among eight Western students who attended the United Nations Mountain Partnership…
Read More
Western Receives Research & Education Grant from Department of Energy

Western Colorado University’s Environmental Science and Forest Ecology programs were awarded a grant for $720,000 from the United States Department of Energy (DOE). To support…
Read More