Recreation Management and Policy Major: Outdoor Leadership and Management Option (B.S)
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 | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice for Recreation Services | 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 (Capstone) 2 | 8 or 12 |
| Outdoor Leadership and Management 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 | |
| Experiential Teaching & Leadership | ||
| Group Facilitation and Leadership | ||
| Venue Management Design & Operations | ||
| Field Leadership - select at least 2 of the following: | 8 | |
| Top Rope Rock Climbing | ||
| Adventure Programming: Backcountry Based Experience | ||
| Adventure Programming: Water Based Experiences | ||
| Electives - minimum 6 credits 1 | 6 | |
| Field Leadership course (OUT 540, OUT 551, OUT 552 not selected above can be selected as an Elective) | ||
| Leadership or Management course (OUT 682, RMP 641, RMP 670 not selected above can be selected as an Elective) | ||
| Artificial Climbing Wall Management | ||
| Technical Operation of Aerial Adventure Courses | ||
| Sea Kayaking | ||
| Winter Adventure Programming | ||
| High Angle Rescue | ||
| Whitewater Canoeing | ||
| Lead Rock Climbing | ||
| Wilderness Navigation | ||
| New Hampshire Ski Industry Management | ||
| Management and Finance in the Experience Industry | ||
| Youth Culture and Programs | ||
| Entrepreneurial and Commercial Recreation | ||
| Lifetime Activity Program Course - Select 2 courses (with outdoor discipline) | 4 | |
| Lifetime Activity Program: Special Topics | ||
| Total Credits | 66-72 | |
- 1
Other courses may be recommended by the academic advisor to fulfill the elective requirement.
- 2
Professional Internship: a supervised internship 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 advisors and the internship coordinator, select an appropriate setting based on their professional and career interests. They must register for an 8 credit (10-week, 400 hour) or 12 credit (14-week, 560 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.