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 | 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 | |
| Experiential Teaching & Leadership | ||
| Leadership in Recreation Services | ||
| 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 | 6 | |
| Artificial Climbing Wall Management | ||
| Management of Challenge 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 | ||
| 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.