Outdoor Adventure Leadership (OAL), BA or BS

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(72-81 credits)

The outdoor adventure leadership major is designed from an integrative perspective offering comprehensive coursework in outdoor leadership, outdoor recreation management, adventure planning, tourism, risk management, stewardship, conservation, and preservation. The curriculum helps prepare students for a variety of certification opportunities in the outdoor recreation profession, including Avalanche I (Forest Service); Leave No Trace Instructor and Swift Water Rescue (ACA); Open Responder (WSI); Safe Serve, Challenge Course Facilitator, and the National Recreation and Parks Association Certified Parks and Recreation professional certification.

Graduates from this program are prepared to pursue studies in higher education and/or vocational pursuits in the areas of adventure services, parks and recreation services, outdoor recreation leadership and management, tourism, camp management, parks and recreation services, guide services, adult and youth recreation, and adventure programming.

Required lower-division and prerequisite courses:

(21 credits)

HE 250 - Health and Society I 4 credits
MS 223 - Map Reading and Land Navigation 2 credits
OAL 250 - Foundations in Outdoor Adventure Leadership 3 credits
OAL 252 - Wilderness Remote First Aid & CPR 3 credits
OAL 275 - Adventure-Based Facilitation 3 credits
OAL 194 - Professional Activities 1 to 2 credits : Outdoor Recreation Activities (2 credits)
GEOG 101 - Introduction to Geography: The Rogue Valley 4 credits
or
ES 101 - Introduction to Environmental Studies: Earth Science 4 credits
and
ES 101L - Introduction to Environmental Studies: Earth Science Lab 0 credits
or
ES 102 - Introduction to Environmental Studies: Biological Science 4 credits
and
ES 102L - Introduction to Environmental Studies: Biological Science Lab 0 credits
or
ES 103 - Introduction to Environmental Studies: Social Science 4 credits

Activity Courses: Land

(choose three courses)

OAL 170 - Bike Maintenance 1 credit
OAL 174 - Hiking 1 credit
OAL 175 - Mountaineering I 1 credit
OAL 176 - Mountain Biking 1 credit
OAL 177 - Rock Climbing I 1 credit
OAL 179 - Skiing/Snowboarding 1 credit
OAL 180 - Ski and Snowboard Maintenance 1 credit
OAL 203 - Mountaineering II 2 credits
OAL 204 - Rock Climbing II 1 credit
OAL 205 - Rock Climbing III 2 credits
OAL 290 - Challenge Course Facilitation 2 credits
OAL 481 - Technical Rope Rescue 2 credits

Activity Courses: Water

(choose three courses)

OAL 171 - Boat Maintenance 1 credit
OAL 172 - Fly Fishing I 1 credit
OAL 173 - Fly Fishing II 1 credit
OAL 178 - Sea Kayaking I 1 credit
OAL 206 - Sea Kayaking II 2 credits
OAL 181 - Whitewater Activities I 1 credit
OAL 182 - Whitewater Kayaking I 1 credit
OAL 207 - Whitewater Activities II 2 credits
OAL 208 - Whitewater Kayaking II 2 credits
OAL 234 - Scuba Diving 3 credits
OAL 236 - Advanced Scuba 2 credits
OAL 480 - Swiftwater Rescue Technician Level I 2 credits
OAL 482 - Swiftwater Rescue Technician Advanced 2 credits
PE 298 - Lifeguard Training 3 credits
PE 399 - Special Studies 1 to 18 credits (Divemaster or Dive Instructor, 3 credits each)

Upper Division Courses

(45 credits)

OAL 362 - Outdoor Recreation Programming and the Environment 3 credits
OAL 375 - Advanced Techniques in Outdoor Adventure Leadership 3 credits
OAL 425 - Program Evaluation 3 credits
OAL 444 - History of the Pacific Northwest Wilderness 3 credits
OAL 309 - Practicum: Field Experience 3 credits : Practicum/Internship in Outdoor Adventure Leadership (3 credits)
OAL 409 - Practicum: Field Experience 1 to 12 credits : Practicum/Internship in Outdoor Adventure and Leadership (3 credits)
OAL 430 - Outdoor Survival 3 credits
OAL 443 - Senior Capstone 3 credits
OAL 470 - Environmental Physiology 3 credits
OAL 495 - Outdoor Pursuits Field Experience 6 credits (6 credits)
HE 325 - Nutrition 3 credits
HE 331 - Environmental Health 3 credits
PE 372 - Kinesiology 3 credits

Choose one class from the following:

BA 312 - Hospitality and Tourism Marketing 4 credits
BI 386 - Forest Ecology and Management 3 credits
OAL 370 - Adventure-Based Therapy 3 credits
OAL 410 - Special Topics 1 to 8 credits (Applied Business Research in OAL)

Mandatory Field Experience

A mandatory field experience that includes a minimum of 7 consecutive days in the field must be completed by all students seeking a BA/BS degree in OAL. The experience must be completed during the time in which the student is enrolled at SOU and actively pursing an OAL degree. Students will participate in significant planning in the following areas: travel logistics, risk management, food menu and preparation, and expeditionary behavior and leadership expectations. This experience may be fulfilled through OAL 495/595 (Outdoor Pursuits) or as approved by an OAL advisor.

Other Recommended Courses

OAL 370 - Adventure-Based Therapy 3 credits
OAL 476 - Experiential Leadership Development 3 credits
EC 399 - Special Studies 1 to 18 credits Economics of Tourism (4 credits)
BA 211 - Financial Accounting 4 credits
or
BA 213 - Managerial Accounting 4 credits
BA 310 - Lodging and Tourism Operations 4 credits
BA 311 - Food and Beverage Management 4 credits
PSY 438 - Group Dynamics 4 credits

Capstone

Health and physical education and outdoor adventure leadership majors complete the capstone experience during their senior year. This is usually a field experience appropriate for the student’s projected career involving placement in a fitness/wellness, athletic training, classroom, medical setting, or outdoor recreation setting. Students are required to write a significant paper about the experience and to make an oral presentation to their peers.