Outdoor Leadership and Education: Environmental Focus
A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Outdoor Leadership and Education with an Environmental focus requires the completion of the Elon Core Curriculum as well as the Major Requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Required Courses: 20 sh
| EDU2950 | Research Methods in Education | 4 sh |
| OLE2250 | Introduction to Outdoor Experiential Education | 4 sh |
| OLE3000 | Outdoor and Adventure Leadership | 4 |
| OLE4100 | Administration and Management | 4 sh |
| OLE4970 | Senior Seminar | 4 sh |
Select two courses from the following: 2-3 sh
Electives - select from the following list of courses: 18 sh
| OLE1610 | Wilderness Studies, Leave no Trace, and Leadership | 2 sh |
| OLE2000 | Experientail Facilitation Skills | 4 sh |
| OLE3985 | Internship in Outdoor Experiential Education | 2-16 sh |
| OLE4999 | Research | 1-4 sh |
| COM3310 | Environmental Communications | 4 sh |
| ECO3230 | Environmental Economics | 4 sh |
| EDU4310 | Environmental Education | 4 sh |
| ENG3330 | American Environmental Writers | 4 sh |
| ENS1010 | Current Issues in Environmental Science | 4 sh |
| ENS1100 | Humans and Nature | 4 sh |
| ENS1130 | Introduction to Environmental Science Lab | 1 sh |
| ENS3200 | Restoration Ecology | 4 sh |
| ENS3300 | Wildlife Ecology | 4 sh |
| PHL3480/REL3480 | Environmental Ethics | 4 sh |
| PUB3240 | Environmental Policy | 4 sh |
| GBL2550 | Elon in Alaska | 4 sh |
| GBL2660 | Critically Engaged Eco-Tourism in New Zealand | 4 sh |
| ENG1225 | Ecodisaster | 4 sh |
Up to 16 hours of internship credit may be applied to Electives requirement. Note also general Bachelor's Degree Requirement for Elon University: A maximum of 16 semester hours of internship credit may be applied to the 132 semester hours required for the undergraduate degree.
- Students who participate in the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Outward Bound or Semester at Sea can petition the program coordinator for substitution for elective credit(s).
- Students will receive no more than 4 semester hours for participation in NOLS, Outward Bound and/or Semester at Sea.
- Elective courses with a prerequisite include ECO 3230 and ENS 3300. Review course descriptions for more information.
Students who select an Outdoor Leadership and Education concentration may not also declare the Adventure-Based Learning Minor.
Program Outcomes
Goal #1 Understanding Self: Students develop self-awareness regarding their strengths and opportunities for growth.
Goal #2: Leadership; Students understand their personal leadership style, acquire the knowledge and experience of leading a group through a variety of tasks.
Goal #3: Understanding Others; Students develop skills and the knowledge necessary to foster interpersonal and intrapersonal growth in others and nurture stronger interpersonal and intrapersonal skills themselves, particularly within the field of the group dynamics and facilitation.
Goal 4: Facilitation Skill Development: Students understand the value of working with groups of people with contrasting skills and expertise. They facilitate communities, teams and groups as they work collaboratively to accomplish tasks and complete goals, gain an understanding of group dynamics, and value diversity and opinions different from their own.
Goal #5: Reflection and Knowledge; Students develop an understanding of how to extrapolate educational theory to pragmatic life application. They reflect on experiences critically, honestly, and thoughtfully, and apply those reflections to situations in other aspects of their lives.
Goal 6: Recognize the Benefits of and Advocate for the Natural World: Students accept their personal responsibilities as global citizens. They understand the importance of advocating for increased access to and conservation of the natural world, and recognize the need to challenge systemic barriers that exist for a variety of communities. They realize the value of the natural world on mental, physical, emotional, and social health.
Total Credit Hours: 40-43