The B.A. in Outdoor Studies prepares students for careers in outdoor recreation and education through expedition and classroom learning.   Outdoor Studies at APU is an interdisciplinary degree drawing on courses throughout the university in order to address issues with regional, national, and global importance. Professional competencies are built into the program leading to successful placement of graduates in a range of outdoor and environmental services, operations, and organizations.
 

Your study as an OS major begins with courses focused on recreational program design, natural history, and wilderness skills.  As you develop your interests, you can choose from several optional concentrations to distinguish your degree:  Land Management, Outdoor Education, Outdoor Entrepreneurship, Snow Science, Wilderness Therapy, or a self-designed option. 
 

In your junior year, you undertake practicum - a pre-professional experience in which you earn credit while working in the field or for organizations such as Alaska Mountaineering School, Trailside Discovery, U.S. Forest Service,  and Alaska Public Lands Information Center, among many others options.  Your program culminates in the senior project which combines knowledge gained with the skills to apply that knowledge to real-world situations.
 

Outdoor Studies majors are expected to demonstrate the following Professional Competencies which are developed through courses in the department:

• Recreational Programming: Design, implement, and evaluate indoor and outdoor recreational programs 
• Expedition Leadership: Demonstrate the art of expedition leadership and related outdoor skills 
• Public Lands Awareness: Understand the significance of public lands to a culturally diverse outdoor community
• Educational Curricula: Interpret natural history for educational curricula
• Ethics and Professionalism: Articulate ethical principles and standards relevant to outdoor recreation professional

As a graduate, you will earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with demonstrated achievement in APU’s Essential Competencies:  Effective Communication; Critical Thinking; Cultural & Historical Perspective: Scientific Inquiry; and Ethical Engagement.