Outdoor Education is an adventure-based academic experience focused on preparing highly skilled outdoor industry professionals through intensive training and professional certification. This is a comprehensive program of liberal arts, critical thinking, environmental stewardship, outdoor technical skill development, professional certification, and leadership training. The curriculum integrates academic skills with outdoor and human skills in a program of academic and professional preparation. Students completing the AAS requirements will be prepared to transfer to a four-year program at select SUNY and private institutions or entry-level careers in the outdoor adventure industry.
Freshman Seminar Requirement
Freshman Experience
Choose one:
| HRD 100 | College Learning: Theory and Practice | 2 |
| HRD 100A | College Life Seminar | 2 |
| HRD 110 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1-2 |
General Education Requirements
Introduction to College Writing
| ENG 101 | Introduction to College Writing | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
SUNY Gen Ed Basic Communication
Choose one:
| ENG 102 | Academic Writing | 3 |
| ENG 103 | Writing in and about the Sciences | 3 |
| ENG 104 | Writing for Business and the Professions | 3 |
| ENG 105 | Writing in and about the Social Sciences | 3 |
| ENG 106 | Writing in and about the Performing and Visual Arts | 3 |
| ENG 107 | Language, Structure and Style | 3 |
| ENG 108 | Writing in and about Literature | 3 |
| ENG 109 | Elements of Creative Writing | 3 |
| ENG 110 | Elements of Technical Writing | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
SUNY Gen Ed Mathematics
| | SUNY Gen Ed Mathematics GEMA | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
SUNY Gen Ed Natural Sciences
| | SUNY Gen Ed Natural Sciences GENS | 3-4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3-4 |
General Psychology or Principles of Sociology
Choose one:
| PSY 101 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Additional Math or Science Requirement
NONE
Program Core Requirements
Program Core
| AVS 101 | Fundamentals of Backcountry Living | 3 |
| AVS 102 | Basic River and Backcountry Canoeing | 2 |
| AVS 140 | Foundations of Adventure Education | 3 |
| HED 108 | Wilderness First Responder | 3 |
| AVS 227 | Outdoor Program Leadership and Instruction | 3 |
| AVS 239 | Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation | 3 |
| HOS 181 | Principles of Hospitality and Tourism | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 20 |
AVS 227: Fall only - Prereq Required.
AVS 239: Spring only - Prereq Required.
Agriculture/Business Elective
Choose 6 credits from:
| AGR 102 | Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture | 3 |
| AGR 103 | Sustainable Food | 3 |
| BUS 102 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| BUS 103 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| BUS 165 | Principles of Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Complete 6 courses from:
Choose 2 courses from:
| AVS 231 | Challenge Course Management | 3 |
| AVS 224 | Fundamentals of Backcountry Skiing | 3 |
| AVS 265 | Rock Climbing Guiding and Instruction | 3 |
| | | |
| AVS 178 | Adventure Program Operations Internship | 3 |
| | Or | |
| AVS 250 | Topics in Adventure Program Design | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Liberal Arts and Sciences Electives
Liberal Arts and Sciences Electives
| | Liberal Arts and Sciences Electives | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Electives
Electives
3 credits in any course.
Recommended Sequence
First Semester
1-2 credits in HRD 100, HRD 100A or HRD 110
3 credits in ENG 101
3 credits in PSY 101 or SOC 101
3 credits in AVS 101
3 credits in AVS 140
1 credit in PED 152
1 credit in PED 165
Second Semester
3 credits in HOS 181
3 credits in ENG 102, ENG 103, ENG 104, ENG 105, ENG 106, ENG 107, ENG 108, ENG 109 or ENG 110
3 credits in Liberal Arts and Sciences elective
2 credits in AVS 102
3 credits in HED 108
1 credit in PED 124 or PED 144
1 credit in PED 162
1 credit in PED 166
Third Semester
3 credits in AGR/BUS elective (See Note 1)
3 credits in Outdoor Education course (See Note 2)
3 credits in AVS 227
3 credits in SUNY Gen Ed Mathematics
3 credits in Liberal Arts and Sciences elective
Fourth Semester
3 credits in AGR/BUS elective (See Note 1)
3 credits in Outdoor Education course (See Note 2)
3 credits in AVS 239
3-4 credits in SUNY Gen Ed Natural Science
3 credits in Electives
1 credit in PED 154 or PED 174
Notes
- Electives include: AGR 102, AGR 103, BUS 102, BUS 103 or BUS 165
- Outdoor Education courses include: AVS 178, AVS 231, AVS 224, AVS 250 or AVS 265 [AVS 221 may also be used to meet this requirement.]
- ACA Swiftwater Rescue Certification will meet an Outdoor Education requirement and two free elective credits.
- Students may gain credentials while enrolled in this OUTE program as shown below:
| First Semester Certification |
Second Semester Certifications |
| AVS 101 - Leave No Trace |
AVS 102 - New York Safe Boating Operator
HED 108 - Wilderness First Responder, CPR and NARCAN |
| Third Semester Certifications |
Fourth Semester Certification |
AVS 231 - Level II Challenge Course
AVS 265 - Climbing Wall Instructor with Lead endorsement |
AVS 224 - Telemark Level I
PED 154 - Snowboard Level I
PED 174 - Alpine Level I |