B.S. in Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism - Tourism Emphasis

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism (ORPT) is an interdisciplinary degree program offered by the Department of Physical Education within the College of Education. The interdisciplinary nature of the program includes course work from Agriculture Science, Biology, Communications, Geology, and Hotel and Hospitality Management. The degree program in ORPT is intended to provide students with training that qualifies them to work in a variety of work settings including outdoor recreation management agencies, outdoor and experiential education organizations, outdoor tourism companies, and outdoor recreation service and instruction programs. Employment opportunities typically exist with local, state and national agencies, protected natural areas, outdoor leadership and service programs, commercial recreation enterprises, and wilderness adventure/therapy organizations. Combined with the broad educational background provided by SUU’s Baccalaureate Core, this program will give students a wide range of opportunities upon graduation including solid preparation for graduate studies at Utah System of Higher Education’s Research I institutions in fields such as recreation resource management, parks and recreation, tourism; or related areas of graduate study. The Southern Utah University Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism bachelor’s program is unlike any program of its kind in the world. No other campus offers what you get from the SUU campus in beautiful Cedar City, Utah. Here, you are within half a day’s drive of 11 national parks, national monuments, and recreation areas, and within 100 miles of Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Grand Canyon National Park, and the Pine View Mountains. This means you are never far from incredible wilderness experiences where you can practice the skills that are at the core of your Outdoor Recreation bachelor’s degree program. As an Outdoor Recreation major, you will choose between three emphases for your degree: Public Lands Leadership and Management, Outdoor Education, or Outdoor Recreation Tourism. No matter which emphasis you choose, every course you take will include project-based learning that allows you experience what it will be like to pursue a career in your chosen field. Outdoor Recreation Studies SUU’s Outdoor Engagement Center is equipped with all the resources you need to master skills you’ll need in the wilderness. Many students complete their required Edge Project through the Outdoor Engagement Center. Professors in the Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism degree program include instructors who are experts in ecology, minimizing human impact on nature, and hands-on adventure skills such as rock-climbing, ice-climbing, mountain-biking, canyoneering, caving, and other such endeavors. The SUU Outdoor Recreation program will equip you to help fill the void that will be created in the next 10 years as a record number of land management agency personnel retire. There are not nearly enough qualified replacements. Outdoor Recreation Courses You May Take Recreation Ecology: Explore the impact of recreation activities on the environment and its resources. Foundations in Outdoor Recreation: Examine the ethics, history, economic importance, skills, trends, and other aspects of outdoor recreation. Leadership in Outdoor Recreation: Develop the leadership skills needed for outdoor recreation decision making. Learn about essential skills for back-country living.