Why Study Outdoor Leadership?
Students in Pacific’s outdoor leadership program want to explore the world, take the path less traveled, and are passionate about sharing nature with others. If this describes you or who you aspire to be, join us for one of the greatest adventures of your life.
The outdoor leadership program at Pacific University is designed to prepare students for work in the growing outdoor industry, or any field that requires dynamic leadership, risk management, and decision making skills to solve complex challenges within a team. The outdoor adventure industry generates $682 billion in annual consumer spending in the United States, and there are more than 4 million American jobs, according to the Outdoor Industry Association. Oregon alone has $3.6 billion in outdoor industry wages and over 70,000 direct jobs.
Major in outdoor leadership, or choose a minor in applied outdoor leadership or minor in outdoor leadership education, as you spend your college years learning to do what you love.
All courses in the outdoor leadership major emphasize the development of students’ equity, diversity, and inclusion perspective to create a more just and peaceful world. When students graduate with an outdoor leadership degree, they will have a deeper understanding of themselves and be better prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Most outdoor leadership majors will participate in the Outdoor Adventure Semester (OAS) which will immerse them in the majestic natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Students will learn how to guide backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, rafting, and kayaking trips while honing their group facilitation and interpersonal skills.
What Can You Do with an Outdoor Leadership Major?
Graduates of the Pacific University outdoor leadership program are prepared to enter the outdoor adventure industry in pursuit of their dream profession. With careful selection of courses and experiential opportunities, students with an outdoor leadership major are prepared to pursue careers in a wide range of fields, such as:
- Outdoor adventure programming
- Adaptive adventure programming
- Outdoor education instruction
- Adventure videographer
- Federal or state land management agencies
- Wilderness therapy
Outdoor Pursuits
Through Outdoor Pursuits, you can participate in day and weekend adventure trips from rock climbing or surfing to hiking or rafting. Pacific University's Outdoor Pursuits program invite students, employees and community members to get outside and also offers outdoor leadership students an opportunity to put their leadership skills to work as trained guides and staff members for trips with their peers.
