Outdoor Leadership
Students cross the Buffalo National River. Photo by Lily Eisold, ODLR Student
Undergraduate Minor: Outdoor Leadership
The outdoor leadership field is a dynamic force in terms of jobs, economic development, and highly sought after lifestyles. Students can prepare for a career as an outdoor professional by developing the skills they need through an Outdoor Leadership minor. Students in the minor can earn professional certifications, gain a variety of skills through field-based experiences, and hone their leadership competencies.
Students must review an Acknowledgement of Requirements (AOR) form upon declaring the minor; contact the department for details.
Our Program: Clear Requirements with Great Outcomes
Outdoor Leadership Minor Requirements — 15 hours of study
Courses Required
- RESM 1023 — Foundations of Outdoor Leadership
- RESM 1032 — Outdoor Living Skills (requires overnight trip)
- RESM 3043 — Natural Resources & Outdoor Ethics (requires overnight trip)
- RESM 4023 — Applied Outdoor Adventure Leadership (requires 5-6 day overnight trip)
Plus 4 credit hours in skill-based courses:
- RESM 1051 - Rock climbing I
- RESM 1061 - Rock climbing II
- RESM 1071 - Introduction to mountain biking
- RESM 1081 - Advanced mountain biking
- RESM 1091 - Introduction to bike mechanics
- RESM 1131 - Introduction to bikepacking
- RESM 1121 - Trail stewardship and maintenance
- RESM 1041 - Social issues in the outdoor industry
- RESM 1101 - Wilderness first aid
- RESM 2011 - Recreation and sport practicum (may be repeated for up to two credits)
- And others
Certifications Students Can Receive
- Leave No Trace - Level 1 Instructor
- Professional Climbing Instructors Association — Climb Site Belayer
- Professional Climbing Instructors Association — Climbing Wall Instructor
- Wilderness First Aid
Jobs Students Will Be Prepared For
- Adventure guide
- Bike technician
- Outdoor educator
- Camp director
- Outdoor retail specialist
- Outdoor product and service development
- Land management agencies (NPS, USFS, BLM, FWS, COE and state parks)
- Park/trail design and development
- Many other adventure-forward careers
Interested? Contact a Program Faculty
Mike Hoover, Ed.D.
Clinical Instructor, Outdoor Leadership
University of Arkansas
UTCH 111
mdhoover@uark.edu
479-575-6834
Taylor Weichman, Ph.D.
Coordinator & Instructor, Outdoor Leadership
University of Arkansas
UTCH 109
weichman@uark.edu
479-575-6233
Outdoor Leadership Minor Monthly Newsletter
U of A Outdoor Leadership in the News
- "Outdoor Leadership Minor Sees Enrollment Boost, Increased Opportunities for Students," Arkansas News March 7, 2024
- "College of Education and Health Professions' Outdoor Leadership Minor Celebrates Early Success," Arkansas News, May 15, 2023
- "Recreation and Sport Management Program to Launch New Outdoor Leadership Minor," Arkansas News, Oct. 3, 2022
- "New Program at U of A to Support Outdoor Recreation Entrepreneurs," Arkansas News, Sept. 8, 2021
- "Short Documentary Highlights UREC Outdoors Leadership Program on the Rio Grande River," Arkansas News, Dec. 11, 2019
Student rides their mountain bike during a bikepacking course. Photo by Blk Elk Media