Center For Environmental Education (CEED)

Welcome to Outdoor Learning at UMD

“ Wilderness is more than lakes, rivers, and timber along the shores, more than fishing or just camping. It is the sense of the primeval, of space, solitude, silence and the eternal mystery. ”

Sigurd Olson

Undergraduate Programs

For most students coursework in the Recreation-Outdoor Education
major/minor provides an enjoyable and rich educational experience. It also
requires a high level of commitment of your time and energy. Let’s take
a quick look at the program in which you have enrolled for. Many of the
classes are experience-based and involve excursions and teaching in the
outdoors, where there may be insects, cold, wind, rain, or sunshine.

You will work with nature centers, wilderness areas, outdoor recreational program sites, schools, and more. You will partner with classmates on projects
ranging from setting up camp sites to writing a management plan. Many
projects will be real, and have direct influence on the local community. You
will grow in your ability to teach, to work with others, to facilitate group
processes, to travel in the wilderness, to interpret natural history, and to
act responsibly toward the environment.

After gaining a broad view of the field of outdoor education/recreation, your UMD experience will culminate with a focused internship of your choosing. With a college degree and experience on your resume, you will set out to find your niche in the outside world.

Coursework Planning
The following are descriptions of the three undergraduate programs available through the College of Education and Human Service Professions:

1. Teaching Earth and Space Science- Environmental Education Concentration
2. Teaching Life Science- Environmental Education Concentration
3. Recreation - Outdoor Education

See program worksheet at: http://www.d.umn.edu/cehsp/studentaffairs/worksheets/
Use the worksheet for guiding you in selecting courses. By following the worksheet and consulting with your advisor, you will be able to plan your progression and ultimately your graduation to meet your individual timeline. Another method to consider coursework options and plan coursework efficiently is the Grad Planner. This tool is easy to use and allows students to track their own progress and course plan electronically.

Four Year Outline Recommendations

Teaching Earth and Space Science - Environmental Education Concentration

The B.A.S. in Teaching Earth and Space Science with the Environmental Education Concentration is offered by the Department of Education in conjunction with the Department of Geological Sciences and the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. This major is for students who plan to teach earth and space science in grades 5-12.

This concentration enhances the students Teaching Earth and Space Science training to better integrate environmental education into formal (pre K-12) as well as non-formal education settings such as parks and nature centers. This concentration must be taken in conjunction with the teaching life science or teaching earth and space science majors. A student in this concentration must meet the same GPA requirements as for the major. The concentration is noted on the students' diploma.

Teaching Life Science - Environmental Education Concentration

The B.A.S. degree in Teaching Life Science with the Environmental Education Concentration is offered by the Department of Education in conjunction with the Department of Biology. This major (115 credits) prepares students to teach all science areas in grades 5-8 and to teach life science in grades 9 through 12.

The B.A.S. in teaching life science with the environmental education concentration is offered by the Department of Education is in conjunction with the Department of Biology and the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. This concentration enhances the students' major by integrating environmental education into formal (pre-K-12) as well as non-formal education settings such as parks and nature centers. This concentration must be taken in conjunction with the teaching life science or teaching earth and space science majors. The concentration is noted on the students' diploma.

Recreation - Outdoor Education

The Recreation - Outdoor Education major prepares you for the primary growth areas in recreation services and outside tourism: community-based recreation, private agencies, and public institutions providing recreational sport and outdoor recreation/education programs.

Graduates from this program are employed in a variety of settings, such as environmental education centers (nature centers, residential environmental learning centers); natural resource agencies and facilities (DNR, NPS, USFS, State Parks); non-profits (scouts, museums, zoos, camps); adventure education schools; adjudicated youth facilities; and high adventure camps.

Recreation - Outdoor Education Minor

The Recreation Department also has a Minor available in Recreation - Outdoor Education.

Careers in Outdoor and Environmental Education

Following completion of all program requirements you will face the exciting prospect of transitioning from the academic study of outdoor education to its professional application. You can apply your skills and knowledge to wide range of positions both regionally and abroad. The following are examples of positions held by recent graduates and represent the numerous ways a BAS in outdoor education/recreation can be applied in the job market.

Careers in Outdoor and Environmental Education