Bachelor's Degree in Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism
Turn your love for the outdoors into a steady career with a Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism at SUU. Located in the heart of Utah’s public lands, this program gives you the real-world skills needed to lead and succeed. You will learn leadership, administration, risk management, and technical skills through hands-on classes. Our students graduate ready to work as park rangers, adventure guides, or tourism managers. With a required internship and nationally recognized professional certifications, you won't just study - you will gain actual work experience before you graduate. Join a growing field and help others enjoy the great outdoors.
College: Health Sciences
Department: Kinesiology & Outdoor Recreation
Emphases Available for Outdoor Rec Majors
The program has 3 areas of emphasis: outdoor education, tourism, and natural resources recreation, all with unique courses and opportunities to specialize within the broader Outdoor Recreation field.
This emphasis focuses on balancing human recreation with the conservation and preservation of natural resources. Students learn to manage outdoor spaces for recreational use while promoting sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. Graduates are prepared for careers in resource management, outdoor education, and wilderness preservation.
Academic Catalog Program MapThe Outdoor Education emphasis prepares students to teach the interplay between natural sciences, environmental awareness, and recreation. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning, leadership, and environmental stewardship, equipping graduates to inspire passion for the outdoors and environmental conservation in diverse settings.
Academic Catalog Program MapThe Tourism Emphasis explores the relationship between outdoor recreation and tourism, focusing on sustainable practices that benefit both visitors and natural environments. Students learn to manage recreational tourism and develop strategies for promoting tourism while conserving natural resources, preparing them for careers in both tourism and outdoor recreation management.
Academic Catalog Program Map
Diverse Career Paths
Job opportunities in this field are plentiful and the outdoor recreation economy is well-supported by the state of Utah, boasting over 72,000 jobs amounting to about 4% of employment within the state, with continued growth expected. This program prepares students for work in a variety of recreation service sectors including careers as state and federal park rangers, outdoor educators, adventure guides and outfitters, and natural resource managers.
Where have SUU Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism majors been hired?
Data gathered by the SUU Career Center
Exceptional Outdoor Learning Environment
SUU's location near national parks provides a natural lab for students to explore diverse ecosystems and rock formations. Students gain hands-on experience in environments ranging from deserts to alpine streams, enhancing their understanding of natural resource management.
Engage with Like-Minded Peers
Join student organizations such as the Outdoor Rec Project to build leadership skills, network, and participate in activities like hiking, rock climbing, and community service projects focused on sustainability.
Recognized Academic Excellence
The ORPT program offers classes that gain students nationally recognized certifications in areas such as wilderness medicine, interpretation, climbing, canyoneering, and minimum impact practices.