Outdoor Leadership & Adventure Education
Associate of Applied Science degree
Career advancement program
Certificate also available
Outdoor Leadership & Adventure Education (OLA) is an innovative major leading to an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. OLA students learn the necessary skills to work in the outdoor, adventure, and recreation fields. With experiential learning opportunities such as backcountry living, ropes/challenge, and adventure-based skills classes like rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, and skiing, OLA professors use Garrett County’s mountains, lakes, forests, and whitewater rivers as classrooms.
OLA students have the opportunity to earn several national certifications including but not limited to:
- American Canoe Association (ACA)
- American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA)
- Leave No Trace (LNT)
- Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA)
- Swiftwater Rescue
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
A variety of outdoor leadership Field Instructor Certificates are also available to prepare students for entry level, field-based positions in the outdoor recreation and adventure education industry. Each certificate focuses on a specific outdoor discipline, including rock climbing, alpine climbing, paddlesports, mountain biking, and snow sports. Coursework develops technical skills, instructional abilities, and risk management practices for leading others in outdoor environments. The curriculum includes the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification course, a nationally recognized medical credential for outdoor professionals.
Career Opportunities
Employment: Graduates of the Garrett College Outdoor Leadership & Adventure Education program can be found working in commercial, government and nonprofit outdoor programs. Examples of positions attained by program graduates include college and university outdoor program manager, outdoor guide, outdoor education, wilderness therapy field instructor, adaptive recreation facilitator, ski industry professional, climbing ranger, river patrol ranger, backcountry ranger, and many other outdoor industry positions. Click here for Garrett College's Career Services.
Bachelor’s Degree: OLA students also have the option to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor's degree in recreation, business, education, or a variety of other fields. Click here to explore Transfer Information.
Degree Coursework
- Students complete an OLA Skills Track with introductory, intermediate, and instructor-level courses. Track options include rock climbing, alpine climbing, paddlesports, mountain biking, and snow sports.
- Program Requirements
- Academic Map
- Course Descriptions
Certificate Coursework
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will make connections that create meaning between themselves and their audience.
- Students will critically analyze situations, events, issues, ideas, and texts by fusing experience, reason, and training into considered judgment.
- Students will demonstrate a strong sense of environmental stewardship.
- Students will effectively plan and facilitate an instructional experience.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to successfully plan an adventure program.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to assess and respond to an emergency situation.
- Students will facilitate at least one adventure sports field skill at an industry-standard intermediate level.
Experiential Education Service
In addition to the academic offerings of the Outdoor Leadership & Adventure Education degree program, the Center for Adventure & Outdoor Studies (CAOS) collaborates with Garrett College’s Continuing Education & Workforce Development (CEWD) to provide a variety of non-credit courses and experiential programs for the general public. These programs are designed for outdoor enthusiasts, aspiring and current outdoor professionals, and lifelong learners.
Click the course titles below for details and online registration.
Outdoor Industry Professional Development
Skill Clinics
Summer Camps
Program contacts
Andrew Hershey
Program DirectorOutdoor Leadership & Adventure Education
301-387-3330
andrew.hershey@garrettcollege.edu
Scott Richardson
Coordinator of ProgrammingAdventure Equipment Center & T.A.Y. Program
301-387-3323
scott.richardson@garrettcollege.edu
Ryan Walton
Coordinator of ProgrammingExperiential Education Service
301-387-3327
ryan.walton@garrettcollege.edu
In the News
- GC students challenge themselves over break
- Walton joins GC as OLA program coordinator
- GC's Hershey earns AMGA climbing certification
- Celebrate 50: ASI Through the Years
Program Highlights
- Garrett College's location in Garrett County, Maryland provides scenic year-round opportunities for climbing, camping, skiing, rafting, and biking.
- The region is home to some of the best adventure activities in the eastern United States including mountain biking at Fork Run, whitewater paddling on the Youghiogheny River, and rocking climbing at Coopers Rock and Seneca Rocks.
- An internship is required for the AAS degree program. Students have the opportunity to practice their adventure and leadership skills in a real-world setting in places such as ski resorts, state parks, outfitter/guide services, and camps.
- The Outdoor Leadership & Adventure Education AAS degree has received Statewide Designation status from the State of Maryland. Verifiable Maryland residents who meet enrollment criteria will receive the in-county tuition rate.
- Student Spotlights
- Explore Potential Transfer Opportunities
- Schedules & Catalogs
