Interdisciplinary Studies: Outdoor Leadership Concentration

Bachelor’s

Cultivate culture and creation through outdoor experiences and environmental stewardship.

5 Million
Number of Outdoor Recreation Jobs in the United States in 2023
According to the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
Two
Concentrations
Depending on your interests, choose between a concentration in Outdoor Ministry or Outdoor Recreation & Parks Management.
25
Minutes from Adventure
From the Blue Ridge Mountains to Caesars Head State Park, limitless outdoor adventure is just a quick drive away.

In our fast-paced and technological world, facilitating healthy relationships with others and the great outdoors is critical to our physical and spiritual well-being. So, where do you start?

Why Choose?

  • Be Equipped with Essential Hard Skills. Learn more about rock climbing, paddling, and backcountry expeditions—and foundational soft skills in leadership, management, and communication, all designed to prepare you for impactful careers across the outdoor industry.
  • Immerse Yourself in Adventure. The best way to experience the outdoors is, well, experiencing it! Enjoy a variety of field-based classes that teach you necessary backcountry skills, rock climbing, paddling, wilderness medicine, group development and more.
  • Intern in the Outdoors. Lead as you learn through an internship in the outdoor industry, facilitated for your development as a leader.
  • We offer a Minor for Those Who are Pursuing Other Programs. Students may pursue a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Outdoor Leadership OR complement another academic discipline—such as ministry, marketing, management, or biology—with a minor in Outdoor Leadership. In either pathway, the program offers a robust foundation for a diverse array of vocation-oriented opportunities grounded in environmental stewardship and leadership development.

Program Overview

  • Why NGU?

    Learn practical outdoor leadership skills through a Christian worldview and be better equipped for your future career at NGU. 

  • Purpose

    This program equips students with the necessary skills and credentials to succeed in learning both hard outdoor skills and leadership skills.

Outdoor Leadership Sample Courses

Mar 03
Outdoor Leadership Year 1

Year 1 Sample Courses

  • Introduction to Outdoor Leadership
  • Foundations of Parks & Conservation Management
  • Adventure Education
Mar 03
Outdoor Leadership Year 2

Year 2 Sample Courses

  • Camp Leadership & Programming
  • Outdoor Ministry
  • Backcountry Skills
  • Rock Climbing
  • Paddling
Mar 03
Outdoor Leadership Year 3

Year 3 Sample Courses

  • Leadership in Outdoor Recreation
  • Group Development in Adventure Challenge
  • Environmental Interpretation & Education
  • Park Planning & Design
  • Research Methods in Outdoor Leadership
Mar 03
Outdoor Leadership Year 4

Year 4 Sample Courses

  • Outdoor Leadership Internship
  • Management & Administration in Outdoor Recreation
  • Wilderness First Responder

Outdoor Leadership Faculty
Sam Keith, PhD
Program Coordinator, Outdoor Leadership
Rick Masters, M.A.
Associate Professor

Have Questions about the Outdoor Leadership Concentration?

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Sam Keith, PhD

Program Coordinator, Outdoor Leadership
sam.keith@ngu.edu

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