Associate of Arts: Outdoor Education

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Picture of students using their Outdoor Education Emphasis (AA) degree at CMC. The AA Outdoor Education program provides relevant learning experiences and professional-level training to our students. The goal is to prepare students to enter the outdoor and adventure education job markets or to transfer to four-year institutions. The AA Outdoor Emphasis program at CMC consists of 31 credits of Colorado State Guaranteed General Education Transfer Curriculum and is designed to transfer to four-year schools in Colorado. The program strives to be a positive steward of the natural environment and sustainable practices are taught throughout the curriculum. The faculty provide both experience-based and theory-based learning opportunities through the coursework, with an emphasis on student goals, industry-standard practices, and fun.

See the section on Scholarships and Awards for scholarship opportunities related to this program. This program is offered at the following CMC locations: Breckenridge, Dillon, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Glenwood Springs- Spring Valley, Leadville, and Steamboat Springs. For more information, please see Academic Programs at Colorado Mountain College. Not every course is offered at every campus.

Learn more about the Associate of Arts - Outdoor Education Program

General Education Requirements (31 credits)

Select a category to view the course options when specific courses are not listed.

Communication (GT-CO1, GT-CO2, GT-CO3)
2 courses (6 credits)
Mathematics (GT-MA1)
1 course (3-5 credits); credits over 3 will be applied to electives
Arts & Humanities (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, GT-AH4)
2 courses (6 credits)
History (GT-HI1)
1 course (3 credits)
Social & Behavioral Sciences (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, GT-SS3)
1 courses (3 credits)
Choose from Arts & Humanities or Social & Behavioral Sciences
1 course (3 credits) from: GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, GT-AH4, GT-SS1, GT-SS2, GT-SS3, GT-HI1
Natural & Physical Sciences (GT-SC1)
2 courses (7 credits): Credits over 7 will be applied to the electives category.

Program Requirements (15 credits)

OUTDOOR EDUCATION LEADERSHIP REQUIREMENTS:
(9 credits)
✽ HUM 137 - Wilderness & the American Ethic 3.0 Credits
OR
◆ PHI 218 - Environmental Ethics (GT-AH3) 3.0 Credits
✽ OUT 102 - Backcountry Navigation 1.0 Credits
✽ OUT 287 - Internship: Outdoor Leadership 1.0 - 6.0 Credits (2.0 credits required)
✽ PSY 211 - Leadership Development 3.0 Credits
OUTDOOR EDUCATION ORIENTATION REQUIREMENTS:
(6 credits)
✽ OUT 112 - Mountain Orientation 2.0 Credits
✽ OUT 113 - Desert Orientation 2.0 Credits
✽ OUT 114 - Canyon Orientation 2.0 Credits
✽ OUT 115 - Snow Orientation 2.0 Credits
✽ OUT 116 - River Orientation 2.0 Credits

Electives (14 credits)

    Advised Electives 9.0 credits
    Any 100-299 Guaranteed Transfer (◆) or General Transfer (✽) courses from the following prefixes:
    ANT, AST, BIO, BUS, EDU, GEY, MAN, OUT, REC

Colorado Mountain College also has the following requirements:
Demonstrate computer proficiency via exam within first 30 credits

✽ CIS 118 - Introduction to PC Applications 3.0 Credits
Must be taken within first 30 credits, will count as an advised elective
✽ COM 115 - Public Speaking 3.0 Credits
OR
✽ COM 125 - Interpersonal Communication 3.0 Credits
Choose at least 2 credits from the following (credits over 2 will be applied to Advised Electives):
✽ HWE 100 - Human Nutrition 3.0 Credits
✽ HWE 111 - Health & Fitness 3.0 Credits
✽ HWE 117 - Mental Health First Aid 1.0 Credits
✽ Transfer-level PED/OUT/DAN courses

Total Credits Earned

General Education Requirements (31 credits)
Program Requirements (15 credits)
Electives (14 credits)
Total credits toward Associate of Arts-Outdoor Education Emphasis degree (minimum 60 credits)

This program operates on public lands and rivers with special permits from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Parks Service, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Colorado State Parks Logo

Note:

◆ State Guaranteed Transfer Course

✽ Applies to CMC AA/AS/AGS Degrees

Not all programs/courses are available at every campus and may require travel to another campus or access via distance learning (IVS, hybrid, or online).

For more information see Degree & Certificate Descriptions & Requirements .

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