Outdoor Leadership, Associate of Applied Science
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Outdoor Leadership, Associate of Applied Science
The Outdoor Leadership (OL) program is a two-year degree program focused on teaching the skills needed to work in the dynamic tourism, adventure film, and expedition leadership fields.
Outdoor Leadership, Associate of Applied Science
The Prince William Sound College (PWSC) outdoor leadership program leads to a two-year, Associate of Applied Science degree focused on teaching hands-on skills needed to travel and work in the outdoors. There's no better place to learn these skills than in Valdez, Alaska, with opportunities to ski, backpack, hike, and explore the natural settings right outside your classroom. This degree program will provide you with the tools necessary to enter the outdoor recreation industry as a professional and will help you become stronger and more confident as an outdoor leader. Complete the outdoor leadership program to meet the demands of this rewarding and expanding industry.
Requirements
- 60 Credit Hours
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
Please view the current catalog for a list of all required classes for this program.
Program Quick Facts
Cost Per Credit: $234 (for both in-state and out-of-state students); Grants, scholarships, and other financial aid is available for qualifying students and programs.
Location: Valdez
For more information about this program and to enroll you can contact PWSC Student Services:
email: pwsc.student.services@alaska.edu
call: 907-834-1600 (Mondays-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. AKST)
Risk, Physical Ability, and Gear
Risk is a part of life. We all take a constant progression of risks throughout every day. That said, we each are responsible for choosing which risks we deem appropriate within our lives. The program is not designed for every student, and there are a number of inherent risks that we choose to take.
In addition:
- Many of our courses require good physical condition and ability to perform comfortably in extremely cold and/or inclement weather.
- Multi-day overnight trekking and camping are required.
- Courses will be occasionally carried out over uneven terrain, often without a trail, and may include river crossings or other hazards, depending on route and travel logistics.
- Students must be prepared to spend long days in potentially harsh terrain, with a number of environmental concerns to mitigate, including bears, mosquitos, moose, wolves, rivers, tides, weather, temperature, etc.
- Students must be 16 years or older to attend any outdoor leadership course
Students may need to rent or purchase additional equipment for courses.
Required Gear for Specialized Field Courses
- Tour Guide
- Recreation Manager
- Special Events
Planner - Adventure Wilderness
Guide - Wilderness Medicine
Instructor
Graduates of this program may continue their studies by earning a bachelor's degree:
|
Swift Water Rescue |
The River Company |
|
Outdoor Leadership Training Course |
Wilderness Education Association (WEA) |
|
Certified Outdoor Leader |
Wilderness Education Association (WEA) |
|
Leave No Trace Trainer |
Leave No Trace (LNT) |
|
Leave No Trainer Master Educator |
Leave No Trace (LNT) |
|
Sea Kayaking Skills |
American Canoe Association (ACA) |
|
Sea Kayaking Instructor Certification |
American Canoe Association (ACA) |
|
River Kayaking Skills |
American Canoe Association (ACA) |
|
Avalanche 1 |
American Institute for Advanced Research and Education (AIARE) |
|
Avalanche 2 |
American Institute for Advanced Research and Education (AIARE) |
|
Wilderness First Aid |
Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO) |
|
Wilderness First Responder |
Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO) |
Connect with Us
Learn more about the skilled individuals that teach the Outdoor Leadership courses at PWSC
Meet the Outdoor Leadership instructors
Read stories and interviews from the Outdoor Leadership students
Meet some of the Outdoor Leadership students