The outdoor recreation and education minor provides students with the opportunity to study a specific area of the recreation and leisure field. While students can take other coursework related to leadership, management, policy, programming, and tourism, no other University classes have a specific outdoor focus. The priority of the outdoor recreation and education minor would be to provide students with education and skills training necessary to be successful in this field. Students will concentrate on the following: 1) Specific leadership skills to work with groups and individuals from various socioeconomic backgrounds, with varying physical and cognitive abilities, from all age groups, races, and orientations, along with the understanding of leadership roles, methods and models; 2) The development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services to meet the needs of these populations; 3) Policy and management related to our public land for both use by our citizens and also preservation for the enjoyment of future generations; 4) Understanding the use of our outdoor resources and the economic and environmental impact created; 5) Eco-tourism and sustainability; 6) Global impacts based on the use of outdoor spaces, pollution, climate changes, and others. Students in the minor will benefit from the many alumni and community partners that have a vested interest in the education and training of our future professionals. Specific individual projects and/or research will be conducted with related agencies that will provide not only real-world, relevant experience and skill development, but establish mentor relationships and premium opportunities for networking in the industry. For more detailed information regarding this free standing minor, visit z.umn.edu/oris.

Student must complete 16 credits from the designated list for the ORE minor.