Skip to main content

Outdoor Leadership

A QUICK INTRO

The Outdoor industry is a major economic force. Prepare for an exciting outdoor career by earning relevant certifications, gaining technical skills and practical experience in our Outdoor Leadership degree program. Further hone your skills to effectively help others with our certificates in Wilderness Therapy or Wilderness Emergency Medicine. Realize an intentional lifestyle and career that you will enjoy.

 

WHAT YOU STUDY

This course of study includes interpersonal skills and leadership skills such as group process, conflict resolution, program planning, and management issues.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

You can work in the adventure tourism industry, therapeutic wilderness programs, specialized adventure/leadership programs, adventure programs for youth, challenge course industry, city, county, and state outdoor programs, public and private outdoor education centers, and private and public school outdoor programs.

 

YOU SHOULD KNOW

In order to make an informed decision about a program of study and future career, please review the nonacademic abilities and characteristics required to meet the essential functions of this program: Outdoor Leadership Technical Standards.

 

ACCREDITATION INFORMATION

SCC’s Outdoor Leadership program operates on National Forest System Lands and is authorized under a Special Use Permit by the Nantahala National Forest.

USDA Forest Service Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720- 2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is available in languages other than English.

To file a complaint alleging discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

 

 

Admission Criteria Transfer Agreements Estimated Expenses

COURSE INFORMATION

SCC is not accepting new students into any Outdoor Leadership program for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Click on title for course description. For your convenience, the following listing includes only credit hours for each course. For a comprehensive listing of classroom, lab and clinical hours for each course, click on this PDF.

 

FALL SEMESTER 1

PrefixNo.TitleCredit
ACA111College Student Success1
CIS110Intro to Computers3
ENG111Writing & Inquiry3
ODL110Intro to Outdoor Leadership3
ODL120Challenge Course Facilitation3
ODL130Water-Based Activities I3
  Totals16

 

SPRING SEMESTER 1

ENG114Professional Research and Reporting3
ODL115Methods of Experiential Education3
ODL125Wilderness First Responder4
ODL135Land-Based Activities I3
PSY150General Psychology3
  Totals16

 

FALL SEMESTER 2

ODL210Water-Based Activities II3    
ODL215Administration & Policy of Public Lands3    
ODL220Climbing3    
HUM115Critical Thinking3    
******Technical Elective3    
Choose one of the following:
BUS139Entrepreneurship I3    
ODL140Intro - Wilderness Therapy3    
  Totals18    

 

SPRING SEMESTER 2

BIO140Environmental Biology3
BIO140AEnvironmental Biology Lab1
ODL212Land-Based Activities II3
ODL228Diversity & Inclusion in ODL3
ODL286Issues in Outdoor Leadership3
******Technical Elective3
  Totals16

 

TECHNICAL ELECTIVES (6-9 CREDITS)

EMS110EMT9
ODL140Intro - Wilderness Therapy3
ODL245Wilderness Therapy Models3
ODL248Field Techniques in WT3
ODL260Challenge Course Management3

Click on title for course description. For your convenience, the following listing includes only credit hours for each course. For a comprehensive listing of classroom, lab and clinical hours for each course, click on this PDF.

 

Prefix No. Title Credit
ODL 110 Introduction to Outdoor Leadership 3
ODL 115 Methods of Experiential Education 3
ODL 125 Wilderness First Responder 4
Choose two of the following:  
ODL 120 Challenge Course Facilitation 3
ODL 130 Water Based Activities I 3
ODL 135 Land Based Activities I 3
ODL 220 Climbing 3
    Totals 16

Click on title for course description. For your convenience, the following listing includes only credit hours for each course. For a comprehensive listing of classroom, lab and clinical hours for each course, click on this PDF.

 

PrefixNo.TitleCredit
EMS110EMT9
ODL125Wilderness First Responder4
Choose three (3) credits from the following: 
ODL130Water-Based Activities I3
ODL135Land Based Activities I3
ODL270Swiftwater Rescue1
  Totals16

Click on title for course description. For your convenience, the following listing includes only credit hours for each course. For a comprehensive listing of classroom, lab and clinical hours for each course, click on this PDF.

 

PrefixNo.TitleCredit
ODL125Wilderness First Responder4
ODL140Intro to Wilderness Therapy3
ODL245Wilderness Therapeutic Models3
ODL248Field Techniques in WT3
Choose two of the following: 
ODL115Methods of Experiential Education3
ODL130Water Based Activities I3
ODL135Land Based Activities I3
  Totals16
Paul Wolf
Outdoor Leadership Program Coordinator/Instructor

 

For help with the accessibility of this website, please use this form.