Associate of Applied Science in Outdoor Leadership

This program is delivered only through Prince William Sound College.

Admission Requirements

• Complete the Admission Requirements for Associate Degrees.

Special Considerations

Students may need to rent or purchase additional equipment for courses. Many courses in the program are conducted outdoors in extremely cold and/or inclement weather conditions with significant physical demands.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete the General University Requirements for Associate Degrees.
• Complete the General Education Requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degrees.
• Complete the following major requirements:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Core Courses
KIN A161	Wilderness First Responder	4
KIN A181	Introduction to Kinesiology	3
KIN A262	Foundations of Outdoor Recreation	3
KIN A264	Recreation Program Planning and Evaluation	3
KIN A266	Introduction to Safety and Risk	3
KIN A280	Leadership in Kinesiology	3
KIN A282	Leadership in Initiative Activities	2
KIN A287	Leadership in Outdoor Recreation Activities	2
KIN A295	Outdoor Leadership Internship	3
KIN A296	Capstone: Advanced Outdoor Leadership	1-4
PER A170	Backpack Alaska	3
Science Core		3-4
BIOL/GEOL A178	Introduction to Oceanography
or BIOL A190	Biota of Alaska: Selected Topics
or ENVI A211	Environmental Science: Systems and Processes
Electives		12
Complete a minimum of 12 credits from the following. Students may substitute other courses with advisor approval for up to 8 credits.
GIS A101 & A101L	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Lab
KIN A261	Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society
PER A146	Beginning Rock Climbing
PER A147	Beginning Ice Climbing
PER A150	Water Safety and Rescue
PER A152	Beginning River Rafting
PER A153	Beginning Sea Kayaking
PER A160	Beginning Cross-Country Ski: Classic Stride
PER A164	Skiing Alaska's Backcountry
PER A165	Avalanche Hazard Recognition and Evaluation
PER A168	Winter Camping Alaska
PER A171	Outdoor Adventure in Alaska
PER A173	Beginning Mountaineering
PER A181	Crevasse Rescue Techniques
PER A190	Selected Topics in Health, Physical Education and Recreation
PER A218	Avalanche Theory II
PER A253	Intermediate Sea Kayaking
Total		45-49

A minimum of 60 credits is required for the degree. 

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in Outdoor Leadership will be able to:

• Evaluate their personal readiness for leadership through reflection on the synthesis of their course experience and by communicating leadership behaviors verbally and in writing.
• Explain the benefits of outdoor recreation for individual and community well-being.
• Evaluate risks associated with outdoor activities and identify methods to reduce and/or mitigate those risks.
• Demonstrate proficiency in technical backcountry skills necessary for outdoor recreation professionals in the student’s area of interest.
• Demonstrate proficiency in event/trip/field excursion planning and hosting.

Sample Plan

The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.

Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.

• Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
• GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
• Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
• Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
• Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
• Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Credits
KIN A181	Introduction to Kinesiology	3
KIN A262	Foundations of Outdoor Recreation	3
PER A170	Backpack Alaska	3
WRTG A111	Writing Across Contexts	3
Program Elective		3
	Credits	15
Spring
KIN A161	Wilderness First Responder	4
KIN A266	Introduction to Safety and Risk	3
KIN A280	Leadership in Kinesiology	3
GER Written Communication Skills (200-level)		3
Program Elective		2
	Credits	15
Summer
KIN A295	Outdoor Leadership Internship	3
	Credits	3
Second Year
Fall
KIN A282	Leadership in Initiative Activities	2
KIN A287	Leadership in Outdoor Recreation Activities	2
GER Oral Communication Skills		3
Program Elective: Science Core		3
Program Elective		4
	Credits	14
Spring
KIN A264	Recreation Program Planning and Evaluation	3
KIN A296	Capstone: Advanced Outdoor Leadership	1-4
GER Quantitative Skills (or MATH A105)		3
Program Elective		3
	Credits	10-13
	Total Credits	57-60