OUTDOOR EDUCATION

Jude Hirsch, Chair
Professors: Jude Hirsch
Associate Professors: Jeff Turner
Assistant Professors: Will Hobbs
Lecturers: Liz Speelman

Department Contact Information:
Georgia College & State University
College of Health Sciences
Campus Box 121
Milledgeville, GA 31061
478-445-1226
Outdoor Education Department Web site
Outdoor Center at Georgia College Web site
Chair, Jude Hirsch, jude.hirsch@gcsu.edu

MISSION

Outdoor education academic programs at Georgia College develop professional outdoor educators committed to innovative and authentic leadership. Students learn through direct experience and meaningful relationships with other students, faculty, community members, and the natural and cultural settings in which outdoor educators practice. Our graduates create opportunities for positive change in individuals, communities, and society.

Outdoor Education program are Programs of Distinction at Georgia College & State University, recognized by peers and students as providing distinctive niches in the academic environment.

ACCREDITATION

The B.S. in Outdoor Education, M.Ed. in Kinesiology: Outdoor Education Administration and the Outdoor Center at Georgia College are accredited by the Association for Experiential Education (AEE).

CAREER INFORMATION

Graduates from the B.S. in Outdoor Education are qualified for entry-level positions in recreation, education, corporate, and therapeutic organizations that use outdoor and adventure education to enhance their missions. In addition to completing the major requirements, student career options are further enhanced by the requirement to select a specialization in therapeutic use of adventure, management, health & physical education, or environmental education. Specialization selection also prepares graduates to be strong applicants for advanced degrees in social work, physiology, business, physical education, or environmental sciences.

ADMISSION AND RETENTION

The B.S. in the Department of Outdoor Education is a competitive, upper level application program. Students should concentrate, during their freshman and sophomore years, on successfully completing general education core Areas A, B, C, D and E and appropriate pre-requisite Area F courses. Students are considered Pre-Majors until the application for admission has been approved. Admission to the program may be limited based on availability of qualified faculty and maintaining student to faculty ratios required by accreditation standards, therefore all students who may not be admitted. Agencies where practical experiences take place may require students to undergo a criminal background check, urine drug screens and to meet the CDC standards for immunizations for health care professionals. Agencies may refuse any student based on inability to meet these guidelines or other agency guidelines.

In the fall of the junior or sophomore year, Outdoor Education pre-majors complete a formal application. Application to a minor in outdoor education may be submitted any time before the student has completed 60 credit hours.

Completion of Areas A, B, C, D, E and F of the core by the end of the summer prior to entry into the program.
Grade Point Average of 2.5 (minimum GPA does not guarantee admission)
Two letters of recommendation
Current resume
Personal interview
Fitness test and background check
Acknowledgement of Outdoor Education Student Handbook
Agreement to adhere to accredited policy, student expectations

Students must obtain grades of C or better on all Area F, major and minor courses and maintain at least a 2.5 Grade Point Average. In the event that a student’s GPA falls below 2.5, one semester will be given to bring it back up. If it remains below 2.5 after that time, the student will be exited from the program and will have to re-apply once the GPA is at an acceptable level. Readmission into the program is not guaranteed.

SERVICE LEARNING REQUIREMENT

Degree programs in the Department of Outdoor Education require students to complete service learning projects in discipline-specific activities.

WELLNESS COURSES AND LIFETIME ACTIVITIES

The Department of Outdoor Education is committed to the concept of holistic health. In keeping with this commitment, elective courses are offered which support the Liberal Arts mission of the institution and provide the individual with the knowledge and skills to enable them to achieve optimal health.

DEGREES AND MINORS OFFERED

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

For more information about academic programs, career options, minors, application procedures, student organizations, and the Outdoor Center at Georgia College visit the Department of Outdoor Education Web site.