Bachelor Degree in Outdoor Education

Bachelor Degree in Outdoor Education

Are you interested in a career where you can help others and the outdoors? The Outdoor Education program at B.H.S.U. will equip you for education positions in parks, nature centers, zoos, aquaria, eco-tourism programs, camps, wilderness programs, and much more. The Outdoor Education major combines studying natural history, education methods, and outdoor adventure. This program incorporates highly qualified faculty from many disciplines including interpretation, environmental education, experiential education, physical education, biology, botany, geology, and mass communications. They will work with you to meet your goals, including national certification and placement into top graduate programs. B.H.S.U. is uniquely situated in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. After a day of classes and studying, you can mountain bike scenic roads, cross country ski on miles of groomed trail, hike beautiful mountain paths, fly fish in scenic Spearfish Canyon, rock climb our world-famous Needles or Devil’s Tower, down-hill ski at Terry Peak or Deer Mountain, or watch the plentiful wildlife.

Are you looking for advanced certification?

Here at B.H.S.U., there are numerous and growing opportunities for certification from national organizations. You can earn the Wilderness First Responder certifications through a partnership established with the National Outdoor Leadership School, or earn the Certified Interpretive Guide certification through a partnership with the National Association of Interpretation.

Interested in going on to grad school?

With a degree in Outdoor Education, you can also go on to graduate school in many of the related fields of environmental education, interpretation, outdoor education, experiential education, natural resources management, leadership studies, and more. If you are considering this option, you should meet with an advisor to select the appropriate electives and complete an undergraduate research project.

Black Hills State University is a comprehensive regional public university located in Spearfish, northern Black Hills, South Dakota. We are a small campus that offers a personalized approach to education and where students are well-known and supported by their faculty.

Black Hills State University is a regional, comprehensive, public institution that provides access to a higher education for aspiring students. BHSU offers a generous number of baccalaureate and select master’s degrees, generates new knowledge, promotes excellence in teaching and public engagement, and serves as a regional economic leader. Graduates make significant contributions to the workforce and the betterment of their community.