Tourism, recreation and adventure leadership

B.S.
Online You can complete all or nearly all requirements of this program online.*
delivery
$366 Based on current tuition rates. No additional charge for nonresident students. Does not include course materials and associated fees and expenses.†
per credit
4
start terms/year

Outdoor recreation is a huge driver of economic growth and a source of lifelong well-being, with the potential to uplift communities while caring for our planet. To ensure that it delivers positive outcomes for all, this industry needs skilled leaders who can educate others about the natural world, sustainably manage our natural resources and create business opportunities based on sharing the outdoors with others.

When you earn a B.S. in Tourism, Recreation and Adventure Leadership online from Oregon State University, you’ll explore the importance of tourism and recreation in natural settings for community development and human health, while learning practical skills that can make tourism and outdoor recreation more sustainable, respectful and empowering for local communities.

Skills you’ll gain in OSU’s online tourism, recreation and adventure leadership degree program

As a student in this online degree program, you’ll gain the in-demand skills you need to stand out in the job market and level up your career. You’ll learn from expert Oregon State faculty who have real-world experience in the field.

  • Land use planning
  • Natural resource management
  • Environmental interpretation
  • Program management
  • Sustainability
  • Accessibility in outdoor recreation
  • Public lands policy
Two park rangers on horseback ride through tall grass, heading towards a large body of water with distant forested hills in the background
Best Online Bachelor's Programs 2024 - U.S. News & World Report

Program details

Grounded in the science of natural resource management, this program will teach you best practices for planning, developing and managing recreation resources. You’ll also gain communication and decision-making skills that are rooted in justice, equity and inclusion, and are informed by the laws and policies that impact tourism, recreation and outdoor leadership.

The online tourism, recreation and adventure leadership program is offered by Oregon State’s College of Forestry.

Degree requirements

A minimum of 180 quarter credits — at least 60 of which must be upper-division credits — are required to graduate with your tourism, recreation and adventure leadership degree, including:

Three hikers walk along a narrow, rocky mountain path under overcast skies

Additional program features

When you pursue your tourism, recreation and adventure leadership degree online, you’ll choose from the following program options that allow you to focus your studies in an area of interest to you.

Outdoor recreation management
Study public and private land management and learn the relevant laws and policies that impact outdoor recreation in the outdoor recreation management option. You’ll be able to create monitoring and assessment protocols for recreation resources and learn how to work with diverse stakeholders to find solutions. 

Sustainable tourism management
In the sustainable tourism management option, you’ll study the benefits, trade-offs and challenges of tourism and learn how to work with communities, governments and nongovernmental organizations to build better solutions and opportunities. You’ll also learn how to apply business concepts to the planning and management of nature-based tourism opportunities.

Some degree requirements may be transferred from other institutions. Please note that a minimum of 45 credits of the last 75 credits in this degree program must be completed at Oregon State (online or on campus) to meet the academic residency requirement.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admittance to OSU for appropriate articulation. Additional information about transferring credits is available through OSU’s Transfer Credit Central.

As an undergraduate degree-seeking student, you can apply to earn an honors degree online in your academic major. Earning this prestigious degree gives you the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on research, complete a comprehensive thesis experience and engage in co-curricular activities.

You can gain highly specialized skills that are in demand by employers — and do it with less of a time and financial commitment — when you earn a certificate or microcredential online with Oregon State. Choose from a large collection of short-form offerings that can help you upskill quickly.

Outdoor recreation careers

The knowledge you acquire in Oregon State’s online tourism, recreation and adventure leadership bachelor’s program will help you fill in-demand jobs in the tourism and outdoor recreation workforce. As a leader in this area, you’ll be able to showcase your skills in sustainability, leadership and management.

Job market outlook

Use the interactive tool on this page to discover employment trends, top occupations and salary details for professionals who have skills related to tourism, recreation and adventure leadership. Please be aware that completing a program related to the job market information shown here does not guarantee employment or a specific salary.