Program Overview

Tourism, Recreation, and Adventure Leadership Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS)

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Tourism, Recreation and Adventure Leadership (TRAL) explores the importance of tourism and recreation in natural settings for community development, human health and quality of life, and the sustainable use of natural resources. Students will learn about management practices and public preferences to address contemporary tourism, recreation and outdoor leadership opportunities, and issues in natural settings.

Program Options

• Adventure Leadership Education
• Nature, Eco, and Adventure Tourism
• Outdoor Recreation Management
• Sustainable Tourism Management

Program Description

Studies include decision making within applicable laws and across cultural contexts, as well as communication and collaboration with a variety of audiences, and successful supervision of employees and volunteers. The TRAL program covers best practices for planning, developing, and managing recreation resources in natural settings. Students learn to evaluate and integrate experiential, economic, biophysical, and social concepts. They study interaction across natural resources and the consequences of development, management, and marketing decisions.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Explain the importance of tourism and recreation in natural settings for achieving societal goals, such as community development, human health and quality of life, and sustainable use of natural resources.
• Identify, analyze, and apply the best available information on science, management practices, and public preferences to address contemporary tourism, recreation, and outdoor leadership opportunities and issues.
• Use applicable laws, policies, and regulations to make nature-based tourism, recreation, and outdoor leadership decisions across cultural and geographical contexts.
• Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences in appropriate formats.
• Demonstrate leadership and collaboration skills to work effectively and professionally in groups.
• Explain the principles and methods for successful supervision of employees and/or volunteers.

Course Requirements

All students pursuing the BS in TRAL must earn grades of C or better in all courses for the major (or approved substitutions). The required core courses include:

• COMM 111Z: PUBLIC SPEAKING
• AG 311: INDIGENOUS AGRICULTURE AND SUBSISTENCE
• FES 422: RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE
• ST 243Z: ELEMENTARY STATISTICS I
• SUS 350: SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
• TRAL 132: FOUNDATIONS OF OUTDOOR AND ADVENTURE PROFESSIONS
• TRAL 251: RECREATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
• TRAL 353: NATURE, ECO, AND ADVENTURE TOURISM
• TRAL 357: PARKS AND PROTECTED AREAS MANAGEMENT
• TRAL 493: ENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETATION

Options and Electives

Completion of an approved option is required for the Tourism, Recreation, and Adventure Leadership degree. Declaration of the option must be done by the end of the sophomore year, or at least six (6) terms prior to graduation. Courses for an option are in addition to the core curriculum. Some courses may require prerequisites not included in the core curriculum.

Major Code

The major code for the Tourism, Recreation, and Adventure Leadership Undergraduate Major is 872.

Adventure Leadership Education Option

Plan of Study Grid

The plan of study grid for the Adventure Leadership Education option includes courses such as:

• TRAL 132: FOUNDATIONS OF OUTDOOR AND ADVENTURE PROFESSIONS
• TRAL 173: INTERMEDIATE ROCK CLIMBING
• WR 121Z: COMPOSITION I
• Core Ed: Transitions
• Elective

Nature, Eco, and Adventure Tourism Option

Plan of Study Grid

The plan of study grid for the Nature, Eco, and Adventure Tourism option includes courses such as:

• TRAL 132: FOUNDATIONS OF OUTDOOR AND ADVENTURE PROFESSIONS
• TRAL 173: INTERMEDIATE ROCK CLIMBING
• WR 121Z: COMPOSITION I
• Core Ed: Transitions
• Elective

Outdoor Recreation Management Option

Plan of Study Grid

The plan of study grid for the Outdoor Recreation Management option includes courses such as:

• FOR 111: INTRODUCTION TO FORESTRY
• TRAL 132: FOUNDATIONS OF OUTDOOR AND ADVENTURE PROFESSIONS
• WR 121Z: COMPOSITION I
• Core Ed: Transitions
• Elective

Sustainable Tourism Management Option

Plan of Study Grid

The plan of study grid for the Sustainable Tourism Management option includes courses such as:

• FOR 111: INTRODUCTION TO FORESTRY
• TRAL 132: FOUNDATIONS OF OUTDOOR AND ADVENTURE PROFESSIONS
• WR 121Z: COMPOSITION I
• Core Ed: Transitions
• Elective

Total Credits

The total credits required for the Tourism, Recreation, and Adventure Leadership Undergraduate Major is 180.