Outdoor Recreation Certificate

Dream of helping others learn and explore the outdoors? This certificate is for you.

Guiding hikers up a mountain. Leading a 20-mile biking expedition. Teaching tourists how to scuba dive. You'll be better prepared to lead these types of activites and take on a career in outdoor recreation and adventure education. Open to students in any major, the outdoor recreation certificate program focuses your learning on theories and trends in outdoor education and leadership. Plus you'll get to try out a variety of outdoor activities that appeal to your adventurous side!

Want more?  In addition to earning the outdoor recreation certificate, you can major in recreation, tourism and nonprofit leadership

Student backpacking in the Grand Canyon

Interested in the Outdoor Recreation Certificate?

Contact us directly at:

Department of Health, Recreation & Community Services
WRC 203
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0241

Phone: 319-273-6316
Email: rtnl@uni.edu

Testimonials

Courtney Johnson (MA '25) Outdoor Graduate Assistant

The skills you develop in the classroom (risk management, planning, logistics, grit, and more) can apply to almost any job you come around.

Jula Rees (Psychology major with Outdoor Recreation certificate)

The different foundational classes you take teach you about outdoor recreation and different skill sets.... We learned how to plan and personalize trips.

Student paddling a paddle board on the UNI pond
Outdoor Recreation Certificate

Courses

This certificate requires 15 semester hours of coursework and has various elective options to choose from. Below are just a few of the courses you might take while earning your certificate in outdoor recreation.

  • Foundations of Outdoor Recreation
  • Managing Recreation Impacts on the Natural Environment
  • History of Outdoor Recreation
  • Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
  • Backpacking
  • Canoeing
  • Rock Climbing
  • Winter Skills