Academics

The Master of Science in Outdoor Recreation Economy degree puts you in control of your education. Offered entirely online, this 30-credit hour degree program consists of stackable certificates and the option of elective coursework that allows you to create the education that best suits your academic and professional goals.

If you have any questions about the degree, please contact us at oreinfo@colorado.edu.

Looking for a residential graduate experience at CU Boulder? Explore our Master’s of the Environment, Sustainability in the Outdoor Industry Specialization.

This program explores four central areas of the outdoor recreation business and how they intersect:

  • Outdoor recreation business and leadership: The manufacturers, retailers, tour operators and guides who facilitate the public’s enjoyment of open spaces and who can motivate consumer spending toward sustainability and public lands stewardship.
  • Public lands policy: The policies and regulations that govern access and sustainable use and that are crucial to the appropriate use, conservation and enjoyment of public lands.
  • Resilient communities: The communities that leverage natural resources to enhance or create new recreation economies. They face a variety of challenges, including competition and stressed infrastructure, but also the opportunity to diversify, showcase their culture and grow.
  • Inclusivity and belonging: The best practices for developing a more welcoming and inclusive outdoor recreation economy and expanding access to the outdoors to everyone.

Students who complete the Master of Science in Outdoor Recreation Economy should:

  • understand and be able to apply various economic, legal, political, environmental, socio-cultural, ethical and inclusive perspectives to the outdoor recreation economy,
  • develop foundational knowledge and apply skills in inclusive leadership, critical analysis, project management, stakeholder engagement, shared goal development, and communication and
  • complete a project that successfully integrates coursework concepts and delivers solutions to problems and opportunities in the outdoor recreation economy space.

Graduate Degree Structure

The Master’s in Outdoor Recreation Economy is designed to provide you with ultimate flexibility in how and when you complete the degree. There are two options to build the education that best suits your goals: you can stack three certificates to earn a master’s degree, or you can complete two certificates and four individual courses from any of the certificates. For both options you will need to complete a project course to fulfill the requirements for your master’s degree.

 

Three Stackable 
Certificates

Degree (30 credits)

Required Certificate

Introduction to the Outdoor Recreation Economy
Includes Project Course 1: synchronous, 7-weeks
(10 Credits)

Certificate 2

Choose one of the certificates listed below
(8 credits)

Certificate 3

Choose one of the certificates listed below
(8 credits)

Project Course 2

Fall semester only, synchronous, 15-weeks
(4 credits)

 

Two Stackable Certificates + Four Electives

Degree (30 credits)

Required Certificate

Introduction to the Outdoor Recreation Economy
Includes Project Course 1: synchronous, 7-weeks
(10 Credits)

Certificate 2

Choose one of the certificates listed below
(8 credits)

Four Elective Courses

Choose any four elective courses not included in the above certificates
(8 credits)

Project Course 2

Fall semester only, synchronous, 15-weeks
(4 credits)

Choose from the following certificates to complete your degree:

All graduate students in the program are required to complete the required certificate, which provides foundational knowledge in the areas of policy, sustainability and economic development. While it is not mandatory, we strongly recommend graduate students take a few required courses first because the background and skills gained in the required certificate will prepare you for subsequent coursework of your choosing. You must complete the project course for the required certificate before completing the project course for other certificates and/or elective coursework in the program.

If you are interested in completing more than the three stackable certificates and/or elective coursework required for the Master’s in Outdoor Recreation Economy, you are welcome to enroll in as many as you like; however, you will not earn a second graduate degree as a result. You will earn the graduate degree and additional individual graduate certificates. While all graduate students receive a Master’s in Outdoor Recreation Economy, if you choose the elective option, you will be awarded individual certificates for the Introduction to the ORE certificate and the additional certificate of your choice only. If you choose the three stackable certificate option, you will receive all three certificates that you complete.

If you have any questions about the degree, please contact us at oreinfo@colorado.edu.

Looking for a residential graduate experience at CU Boulder? Explore our Master’s of the Environment, Sustainability in the Outdoor Industry Specialization.

Project Courses

Master’s degree students will complete one 7-week project course at the end of the first certificate in the Introduction to the Outdoor Recreation Economy. This synchronous course will help you to apply the concepts, knowledge and skills gained in the certificate to complete a project-based assignment.

As you near the end of your program–after completing either two other certificates or one additional certificate and four elective courses–you will complete a second project course. The second project course is a synchronous, 15-week commitment where you will be able to synthesize all the information you learned over the course of the program to create an interdisciplinary project-based assignment to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you gained. During this course, students will engage with industry partners on at least five occasions to produce a meaningful and impactful solution to their real-life challenges. This course is meant to provide you with a portfolio piece to show current or future employers. The 15-week project course is only offered during the fall semester.

Please note: You must complete the Introduction to the Outdoor Recreation Economy certificate and at least 22 credits of other course work before you are eligible to take the 15-week project course.

If you have questions about the project courses or how to organize your schedule to accommodate them, email us at oreadmin@colorado.edu.