Outdoor Adventure Leadership, Minor

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The Minor in Outdoor Adventure Leadership is designed to allow students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities to work (and recreate) in a variety of adventure activities, while fulfilling the requirements for one of the approved degree programs at the University. The courses that satisfy the minor are primarily housed within the Department of Kinesiology and represent different aspects of the outdoor adventure field.

The Minor in Kinesiology’s Outdoor Adventure Leadership (KOAL) consists of a minimum of 18 credit hours of approved coursework, plus an “Intensive Experience” class (chosen from 3 options), an “Outdoor Leadership-based” class (chosen from 2 options), and approved electives.

The final practicum course involves playing an active leadership role either with Venture or another (approved) outdoor program. Options could include: planning and leading a wilderness trip for Venture, leading groups at the Venture Challenge Courses, serving as a teaching assistant for one of the KOAL courses, working at another local program (e.g,, the U.S. National Whitewater Center) delivering adventure programming, summer work in the adventure field, etc. A journal and regular check-in with the course instructor is included in this capstone experience.

Admission Requirements

Students matriculated at UNC Charlotte and planning to declare Outdoor Adventure Education as their minor must have an overall GPA of at least 2.0. To apply, students must submit, with a Change of Minor Form, a typed letter of application to the Venture Director, indicating why they are interested in the Minor, how they hope to use the experiences and skills gained through the Minor in their future, and what prior relevant experience they have that they believe will help them be successful in this Minor. The Venture Director recommends to the Kinesiology Department Chair those individuals who should be admitted into the Program.

Minor Requirements

The Minor in Outdoor Adventure Leadership requires the completion of 18 credit hours of approved courses as follows:

Introductory Course (2 credit hours)

KNES 1231 - Introduction to Outdoor Adventure (2)

Intensive Experience Courses (2 credit hours minimum)

Select at least one:

Outdoor Leadership-Based Courses (3 credit hours minimum)

Select at least one:

Other Required Courses (2-4 credit hours)

Elective Courses (4-6 credit hours minimum)

Approved elective options include any of the above classes not already taken (e.g., a student may take KNES 3230 and KNES 3235 . One of these classes would count towards the 5 elective credits. The same applies to KNES 2230 , KNES 2233 , and KNES 2236 .)

Additional approved courses include the following:

Notes:

*These courses have prerequisites.
**These courses are currently restricted to certain majors.

Students may petition for other classes to count toward elective credits. Furthermore, credit for Independent Study in First Aid could be given for completing a certification in Wilderness First Responder (3 credit hours), or Wilderness Advanced First Aid (2 credit hours) or Wilderness First Aid (1 credit hour). This needs to be arranged through an approved provider. Additionally, credit for Independent Study in Outdoor Adventure could be given by taking one of the courses offered by Outward Bound, National Outdoor Leadership School, or similar program.

The ideal progression is to take the 1000-level, then 2000-level, etc.; with electives taken at any time. However, such a progression may not always be possible for students. It is highly recommended that students in the Minor confer with the Venture teaching staff when planning their personal course progression.

Total = 18 Credit Hours

Grade Requirements

Students must attain an overall GPA of 3.0 in all coursework within the minor.

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