Outdoor and Environmental Leadership AA

The Outdoor and Environmental Leadership program is a dynamic, experiential learning program designed to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and passion to become effective leaders in environmental conservation and outdoor recreation and education.

Quick Facts

Overview

This program is designed for people who are passionate about the outdoors and the environment and want a career in areas like environmental education, outdoor recreation, tribal conservation, cultural preservation, and sustainable development. The program combines challenging classes, hands-on skills, and community involvement to help students become strong leaders who can make a difference in their communities and beyond.

Delivery Method: In-Person, Hybrid, Online

Important Links

Outdoor and Environmental Leadership AA Curriculum PDF

Free College Tuition - North Star Promise Scholarship

Time to Complete

The Outdoor and Environmental Leadership AA degree program can be completed in four semesters. Transferring credits into NHCC may result in the program taking less time. Taking classes on a part-time basis will require additional semesters.

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Costs

Tuition & Fees:
$210.86 per credit (60 credits)
$220.48 per fully online credit

Tuition Details

What You Will Learn

• Develop strong leadership skills specifically tailored for outdoor environments.

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of environmental justice issues, sustainability practices, and stewardship principles.

• How to plan and execute community-based projects, environmental awareness campaigns, and educational programs.

• Gain a broad range of outdoor skills such as hiking, camping, canoeing, navigation, first aid, and wilderness survival.

• How to plan, implement and lead environmental justice and climate justice workshops and events, participate in community-based conservation projects, and advocate for sustainability initiatives.

After NHCC

After completing the Outdoor and Environmental Leadership AA degree, you'll be prepared to transfer to a related bachelor's degree program or pursue entry-level jobs in outdoor and environmental leadership, community building, and education.

Program Update

The Outdoor and Environmental Leadership AA degree is a new program starting summer semester 2025. If you apply before May 20, you can select Liberal Arts AA and work with your academic advisor to change your major to Outdoor and Environmental Leadership AA after May 20.

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Program Highlights

The program includes a five-day nature immersion experience at YMCA Camp Northern Lights where students learn about pollinators, wolves, threats of mining to the Boundary Waters, career and internship opportunities in the outdoors and more.
You'll have the opportunity to learn from leading mentors from the DNR, National Parks Service, YMCA of the North, and Three Rivers Park District.
Students engage in a variety of outdoor activities, like hiking, canoeing, camping, wildlife tracking, and observation, while learning about environmental justice issues, ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity, and conservation techniques through different cultural lenses.
The lead instructor, Ana Munro, has earned an Environmental Initiative Award for creating an environmental justice and nature immersion program that includes NHCC and numerous partners. Check out the video to learn more.

NHCC's tuition is among the most affordable in Minnesota.

Graph showing the costs of various colleges with NHCC as the lowest cost

Financial Aid

Scholarships are money you don't have to repay
Grants are money you don't have to repay

Free College Tuition

The North Star Promise scholarship program provides free college tuition to eligible students. Find out if you might be eligible.

Outdoor and Environmental Leadership Curriculum

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Curriculum

Print Curriculum

Program Courses
BIOL 1200 and
GCST 1040 and
GCST 1490 and
GCST 1970 and
GCST 2017 and
GCST 2970 and
GEOG 1010 and
PHIL 1200

Program Electives
Choose 3 credits from the following:
EXSC 1240 or
EXSC 1640 or
EXSC 1740 or
EXSC 1760

General Education Courses
ENGL 1200 or
ENGL 1201 and
ENGL 1202 or
ENGL 1203 and
COMM 1210 and
BIOL 1001 and
ANTH 1010 and
ENGL 2340

MnTC Electives: Goal 4
Choose 1 of the following:
MATH 1010 or
MATH 1130

MnTC Electives: Goal 5
Choose 1 of the following:
SOC 1110 or
GCST 1350 or
GEOG 1040 or
POLS 1140 or
PSYC 1150

MnTC Electives: Goal 6
Choose 1 of the following:
ART 1160 or
ENGL 2330 or
ENGL 2380 or
ENGL 2410 or
GCST 1030 or
GCST 1978

Total Credits Required

Program Overview

The Outdoor and Environmental Leadership program at North Hennepin Community College is a dynamic, experiential learning program designed to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and passion to become effective leaders in environmental conservation and outdoor recreation and education. This comprehensive program combines theoretical classroom learning with hands-on outdoor experiences, fostering an understanding of environmental and outdoor issues, sustainability, and stewardship. The program intentionally focuses on acknowledging barriers in access to outdoor spaces and programming in Minnesota with the goal of systemically addressing this.

Participants will engage in a variety of outdoor activities, from hiking, canoeing, and camping to wildlife tracking and observation, while learning about environmental justice issues, ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity, and conservation techniques through different cultural lenses. Leadership development is a cornerstone of the program, with a strong focus on building skills in team coordination, decision-making, and effective communication in outdoor settings.

Community engagement is another key element of the program. Students will have multiple opportunities to plan, implement and lead environmental justice and climate justice workshops and events, participate in community-based conservation projects, and advocate for sustainability initiatives. Students will build relationships and collaborate with local organizations and community members, thus applying their learning in real-world contexts.

The program is designed for individuals passionate about the outdoors and environmental issues, aiming to pursue careers in environmental education, outdoor recreation, tribal conservation and cultural preservation, sustainable development, and more. The program offers a unique blend of academic rigor, practical skills, and community involvement, preparing students to become influential outdoor and environmental leaders and change-makers in their communities and beyond.

Career Opportunities

Information on careers, including career descriptions, salary data, and employment outlook is available on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website and O*Net Online website.

Transfer Information

If you are planning on transferring to another institution, follow the guidelines available on our transfer resources web page to help you plan the process: Transfer Information

Degree Information

The Associate of Arts (A.A.) is awarded for successful completion of 60 credits and is designed to constitute the first two years of a liberal arts bachelor degree program. An A.A. degree includes the entire 40 credit Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) as the general education requirement. Students may also choose to concentrate in a particular field of study in preparation for a planned major or professional emphasis at a four year college by following the pre major requirement of the desired transfer institution in addition to the MnTC and A.A. requirements.

A student shall:

Earn a minimum of 60 semester credits.
Earn a grade point average of 2.00 (C) or higher in courses taken at North Hennepin Community College.
Earn a minimum of 20 semester credits of the 60 semester credits required for the A.A. Degree at NHCC.
Complete the general education distribution requirement listed in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. The student shall select general education (MnTC) courses numbered 1000 or above to complete a minimum of 40 credits.
Have four years in which to complete their work under the terms of the catalog in effect at the time of their first enrollment.
Students taking more than four years to complete their graduation requirements may follow any catalog in effect during the four year period preceding their date of graduation.

Required A.A. Degree Course Distribution:

Complete 40 credits in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum satisfying the requirements for each of the 10 goal areas.
Complete at least 2 credits for the Wellness requirement from either Health (all courses) or Physical Education (all courses).

If the student intends to transfer, he/she is encouraged to work with an advisor to fulfill requirements for transfer to the other institution.

Completion of an A.A. degree fulfills the Goal Area 2 requirement of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).

Developmental Courses Some students may need preparatory course(s) in Math and/or English. Courses numbered below 1000 will not apply toward a degree.

Equal Opportunity Employer and Disability Access Information North Hennepin Community College is a member of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and an equal opportunity employer and educator. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 7634930555 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 18006273529.

Accreditation

North Hennepin Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504
1-800-621-7440

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