Experiential and Outdoor Education (EOE)

The M.S. in Experiential and Outdoor Education is a two-year hybrid program.

In the first year, face-to-face coursework will include a one-week intensive course on campus followed by four weekends each in the fall and spring semesters. Students will be engaged in online coursework throughout the semester(s).

During the second-year, students will complete additional required and elective coursework (individual choice of face-to-face, online and/or hybrid course formats) including a thesis or project.

This format allows for students to remain employed full-time and/or pursue field-based coursework (e.g. internships) at regional agencies.

Fall 2020 Dates

Class sessions are 8:30 am – 5:30 pm with an occasional extended evening session

• August 17-21  (with at least one evening session) (Cullowhee Campus)
• September 18/19 (Cullowhee Campus)
• October 23/24 (Biltmore Park Instructional Site, Asheville)
• November 20/21 (Biltmore Park Instructional Site, Asheville)
• December 4/5 (Online)

Spring 2021 Dates

• January 22/23 (Cullowhee Campus)
• February 19/20 (Cullowhee Campus)
• March 19/20 (Biltmore Park Instructional Site, Asheville)
• April 9/10 (Biltmore Park Instructional Site, Asheville)

Spring 2021 Thesis/Project Proposals

April 28^th-April 30^{th (Cullowhee Campus)} (students must attend at least the one day that they are proposing their thesis or project)

Directions to Biltmore Park Instrutional Site

Students will:

1. Develop a theoretical and philosophical foundation for experiential and outdoor education.
2. Understand research methods as they apply to experiential and outdoor education scholarship.
3. Design learning experiences for diverse populations that integrate theory into practice.
4. Demonstrate an ability to identify a need in the literature, propose and complete a graduate level thesis or
   project to meet that need.

The Association of Experiential Education defines Experiential Education as: “… a philosophy that informs many methodologies in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection in order to increase knowledge, develop skills, clarify values, and develop people's capacity to contribute to their communities.”

Total credits: 36
Required core credits: 27
Electives credits: 9

Transfer credits are limited to 6 from an accredited university. Additional electives may be taken from the list below and other WCU Gradute programs.

"Educators working in this field have extremely varied backgrounds. We're excited that the Experiential and Outdoor Education masters program will provide an opportunity for educators from across the southeast to expand their skill sets, so they can create better learning experiences for their students."
Lauren Pyle, Executive Director, Environmental Educators of North Carolina

"This is an exciting development to help prepare the future of the outdoor industry for the demands of the next generation. WCU is gifted with an amazing faculty, outstanding natural resources, and a tradition of excellence in training leaders in Experiential and Outdoor Education. We at Southwestern Community College are proud of our strong educational partnership over the decades that has allowed our Outdoor Leadership and Wilderness Therapy graduates to continue their studies at WCU with seamless articulation to help raise the bar of professionalism in our field. This new graduate program simply extends that reach to impact graduates to make a difference in their lives and those of others."
Paul Wolf, Program Director of Outdoor Leadership and Wilderness Therapy at Southwestern Community College and Chair of Standards of the Association for Experiential Education Accreditation Council.

"WCU has had wonderful foresight in designing and implementing this new program, at a time when creative initiatives and leadership development are key components for a productive economy for our outdoor industry."
Mairi S Padgett, Administrative Director, Landmark Learning