MOAEL Core Curriculum
Curriculum for Master in Outdoor Adventure & Expedition Leadership
Fall Year 1
OAL 511 - Self-Assessment for Adventure Practitioners (1cr)
OAL 512 - Adventure Leadership & Philosophy (4cr)
OAL 525 - Research Methods in Adventure Programming (4cr)
Electives: 0-4
Total: 9-13 credits
Winter Year 1
OAL 526 - Outdoor Adventure Risk Management (4cr)
OAL 515 - Expedition Planning (4cr)
OAL 503 - Thesis Project (2cr)
Electives: 0-4
Total: 10-14 credits
Spring Year 1
OAL 509 - Guiding Field Practicum (9cr)
OAL 503 - Thesis Project (2cr)
Total: 10 credits
Summer
OAL 545 - International Expedition Experience (9cr)
OAL 595 - Outdoor Pursuits Field Experience {Optional Elective} (6cr)
Total:
9-15 credits
Fall Year 2OAL 503 - Thesis Project (2cr)
OAL 575 - Critical Reflection (4cr)
Electives:
2-4
Total: 7-10 credits
Total Required Coursework: 51 credits
Core Courses: 45 credits
Elective Courses: 6 credits
1. OAL 503: Thesis Project for OAL. The master's thesis project must demonstrate evidence of scholarly study and writing and contribute to the profession of outdoor adventure leadership. Students will conceptualize and design their thesis project over an entire year, starting with the OAL 525 Research Methods course. The final draft will include a comprehensive literature review, the theoretical approach, the plan for data collection and analysis, and a presentation of the findings. (6 credits, Winter, Spring & Fall)
2. OAL 509: Guiding Field Practicum. This course will provide practical experience for implementing the core principles of adventure programming, addressing aspects of leadership, planning, implementing risk management protocols, and designing appropriate outcomes. Students enrolled in this class will help design and lead the Spring undergraduate intensive quarter experience. (9 credits, Spring)
3. OAL 511: Self-Assessment for Adventure Practitioners. This course provides OAL graduate students the opportunity for self-examination, identifying the physical, mental, spiritual, technical, and strategic values necessary for self-growth as adventure educators, guides, and leaders. Students will design and implement a plan to overcome areas discovered from the self-assessment. Specifically, this course will examine the entire OAL curriculum to provide a blueprint for achieving personal goals. (1 credit, Fall)
4. OAL 512: Adventure Leadership and Philosophy. This course studies the core aspects of adventure leadership through history, principles, practices, and ethics. The course explores informed decision-making, effective communication, group dynamics, and development theory to cultivate a set of ideals transferable to any adventure endeavor. (4 credits, Fall)
5. OAL 515: Expedition Planning. This course considers the explicit planning process for expeditions, including the identification of goals and objectives, and organization and coordination of logistics. Students will be responsible for creating adventures and applying the concepts to the Spring OAL Undergraduate Intensive quarter and Summer International Expedition. (4 credits, Winter)
6. OAL 525: Research Methods in Adventure Programming. This course will focus on research methods designed to develop a graduate-level thesis based on sound qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research. This course will involve attendance at a professional conference/workshop to gain a better understanding of the current issues in outdoor adventure leadership with a particular emphasis on the leading research in the industry. (4 credits, Fall)
7. OAL 526: Adventure Risk Management. This course examines the tools and issues in risk management and mitigation as a central component of expeditionary thinking. (4 credits, Winter)
8. OAL 545: International Expedition Experience. This course combines graduate and undergraduate students with faculty on an international trip. The course will incorporate and demonstrate planning, facilitation, risk management, and cultural competency. (9 credits, Summer)
9. OAL 575: Critical Reflection. An essential component of adventure learning is thinking critically about the learning goals and objectives of an adventure course or expedition and analyzing emotional responses to the experience, with the aim of connecting the learning to the experience. The reflective process ultimately creates a learning environment in which students can share and construct their own sense of understanding. (4 credits, Fall, Year 2)
10. OAL 595: Outdoor Pursuits Field Experience (Elective). (6 credits, Summer)
International Expedition
The international expedition is a required course in the MOAEL program that extends the field experience component into foreign lands and cultures. The trip is blended with the undergraduate international experience, so it offers the graduate students more leadership field opportunities as they guide the undergraduates in this experience in the company of an instructor. In an effort to give the students more opportunities for learning, we have two trips, both with a different destination.
Electives
Elective Major Classes:
OAL 507 - Seminar 1-8
OAL 510 - Special Topics 1-8
OAL 530 - Outdoor Survival 3
OAL 533 - Outdoor Adventure Literature 3
OAL 535 - Adventure Writing and Photography 3
OAL 552 - Minimal Impact Adventuring 3
OAL 554 - Adventure Therapy 3
OAL 565 - Adventure Skills Facilitation 1-8
OAL 570 - Environmental Physiology 3
OAL 576 - Experiential Leadership Development 3
OAL 580 - Swiftwater Rescue Technician I 2
OAL 581 - Technical Rope Rescue 2
OAL 582 - Swiftwater Rescue Technician Advanced 2
OAL 583 - Avalanche I 2
OAL 595 - Outdoor Pursuits Field Experience 6
Elective Non-Major Classes:
BA 579 - Small Business Start-up and Management 4
BA 580 - Nonprofit Theory and Leadership 4
BA 583 - Sustainability Leadership 4
BA 592 - Working with Emotional Intelligence 4
COMM 507 - Seminar on Creative Entrepreneurship 1-4
COMM 555 - Conflict Resolution 4
COMM 556 - Negotiation 4
COMM 560 - Topics in Communication 4
COUN 571 - Counseling Theory 4
COUN 502 - The Helping Relationship 4
COUN 574 - Group Counseling 4
COUN 575 - Crisis Intervention 4
EE 524 - Concepts in Environmental Education 3
EE 526 - Trends in Environmental Education 2
EE 528 - Environmental Issues 3
ES 523 - Sustainability and Natural Resources 4
ES 537 - Conservation in the United States 4
ES 539 - Land Use Planning 4
ES 542 - Valuation of Ecosystem Goods and Services 4
ES 582 - Climatology 4
LEAD 588 - Cultural and Organizational Leadership 3-4
PSY 535 - Environmental Psychology 4
PSY 537 - Creative Thinking 4
PSY 538 - Group Dynamics 4
PSY 539 - Group Facilitation and Assessment 4
PSY 540 - Organizational Development 4
PSY 543 - Process of Behavioral Change 4
PSY 548 - Mediation and Conflict Management 4
SOAN 552 - Global Environmental Movements 4
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; may substitute professional/personal experience or supplemental coursework if the degree is not in a field of study that provides sufficient preparation and skills for successful completion of the program.
- An official copy of academic transcripts and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) on the last 90 credits.
- Three letters of recommendation that specifically evaluate academic and/or professional skills and abilities to pursue graduate studies in the adventure programming discipline.
- Personal statement (500 words maximum) describing the nature of the student’s interest in MOAEL, teaching/guiding philosophy, academic and work objectives, leadership experience, and how the Master in OAL will help the student fulfill those interests and objectives. This writing piece should include 3 references and will serve as a writing sample. Use APA style for in-text citations and reference section.
- Submission of copies of all professional, state, national, and international certifications and certificates, such as American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA), American Canoe Association (ACA), Professional Climbing Instructor Association (PCIA), Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Rescue 3 International, American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), and/or Leave No Trace Master Educator (LNT).
- Submit a resume or CV showing work experience.
- Submit a video interview depicting your recorded responses to prompts (video should be under 6 minutes in length). See Checklist for a link to directions and prompts.
- Submit a digital logbook (spreadsheet format) demonstrating professional and/or personal field experience. Generally, the categories of a logbook at the very least include the activity; the date and duration; location; difficulty rating; and your roles in the trip, such as an instructor or personal endeavor.
Checklist
Priority Deadline: February 1st, 2023. (Applications & materials received after February 1st will be waitlisted.)
Notification of acceptance by March 1st, 2023.
Please mail these materials:
▢ SOU Application for Graduate Admission (Online Submission)
▢ Official copies of transcripts from all institutions from which credits were attained
To: Admissions
1250 Siskiyou Blvd
Ashland, OR 97520
(541) 552-6411
In addition, please submit the following materials (hard copies will not be accepted) via a Google Drive shared folder. Follow these instructions:
- Create a new folder titled: “Last Name, First Name_MOAEL Application”
- Share folder with sadric@sou.edu.
- Upload the following files:
▢
MOAEL Application ▢
Video Interview (no longer than 5 minutes)
▢ Three letters of recommendation
▢ Personal Statement (500 words)
▢ A copy of your resume
▢ Adventure Log Book (See the last bullet under MOAEL
Admission Requirements tab)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who should I email if I have questions regarding the MOAEL program?
A. Email the MOAEL graduate program coordinator, Adam Elson, at elsona@sou.edu.
Q. Should I send transcripts from institutions other than my primary undergraduate institution(s)?
A. Yes! If you received any credits from studying abroad, community college, summer courses, concurrent or AP (Advanced Placement) tests, you will need to send those in addition to transcripts from your undergraduate institution(s), even if those credits appear on your undergraduate transcript. Your file will not be considered complete until we have official copies of those transcripts.
Q. Is it possible to complete this program online?
A. No. The MOAEL program takes place entirely on campus and in the field. There is no online component.
Q. Can I send unofficial transcripts via email or snail mail?
A. Your file will not be considered complete until you submit official transcripts. Your institution(s) must send transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions in sealed envelopes or through a secure email that requires a login. All other forms of transcripts will not be considered for acceptance into Southern Oregon University. Q. Do I need GRE scores for the MOAEL program?
Q. Do I need to take the GRE to apply?
A. No, you do not need to take the GRE to apply the MOAEL degree program.
Q. Are there any graduate assistantships for the program?
A. There are several graduate assistantships offered through the Outdoor Adventure Leadership program. See the GA Positions tab for details about each position, specific benefits and how to apply if interested.
Q. How long does it take to get a Master of Outdoor Adventure & Expedition Leadership?
A. It takes five consecutive quarters, starting in the fall and ending the following fall term. This includes the summer term.
Q. What scholarships are available for outdoor and adventure education?
A. There are scholarships available for our degree program, but unfortunately they are not located all in one spot. A simple google search will lead you to a few opportunities. We encourage you to reach out and create opportunities for yourself and future students. Here are a few to get you started. 25 Great Scholarships for Outdoor Education Majors.
Q. What are the approximate costs of the MOAEL program?
A. The total cost of the program will vary for each student. Tuition rates for resident and non-resident students can be found here. You are required to complete a minimum of 51 credits for the program. At $430 for each graduate credit, tuition for Oregon residents could range from $21,930 to $24,510.
The MOAEL program is honored to be designated as a Western Regional Graduate Program. Students who apply and are accepted to this program from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming pay the in-state graduate tuition rate.
Additional costs will include the summer international expedition, attending two conferences during the program (one will be the AORE conference during the first fall term), a cohort field experience during the first fall term, and the spring field-intensive experience. Please check out the AORE web site for details about the cost and location of the conference. Typically the AORE conference will cost about $460 for student registration plus lodging and travel. To make sure students can attend the conference and apply financial aid towards the class, there is a $1000 course fee attached to OAL 525 Research Methods in Adventure Programming and OAL 503 Thesis to help pay for the conference costs. The international expedition cost will vary according to the destination, activities planned, and daily living allowance. Typical living costs are $50 a day for food and lodging. Plane prices can vary and can be purchased with personal air miles if you so choose. The average length of an expedition ranges from 30 to 40 days. Additional costs will depend on specific activities which will be determined by the cohort. When everything is said and done, the additional cost of an international expedition can range from $3000 to $8000. The Fall Self-Assessment course will have a $450 course fee for a fall group expedition experience. The Spring Guiding Field Practicum will have a $1000 course fee attached for food, transportation, and gear expenses. Financial Aid is available for additional course fees.
Q. Can I transfer graduate credits into the program?
A. A student may include 16 quarter credits of approved graduate coursework taken prior to regular admission to a master’s degree program at the University. This limitation applies to coursework taken at Southern Oregon University and coursework transferred from other institutions. Such courses must be appropriate for the MOAEL program and must be approved by the graduate program coordinator. All transfer credit must be supported by official transcripts sent directly from the school of origin to Admissions.
If you still have questions regarding the application process or have any other inquiries about this graduate program, please do not hesitate to contact us at elsona@sou.edu.
Graduate Assistantship Positions
All GA applicants must be accepted into the MOAEL program and enrolled full time. Applicants should indicate in the appropriate section on the MOAEL application the Graduate Assistantship (GA) position(s) they are applying for. Applicants should include pertinent work experience on their resume that qualifies them for the position(s) they are applying for. All GA positions require 8-20 hours of work per week during the quarter. All Roles that GA's can serve include:
Equipment GA
- Oversee program equipment inventory and storage.
- Assist with maintaining, repairing and replacing program equipment.
- Oversee equipment check-in and check-out processes.
- Assist the other GA's as needed.
- Assist with the delivery of undergrad coursework as needed.
Marketing GA
- Oversee and develop the OAL program's social media platforms.
- Create and curate visual media.
- Oversee tabling at events.
- Assist the other GA's as needed.
- Assist with the delivery of undergrad coursework as needed.
Website GA
- Review and update OAL website.
- Solicit information from faculty, staff, alumni and current students for website content.
- Liaise with university staff for the optimization and functionality of website.
- Assist the other GA's as needed.
- Assist with the delivery of undergrad coursework as needed.
Research GA
- Assist department with ongoing research projects.
- Assist with facilitation of OAL 425, the undergraduate research methods course.
- Assist the other GA's as needed.
- Assist with the delivery of undergrad coursework as needed.
Benefits
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Graduate assistants receive 80%-100% tuition remission and a monthly stipend for Fall, Winter, and Spring term. Students receive no tuition remission or stipend during the summer term. Students receive 40% tuition remission and a monthly stipend during the last Fall term. Tuition remission and monthly stipends are determined each year based on institutions needs, budgetary restraints, and enrollment. For this reason there is a range for tuition remission and the monthly stipend.
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SOU qualifies as a Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) member, meaning significant tuition reductions are available for students of the 16 member states and territories.