Community Education: Outdoor Education Experiential Learning and Mindfulness (B.A.)
The Bachelor of Arts in Community Education Program
The Community Education Program (CEP) is for students that are ready to be change makers, innovators, leaders, creative thinkers, and non-traditional educators in their chosen fields in either education, the nonprofit sector, for profit organizations, or entrepreneurial enterprises.
The course work is driven by hands-on, experiential, progressive forward-thinking practical experiences in the chosen field, to prepare students for the challenges of an ever changing and developing 21st century world and their work with the lifelong learner community.
Graduates will leave with a degree that is innovative, creative, non-traditional, and forward-thinking, by being prepared with basics of community and social change and innovation, as well as problem/ project-based service-learning opportunities. All, while giving them the freedom to follow their dream careers by partially building and creating their own degree through selecting a number of electives of interest. This prepares the students for a job market in high demand positions in ever and newly developing fields and industries on the local, national, and international level.
The CEP is a 120-credit hour program, consisting of general studies, core, and track/ concentration specific coursework.
The CEP also offers a 15-credit hour minor.
There are five tracks/ concentrations for students to choose from:
Community Innovation and the Arts
Disabilities Services and Advocacy
Outdoor Education Experiential Learning and Mindfulness
Sports Recreation and Wellness
Teaching English and Global Education
Outdoor Education Experiential Learning and Mindfulness encompasses all things nature, outdoors, and mindfulness, prioritizing the use of non-formal teaching methods, developing the lifelong learner, and providing experiential learning opportunities. Students will focus on the outdoor aspects of education and learning, ranging from outdoor education activities, resources, (forest) school and seasonal programs, naturalist basics, to interests and importance of environmental, animal or habitual education, as well as naturalism, mindfulness, well-being, and advocacy in both physical and mental health areas.
In addition, students can select a number of elective courses fitting their individual career aspirations and areas of interest.
Career opportunities include but are not limited to outdoor educator and naturalist roles in non-, or for-profit organizations, or the private school system. Nature-based organization positions like program director, coordinator, specialist, programmer. Advocate roles in topics relating to the outdoors, nature, environment, or conservation. Freelance fields focusing on the outdoors, nature, and spiritual/ mental wellness, as well as self-care/ mindfulness, as for example (personal) self-help instructor, motivational speaker, or trauma-informed coaching.
This track/concentration also can serve as preparation for graduate school to further students’ studies and work in allied areas of their chosen field.
Requirements
Required Courses
| BIO 224 | Field Natural History | 3 |
| BIO 235 | Introduction to Environmental Policies | 3 |
| BIO 340 | Life Sciences II for Elementary 5-9 | 4 |
| CEP 101 | Introduction to Community Education & CEP | 3 |
| CEP 201 | Cross-Cultural Competencies in Changing Communities | 3 |
| CEP 411 | Formal & Non-formal Educational Models | 3 |
| CEP 421 | Promoting Creativity & the Arts | 3 |
| CEP 422 | Outdoor Learning Spaces | 3 |
| CEP 433 | Program Design & Implementation | 3 |
| | Or | |
| CEP 452 | Reggio Emilia & Other Approaches | 3 |
| | Or | |
| CEP 473 | Community & School-based Programming | 3 |
| CEP 442 | Community Empowerment & Engagement | 3 |
| CEP 443 | Fundraising & Grant Writing | 3 |
| CEP 463 | Leadership in Community Education | 3 |
| CEP 482 | Practicum II (off-campus) | 3 |
| CEP 492 | Practicum I (on-campus) | 3 |
| CEP 493 | Internship/ International Community Experience | 4 |
| EDUC 201 | Human Development | 3 |
| ENT 300 | Foundation of Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| | Or | |
| ENT 325 | Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| | Or | |
| ENT 350 | Entrepreneurship Law & Ethics | 3 |
| SPED 241 | Introduction to Exceptionalities | 3 |
| PE 317 | Net and Wall Games | 3 |
| PE 322 | Organization & Administration of Physical Education, Athletics & Recreational | 3 |
| SDE 232 | First Aid-Emergency Service | 3 |
Electives to total 120 hours