Outdoor Education
Jude Hirsch, Chair
Professors: Jude Hirsch
Associate Professors: Jeff Turner
Assistant Professors: Will Hobbs
Lecturers: Liz Speelman
Department Contact Information:
Georgia College
College of Health Sciences
Campus Box 121
Milledgeville, GA 31061
478-445-1226
Department of Outdoor Education Web site
Outdoor Center at Georgia College Web site
Chair, Jude Hirsch, jude.hirsch@gcsu.edu
Mission
The mission of the Department of Outdoor Education is to provide a learning community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to the development of professional outdoor educators who are grounded in the liberal arts tradition at Georgia College. The Department is committed to exemplary teaching, scholarship, service, and practice that promotes holistic wellness, fosters stewardship of natural environments, and creates opportunities for positive change. We ascribe to the principles of experiential education set forth by The Association for Experiential Education and believe that professionalism is central to the pursuit of excellence.
Outdoor education academic programs at Georgia College develop professional outdoor educators committed to innovative and authentic leadership. Students learn through direct experience and meaningful relationships with other students, faculty, community members, and the natural and cultural settings in which outdoor educators practice. Our graduates create opportunities for positive change in individuals, communities, and society.
Outdoor Education academic programs and the Outdoor Center at Georgia College are a Program of Distinction at Georgia College, recognized by peers and students as providing distinctive niches in the academic environment.
Accreditation
The B.S. in Outdoor Education, M.Ed. in Kinesiology: Outdoor Education Administration and the Outdoor Center at Georgia College are accredited by the Association for Experiential Education (AEE). The AEE Accreditation Program is the nation's first accreditation process focusing on adventure-based programs. AEE accreditation serves the public, the profession of experiential education, and the organization under review. Outdoor programs at GC were first accredited in 1997 and received the AEE Organization of the Year Award in 2006 for program excellence, contribution to the field, and ethical practice.
Career Information
Graduates from the B.S. in Outdoor Education are qualified for entry-level positions in recreation, education, corporate, and therapeutic organizations that use outdoor and adventure education to enhance their missions. In addition to completing the major requirements, student career options are further enhanced by the selection of a specialization normally in therapeutic use of adventure, management, health & physical education, or environmental education. Specialization selection also prepares graduates to be strong applicants for advanced degrees such as psychology, social work, business, physical education, or environmental sciences.
Admission and Retention
Students may declare the major or minor in Outdoor Education at any point (typically freshman year). Students must obtain grades of C or better in Area F, major, and specialization courses. In order to remain in the program, students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. in the event a student's GPA falls below 2.5, the student will have one semester to raise the GPA to 2.5. If it remains below 2.5 after one semester, the student will be existed from the program. Re-application is possible once the GPA is at an acceptable level. Readmission into the program is not guaranteed.
Enrollment is specific courses may be limited on availability of qualified faculty and student to faculty ratios required by accreditation, therefore all students who area eligible may not be able to enroll in course as suggested in the program of study. Agencies at which applied learning course requirements take place may required students to undergo a criminal background check, a urine drug screen, and/or meet the CDC standards for immunizations for health care professionals. An agency may refuse a student based on the inability to meet these or other agency guidelines.
Wellness Courses and Lifetime Activities
The Department of Outdoor Education is committed to the concept of holistic health. In keeping with this commitment, elective courses are offered which support the Liberal Arts mission of the institution and provide the individual with the knowledge and skills to enable them to achieve optimal health.
Course Descriptions
For more information about academic programs, career options, minors, application procedures, student organizations, and the Outdoor Center at Georgia College visit the Department of Outdoor Education Web site.