Outdoor Business and Innovation
Aimee Vlachos, Ed.D., CPRP
Program Director, Outdoor Business and Innovation
avlachos@une.edu
Mission
Given the strong connection between outdoor recreation activities and Maine’s reputation and identity, outdoor recreation is poised to remain a large and dynamic part of the northern New England economy. Graduates of this program will develop deep level expertise about the industry, its intersection with sustainable community development, environmental policy, and small business management and entrepreneurship. In addition, graduates will leave UNE with industry experience through their internships. These skills and experiences will enable program graduates to quickly step into supporting and leadership roles within the industry.
Goals
This program will:
- Prepare graduates to become leaders in an expanding industry with a growing need for a skilled workforce.
- Develop graduates to be critical thinkers with an innovative mindset.
- Develop graduates with an understanding of resilient and sustainable economic development and foundational knowledge of environmental issues and policy.
- Develop graduates with in-depth knowledge of outdoor recreation industry user needs.
Program Description
This program will prepare graduates for a career in outdoor industries. With a grounding in business and entrepreneurship, students will develop a systems approach to outdoor recreation services and products. The program's course of study emphasizes corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship. Students in the program will work closely with industry partners through internships and project-based learning.
Curricular Requirements
| CAS Core Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 42 |
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 105/105L – Bio I: Ecology/Evolution w/Lab | Credits Fulfilled by Core Requirements |
| BUAC 201 – Financial Accounting | 3 |
| BUAC 303 – Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| BUEC 203 – Macroeconomics | 3 |
| BUEC 204 – Microeconomics | 3 |
| BUMG 120 – Innovation through Technology | Credits Fulfilled by Core Requirements |
| BUMG 200 – Management | 3 |
| BUMG 301 – Organizational Behavior or BUMG 303 – Management of Non-Profit Organizations or BUMG 313 – Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| ENG 110 – English Composition | Credits Fulfilled by Core Requirements |
| ENV 104 – Introduction to Environmental Issues | Credits Fulfilled by Core Requirements |
| ENV 220 – Environment and Society: A Global Perspective | 3 |
| ENV 344 – Environmental Ethics or BUMG 311 – Business and Society Relations | 3 |
| MAT 120 – Statistics | Credits Fulfilled by Core Requirements |
| OBI 345 – Sustain & Eco-Rec Planning (formerly ORM 345) | 3 |
| OBI 350 – Outdoor Entrepreneurship (formerly ORM 350) | 3 |
| OBI 401 – Seminar in Outdoor Rec Mgmt (capstone) (formerly ORM 401) | 3 |
| OBI 495 – Outdoor Rec Mgmt Internship w/ approved OBI Focus (formerly ORM 495) | 6 |
| SLM 250 – Sport and Recreation Finance (formerly SRM 350) or BUFI 315 – Business Finance Concepts and Skills | 3 |
| Total Credits | 42 |
| Select two (2) of the following courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUEC 390 – Environmental Economics | 3 |
| ENG 301 – Nature Films | 3 |
| ENG 401 – Literatures of the Sea | 3 |
| ENV 200 – Society, Population, and Environment | 3 |
| ENV 208 – Climate Change | 3 |
| ENV 250 – Environmental Policy in Comparative Perspectives | 3 |
| ENV 317 – Case Studies in Preserving Biodiversity | 3 |
| ENV 333/333L – The Nature Writers w/Field Lab | 4 |
| HIS 335 – Environmental History of New England | 3 |
| MAF 200 – Introduction to Marine Pollution | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6–7 |
| Select three (3) of the following courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENV 337 – Outdoor Environmental Education | 3 |
| EXS 120 – Personal Health & Wellness | 3 |
| OBI 335 – Outdoor Recreation Planning/Policy (formerly ORM 335) | 3 |
| OBI 355 – Wilderness First Responder WFR (formerly ORM 355) | 3 |
| OS 414 – Stress Management (formerly HWOS 414) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 |
| Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits) | Variable |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 120 |
|---|
Learning Outcomes
- Apply fundamental concepts of management, accounting, and economics to outdoor business and innovation.
- Apply the product design and development process from market and product research, to ideation, to prototyping and developing finished products for the outdoor activity market.
- Navigate the relationships between the outdoor recreation industry and local/state/national stakeholders.
- Integrate issues of economic development, public health and wellness, conservation, and stewardship within the outdoor recreation industry.
- Apply foundational outdoor recreation skills to build understanding of the user needs within the industry.
Transfer Credit
See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
Admissions
See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
Financial Information
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.