Outdoor Business & Innovation Minor
Contact
Aimee Vlachos, Ed.D., CPRP
Program Director, Outdoor Business and Innovation
avlachos@une.edu
Mission
The College of Business at the University of New England is a caring and collaborative community that offers a student-centered and technology- driven education. Emphasizing experiential learning, our ecosystem equips graduates with essential skills and knowledge for successful careers through industry-focused programs that promote innovation, teamwork, ethical leadership, a global perspective, and social responsibility.
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.
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 tuition and fee information, please consult this catalog’s Financial Information section.
Curricular Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Program Required Courses | ||
| BUMG 495 | Business Internship (with approved OBI focus) | 3 |
| OBI 345 | Sustain & Eco-Rec Planning | 3 |
| OBI 350 | Outdoor Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| OBI 401 | Seminar in Outdoor Business (capstone) | 3 |
| Select One of the following Business Focus Courses: | 3 | |
| Organizational Behavior | ||
| Management of Nonprofit Organizations | ||
| Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship | ||
| Select One of the following Environmental Issues Courses: | 3 | |
| Environment and Society: A Global Perspective | ||
| Climate Change: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions | ||
| Conservation and Preservation | ||
| Intro to Marine Pollution | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Please note: While some courses can fulfill both core and program requirements, the credits earned do not count twice towards the minimum total required credits for the degree.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply data-driven technologies and business principles to solve business challenges.
- Evaluate ethical frameworks to make responsible business decisions.
- Demonstrate effective teamwork characterized by professionalism and accountability.
- Present sustainable business solutions that integrate global awareness and social responsibility.
- Apply fundamental management, accounting, and economic concepts to drive innovation in outdoor businesses.
- Design the product development process from market research through prototyping to final product development.
- Navigate relationships between the outdoor recreation industry and local, state, and national stakeholders.
- Integrate issues of economic development, conservation, stewardship, and public health within the outdoor industry.
- Demonstrate foundational outdoor recreation skills to understand user needs and industry demand.
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.