Tourism, Recreation, and Adventure Leadership Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS)
This program is available at the following locations:
- Corvallis
- Ecampus
- OSU-Cascades
Options available:
- Adventure Leadership Education
- Nature, Eco, and Adventure Tourism
- Outdoor Recreation Management
- Sustainable Tourism Management
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Tourism, Recreation and Adventure Leadership (TRAL) explores the importance of tourism and recreation in natural settings for community development, human health and quality of life, and the sustainable use of natural resources. Students will learn about management practices and public preferences to address contemporary tourism, recreation and outdoor leadership opportunities, and issues in natural settings. Studies include decision making within applicable laws and across cultural contexts, as well as communication and collaboration with a variety of audiences, and successful supervision of employees and volunteers. The TRAL program covers best practices for planning, developing, and managing recreation resources in natural settings. Students learn to evaluate and integrate experiential, economic, biophysical, and social concepts. They study interaction across natural resources and the consequences of development, management, and marketing decisions.
The following two options are available to Corvallis-based and Ecampus students majoring in TRAL:
- Outdoor Recreation Management
- Sustainable Tourism Management
The following two options are available to Cascades-campus students majoring in TRAL:
- Nature, Eco and Adventure Tourism
- Adventure Leadership Education
Major Code: 872
Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:
- Explain the importance of tourism and recreation in natural settings for achieving societal goals, such as community development, human health and quality of life, and sustainable use of natural resources.
- Identify, analyze, and apply the best available information on science, management practices, and public preferences to address contemporary tourism, recreation, and outdoor leadership opportunities and issues.
- Make tourism, recreation, and outdoor leadership decisions within applicable laws, policies, and regulations and across cultural and national contexts.
- Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences in appropriate formats.
- Work effectively and professionally in groups, both as leaders and followers.
- Explain the principles and methods for successful supervision of employees and/or volunteers.
Completion of an approved option is required for the Tourism, Recreation, and Adventure Leadership degree. Declaration of the option must be done by the end of the sophomore year, or at least six (6) terms prior to graduation. Courses for an option are in addition to the core curriculum. Some courses may require prerequisites not included in the core curriculum.
All students pursuing the BS in TRAL must earn grades of C or better in all courses for the major (or approved substitutions).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 111Z | +*PUBLIC SPEAKING | 3-4 |
| or COMM 114 | *ARGUMENT AND CRITICAL DISCOURSE | |
| FES 202 | SOFTWARE TOOLS IN QUANTITATIVE SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH | 3 |
| FES 422 | RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE | 4 |
| SUS 350 | *SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES | 4 |
| ST 243Z | ELEMENTARY STATISTICS I | 4 |
| TRAL 132 | FOUNDATIONS OF OUTDOOR AND ADVENTURE PROFESSIONS | 3 |
| TRAL 251 | RECREATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| TRAL 353 | NATURE, ECO, AND ADVENTURE TOURISM | 4 |
| TRAL 357 | *PARKS AND PROTECTED AREAS MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| TRAL 493 | ENVIRONMENTAL INTERPRETATION | 4 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| *NATURAL RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY VALUES | ||
| *CONSENSUS AND NATURAL RESOURCES | ||
| *WOMEN AND NATURAL RESOURCES | ||
| *MULTICULTURAL PERSPECTIVES IN NATURAL RESOURCES | ||
| *SOCIETY AND NATURAL RESOURCES | ||
| *ENDANGERED SPECIES, SOCIETY AND SUSTAINABILITY | ||
| Required Option | 48-65 | |
| Remaining Bacc Core, BS Requirements and Electives | 96-115 | |
| Total Credits | 180 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core Course (BCC)
- ^
Writing Intensive Course (WIC)
- +
Core Education course. Applies only to students admitted to an OSU undergraduate degree from Summer 2025 onwards.
Major Code: 872
Degree plans are subject to change and the following is only an example of how students may complete their degree in four years. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them. Contact details for advisors can be found on the Academic Advising page.
Adventure Leadership Education Option
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| MTH 111Z | +*PRECALCULUS I: FUNCTIONS | 4 |
| TRAL 173 | INTERMEDIATE ROCK CLIMBING | 2 |
| WR 121Z | *COMPOSITION I | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| TRAL 132 | FOUNDATIONS OF OUTDOOR AND ADVENTURE PROFESSIONS | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| COMM 111Z or COMM 114 | +*PUBLIC SPEAKING or *ARGUMENT AND CRITICAL DISCOURSE | 3-4 |
| HHS 231 | *LIFETIME FITNESS FOR HEALTH | 2 |
| Bacc Core: WR II | 3 | |
| Bacc Core: Social Process & Institutions | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| TRAL 110 | INTRODUCTION TO WHITE WATER KAYAKING | 2 |
| TRAL 111 | INTRODUCTION TO CANOEING | 2 |
| TRAL 115 | OUTDOOR LIVING SKILLS | 2 |
| TRAL 118 | LABORATORY FOR OUTDOOR LIVING SKILLS | 1 |
| Bacc Core: Literature & The Arts | 4 | |
| Bacc Core: Physical Science | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| TRAL 215 | GROUP FACILITATION | 4 |
| TRAL 218 | ROCK SITE MANAGEMENT | 2 |
| TRAL 222 | WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER | 4 |
| TRAL 260 | INTERMEDIATE PADDLESPORT | 2 |
| Bacc Core: Biological Science | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| TRAL 251 | RECREATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| TRAL Core Course | 4 | |
| Bacc Core: Cultural Diversity | 3 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FES 422 | RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE | 4 |
| TRAL 280 | OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP FUNDAMENTALS | 3 |
| Bacc Core: Difference, Power & Discrimination | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| TRAL 270 | PRE-INTERNSHIP SEMINAR | 1 |
| TRAL 375 | ^EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION | 4 |
| Bacc Core: Additional Science | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| TRAL 370 | DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT OF OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES | 4 |
| Certification/Skills Course | 2 | |
| Bacc Core: Science, Technology & Society | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| TRAL 377 | RIVER EXPEDITION | 5 |
| TRAL 379 | MOUNTAIN EXPEDITION | 10 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| TRAL 374 | OUTDOOR ADVENTURE EDUCATION | 3 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| TRAL 476 | RISK MANAGEMENT IN TOURISM, RECREATION, AND ADVENTURE LEADERSHIP | 3 |
| TRAL 479 | *NATURE AND THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE | 3 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| TRAL 410 | INTERNSHIP | 6 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 180-181 | |
Nature, Eco, and Adventure Tourism Option
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| MTH 111Z | +*PRECALCULUS I: FUNCTIONS | 4 |
| TRAL 173 | INTERMEDIATE ROCK CLIMBING | 2 |
| WR 121Z | *COMPOSITION I | 4 |
| TRAL 132 | FOUNDATIONS OF OUTDOOR AND ADVENTURE PROFESSIONS | 3 |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| COMM 111Z or COMM 114 | +*PUBLIC SPEAKING or *ARGUMENT AND CRITICAL DISCOURSE | 3-4 |
| Bacc Core: WR II | 3 | |
| Bacc Core: Literature & The Arts | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 14-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| TRAL 110 | INTRODUCTION TO WHITE WATER KAYAKING | 2 |
| TRAL 111 | INTRODUCTION TO CANOEING | 2 |
| TRAL 115 | OUTDOOR LIVING SKILLS | 2 |
| TRAL 118 | LABORATORY FOR OUTDOOR LIVING SKILLS | 1 |
| Bacc Core: Physical Science | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BA 260 | FOUNDATIONS OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET | 4 |
| HHS 231 | *LIFETIME FITNESS FOR HEALTH | 2 |
| TRAL 215 | GROUP FACILITATION | 4 |
| TRAL 222 | WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER | 4 |
| TRAL 260 or TRAL 218 | INTERMEDIATE PADDLESPORT or ROCK SITE MANAGEMENT | 2 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| ECON 201 | +*INTRODUCTION TO MICROECONOMICS | 4 |
| TRAL 251 | RECREATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| Bacc Core: Cultural Diversity | 3 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FES 422 | RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE | 4 |
| TRAL 280 | OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP FUNDAMENTALS | 3 |
| TRAL Core Course | 4 | |
| Bacc Core: Additional Science | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| TRAL 270 | PRE-INTERNSHIP SEMINAR | 1 |
| TRAL 375 | ^EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION | 4 |
| BA 252 | MANAGING INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM PERFORMANCE | 4 |
| Bacc Core: Biological Science | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| TRAL 370 | DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT OF OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES | 4 |
| Certification/Skills Course | 2 | |
| Bacc Core: Science, Technology & Society | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| BA 315 | ACCOUNTING FOR DECISION MAKING | 4 |
| Bacc Core: Difference, Power, Discrimination | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BA 390 | PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| TRAL 476 | RISK MANAGEMENT IN TOURISM, RECREATION, AND ADVENTURE LEADERSHIP | 3 |
| TRAL 479 | *NATURE AND THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| TRAL 410 | INTERNSHIP | 6 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 180-181 | |
Outdoor Recreation Management Option
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| TRAL 251 | RECREATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| WR 121Z | *COMPOSITION I | 4 |
| Bacc Core: Physical Science | 4 | |
| TRAL 132 | FOUNDATIONS OF OUTDOOR AND ADVENTURE PROFESSIONS | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| COMM 111Z or COMM 114 | +*PUBLIC SPEAKING or *ARGUMENT AND CRITICAL DISCOURSE | 3-4 |
| FOR 111 | INTRODUCTION TO FORESTRY or MANAGING NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THE FUTURE or NATURAL RESOURCE PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS | 3 |
| HHS 231 | *LIFETIME FITNESS FOR HEALTH | 2 |
| MTH 111Z | +*PRECALCULUS I: FUNCTIONS | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| AEC 250 | *INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY or +*INTRODUCTION TO MICROECONOMICS or +*INTRODUCTION TO MACROECONOMICS | 4 |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Bacc Core: WR II | 3 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| TRAL Core Course | 4 | |
| Bacc Core: Biological Science | 4 | |
| Bacc Core: Cultural Diversity | 3 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| FW 251 | PRINCIPLES OF FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION | 3 |
| TRAL 351 | OUTDOOR RECREATION MANAGEMENT ON PUBLIC LANDS | 3 |
| TRAL 354 | COMMUNITIES, NATURAL AREAS, AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM | 3 |
| Bacc Core: Literature & The Arts | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ST 202 | PRINCIPLES OF STATISTICS | 4 |
| Bacc Core: PAC | 1 | |
| Bacc Core: Additional Science | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| FES 485 | *CONSENSUS AND NATURAL RESOURCES | 3 |
| Bacc Core: Difference, Power & Discrimination | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| FES 422 | RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| FW 303 | SURVEY OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN NATURAL RESOURCE or GISCIENCE I: GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THEORY or GIS AND FOREST ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS | 3-4 |
| TRAL 432 | ECONOMICS OF RECREATION AND TOURISM or *NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS AND POLICY or *ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| LEAD 430 | FOUNDATIONS OF ADVENTURE LEADERSHIP or LEADERSHIP SKILLS FOR CAREER SUCCESS or INTRODUCTION TO NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| GEOG 452 | ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT | 3 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| TRAL 456 | PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABLE RECREATION | 4 |
| Upper-Division Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| WIC | 4 | |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 180-182 | |
Sustainable Tourism Management Option
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| TRAL 251 | RECREATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| WR 121Z | *COMPOSITION I | 4 |
| TRAL 132 | FOUNDATIONS OF OUTDOOR AND ADVENTURE PROFESSIONS | 3 |
| Bacc Core: Biological Science | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| COMM 111Z or COMM 114 | +*PUBLIC SPEAKING or *ARGUMENT AND CRITICAL DISCOURSE | 3-4 |
| FOR 111 | INTRODUCTION TO FORESTRY or MANAGING NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THE FUTURE or NATURAL RESOURCE PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS | 3 |
| HHS 231 | *LIFETIME FITNESS FOR HEALTH | 2 |
| MTH 111Z | +*PRECALCULUS I: FUNCTIONS | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECON 201 | +*INTRODUCTION TO MICROECONOMICS or +*INTRODUCTION TO MACROECONOMICS or *INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY | 4 |
| Bacc Core: WR II | 3 | |
| Bacc Core: Cultural Diversity | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| TRAL Core Course | 4 | |
| Bacc Core: Bio/Phys Science | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| TRAL 354 | COMMUNITIES, NATURAL AREAS, AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM | 3 |
| Bacc Core: PAC | 1 | |
| Bacc Core: Literature & The Arts | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| ST 202 | PRINCIPLES OF STATISTICS | 4 |
| TRAL 432 | ECONOMICS OF RECREATION AND TOURISM or *NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS AND POLICY or ECONOMICS AND POLICY OF FOREST WILDLAND FIRE | 3 |
| Bacc Core: Physical Science | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BA 260 | FOUNDATIONS OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET | 4 |
| LEAD 443 | LEADERSHIP THROUGH CONVERSATIONS or FOUNDATIONS OF ADVENTURE LEADERSHIP or INTRODUCTION TO NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| FES 485 | *CONSENSUS AND NATURAL RESOURCES | 3 |
| FES 422 | RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOG 360 | GISCIENCE I: GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THEORY or GIS AND FOREST ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS or SURVEY OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN NATURAL RESOURCE | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SUS 304 or GEOG 450 | *SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT or LAND USE IN THE AMERICAN WEST | 4 |
| SUS 450 or BA 432 | SUSTAINABLE ORGANIZATIONS or *ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, SUSTAINABILITY AND BUSINESS | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| Option Course | 4 | |
| WIC | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| TRAL 457 | PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM | 4 |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 180-181 | |