Degree
Outdoor Business and Innovation, B.S.Contact
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 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵwith 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
| Nor’easter Core Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 40 |
| COB Foundation Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUEC 203 – Macroeconomics | 3 – Fulfills Power Knowledge & Justice - Social Science Core |
| BUEC 204 – Microeconomics | 3 – Fulfills Power Knowledge & Justice - Open Core |
| BUMG 120 – Innovation Through Technology | 3 – Fulfills Creativity and the Arts Core |
| MAT 120 – Statistics or MAT 150 – Statistics for Life Sciences or MAT 151 – Statistics for Environmental Sciences | 3 – Fulfills Quantitative Reasoning Core |
| Total Credits | 12 |
| Other COB Foundation Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUAC 201 – Financial Accounting | 3 |
| BUFI 315 – Business Finance or SLM 315 – Sport Rec | 3 |
| BUMG 200 – Management | 3 |
| BUMG 498 – Strategic Management | 3 |
| BUMK 200 – Marketing or SLM 225 – Sport Marketing | 3 |
| OBI 370 – Law & Ethics in Sport and Recreation Management | 3 |
| OBI 495 – Internship/Experiential | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 |
| Outdoor Business and Innovation Major Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUMG 301 – Organizational Behavior or BUMG 303 – Management of Nonprofit Organizations or BUMG 313 – Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| BUMG 311 – Business and Society Relations or ENV 344 – Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| ENV 220 – Environment and Society: A Global Perspective | 3 |
| OBI 345 – Sustain & Eco-Rec Planning | 3 |
| OBI 350 – Outdoor Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| OBI 401 – Seminar in Outdoor Recreation Management | 3 |
| OBI 495 – Outdoor Recreation Management Internship (w/ approved OBI Focus) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 |
| 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 – Environment and Society: A Global Perspective | 3 |
| ENV 208 – Climate Change | 3 |
| ENV 250 – Envir Policy Compar Perspect | 3 |
| ENV 333/333L – Nature Writers w/ Field Lab | 4 |
| HIS 335 – Env Hist of New Eng Seminar | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6–7 |
| Select Three (3) of the Following Courses: | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENV 250 – Environmental Policy in Comparative Perspective | 3 |
| EXS 120 – Personal Health And Wellness | 3 |
| OBI 335 – Outdoor Rec Planning/Policy | 3 |
| OBI 355 – Wilderness First Responder WFR | 3 |
| OS 414 – Nature Writers w/ Field Lab | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 120 |
|---|
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 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.
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog
This catalog outlines the academic programs, degree criteria, policies, and events of the 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵ for the 2025–2026 academic year and serves as the official guide for academic and program requirements for students enrolling at the University during the Summer of 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026 semesters.
The information provided is accurate as of its publication date on April 30, 2025.
The 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵ reserves the right to modify its programs, calendar, or academic schedule as deemed necessary or beneficial. This includes alterations to course content, class rescheduling, cancellations, or any other academic adjustments. Changes will be communicated as promptly as possible.
While students may receive guidance from academic advisors or program directors, they remain responsible for fulfilling the requirements outlined in the catalog relevant to their enrollment year and for staying informed about any updates to policies, provisions, or requirements.