Experience SUU's Outdoor Classes
Posted: February 18, 2022 | Author: Abbie Cochrane | Read Time: 2 minutes
Lovingly nicknamed the “University of the Parks,” Southern Utah University is a hotspot for nature-lovers from all over. Nestled between the Red Rock Cliffs of Southern Utah, SUU is the go-to place for national park exploration. While you’re here, consider taking a class that has to do with the outdoors. SUU offers a one-of-a-kind learning experience where students can explore the neighboring parks and get hands-on lessons in the great outdoors.Dr. Kelly Goonan is the Outdoor Recreation and Program Coordinator for the Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism at SUU and gave insight into the many outdoor classes that the university offers. For students looking to knock out their GE Humanities credit, she recommends taking Americans in the Outdoors (ORTP 2040).
“It’s one of my favorite classes to teach,” Dr. Goonan said. “This class usually gets a lot of students. Through this course, they are able to interact with the outdoors and learn about human values and community in terms of the environment.”
Surrounded by national parks, SUU provides over 30 classes where students can experience nature. There are introductory classes outdoors, like Rock Climbing (ORPT 1527), Canyoneering (ORPT 1050), or Backpacking (ORPT 1030) for students of any major! Then there are more advanced classes such as Foundations of Outdoor Recreation (ORPT 3000) Interpretation (ORPT 4020), and Interdisciplinary Outdoor Education (ORPT 4030). No matter what class you decide to take, you are guaranteed to get a unique learning experience and a greater appreciation for the world around you.
SUU also offers the Semester in the Parks program where students live, work, and study in Bryce Canyon for an entire semester! Students take classes on a vast range of topics including biology, geology, communication, outdoor recreation, and others to ensure they will leave the program better prepared for applying what they have learned to real-world situations. In addition, SUU maintains good, established partnerships with the parks and outdoor recreation professionals. This allows students to get internships, conduct research, help engage the community, and learn from current professionals in the field.
“SUU is also home to the Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative, which matches students from diverse majors to professional internships at nearby National Parks and other public lands,” Dr. Goonan added. “We are partners with many public land units like the Dixie National Forest, Great Basin National Park, Zion National Park, and programs like Jumpstart, the STEM Center, and summer camps. In any instance, students will learn vital skills to help them succeed whether they plan to pursue a career in Outdoor Recreation or if they just like to be outside.”
To register for an outdoor class, talk to your advisor about what could be a good fit for you, or go to the Course Catalog in your MySUU account to view your options. Get out there and see what the world can teach you through SUU’s outdoor classes.
Tags: Outdoors Student Life
