Community Education: Outdoor Education (B.A.)
The mission of the Community Education Program (CEP) at WLU is to attract intelligent and creative students showing an interest in education that is not limited to “traditional teacher education” in the classroom. The program seeks candidates who are open to serve as competent and effective professional educators and facilitators, willing to marry the two worlds of Formal and Non-Formal Education through active engagement in and through the community. Many of the courses in the Community Education Program include field experiences in the local community and/or community-based settings. Students are responsible for their own transportation.
The curriculum is designed to structure, facilitate, and promote the 21st Century skills of critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity. Students are encouraged to communicate and collaborate with individuals, groups, and institutions of the community on a local, national, and even international level. The program aims to develop master educators, facilitators, and educational leaders that contribute to community development at various levels, by engaging in the community through teaching, motivating its members through reflection, and consequently changing lives in a positive way.
Students will be equipped to serve the community/non-formal education of children, adults, and communities through a broad set of coursework. The acquired knowledge of specific common core courses, community education courses, and the possibility of specification in one of the majors of Community Arts, Disabilities Services, Outdoor Education, Teaching English and Global Education, and Sports, Recreation and Wellness will not just embrace the students’ interests and strengths, but also provide students with multifaceted employment options in schools, universities, museums, community centers, and other community facilities upon graduation.
Requirements
Required Courses
| BIO 224 | Field Natural History | 3 |
| BIO 235 | Introduction to Environmental Policies | 3 |
| BIO 340 | Life Sciences II for Elementary 5-9 | 4 |
| CEP 101 | Introduction to Community Education & CEP | 3 |
| CEP 411 | Formal & Non-formal Educational Models | 3 |
| CEP 421 | Promoting Creativity & the Arts | 3 |
| CEP 422 | Outdoor Learning Spaces | 3 |
| CEP 433 | Program Design & Implementation | 3 |
| Or | |
| CEP 473 | Community & School-based Programming | 3 |
| CEP 442 | Community Empowerment & Engagement | 3 |
| CEP 443 | Fundraising & Grant Writing | 3 |
| CEP 452 | Reggio Emilia & Other Approaches | 3 |
| CEP 463 | Leadership in Community Education | 3 |
| CEP 482 | Practicum II (off-campus) | 3 |
| CEP 492 | Practicum I (on-campus) | 3 |
| CEP 493 | Internship/ International Community Experience | 4 |
| EDUC 201 | Human Development | 3 |
| ENT 300 | Foundation of Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| Or | |
| ENT 325 | Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| Or | |
| ENT 350 | Entrepreneurship Law & Ethics | 3 |
| SPED 241 | Introduction to Exceptionalities | 3 |
| PE 317 | Net and Wall Games | 3 |
| PE 322 | Org & Ad of PE, Ath, & Rec | 3 |
| SDE 232 | First Aid-Emergency Service | 3 |
Electives to total 120 hours