Outdoor and Environmental Leadership AA

2026-2027

 

The Outdoor and Environmental Leadership program at North Hennepin Community College is a dynamic, experiential learning program designed to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and passion to become effective leaders in environmental conservation and outdoor recreation and education. This comprehensive program combines theoretical classroom learning with hands-on outdoor experiences, fostering an understanding of environmental and outdoor issues, sustainability, and stewardship. The program intentionally focuses on acknowledging barriers in access to outdoor spaces and programming in Minnesota with the goal of systemically addressing this. 

Participants will engage in a variety of outdoor activities, from hiking, canoeing, and camping to wildlife tracking and observation, while learning about environmental justice issues, ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity, and conservation techniques through different cultural lenses. Leadership development is a cornerstone of the program, with a strong focus on building skills in team coordination, decision-making, and effective communication in outdoor settings.  

Community engagement is another key element of the program. Students will have multiple opportunities to plan, implement and lead environmental justice and climate justice workshops and events, participate in community-based conservation projects, and advocate for sustainability initiatives. Students will build relationships and collaborate with local organizations and community members, thus applying their learning in real-world contexts. 

The program is designed for individuals passionate about the outdoors and environmental issues, aiming to pursue careers in environmental education, outdoor recreation, tribal conservation and cultural preservation, sustainable development, and more. The program offers a unique blend of academic rigor, practical skills, and community involvement, preparing students to become influential outdoor and environmental leaders and change-makers in their communities and beyond. 

​Information on careers, including career descriptions, salary data, and employment outlook is available on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website and O*Net Online website.
 

​​If you are planning on transferring to another institution, follow the guidelines available on our transfer resources web page to help you plan the process: Transfer Information
 

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The Associate of Arts (A.A.) is awarded for successful completion of 60 credits and is designed to constitute the first two years of a liberal arts bachelor degree program. An A.A. degree includes the entire 40 credit Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) as the general education requirement. Students may also choose to concentrate in a particular field of study in preparation for a planned major or professional emphasis at a four year college by following the pre major requirement of the desired transfer institution in addition to the MnTC and A.A. requirements.

A student shall:

 

• Earn a minimum of 60 semester credits.
• Earn a grade point average of 2.00 (C) or higher in courses taken at North Hennepin Community College.
• Earn a minimum of 20 semester credits of the 60 semester credits required for the A.A. Degree at NHCC.
• Complete the general education distribution requirement listed in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. The student shall select general education (MnTC) courses numbered 1000 or above to complete a minimum of 40 credits.
• Have four years in which to complete their work under the terms of the catalog in effect at the time of their first enrollment.
• Students taking more than four years to complete their graduation requirements may follow any catalog in effect during the four year period preceding their date of graduation.

Required A.A. Degree Course Distribution:

 

• Complete 40 credits in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum satisfying the requirements for each of the 10 goal areas.
• Complete at least 2 credits for the Wellness requirement from either Health (all courses) or Physical Education (all courses).

If the student intends to transfer, he/she is encouraged to work with an advisor to fulfill requirements for transfer to the other institution.

Completion of an A.A. degree fulfills the Goal Area 2 requirement of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).

Developmental Courses Some students may need preparatory course(s) in Math and/or English. Courses numbered below 1000 will not apply toward a degree.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer and Disability Access Information North Hennepin Community College is a member of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and an equal opportunity employer and educator. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 7634930555 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 18006273529.
 

​North Hennepin Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504
1-800-621-7440