Students can focus on outdoor education, wilderness therapy, commercial recreation and tourism, or land management. The department encourages students to fully develop their knowledge and skills in outdoor leadership by capitalizing on the social and natural opportunities unique to APU and Alaska. Block courses require that student pay lab fees to help off set the costs associated with the higher instructor ratios necessary for wilderness travel. APU has arranged an articulation agreement with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) for elective course work. APU courses use federal and state public lands, including the Chugach National Forest and Alaska State Parks.

Outdoor Studies offers the following degree programs:

• Bachelor of Arts in Outdoor Studies
• Minor in Outdoor Studies
• Master of Science in Outdoor and Environmental Education

For the B.A. degree, students have the option of concentrations in the following areas:

• Outdoor Education
• Wilderness Therapy
• Commercial Recration/Tourism
• Land Management