Share your love of outdoor recreation and nature with others.
Our society is becoming more sedentary and disconnected from nature. In this program, you’ll develop the skills to work with people, engaging them in more active lifestyles and helping them to connect with and appreciate nature.
Note: this program does not qualify you to teach in schools. If you want to qualify as a teacher, consider USC’s Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Our society is becoming more sedentary and disconnected from nature. In this program, you’ll develop the skills to work with people, engaging them in more active lifestyles and helping them to connect with and appreciate nature.
This program is the only one of its kind in Queensland and gives you a broad, versatile education in sport coaching, physical education teaching, outdoor environmental studies, and health education. In addition, it offers the flexibility to tailor your studies to your personal interests and career ambitions. You can select from a wide range of elective courses in complementary areas such as tourism, leisure and event management; sustainability or animal ecology - imagine the opportunities this opens up.
You will also select a minor in Geography, Maths, English or History giving you the discipline studies needed if you choose to enrol in a teaching qualification either concurrently with the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) as a double degree program. If you would prefer to complete your teaching qualifications later, through postgraduate studies, you also have the options of a minor in Biology, Drama or Chemistry minors in addition to Geography, Maths, English or History.
You will participate in more than 25 outdoor environmental studies fieldwork days in the Sunshine Coast area including Fraser Island and you will study an innovative four-course minor culminating with an expedition and leadership experiences.
During your studies you will learn to coach a range of sports, recreational activities, adventure activities, and outdoor environmental education activities and develop your expertise in experiential, active learning and teaching strategies. This program will also equip you with the skills, knowledge, and experience to journey safely with participants in a range of natural environments and to study the relationships that humans have with nature.
Post-admission requirements
Students need to be aware of the physical components and location requirements of the program. If they have a disability, medical condition or any concerns that may affect their potential participation in some of the practical components of the program, they are invited to discuss their options with the program coordinator.
Career opportunities
As a graduate, you can pursue work with secondary schools, private colleges, outdoor/environmental education centres, universities or private companies/businesses.
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Outdoor leader
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Outdoor guide
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Sports coach
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Outdoor recreation officer
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Environmental interpretation guide
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Adventure tourism guide
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Ecotourism guide
Membership
Potential registration with the National Outdoor Recreation Leadership Scheme.
Program structure
Introductory courses (4) 48 units
COR109 How Animals Work: Form and Function
OES100 Marine Vertebrates: Sharks, Seabirds, Fish, Turtles and Whales
OES101 Cell Biology
SPX102 Biodiversity and Ecology
Health and Physical Education major (8) 96 units
OES240 Science Research Methods
OES300 Animal Ecophysiology
OES301 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
PUB104 Animal Behaviour
SPX101 Global-Change Ecology
SPX222 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology
SPX361 Animal Habitats
SPX362 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
Minor courses (4) 48 units
Biology**
Chemistry**
Drama
English
Geography
History
Mathematical Studies
Elective courses (8) 96 units
Select 8 elective courses (96 units) from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering)
**Biology minor and Chemistry minor students must use an elective course to complete a prerequisite, in their first year of study.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in program structure
- Complete no more then 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses (120 units), including the core course
- You must select and register your compulsory major(s)/minor(s) as soon as possible
- Complete 25 days Outdoor Environmental Fieldwork on Fraser Island and other natural environments on the Sunshine Coast
In order to commence Supervised Professional Experience placement you must:
- Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority)
- Travel to attend field education placements
- A Blue Card is required, refer to Requirements for placements
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Students will need to be aware of the physical components and location requirements of the program. If you have a disability, medical condition or any concerns that may affect your potential participation in some of the practical components of the program, you are invited to discuss your options with the program coordinator
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- Apply for your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)