Virtual Open House - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: 5-6:30 p.m.
Join us at one of our upcoming virtual Graduate School Open House events on Zoom! You'll have the opportunity to learn more
about 蘑菇短视频, understand the Graduate School application process,
and meet key program representatives.
The M.S. in Experiential and Outdoor Education is a two-year, full-time hybrid program.
The degree utilizes the philosophy of experiential education combined with the modality
of outdoor education to provide students with necessary training to serve in a variety
of educational contexts. This degree works well for a wide range of professionals
who work in outdoor and educational programs including environmental education programs,
K-12 public and charter schools, independent schools with an experiential education
program, community colleges, university outdoor programs, residential and day camps,
therapeutic experiential agencies and camps, and wilderness leadership programs.
What You'll Learn
Hybrid coursework is a mix of online and face-to-face weekend (Friday and Saturday)
core class sessions during Year 1, and elective courses (offered online, face-to-face
and hybrid) in Year 2. In the first year, face-to-face coursework will include a 5-day
intensive during the first week of classes in August on the Cullowhee and Asheville
campuses followed by four weekends each in the fall and spring semesters (8:00AM -
6:00 PM Friday and Saturday with an occasional evening session). The weekend sessions
are held at the WCU in Asheville. In the first year, outside of the face-to-face
class sessions, online work will be primarily asynchronous with one synchronous session
in the first year per week.
During the second year, students will complete additional required and elective coursework
(individual choice of face-to-face, online and/or hybrid course formats) including
a thesis or project - see examples. This format allows students to remain employed and/or other opportunities alongside
their graduate studies. See the program curriculum and required face-to-face class dates for upcoming semesters.
Where You'll Go
The M.S. in Experiential and Outdoor Education degree works well for a wide range
of professionals who work in outdoor and educational programs including: expeditionary
learning schools, charter schools, independent schools with an experiential education
program, community colleges, residential and day camps, environmental education programs,
therapeutic experiential agencies and camps, university outdoor programs, and wilderness
leadership programs. Some students enroll in the program as a part of a career shift
while others plan to use the additional training to enhance their current professional
work. Students have disseminated their thesis or project work via various presentation and
publication outlets. See examples here.
College of Education & Allied Professions, Department of Human Services and Experiential
Education
Location
Hybrid: Online, Cullowhee & Asheville
Length
Full-Time or Part-Time Options
Time to Complete:
2 years (full-time)
Credits:
36 credit hours
App Deadline:
Fall 2026: Priority is February 1st, after that, all applications will be reviewed
on a rolling basis until June 1st.
More About Our Master of Science in Experiential & Outdoor Education Program
WCU鈥檚 M.S. in Experiential & Outdoor Education offers advanced, graduate-level preparation
for professionals who want to design, lead, and evaluate transformative learning experiences
in outdoor, experiential, and adventure-based settings. Students deepen their understanding
of experiential learning theory, program design, outdoor leadership, environmental
stewardship, and social-emotional development鈥攇rounded in a framework that emphasizes
inclusive facilitation and ethical practice.
Through a blend of rigorous coursework, field-based application, and opportunities
for independent or collaborative research, students build the knowledge and practical
expertise needed to create meaningful learning environments. The program supports
both thesis and non-thesis pathways, allowing students to align their graduate experience
with career goals in outdoor education, nonprofit leadership, K鈥�12 and higher education,
environmental education, youth development, and adventure programming.
The EOE program blends experiential education philosophy with outdoor education practice,
giving students the flexibility to balance coursework with work or field commitments.
The hybrid format makes the degree accessible to educators, outdoor professionals,
and working adults seeking graduate-level training without uprooting their lives.
The structured curriculum provides both theoretical and practical foundations in experiential
education. Students examine learning philosophy, social justice, sustainability, group
facilitation, and research methods 鈥� preparing them to design, lead, and evaluate
effective outdoor and experiential programs.
Graduates leave with a versatile set of skills 鈥� combining experiential education
theory, research, facilitation, and practical program design. The program鈥檚 flexibility
and applied focus make it an excellent fit for those seeking to impact environmental
education, outdoor programming, youth and community development, and educational leadership.
Face-To-Face Class Dates
Below are directions to the Biltmore Park instructional site and the Cullowhee main
campus, as well as tentative class dates.
(Cohort 7 Face-to-Face; All-Day Sessions for EOE 500, EOE 501, EOE 502 & EOE 503) EOE 500 鈥� 5-day intensive (August 17-21) (Cullowhee and Biltmore Park) Weekend 1 鈥� August 28-29 (Biltmore Park) Weekend 2 鈥� October 2-3 (Biltmore Park) Weekend 3 - November 6-7 (Biltmore Park) Weekend 4 鈥� December 4-5 (Biltmore Park) **Cohort 6 Thesis and Project Oral Proposals are September 30, October 1 & 2 at Biltmore
Park
Tentative Spring 2027
(Cohort 7 Face-to-Face; All Day Sessions for EOE 600, EOE 601, and EOE 602) Weekend 1 鈥� January 15-16 (Biltmore Park) Weekend 2 鈥� February 19-20 (Biltmore Park) Weekend 3 鈥� March 12-13 (Biltmore Park) Weekend 4 鈥� April 22, 23 & 24 (Biltmore Park) *3 Days **Cohort 6 Thesis and Project Defenses are March 10, 11 & 12 at Biltmore Park ***Optional elective faculty-led-travel course: EOE 628: Scholarly Writing Intensive
for EOE; Edisto Island, SC; January 16-22, 2027
Tentative Fall 2027
(Cohort 8 Face-to-Face; All-Day Sessions for EOE 500, EOE 501, EOE 502 & EOE 503) EOE 500 鈥� 5-day intensive (August 23-27) (Cullowhee and Biltmore Park) Weekend 1 鈥� September 10 & 11 (Biltmore Park) Weekend 2 鈥� October 8 & 9 (Biltmore Park) Weekend 3 - November 5 & 6 or November 12 & 13 (Biltmore Park) Weekend 4 鈥� December 2 & 3 (*note this is a Thursday/Friday) (Biltmore Park) **Cohort 7 Thesis and Project Oral Proposals are October 6,7 & 8 at Biltmore Park
Tentative Spring 2028
(Cohort 8 Face-to-Face; All Day Sessions for EOE 600, EOE 601, and EOE 602) Weekend 1 鈥� January 21 & 22 (Biltmore Park) Weekend 2 鈥� February 18 & 19 (Biltmore Park) Weekend 3 鈥� March 17 & 18 (Biltmore Park) Weekend 4 鈥� April 27, 28 & 29 (Biltmore Park) *3 Days **Cohort 7 Thesis and Project Defenses are March 15, 16 & 17 at Biltmore Park ***Optional elective faculty-led-travel course: EOE 628: Scholarly Writing Intensive
for EOE; Edisto Island, SC; January 23-28, 2028
What鈥檚 Happening
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