TC3 Transfer Planning for Outdoor Recreation

Tompkins Cortland Community College Transfer Planning for Outdoor Recreation, (OREC), B.S.

SUNY Cortland recommends that students complete the following courses prior to transfer. The transfer credit limit from a 2-year college is 64 credits and 90 credits from a 2- and 4-year combined. Students who complete their General Education requirements prior to transfer will have their General Education requirements met at SUNY Cortland.

SUNY General Education
Cortland Degree Requirements	Complete at TC3
Communication 1 (GEC1): CPN 100 Writing Studies I	ENGL 100 (GE required)
Communication 2 (GEC2): CPN 101 Writing Studies II	ENGL 101 (GE required)
Communication – Presentation (GECP):	_______ (GE required)
Diversity: Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice (GEDI): REC 293 Diversity and Inclusive Recreation Services	_______ No equivalent, consider taking at Cortland, unless earning associate degree (GE & major required)
Mathematics (GEMA):	_______ (GE required)
Natural Sciences (GENS):	_______ (GE required)
Humanities (GEHU): REC 310 Wilderness & American Culture	RECR 270 (major required)
Social Sciences (GESS): EST 100 Introduction to Environmental Studies	ENVS 102 (major required)
The Arts (GEAR):	_______________________
US History & Civic Engagement (GEUS):	_______________________
World History & Global Awareness (GEWH): REC 150 Play Across Cultures	RECR 150 (major recommended)
World Languages (GEWL): (Sign language is acceptable)	_______ 101 (required for B.S.)

Additional **Major-Requirements**
Cortland Major Requirements	Complete at TC3
REC 380 Programming and Leadership	RECR 280 (spring only)
BIO 307 Field Natural History	BIOL 115
REC 379 Outdoor Recreation Activities (elective)	RECR 274
PED 300 Lifeguard Training (elective)	FITN 216
REC 101 Recreation Activities (elective: 1 cr.)	(See Cortland advisor for equivalents)

*For more information about transfer equivalencies, please visit SUNY Transfer Path.

Outdoor Recreation

School of Professional Studies

The program requirements pertain to the Undergraduate Catalog and are intended as a guide for academic planning. Students currently on SUNY campuses should consult their academic advisor for additional choices in general education categories when any course is recommended.

To view all required courses for the program and Cortland’s General Education courses, see the most current undergraduate Catalog.
Students must choose a concentration for this program. You can choose from: Outdoor Leadership; Natural Resource Management; or Environmental and Cultural Interpretation.
Use the transfer equivalency tables to choose equivalents at your transfer college.
If you plan to transfer before you complete your associate’s degree, you can still earn your degree via Reverse Transfer.

About Outdoor Recreation

This major prepares you to lead, teach, and steward the outdoors with skill and confidence. You will build practical skills and professional judgement across outdoor leadership, natural resource recreation management, camp administration, and environmental/cultural interpretation. Opportunities for hand-on learning offered at Cortland's outdoor centers and through field-based courses. Graduates step into roles with parks, camps, outdoor education programs, and nonprofits, or continue to graduate study.

Career Potential

Campus Outdoor Program Director
Environmental Educator
Interpretation Specialist (for environmental agencies)
State of National Park Manager
Camp Director
Adventure Program Coordinator

What Will I Learn?

Knowledge, skills, and procedures for management level careers in outdoor recreation
Leadership in conservation and sustainability management
Inclusive program design for diverse populations and outdoor settings
Safe and inclusive management of resources and programs, recreation planning, camp operations, and visitor experience design

Applying to Cortland

SUNY Cortland accepts the Common Application and the SUNY Online application. Choose just one way to apply; both require a $50 non-refundable application fee.
If you apply to Cortland using the SUNY application, SUNY will waive the $50 application fee for transfer students graduating with an associate degree from a SUNY or CUNY college, who apply directly to Cortland for baccalaureate programs.
Fall applicants should apply by June 1. Spring applicants should apply by November 1.
After applying, students must send transcripts from all colleges attended and a high school transcript.