NGU to Add Outdoor Leadership Major in Fall of 2026

The program was previously offered at NGU from 2003-2022. Since 2022, Outdoor Leadership has been available to students as a minor and as a concentration in the Interdisciplinary Studies program.

Led by Dr. Sam Keith and Rick Masters, the program will be re-introduced with significant changes.

“I can’t praise Sam and Rick enough,” said Dr. Paul Thompson, Dean of NGU’s College of Humanities and Sciences. “With this program, we will be offering yet another area of study and vocation that has been missing for prospective students to pursue God’s callings at NGU, and it’s going to mean great things for our students.”

The program will continue its tradition of equipping students to facilitate outdoor experiences that foster leadership development, ministry, and group development. Building on this legacy, the new curriculum will introduce courses in the management of outdoor recreation spaces and research methods, giving students more options for specialization and deeper insight into the field.

“Our students are going to be growing as leaders, and that’s something that will prepare them for life beyond college in their churches, homes, workplaces, and communities,” Keith, who serves as Program Coordinator, said. “We really do see this program as equipping students for leadership opportunities across the board—particularly for using the outdoors as a powerful context for ministry, service, and stewardship.”

The 120-hour program will offer concentrations in Outdoor Ministry and Outdoor Recreation and Park Management.

“While concentrations in outdoor recreation and park management are often found at large land-grant universities, this program offers a distinctive opportunity within the context of a smaller private Christian university,” Keith said. “This concentration will prepare students for a career in public land management agencies such as the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, State Park systems, as well as non-profit conservation organizations.”

Keith said the Outdoor Leadership program at NGU is uniquely positioned to thrive in the Upstate of South Carolina.

“NGU’s campus is within a 35-minute drive from four beautiful SC State Parks,” he said. “We’re in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, so we’re in great proximity of many outdoor recreation opportunities. That works really well for both of our concentrations.”

For more information on the program, visit go.ngu.edu/ODEL.