Outdoor Products

Outdoor Products

Degree Type
Bachelor of Science
Honors Bachelor of Science
Minor
College
College of Engineering

Description

Your path into the outdoor industry starts here, where you'll build skills that balance product, profit, people and our planet. Leaders in the industry are looking to hire innovators who champion responsible systems approach to product commercialization with respect for our natural world.

In this interdisciplinary degree, you'll study design, engineering, natural resources, outdoor recreation, sustainability, and business with expert faculty who have experience in research, industry and public agencies.

You'll study the full life cycle of a product, with courses that span from concept creation and design to commercialization to end-of-life. From resource management to outdoor leadership to sustainability, the program's course of study emphasizes environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility.

Practicums, internships and capstone projects are part of the core curriculum. This is where personalization of your degree takes shape. Whether your dream career is in Bend, Bellingham, or Burlington, we'll work together to help coordinate your experiential learning opportunities with local and global outdoor industry partners.

 

Program Information

A total of 180 quarter credits are required to graduate, including 60 upper-division credits.

Requirements include:
Baccalaureate core: 24-27 credits

Outdoor Products Major Requirement: 117 credits

Degree Checklist and Guides

Outdoor Products Curriculum Checklist (PDF)

Oregon Community College Outdoor Products Transfer Guides

Academic Progression Model

Academic Progression Model requires students to maintain a 2.5 OSU GPA and earn 65% of the credits they attempt at OSU. College-specific progression standards apply to all students in the College of Engineering. These standards relate to staying in good academic standing within your major and are different from staying in good standing with OSU.

Undergraduate Academic Progression Model

Four-Year Sample Plan

This is a sample plan intended for informational purposes only. Students will work with their OSU academic advisor to create degree plan that works best for each student based around unique interests, goals and transfer work.

Outdoor Products 4-Year Sample Plan (PDF)

Using the following course forecast information students will plan ahead and work with their advisor to create and update academic plans.

OSU Course Catalog

OSU Class Search

Outdoor Products Courses by Term

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate and apply a systems overview approach toward product commercialization.
  • Describe the value of minimizing negative environmental impact, increased access, and the importance of promoting social justice during a product’s lifecycle.
  • Situate knowledge of iconic historical figures and their companies, and the history, use, management, and protection of public lands and ethical business practices as an essential competency for work in the outdoor product industry.
  • Apply key elements of coursework to experiential learning opportunities that include internships and integrated cross-disciplinary projects.

Outdoor Products Minor (30 credits)

Students majoring in other programs at OSU-Cascades can choose to complete the outdoor products minor.

Outdoor Products Minor Checklist (PDF)

   

Learn the historical context of the outdoor industry to help shape its future

   

Study in Central Oregon — home to Hydro Flask, Ruffwear, The Outside Shop, Bend Outdoor Worx and a thriving outdoor products community

   

"An all-around win for the outdoor industry." That's what Geartrade said about the outdoor products degree program at OSU-Cascades.

We asked the experts

The outdoor products degree at OSU-Cascades is one of the few of its kind in the country. It was developed with input from more than 30 outdoor organizations including Black Diamond, Columbia, Keen, Nau, The Conservation Alliance, Nike, REI and Patagonia to understand the challenges facing the industry, and the skills desired in future employees.

Student Spotlight

Designing sustainable outdoor products

The outdoor products degree program has given Oskar Zehren the knowledge to navigate all stages of outdoor product development, including conceptualization, design, manufacturing, and marketing. “I really enjoy the design classes, and I think it’s also beneficial to learn about all the sectors of a business, focusing on marketing and sustainability,” Zehren said. Indeed, the outdoor products program prepares students to be innovative industry leaders while emphasizing environmental sustainability, which is crucial to the field. It also provides students with practical experience beyond the classroom. For Zehren, who relishes both outdoor recreation and the technical aspects of design, undertaking the degree was a “no-brainer.” Read more

In the field

Our faculty are in the classroom — and out in the world, making a difference. Geoff Raynak, program coordinator and senior instructor for the outdoor products program, has commercialized motorcycles, mountain bike suspension, biometric monitoring apparel and more. While at Nike Innovation Kitchen, he worked directly with the English Premier League and U.S. National teams to change the way soccer balls are engineered.

Sample Courses

  • Introduction to the Outdoor Products Industry
  • Experience Outdoor Products – Water, Winter, Land
  • Introduction To Entrepreneurship
  • Design Thinking and Process Innovation
  • Product Ecosystem Connections
  • Outdoor Products Design
  • Outdoor Products Development
  • Outdoor Products Failure
  • Engineering Graphics & 3D Modeling
  • Outdoor Products Branding, Merchandising and Sales
  • Impact, Access and Social Justice
  • Environmental Economics & Policy
  • Introduction to Environmental Science & Sustainability
  • Wilderness & Recreation Resource Management

Course Listing

Career Options

Job opportunities for graduates of this degree program include:

  • Designer
  • Product Developer
  • Innovation Engineer
  • Product Line Manager
  • Product Category General Manager
  • Merchandising Manager
  • Marketing Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Technical Sales Representative
  • Buyer
  • Director of Sustainability
  • Entrepreneur/Inventor

Careers

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Contact Us

We're here to help! Future students can connect with an OSU-Cascades admissions advisor for admission and program questions.