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Master of Arts in Leadership: Outdoor & Adventure Leadership Concentration

Thoughtfully Grounded. Spiritually Mature. Practically Skilled Leaders 

The mission for the M.A. in Leadership, Outdoor & Adventure Leadership Concentration, is “to foster the development of thoughtfully grounded, spiritually maturing, and practically skilled outdoor ministry professionals who are able to lead in their organizations in culturally savvy ways for Christ and His Kingdom. This track is specifically designed for those called to provide leadership in outdoor, experientially oriented, temporary community-based ministries in a variety of contexts, including camps, colleges, churches, non-profits, and for-profit organizations. It integrates courses on the theology and practice of outdoor-related ministry with core courses in Christ-centered leadership.”

 

Program Distinctives 

Skills to Lead in a Globalized World

In our increasingly connected world, the demand for visionary, culturally intelligent, and value-driven leaders is ever-growing. The Organizational Leadership Concentration is designed to nurture a new generation of Christ-centered experiential leaders in camps, conferences, churches, and beyond. This is a unique leadership program that combines evidence-based leadership research, biblical engagement, and practical skill development.  

Program Distinctives

We believe effective leadership development requires three foundational pillars:

The M.A. in Leadership, Outdoor & Adventure Leadership Concentration is designed to holistically elevate students’ leadership capacity by building on all three pillars with a global impact in mind. In this program, you will interact with and learn from globally renowned scholars and real-world experts from organizational and outdoor ministry contexts.

Flexible Learning Format

Students can continue working in their current vocations while completing the program in flexible learning formats. All courses are offered in modular (7-10-day intensives), hybrid (a mix of online and 2- to 3-day residential sessions), or online formats. To accommodate busy work and family schedules, students take an average of 8 credit hours per semester, completing the degree in three years

LEAD OAL Course Requirements

OAL – Organizational Leadership Concentration students complete 36 hours of credit to graduate. They include 24 hours of core courses, 10 hours specific to the concentration, and 2 electives. 

Code

Title

Credits

Required Courses

20

LEAD 503

Cultural Engagement (or OAL 503 Cultural Engagement)

2

LEAD 512

Leadership and Spiritual Formation (or OAL 512 Leadership and Spiritual Formation)

4

LEAD 557

Foundations of Leadership in a Globalized World

4

LEAD 559

Organizational and Change Leadership (or OAL 663 Organizational Leadership and Staff Development)

4

LEAD 652

Strategic Management

2

LEAD 655

Leading Effective Organizations: Structural, Financial, Legal Foundations

4

Theological Study Requirement (TSR) Courses

4

BITH 565

or BITH 566

or BITH 578

Christian Theology

Foundations of Biblical Interpretation

Global Church History

4

4

4

Outdoor & Adventure Leadership Concentration Courses

10

OAL 549

Program Philosophy and Planning

4

OAL 662

Theology and Practice of Outdoor Ministry

4

OAL 682

Integrative Seminar

2

Electives

2

Electives can be taken from any courses with OAL, HESD, LEAD prefixes with advisor approval. Those desiring a certificate in Foundations of Leadership in Higher Education in addition to their LEAD MA/OAL Concentration must take their 2 hours of electives in HESD and an additional 10 hours from the HESD program above the 36 hour degree so as not to compromise the core of the LEAD degree.

2

 

 

 

Equipping and Enhancing the Work of Exceptional Leaders 

The Master of Arts in Outdoor and Adventure Leadership – Program Leadership Concentration is designed to equip and enhance the work of exceptional leaders for Christian formation and ministry using experiential education methods in a fast-changing, multicultural world. Program Leadership graduates oversee and facilitate ministry to children, youth and emerging adults with excellence. This degree is ideal for those early in their careers, as well as those looking for equipping to launch them into leading, training leaders, and facilitating experiential ministry programs at camps, colleges, churches, and other experiential ministries globally.

Explore Related Degree Programs

Why Pursue the OAL-PL Concentration? 

Learning in Practice: Two Ways to Pursue Your Degree

The 2-year residential program is designed to be taken by Graduate Assistants who work at the HoneyRock or Wheaton campuses, allowing excellent integration of academic work and practice.  

Learn More About Graduate Assistantships Through HoneyRock

Students with commitments elsewhere continue working in their current vocations while completing the program in flexible learning formats. All courses are offered in modular (7-10 day intensives), hybrid (mix of online with 2- to 3-day residential sessions), or online formats. To accommodate busy work and family schedules, students take an average of 8 credit hours per semester, completing the degree in three years.

Missional While Learning

Whether engaging in research that directly impacts ministry to youth and emerging adults, addressing issues of social justice, creating sustainable programs that respect environment, or developing leaders for the church and society worldwide; you will make an impact while you learn the skills, develop the capacity, and refine your character as an MA student in this program.

Experiential Learning Process

You will receive a liberal arts education that will integrate deep thinking, research and reflection, with ministry and leadership application at HoneyRock, Wheaton, or at your current workplace. The camp context is a “leadership laboratory” where you will learn hands-on by continuously encountering truth, experience and disciplined reflection.

Multicultural and Global Reach

You will learn to recognize and adapt to doing ministry in multicultural environments. Through the program’s local and global Christian Camping networks and partnerships, you will encounter Christian formation and leadership from cultural contexts different from your own.

World Renowned Faculty

You will learn from global thought leaders with a passion to train practitioners who share the Gospel through transformational programming and experiences. Our faculty include practicing and published professionals in global camp ministry, organizational and leadership change management, youth and emerging adult ministry, and care and counseling.

Cohort Learning

Students from different backgrounds and experiences come together in residential or flexible learning formats to learn from one another through rich discourse, instruction and experiences. You’ll build lasting relationships as a learning community, glean best practices from one another, and wrestle with industry issues as a team.

Admission Requirements

Learn more about the Admission Requirements to apply for the M.A. in Outdoor and Adventure Leadership.

Discover the Christian Camp Certificate

This certificate provides a foundational understanding of camp and outdoor ministry through flexible, tailored learning aligned with students’ vocational interests. The program is designed for entry-level and mid-level professionals and seasoned leaders transitioning into the field from other vocations.

Explore the Certificate Request Information

Abigail-Sawer

Abigail Sawer '22

Abigail Sawer '22 (Baylor University, Senior Coordinator of Outdoor Adventure) reflects on how the leadership theories and models that are covered in the OAL program have become "the lens through which every conversation and program decision is made". The coursework and electives of the MA in Outdoor and Adventure Leadership, "created the space to develop the hard skills of facilitating outdoor programs, while also molding and shaping my leadership to have a firm foundation in Jesus Christ so I can lead a program well while having the skills and knowledge to care for others deeply".