BSc in Forestry - Wildland Recreation in Knoxville United States | University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Forestry is a scientific discipline, artistic practice, and applied field focused on stewarding forest ecosystems for human advantage. This management encompasses diverse forest resources including timber, water systems, wildlife habitats, recreational spaces, grazing areas, and environmental features. Forestry professionals oversee these multifaceted assets. Consequently, our core educational mission is to deliver comprehensive training for addressing intricate forest resource challenges. The wildland recreation specialization is a cross-disciplinary curriculum equipping students for careers in nature-based recreation across various landscapes - from municipal, state, and national parks to government agencies and private/non-profit outdoor recreation providers. The program develops competencies in designing, operating, interpreting, and administering recreational areas on both public and private lands. Participants explore foundational theories about leisure utilization and how natural environments enhance meaningful recreational experiences. Elective coursework allows for focused study in related domains like environmental education, historical interpretation, forest/wildlife management, communications, landscape architecture, business operations, earth sciences, and leisure studies. The curriculum mandates a 6-credit professional internship (10 weeks) during the final 45 program credits. This intensive field placement follows carefully designed learning goals approved by both academic and site supervisors, with credit awarded at a rate of one unit per two-week full-time engagement. Students should initiate internship arrangements well before their placement period. Gaining relevant summer employment or volunteer experience prior to the internship is strongly recommended.