Outdoor Recreation Business Administration major Patrick is standing outside a coastal recreation area.

Outdoor Recreation Business Administration

B.A. Degree with a major in Outdoor Recreation Business Administration

Turn Your Love for the Outdoors into a Career Adventure!

UMF’s Outdoor Recreation Business Administration (ORBA) program blends a love for the outdoors with skills to manage or launch four-season recreation businesses.

The Outdoor Recreation Business Administration program at UMF combines a strong foundation in business principles with extensive coursework in outdoor recreation. This unique blend equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the growing Outdoor Recreation, Adventure Travel, Hospitality, and Tourism industries. Whether you’re aiming to work with established companies or launch your venture, this program prepares you to thrive in Western Maine’s vibrant outdoor economy and beyond.

Program Requirements Questions? Ask a Professor

Save more than $5,500 per year in tuition.

Through the NEBHE Tuition Break program, students from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont receive a $5,670 tuition discount on all UMF degree programs.
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One Major — Four Concentrations

Here, you get to choose which concentration (or concentrations) you’d like to focus on, each with concentration-specific courses, such as:

Outdoor Recreation
  • Principles & Practices of River and Flatwater Industry
  • Principles & Practices of Hiking, Biking and Camping
  • Principles & Practices of Summer Resort Operations
  • Principles & Practices of Adventure Education
  • Orientation to Alpine Operations
  • Sustainable Tourism
Snowsports
  • Orientation to Alpine Operations
  • Theory of Snowsports Instruction
  • Children’s Instruction (PSIA/AASI Children’s Level I)
  • Adult Instruction (PSIA/AASI Adult Level I)
  • Outdoor Emergency Care Certification
  • Level II Certification Prep for PSIA-AASI
  • Practicum in Alpine Operations
  • Internship in Alpine Operations
Hospitality
  • Hospitality Management
  • Food and Beverage Management
  • Lodging Operations & System

* Offered in partnership with the University of Southern Maine

Tourism
  • Intro to Tourism & Hospitality
  • Tourism Entrepreneurship
  • Sustainable Tourism Development

* Offered in partnership with the University of Southern Maine

Top 20

College for Skiing & Snowsports (U.S. News & World Report)

#4

Best Value Regional University in the North (U.S. News & World Report)

#6

Best Regional University in the North (U.S. News & World Report)

Outdoor Recreation Business Administration major Leah is dressed in snow gear, holding a cup and smiling.
Outdoor Recreation Business Administration major Leah is dressed in snow gear, holding a cup and smiling.

Get Your Shred On — FREE

All full-time UMF students enjoy complimentary access to skiing and snowboarding at Titcomb Mountain, just seven minutes from campus, thanks to a generous donation from Sunday River and Sugarloaf resorts. The mountain offers alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, a terrain park, and cozy amenities like a fireside lodge and snack bar. Students can also take advantage of free lessons, including a seven-week program at Titcomb followed by a considerable mountain experience at Sunday River or Sugarloaf, often taught by UMF Alpine Ops students.

UMF supports competitive skiing with men’s and women’s intercollegiate Alpine, Nordic, Snowboardcross, and Slopestyle teams, training at Sugarloaf and Titcomb Mountain. The university also hosts a student-led Farmington Outing Club and the Mainely Outdoors adventure program, which offers year-round activities like hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and more, helping students and community members explore the stunning outdoor opportunities of the region.

Meet ORBA major Patrick McKenney

For Patrick, working on the water along Maine’s coast was the goal. His internship with Carousel Marina in Boothbay Harbor turned that vision into reality. In this management role, Patrick dove into the day-to-day operations of one of Maine’s premier marinas, gaining the skills and experience that are preparing him to develop his own in business in Maine’s outdoor economy.

Master Business Skills and Lead Outdoors with ORBA

The ORBA program at UMF was created with input from outdoor industry leaders to equip you with the skills needed for success in outdoor recreation. Nestled in Western Maine’s scenic foothills, UMF offers access to top outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, and whitewater rafting, making it a perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts.

Students can get involved through Mainely Outdoors, a year-round adventure program that promotes activities like kayaking, snowshoeing, and mountain biking for all skill levels. Many ORBA students also earn a UMF Alpine Operations Certificate alongside their degree, enhancing their hands-on experience and career readiness in the outdoor industry.

Contact Us to Get Started!

Office of Admissions
246 Main Street
Farmington, Maine USA 04938-1994
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