Your Path to an Adventure Filled Career

Discover the Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership degree at MRU.

Want to turn your passion for the great outdoors into a meaningful career? Mount Royal University’s Bachelor of Health and Physical Education — Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership (ETOL) has you covered!

What is ETOL?

ETOL is a unique, four-year degree that blends sustainable tourism, socio-cultural heritage, outdoor adventure programming, leadership, and entrepreneurship. You'll learn alongside like-minded peers, becoming an outdoor adventure leader with a solid understanding of health, physical activity and wellness. You'll also gain essential skills in outdoor activities such as backpacking, canoeing, skiing, kayaking, mountain biking, wilderness survival and rock climbing.

The ETOL program is a welcoming space with students ranging from weekend warriors and tourism enthusiasts to olympic athletes and wilderness survival specialists. ETOL alumnus Juan Pablo Quiñonez even went on to win season 9 of History Channel’s Alone (a wilderness survival competition) after spending 78 days in the extreme terrain of Northern Labrador.

Valuable practicum experience

You don’t have to wait to graduate to gain valuable work experience — ETOL sets you up for success with two mandatory practicums. The first involves theoretical coursework combined with a 52-hour job shadow in an area of health and wellness. The second is a 160-hour industry placement, giving you first-hand experience in the field. These practical learning opportunities bridge classroom theory with real-world practice, helping you build valuable skills and connections for your future career.

Another component of the program includes undertaking a 10-day expedition. In the case of ETOL grad Teegan Neame, he took this task to the next level by bikepacking over 7,000 kms from Mexico to Alaska.

Exciting careers await

ETOL graduates are equipped to lead and make significant contributions in the expanding eco and adventure tourism industries. They often secure positions at resorts, outdoor adventure companies, parks and academic institutions. As an ETOL grad, you could find yourself working as a park interpreter, outdoor adventure guide, ecotourism planner, outdoor equipment representative, ski patroller, and so much more.

Get started today

If you're eager to elevate your passion for the outdoors and develop a wide range of skills in program planning, risk management, leadership and environmental stewardship, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for.