Unique, new degree program begins fall 2020 at Casper College

A unique and new degree program that deals with Wyoming’s second-largest industry is set to begin at Casper College in fall 2020.

The Associate of Science degree in outdoor recreation and tourism is the result of a collaborative effort between instructors and deans from the college’s five schools of study. According to Ginny Garner, hospitality and marketing instructor, the degree program is unique because each student can design their own program of study to the area of tourism that interests them the most.

“Students will be able to focus their studies in hospitality management, museum studies, outdoor recreation and guiding, and geographic information systems, among others. Also, this program has a required internship requirement so students can ‘try on’ their potential career or many careers before they graduate,” said Garner.

The versatile degree, noted Garner, can be leveraged to either enter the workforce or move on to a bachelor’s program such as the University of Wyoming’s relatively new Bachelor of Science in outdoor recreation and tourism or “ … something directed toward the student’s individual interests such as marketing, outdoor sciences, or agriculture, for example.”

According to Garner, more than 10 million visitors come to Wyoming each year, which results in the employment of over 32,000 residents. In addition, 4.5 billion dollars in consumer spending in Wyoming is generated by outdoor recreation and tourism on an annual basis. Despite the current situation with COVID-19, and “while it may take a year or two for Wyoming’s tourism numbers to rebound, I am confident not only will they return, but (they) will surpass our previous numbers,” she added.

For more information or to sign up for the fall semester, contact Garner at 307-268-2600 or ggarner@caspercollege.edu.