Expeditionary Studies Major
If you dream of exploring and challenging yourself in exciting natural environments and want to help others develop through their own adventures, then expeditionary studies can help you on your path to becoming an adventure sports professional.
What Will I Learn?
The ability to think and make decisions in dynamic environments is the foundation of adventure sports leadership and has applications in multiple other settings.
The degree combines the study of the history of exploration, environmental ethics and environmental justice with training in coaching, leadership, planning and risk management, to name a few. This is developed through huge amounts of time advancing your personal and leadership skills in paddling, climbing and/or skiing. In fact, most EXP classes utilize authentic outdoor classroom contexts significantly more than in traditional indoor classrooms.
The Senior Expedition, a two-course capstone sequence, is a student-designed and executed expedition that will propel you into your career.
If the objective of college is to prepare students for the professional world while providing a well-rounded educational experience, expeditionary studies did that and then some.
EXP Program Graduate
What is Unique About Our Program?
In classes that are often as small as five or six students, you’ll be studying with highly certified world-class faculty who have traveled, guided and taught around the world. Our innovative curriculum guarantees you will have constant and close contact with them in the field and on campus throughout your studies. The faculty can’t do it alone though, and EXP students must take seriously the intellectual, physical and experiential commitments required of aspiring outdoor professionals.
EXP puts a high value on continuing professional education — you will receive international certification in wilderness first responder and have the opportunity to train and assess for more internationally recognized certifications before graduating. This translates directly to your opportunities in the job market.
What Are My Career Opportunities?
Expeditionary studies graduates find success in a wide variety of professional positions both within adventure sports and beyond. They enjoy fulfilling careers as sea kayak and mountain guides, professional ski patrollers, park rangers and leaders in eco-tourism and adventure-based counseling.
Skills such as critical thinking, decision-making, communication, teamwork and leadership are learned through the EXP program. They are highly transferrable, setting you up for a broad range of careers and experiences.
The recent Expeditionary Studies Impact Report found that 90% of SUNY Plattsburgh EXP graduates hold full-time or full-time equivalent positions. Our program graduates have gone off to careers as:
- Outdoor educators
- Climbing and skiing guides
- Paddlesports guides and coaches
- Eco-tourism operators
- Small business owners
- DEC rangers
- National Park Service rangers
- Ski patrollers
- Professional firefighters
- Emergency medical technicians and paramedics
- Military sealift command officer
- Senior design program manager and UX strategist
- School counselors
- Teachers and professors
- Holistic health coach
- Family therapist
- Registered nurse
- Physician assistant
Bobby Donahue
- Fire Lieutenant and Paramedic, City of Plattsburgh Fire Department
- Climbing Guide
A number of EXP graduates like Bobby Donahue have found their degree in expeditionary studies prepared them for careers in leadership and risk management. In his current role as an officer in the City of Plattsburgh Fire Department, Bobby found the transfer of skills seamless. Bobby also remains active in the outdoor industry as a climbing guide and as a first aid instructor, preparing guides and medical professionals. “Expeditionary studies taught me how to think critically, lead confidently, and stay composed in dynamic high-risk situations — skills I rely on daily in both urban and wilderness settings.”
Sydney Aveson
- Communications Coordinator, Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, Saranac Lake
“Expeditionary studies gave me more than technical skills — it taught me to lead with intention, adapt in uncertain environments, and communicate clearly under pressure. It provided a framework not only for working in the field as a guide, but also for succeeding in many other areas. Beyond my work, the program shaped how I move through the world: with curiosity, resilience and a deep respect for wild places and the people who care for them.” In addition to her current role, Sydney has also worked with the Adirondack Watershed Institute, as the sea kayak manager at Wilderness Inquiry in the Apostle Islands and was an All-American hockey goalie at SUNY Plattsburgh.