Master's in Outdoor Education, Sustainability and Well-being

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is a college that places teaching and research at its core. ATU aims to provide students with a transformative university experience that prepares them to make significant contributions to society. With a focus on applied learning, teaching, and research that reflects the needs of businesses and professions in the region, ATU strives to be a preferred partner for research and innovation. The university seeks to attract and support students and staff from around the globe, enabling them to reach their full potential.

This MSc in Outdoor Education, Well-being and Sustainability in ATU Mayo Campus will develop the knowledge, capacity, and know-how of outdoor professionals Graduates will function as highly competent self-aware senior leaders, capable of implementation of programmes in well-being, experiential place-based learning and education for sustainability. This Master’s degree is work-focused and applied in nature, focusing on interdisciplinary application. Graduates will draw on the latest research and methodology to critically reflect on and develop their impact in their chosen specialist sector. It is aimed at those who want to develop policy, change practice and further develop their competencies to play a valuable role in shaping their organisations and teams. The suite of modules is designed to meet the needs of the growing outdoor education and outdoor learning sector. The blended mode delivery, structured modules and options for an embedded exit award are tailored to provide students with the opportunity to develop applied skills to bring about change and real improvements in their workplace and to address the challenges for their sector now and into the future. The diversity of the sector is addressed by designing structured modules reflecting current developments and facilitating student assessment that facilitates sector specific applications, which is followed by a large research component in year 2 that facilitates more in-depth research into an evolving field of study. This design reflects feedback from consultations within the sector and ensures the programme remains future orientated. Unique in Ireland This course is unique in that it is the first post-graduate outdoor education award to be developed in Ireland . The programme fosters a strong philosophy of outdoor education across all modules utilising experiential approaches, residential experiences, journeying and other outdoor experiences. The programme embeds place based learning within an Irish cultural and landscape context. The programme make use of an innovative range of online blended methodologies to enhance the effectiveness and engagement of the programme. This Masters programme has been designed to prepare students with the requisite level of understanding, knowledge, and skills to work within outdoor and other experiential education contexts.