GUIDE TO MAJORS AND PROGRAMS
College of Agriculture
Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management
Overview
The wildlife and outdoor enterprise
management degree at Kansas State University
trains students to become managers at hunting
preserves and resorts, game bird production
companies, fishing resorts, outdoor experience
companies and other outdoor-related
businesses.
While our students take courses in wildlife
and fisheries management, this program is
not a traditional wildlife and fisheries biology
program. It incorporates a series of business,
hospitality management, natural resources,
and wildlife and fisheries management courses
with outdoor skills courses. This program was
designed with input from working professionals
across the United States.
Professional options
Careers
Hunting, fishing and shooting sports have
grown into big business, and there is a growing
need for trained managers. Opportunities for
graduates exist in the U.S. at more than 2,500
big-game hunting resorts; 4,400 fishing resorts;
1,700 sporting clays, trap and skeet businesses;
and more than 1,700 bird hunting preserves and
resorts.
Employers
Wildlife and related outdoor enterprises exist in
all 50 states, Canada, Central and South America,
Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
Potential employers include:
n Hunting preserves
n Controlled shooting areas
n Game bird production companies
n Hunting resorts
n Outfitter companies
n Guide service companies
n Big-game production companies
n Shooting sports facilities
n Fishing resorts
n Hunting resorts
n Outdoor adventure companies
Academics
The wildlife and outdoor enterprise
management program combines the study
of wildlife and fisheries and natural resources
management with business and hotel/
restaurant management courses. The program
also includes selected outdoor skills courses. In
addition to a comprehensive general education,
students gain working knowledge in the
following areas:
n Basic scientific principles governing the
management of natural resources (soils,
water, grasslands, forests and wildlife)
n Outdoor skills needed by wildlife enterprise
operators and customers
n Business management and marketing
n Business finance and accounting
Faculty
Points of pride
The wildlife and outdoor enterprise
management degree at Kansas State University
is not a traditional wildlife and fisheries
biology program. It is the first Bachelor of
Science degree to train professional operations
managers.
One of the department’s greatest strengths is its
faculty members, who are genuinely committed
to teaching and serving as great advisors.
They make it a point to get to know students,
and there is a strong emphasis on individual
attention. Advisors not only guide academics
and assist with career planning, but are an
excellent resource for finding help with student
employment and other personal concerns.
Preparation
High school coursework in biology, chemistry
and algebra is recommended. Courses in writing,
public speaking, sociology and computer
applications are also recommended.
k-state.edu/admissions/academics
Activities
Wildlife and outdoor enterprise management
students can choose from an array of activities,
including field trips to outdoor businesses, both
regionally and nationally. Students will learn
from guest speakers who are experts in the
outdoor sports industry.
Admission
Requirements
Admission to the program is selective and
competitive. Students must first be admitted to
K-State, then complete the selective admissions
process specifically for wildlife and outdoor
enterprise management. Because students
admitted to the program will be handling and
firing firearms, each student must pass a drug
test.
Application
Incoming students apply to the general
university admissions application.
Step 1
n
n
pply online for admission and
A
scholarships at k-state.edu/admissions/
apply.
S elect wildlife and outdoor enterprise
management as your major.
Step 2
n
n
n
n
nce admitted, go to the program
O
website at hfrr.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabid=769
and complete selected admission form.
rovide written statement of interest and
P
two letters of reference.
I nclude high school and college
transcripts.
T he priority deadline is Feb. 1, and the
final deadline is April 1.
Step 3
n
Program directors will review applications and interview selected candidates.
Step 4
n
Director will contact candidates for admission.
Suggested coursework
Bachelor of Science (130 credit hours)
Communications
Hrs.Courses
3
COMM 106
3
ENGL 100
3
ENGL 200
Public Speaking 1
Expository Writing 1
Expository Writing 2
Natural Sciences
Hrs.Courses
4
BIOL 198
5
BIOL 201
3
CHM 110
1
CHM 111
3
GEOL 100
rr
3
GEOL 300
Principles of Biology
Organismic Biology
General Chemistry
General Chemistry Lab
Earth in Action
Social Sciences
Hrs.Courses
3
ECON 110
3
ECON 120
3
SOCIO 211
or
3
PSYCH 110
Principles of Macroeconomics
General Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Geography of Tourism
General Psychology
Mathematics and Statistics
Hrs.Courses
3
MATH 100
College Algebra
3
STAT 350
Business and Economic Statistics
Business
Hrs.Courses
3
ACCTG 231
3
ACCTG 241
3
FINAN 450
3
MANGT 420
3
MKTG 400
Accounting for Business Operations
Accounting for Investing and Financing
Principles of Finance
Management Concepts
Introduction to Marketing
Hospitality
Hrs.Courses
3
HMD 220
3
HMD 341
3
HMD 361
3
HMD 621
Environmental Issues in Hospitality
Principles of Food Production Management
Principles of Lodging Operations
Hospitality Law
Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management Core
Natural Resources Management
Hrs.Courses
4
AGRON 305 Soils
3
AGRON 501 Range Management
3
ASI 635
Gamebird Production and Management
3
BIOL 433
Introduction to Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology
3
PMC 275
Introduction to Natural Resource Management
3
PMC 330
Dendrology
3
PMC 575
Water Management for Natural Resource Managers
1
WOEM 250
Introduction to Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management
10 WOEM 570
Internship for WOEM
1
WOEM 595
WOEM Senior Seminar
4
WOEM 620
Human-Wildlife Conflicts
Outdoors Skills, Guiding and Operations
Hrs.Courses
1
WOEM 201
Firearms, Cartridges and Ballistics
1
WOEM 202
Rifle and Handgun Range Development and Operations
1
WOEM 203
Bowhunting Equipment and Skills
1
WOEM 204
Hunter Education Instructor
1
WOEM 205
Sporting Clays Range Development and Operations
1
WOEM 206
Trap and Skeet Range Development and Operations
2
WOEM 207
Wildlife Habitat and Food Plot Installation and Maintenance
3
WOEM 555
Principles and Practices of Big Game Hunting
3
WOEM 560
Principles and Practices of Upland Gamebird and Turkey Hunting and Guiding
3
WOEM 561
Principles and Practices of Waterfowl Hunting and Guiding and Wetlands Management
3
WOEM 565
Principles and Practices of Fresh Water Fishing
5
Free electives
For more information about
wildlife and outdoor enterprise
management, contact:
Thomas Warner
Kansas State University
2021 Throckmorton Hall Plant Sciences
Center
1712 Claflin Road
Manhattan, KS 66506–5506
785-539-7565
twarner@k-state.edu
hfrr.ksu.edu
For more information about
Kansas State University, contact:
Office of Admissions
Kansas State University
119 Anderson Hall
919 Mid-Campus Drive North
Manhattan, KS 66506-0102
1-800-432-8270 (toll free) or
785-532-6250
k-state@k-state.edu
k-state.edu/admissions
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Kansas State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color,
ethnicity, national origin, sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence),
sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, genetic
information, military status, or veteran status, in the University’s programs and
activities as required by applicable laws and regulations. The person designated
with responsibility for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries
concerning nondiscrimination policies is the University’s Title IX Coordinator: the
Director of the Office of Institutional Equity, equity@k-state.edu, 103 Edwards Hall,
Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, (785) 532-6220. The campus
ADA Coordinator is the Director of Employee Relations, charlott@k-state.edu, who
may be reached at 103 Edwards Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
66506, (785) 532-6277.
2016