Frequently Asked Questions
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Do you have courses for professional medical practitioners?
Yes! View all of these courses on our medical professionals page.
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Which expedition is best for me, a Trip Leader or an Outdoor Educator course?
Outdoor Educator courses offer a cohesive blend of leadership, exploration, outdoor skills, wilderness medicine, group facilitation, educational theory, and environmental studies—all through the lens of using wilderness as a classroom to support the growth of groups and individuals.
Trip Leader courses offer an overview of the NOLS curriculum in a setting designed for leaders and educators who don't have a lot of time or a huge budget.
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What kind of job can I get from taking a NOLS course?
While the skills learned on NOLS courses are most applicable to jobs in the outdoor industry, the leadership, interpersonal, and self-reliance skills that a student gains while on a NOLS course are applicable in any field or facet of life. In addition the NOLS Jobsnetwork is available to connect job-seeking alumni with outdoor, conservation and educational employers.
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What certifications do I need to work in the outdoor industry?
Every organization will have their own standards and requirements. However, for many places, a Wilderness First Responder is the industry standard for medical certifications.
Employers often recognize NOLS diplomas as a sign of your skills in the outdoors.
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How can I work for NOLS?
You can work at NOLS in a variety of ways. Teach classroom or wilderness courses, hone your skills while working in an administrative position at our world headquarters in Lander, Wyoming, or work at one of our locations worldwide.
Learn more about working for NOLS on our employment page.
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Can I use NOLS courses for professional development?
Yes! Many NOLS courses count for continuing education credits for medical professionals, and the yearly Wilderness Risk Management Conference is an excellent opportunity for learning and networking.