The Medicine Hat College Difference

What sets the Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership (ETOL) program at Medicine Hat College apart?

The ETOL program combines classroom and field experience.

• Applied science combines with specialized courses in geography, natural resources education, conservation, outdoor adventure activities, environmental interpretation, anthropology, and business management.
• The curriculum weaves natural resource themes throughout to create understanding of current theory and practice of ecotourism and outdoor leadership.
• Many courses provide opportunities to practice outdoor skills and apply outdoor leadership theory in practical and professional settings.
• Many of the lab sessions and field trips are held outdoors in nearby natural habitats such as the Cypress Hills Inter-Provincial Park, Police Point Park Interpretive Centre, Red Rock Coulee Natural Area, Provincial and National Parks.

The faculty is committed to teaching while conducting ongoing professional development and research.

• Our faculty are considered leaders in their field. They are authors of interpretive and tourism publications, conference presenters, and members of advisory boards and land management councils.
• Small classes, extensive faculty-student contact, interactions among students and local professionals mean that you will receive personalized and professional guidance.

Current students and graduates have a high rate of job placement within the ecotourism industry.

• The excellent learning facilities and equipment available to ETOL students at Medicine Hat College are among the most technologically advanced. Students enter the workforce as highly skilled and experienced employees.
• The two applied field study placements create close interactions with outdoor professionals, providing many students a “foot in the door” to a fulfilling career.

Medicine Hat College is an affordable option for students.

• Medicine Hat College offers a casual learning environment with many amenities for students. On campus housing, athletic opportunities, clubs, weight room facilities and organized events are just some of the opportunities that await you.
• The community of Medicine Hat extends a warm southern Alberta welcome to everyone.  A city with a population just over 56,000, there are many comforts of a larger city but it maintains its small town feel.  The scenic South Saskatchewan River valley is the backdrop for Medicine Hat, a community with more than 90 kilometres of trails and 250 hectares of parks.  
• Medicine Hat residents experience the lowest combined tax rates in Canada, the lowest utility rates in Alberta, a low cost of living, friendly people, safe streets and an enviable climate.