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River Studies & Leadership CertificateThe River Management Society (RMS) is proud to partner with a cohort of 14 universities and colleges to offer the River Studies and Leadership Certificate (RSLC) program, awarded upon completion of river-focused coursework and a river-related professional project by RMS. The RSLC is designed to offer undergraduate and graduate students who have become inspired to join the next generation of river professionals a foundation of knowledge, skills and experience in river-based science, policy, conservation, education, and recreation. Rivers play a central role in shaping landscapes and creating biologically diverse and unique ecosystems; they also form the foundation of cultures, economies, and communities. Indeed, rivers connect us to nature, to our past, and to each other. Leaders with an understanding of the fundamentals of river sciences, river-related policy and management, and river-based recreation and education will be best equipped to make sustainable decisions about future uses, studies and management of river systems around the world. RMS and the founders of this program believe a new generation of young leaders is essential to create a brighter future for our nation’s rivers.
RSLC Institutions & AdvisorsThe following universities and colleges offer courses that fulfill the certificate requirements: Colorado Mesa University, Fort Lewis College, Northern Arizona University, Northeastern State University, Prescott College, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, University of Montana Western, University of Northern Colorado, Utah State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Western Carolina University, Western Colorado University, West Virginia University, and Western Washington University. Faculty members from these institutions collaborate with students to design and complete a personalized academic program that empowers them to address the real-world challenges facing our nation’s rivers. Each student’s program is vetted by industry professionals, practitioners, and academics from RMS and the partner institutions.
Program OverviewRiver Studies and Leadership Certificate coursework is focused specifically on river systems, yet it is interdisciplinary in nature; students explore and study river systems in ways that integrate the life and earth sciences, policy and conservation, socio-cultural and economic factors, as well as education and recreation. Ultimately, the RSLC adds valued focus to a student’s degree and presents employment advantages through networking with the River Management Society.
As a part of the RSLC program, RMS offers students exciting opportunities for professional networking and collaboration. Students are encouraged to use RMS as a source for their river studies and professional networking. Each RSLC student receives a free one-year membership to the River Management Society, which includes a subscription to the RMS Journal and access to national and regional chapter events (e.g. chapter floats, river field trips & workshops, swiftwater rescue courses, etc.). RSLC students are required to share aspects of their river studies with the RMS community by either presenting at the biennial RMS Symposium or publishing an article in the RMS Journal. Current RSLC students are invited to attend either the RMS Symposium or the River Management Workshop (held on alternate years) for which their conference registration fees are waived. Financial assistance may be available to RSLC students to help with conference and workshop travel and expenses: please read the scholarship policy details before applying. Course RequirementsThe River Studies and Leadership Certificate is an interdisciplinary program that combines learning about river science, geographic information systems (GIS), policy and river field experience with a chosen emphasis in one of three areas: river science, river-based policy, or river-based education, recreation and tourism. RSLC students demonstrate “real-world” application of their knowledge and skills through professional experience or an internship with a river project. The River Studies and Leadership Certificate program is structured as follows: Core Courses (4 courses):Students must successfully complete approved* courses in the following subjects:
Emphasis Courses (2 courses):Students must take at least two approved* courses from ONE of the following emphasis areas:
Professional Experience RequirementIn order to enable students to become effective leaders and river professionals, one of the requirements of the River Studies and Leadership Certificate is that “learning must be applied in a professional context”. This requirement may be met through a credit-earning internship, paid internship, paid professional experience, independent study or course-related professional experience. The experience must encompass a minimum of 90 hours of work (or 2 credit-hours) and will be reviewed and approved by the River Studies and Leadership Certificate Committee to certify the adequacy of the experience for the professional experience program requirement. Students with relevant, recent professional or internship experience may request that those experiences be used to fulfill this requirement. Oral/Written Presentation RequirementStudents are required to either present aspects of their work at an RMS Symposium or sponsored conference, or write an article for the RMS Journal about their experiences. Notes
Learning Outcomes
*The courses that are considered applicable to the RSLC have been identified at each institution by its members and the RSLC Standing Committee.
Advisor Resources
Contact Bekah Price at [email protected] to request additional promotional materials or assistance with media outreach about RSLC news and opportunities at your school. Please don't hesitate to reach out! |
River Management Society
P.O. Box 5750
Takoma Park, Maryland (MD) 20913-5750
(301) 585-4677
[email protected]
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