Decide to do Different
NOLS created the original wilderness semester and we continue to lead the way. Some of the most prestigious organizations and schools send their people to NOLS:
- NASA
- United States Naval Academy
- Ivy League graduate programs
Build confidence and outdoor skills under the guidance of the best instructors in the industry. Wherever in the world you travel with NOLS, you will emerge with confidence, competence, direction, courage, and perspective.
Semester and year courses are ideal for: Gap year programs, study abroad, sabbaticals, college programs, and more. Ages 17 and older.
Request More Information on Our Semester or Year Programs
Why Choose NOLS?
NOLS is the only organization that combines decades of wilderness experience with innovative leadership curriculum, top-tier instructors, and unparalleled risk management.
Focused on small group learning, NOLS shares the magic of wilderness education with students.
- Examine academic and global topics in wild classrooms
- Elevate leadership skills with lessons from an extended adventure
- Connect with the earth
- Understand new cultures
You will emerge from the wilderness a stronger, more competent, and more confident individual.
Lifelong Skills
Develop leadership and outdoor skills that you can apply to all facets of your life. Explore wild places in the U.S. and around the world while gaining cultural immersion and practicing Leave No Trace principles.
Worldwide Locations
Explore our worldwide campuses
Wilderness Skills
Skills to travel in the backcountry
Financial Aid
NOLS offers nearly $1.9 million in scholarships each year. You can also use 529 savings plans, consortium agreements for federal financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and AmeriCorps awards to help fund your gap year.
Academic Credit
Earn up to 27 credit hours in a variety of fields, including Cultural Studies, Leadership Techniques, Environmental Studies, and Risk Management.
Blog: Stories from the Wild
Tolerance for Uncertainty: Sea, Mountains, and Culture on a Patagonia Semester
Chilean NOLS grad Ignacio Martínez shares stories and advice from his Semester in Patagonia.
I Belong in the Woods: Spring Semester in New Zealand
NOLS grad Natalie Beittel reflects on why she chose to travel to New Zealand for her study abroad semester with NOLS and what she learned from her experience.
NOLS Diploma
A Recognized Credential
A NOLS diploma represents your cumulative course accomplishments to universities, employers, and others. Some expeditions offer additional industry-recognized certifications and certificates of completion:
Certifications
- Wilderness First Aid
- Wilderness First Responder
- Wilderness EMT
NOLS Certificates of Completion
- Leave No Trace Trainer
- Leave No Trace Master Educator
- Level 1 Avalanche Training
- Avalanche Awareness
- Rock Climbing Training
- Rock Rescue Training
- Swiftwater Rescue Training
