Tourism, Hospitality and Outdoor Recreation (THOR) Minor

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The Tourism, Hospitality, and Outdoor Recreation (THOR) 18-credit multicampus minor offers students a broader understanding of the state of Maine as a whole in the contexts of tourism, hospitality, and outdoor recreation through hands-on learning, connections with workforce leaders, and comprehensive exploration of the cultural, historical, scientific, and economic framework of this unique world-class travel destination.

Through completion of the minor, students will:

Identify how the tourism, hospitality, and outdoor recreation industries intersect to play a critical role in supporting Maine’s economy

Develop an understanding the diverse economic, environmental, and social challenges, opportunities, and trade-offs related to the THOR industries, particularly in Maine

Understand the importance of how business environment, recreation opportunities, seasonality, hospitality and lodging infrastructure, and supply of other tourist attractions all contribute to the complexity of the THOR industries

Students have the opportunity to complete this minor by selecting classes across multiple institutions within the University of Maine System.

Minor Requirements

Students must complete:

One 3-credit foundational course in Outdoor Recreation (course options outlined below in Table 1)
One 3-credit foundational course in Tourism Management (course options outlined below in Table 2)
One 3-credit foundational course in Hospitality Management (course options outlined below in Table 3)
The remaining 9 credits can be fulfilled through a combination of electives in tourism, hospitality, and outdoor recreation, allowing students the ability to curate their minor towards their professional pursuits. Elective courses may be selected from a large list of class offerings (over 100) across the University of Maine System. To view available courses, please visit the THOR Institute website.

No more than 1/3 of courses towards the THOR minor can come from the student’s academic major/other minor.

Course Options

Table 1 - Select one 3-credit class in the Introduction to Outdoor Recreation section
REC 110 - Foundations of Recreation and Leisure Studies Credits: 3, USM (online asynchronous)
REC 121 - Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation Services Credits: 3, USM (hybrid, online asynchronous)
BUS 130 - Introduction to Recreation, Credits: 3, UMF (in person)
ENV 102 - Introduction to the Wilderness and Outdoors, Credits: 3, UMFK
REM 110 - Foundations of Recreation and Parks, Credits: 3, UMM (in-person and distance sychronous)
REM 121 - Intro to Outdoor Recreation Management, Credits: 3, UMM (in-person and distance sychronous)
SFR 228 - Forest Recreation Management, Credits: 3, UM (in-person)
KPE 265 - Outdoor and Adventure Activies, Credits: 3, UM (in-person)
REC 232 - Program Development and Planning 3 credits UMPI
Table 2 - Select one 3 credit class in the Introduction to Tourism Management section
TAH 101 - Introduction to Tourism & Hospitality Credits: 3, USM (hyflex)
TAH 241 - Sustainable Tourism Development Credits: 3, USM (hyflex)
REM 219 - Introduction to Tourism, Credits: 3, UMM (in-person and distance synchronous)
SFR 150 - Introduction to Tourism, Credits: 3, UM
Table 3 - Select one 3-credit class in the Introduction to Hospitality Management section
TAH 221 - Hospitality Management Credits: 3, USM (hyflex)
BUS 222 - Hospitality Management, Credit: 3, UMF
UMPI