Breadcrumb
Recreation Administration, B.A.
Find your future at Humboldt. The recreation, tourism, and leisure service industry is the largest and fastest growing in the world. With the increasing availability of leisure time, the demand for qualified recreation professionals is continually increasing. At Humboldt we are doing our part to meet this demand by offering a personalized atmosphere in which one can work, grow, and learn while majoring in recreation administration. We provide the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge, understanding, and sensitivity needed to help secure a position in the recreation profession.
Why this Program
The North Coast provides a unique learning lab for students—connecting their education to practical experiences that can’t be found elsewhere.
Our campus provides a sense of care, support and belonging, and better prepares students to approach their chosen fields through a lens of social justice.
We strive for societal and economic improvement, demonstrated in our personal passions and the professions that we pursue.
Program Emphases
The Diving Leadership emphasis at Cal Poly Humboldt prepares students to become certified dive professionals equipped with the skills, knowledge, and leadership abilities necessary for success in the scuba diving industry. With a strong focus on diver safety and proficiency, students gain hands-on experience developing personal underwater skills and leadership techniques by working closely with peers in the demanding waters of Northern California—conditions that build confidence and competence for diving anywhere in the world.
This interdisciplinary program supports a wide range of sub-aquatic research, education, and recreational activities. It serves as a valuable asset to fields such as marine biology, oceanography, fisheries, wildlife, geology, engineering, industrial technology, art, business administration, physical education, recreation administration, archaeology, and natural resources. Through a curriculum that meets the training standards of Cal Poly Humboldt, the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), and the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), students are well-positioned to contribute to academic research, pursue advanced degrees, and enter careers in both government and the private sector. Whether your goals involve scientific diving, instruction, or exploration, the Diving Leadership program offers a strong foundation for a future beneath the surface.
The Inclusive Communities option is an exciting route to prepare upcoming professionals for careers in municipal, county, state, and federal community based recreation programs, and private not-profit recreation programs. Community recreation provides people with daily opportunities for fun, fitness, and friendship, which is directly linked to individual and community quality of life. This program places emphasis on creating access for all community members, including individuals who experience disabilities, homelessness, poverty, and age related isolation. The courses focus on creating change through leadership, programming, planning, marketing and promoting, inter agency collaboration and community activism. Today's community recreation professionals are a strong component in a national movement to increase the quality of life for all citizens through a wider variety of recreation opportunities.
The Outdoor Leadership emphasis is designed for students who envision themselves working outside, helping others grow, play, and safely experience the natural world. Through hands-on experiences in land, water, and snow-based environments, students develop professional wilderness living skills aligned with industry standards. The curriculum guides students through three key stages: building technical backcountry skills, learning to lead and instruct outdoor adventure programs, and understanding how to manage outdoor recreation and education organizations.
Students enhance their leadership experience by participating in the Outdoor Assistantship program and have the opportunity to earn the Outdoor Leader Certificate from the Wilderness Education Association. To further meet industry expectations, they are encouraged to complete Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certification through Outdoor Adventures.
The Tourism Management option at Cal Poly Humboldt is designed for students interested in working in one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly growing industries. This program prepares students to create, manage, and enhance tourism experiences in diverse settings such as resorts, meeting and event planning, convention and visitor bureaus, tour operations, and recreation businesses. With a strong focus on community engagement and sustainability, students explore how tourism can be a powerful tool for improving quality of life, conserving natural resources, and promoting balanced economic development.
Through hands-on projects, site visits, and interactions with industry professionals, students develop the practical skills and professional insight needed to succeed in today’s tourism sector. The program emphasizes tourism’s role in both community and economic development, using real-world case studies to analyze the relationship between destinations, residents, and visitors. With California being one of the world’s top tourism destinations, students have exceptional opportunities to build industry connections and launch successful careers locally, nationally, or abroad.
Did you know?
The recreation, tourism and leisure services industry is the largest and fastest-growing industry in the world — designing and providing leisure experiences through outdoor adventure companies, hotels and resorts, corporate wellness programs, youth agencies, municipal recreation departments, and many other organizations.
Outside magazine called Arcata a “dream town” for outdoor play.
Humboldt County has 110 miles of coastline and more than 160,000 acres of majestic redwoods.
Outdoor recreation is the 4th largest economy in the United States. In 2020, it generated $689 billion in consumer spending and 4.3 million jobs.
In 2020 the travel and tourism industry in the US supported 6.3 million jobs with nearly 1 million of those jobs in California.
The dive Leadership emphasis is the only program in California that leads directly to Dive Master certification as part of your college degree.
Careers
The recreation administration program helps assure that students have the practical experience needed and the academic competencies required to obtain a position and succeed in an exciting, challenging, and personally satisfying profession.
- Recreation Director
- Community Center Director
- Recreation Specialist
- Park Superintendent
- Recreation Supervisor
- Outdoor Adventure Recreation
- Outdoor Leader
- Camp Director
- Challenge Course Facilitator
- Inclusion Specialist
- Environmental Educator
- Divemaster
- Scuba Instructor
- Diving Safety Officer
- Tour Guide
- Hotel Manager
- Visitors Bureau Director
- Event Planner
- Airport Desk Agent
- Guest Relations Manager
