Humboldt State University

Programs Serving American Indians/Alaska Natives & Tribes

For more than four decades, Humboldt State has served American Indians and Tribes through a variety of programs unique within the California State University System.

Center for Indian Community Development (CICD)

The Center for Indian Community Development (CICD), established in 1966, assists Indian organizations and Tribal communities with a variety of social, cultural, and other community development initiatives, including Native language preservation projects and publications; community planning and grant writing; training and technical assistance to meet needs identified by targeted Indian and Tribal communities. For more information, visit www.humboldt.edu/~cicd/.

Indian Natural Resource, Science and Engineering Program (INRSEP)

The Presidential Award-winning Indian Natural Resource, Science and Engineering Program (INRSEP), established in 1974, serves American Indian/Alaska Native students majoring in sciences and related disciplines. INRSEP places nearly all of its students in graduate programs or career-related positions in federal, state, tribal, and non-profit agencies, as well as the biomedical sciences. Many INRSEP graduates assume leadership positions in their chosen professions and communities. For more information, visit www.humboldt.edu/~inrsep/.

Indian Teacher and Educational Personnel Program (ITEPP)

Since 1969 the Indian Teacher and Educational Personnel Program (ITEPP) has supported the professional development of American Indians in an ever-expanding array of careers, including the arts, humanities, and social sciences; business and economics; child development and elementary education; communication and journalism; kinesiology and recreation administration; Native American studies and political science; family services and social work; and all majors preparatory to teaching. Many ITEPP graduates assume leadership positions in their chosen professions and communities. For more information, visit www.humboldt.edu/~hsuitepp/.

Native American Studies (NAS)

Unique among CSU campuses is Humboldt State’s major in Native American Studies (NAS), which offers provides in-depth knowledge of Native American perspectives in a variety of career paths, including tribal law and government, natural resources and the environment, language and literature, and a variety of social sciences. In combination with a variety of related minors, NAS is good preparation for graduate work in social sciences, law, business, social work, and many other professional fields. For more information, visit www.humboldt.edu/~nasp/.

The American Indian Education (AIE)

The American Indian Education (AIE) program provides an understanding of the particular educational needs of American Indian students. Designed for prospective teachers, counselors, administrators, social workers, and other health and human services professionals, AIE courses emphasize the importance of affirming and validating Native cultural identity and values. This rigorous minor and certificate program heightens awareness of the numerous and complex issues surrounding American Indian education, as well as successful educational models and classroom applications. For more information, download this PDF.

Indian Economic & Community Development

In 2007, HSU’s Office of Economic & Community Development (OECD) expanded to include Indian Economic & Community Development targeting northern California tribal communities. In addition to comprehensive needs assessments and economic development planning, OECD staff will assist the development of Tribal enterprises, Tribal work forces, and Indian-owned small businesses. The OECD works in collaboration with California’s vast network of Small Business Development Centers to provide entrepreneurial training and technical assistance to Indian entrepreneurs. For more information, visit http://www.humboldt.edu/econdev/iecd.php.

American Indian College Motivation Day

The Student Academic Services Outreach Program (SASOP) coordinates American Indian College Motivation Day held at Humboldt State University on the first Thursday in November every year. Approximately 200 high schools students from 30 different schools throughout northern California attend the event. One of the highlights of the program is the opportunity for Instant Admission to HSU. A variety of workshops are offered to address the needs of high school and advanced students interested in attending Humboldt State or other participating colleges and universities in California and Oregon. For more information, visit www.humboldt.edu/~sasop/.

Coalition for American Indians in Computing (CAIC)

The Coalition for American Indians in Computing (CAIC), is one of HSU’s newest programs. Designed to introduce American Indian high school and community college students to the fields of computing science and information technology, CAIC selects up to 30 students to participate in a three-week summer program that includes career counseling, academic advising, and trips to Indian Country to see how Tribes use technology to manage enterprises, fisheries, forests, health care, and other government organizations, as well as to preserve Native languages and culture. For more information, visit www.humboldt.edu/~caic/.

Master’s Degree in Social Work

The mission of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program is to prepare students for professional social work practice responsive to the challenges and resources present in rural areas in general and Indigenous communities in particular, and to present local historical and contemporary social issues within a global perspective. The primary intent of the program is to educate professional social workers capable of addressing the critical needs present in all communities along the North Coast and Northern California. Our long-term goal is to attract students from throughout the state, country, and world who have an interest in one or more of the unique aspects this MSW Program offers:

  1. a focus on rural social work,
  2. a focus on the needs of Native American communities and people, including practical experiences in Indigenous agencies and communities,
  3. an educational foundation that includes the natural environment and activist environmental movements with peace and justice work, and
  4. a developing international component.

Visit http://www.humboldt.edu/~swp/degrees/msw.html.

Scholarships for American Indians:

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Humboldt State University
1 Harpst Street
Arcata, CA 95521
(707) 826-3011