Breadcrumb
School of Applied Health
Active learning on California’s North Coast
Our school’s diverse programs of Kinesiology, Nursing and Recreation Administration all embrace a foundation of critical thinking and community engagement, with a shared goal of encouraging healthier living.
Our competitive advantage is providing small class sizes, which allows us to provide students with realistic settings for developing their practical skills. Our students learn to use hands-on research with the latest technologies to enhance their skills.
Our Programs
Kinesiology, B.S.
Our highly regarded Kinesiology program offers hands-on learning experiences in state-of-the-art facilities to study human movement, including physical activity and daily activities, and physical education, exercise, community health, and sport.
Choose from four program concentrations:
- Exercise Science
- Health Promotion
- Physical Education Teaching
- Pre-Health Professions
Recreation Administration, B.A.
The recreation, tourism, and leisure service industry is the largest and fastest growing in the world. 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.
Choose from four program pathways:
- Dive Leadership
- Inclusive Communities
- Outdoor Leadership
- Travel & Tourism Management
Nursing (RN to BSN), B.S.
This community-focused part-time program prepares registered nurses with the knowledge, attitude, and skills to address the unique needs of rural communities while fostering a culture of compassion and resiliency towards those they work with and serve.
Adapted Physical Education Added Authorization
The Adapted Physical Education Added Authorization (APEAA) program prepares physical education teachers to work collaboratively and effectively in educational settings with preschool and school-aged children and youth with disabilities. The program is designed to prepare specialists in adapted physical education who can deliver physical education services to the diverse population of students with disabilities in California.
Graduate Degrees
Kinesiology, M.S. information
This program prepares graduate students for doctoral and professional programs and careers in health, performance, and the promotion of physical activity. It incorporates theoretical, scientific, and practical knowledge in exercise, health, nutrition, sport, and physical activity as applied in preventative, clinical, educational, recreational, and commercial settings.
Physical Activity Courses
The School of Applied Health offers a wide variety of classes for you to try. The Physical Activity Program Courses (PAC) provides opportunities to develop physical fitness, wellness, dance, and sports classes to all students. PAC's goal is to help students develop a lifetime appreciation and commitment to physical activity.We offer classes in:
- Aerobics: Fitness Fusion
- Aquatics: Fitness Swimming, Scuba, Master Swim, Lifeguard Training
- Dance: Latin, Swing
- Fitness activities: Stretch and Relaxation Technique, Strength Fitness, Yoga, Pilates
- Sports: Soccer, Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, Lacrosse, Archery
For a description of the courses see the PE listings in the catalog or check the current selection of classes on the Class Schedule page.
Accelerated and Flexible Programs
Our school prides itself on accessible learning. Students can earn both a B.S. an M.S. in Kinesiology in just five years through our special 4+1 program.
Our Nursing RN-BSN program has a part-time hybrid learning model designed to fit around working RN’s schedules.
Experience Your Learning
Develop skills through practical experiences and fieldwork, which often include collaborating closely with the local community. Undergraduates conduct research normally reserved for graduate students at other universities.
Hands-On Research
Our Biomechanics Lab, Human Performance Lab, North Coast Concussion Program and Institute of Health and Human Performance support students, faculty, staff and community members with high quality research, assessment and testing services, promoting health and wellness on the North Coast.
Place-Based Learning Communities: Healthy Humboldt
As an Applied Health freshman, you’ll participate in hands-on activities with your peers before classes even start and in some cases, have the opportunity to live in the same residence halls with your peers. Applied Health students will be a part of Healthy Humboldt, which helps you learn how to support a healthy and thriving community from professionals and health advocates in their fields.
Career Options
Graduates from the School of Applied Health become integral practitioners in their community, or continue to pursue graduate studies to further their expertise and leadership in Kinesiology, Nursing or Recreation Administration.
Kinesiology B.S.
Athletic director
Physical therapy aide
Teacher/coach
Physical/occupational therapist/ Physician assistant
Corporate wellness/fitness specialist
Biomechanist
Community Health Specialist
Exercise physiologist
Strength and conditioning specialist
Recreation Administration
Recreation Director
Community Center Director
Recreation Specialist
Park Superintendent
Recreation Supervisor
Adventure Recreation
Outdoor Leader
Camp Director
Challenge Course Facilitator
Inclusion Specialist
Kinesiology M.S.
Teacher/coach
Corporate wellness/fitness specialist
Exercise physiologist
Strength and conditioning specialist
Sports program director
Neuromechanist
Biomechanist
Researcher and Grant Writer
Nursing Careers
BSN-prepared nurses will gain essential skills in critical thinking and change management and will be prepared to lead and promote innovation in health care systems.
Emerging Roles for Nurses
Public Health Nursing
R.N. Care Coordinator
Chronic Disease Manager
Leadership and Management
Team-Based Care Leader
R.N. Visits
Telehealth
Health & Wellness Coach
Health Education
Disaster Response
Where you might work
Public Health Department
Veterans Affairs
VA Hospitals
Primary Care Practice
Hospital
Outpatient Clinics
Ambulatory Care Centers
Community Health Clinic
Hospice/Palliative Care
Home Health Nursing
Rural Health Center
Schools
Alumni Updates
Kathleen Dunn
Nursing, 1974
After working as an RN and rehabilitation clinical nurse specialist in San Diego for 45 years, Kathleen retired (2017) and started traveling around the world. Unfortunately, she had the onset of multiple sclerosis while on a trip to Iceland in June 2023. After a month in hospitals and an acute rehab center, she returned home. She can walk with a cane up to about 50 yards, and use a power carbon fiber folding wheelchair for further distances. Kathleen has started to travel again, although in a different style, and took a 35-day cruise to the South Pacific in early 2025. She misses snorkeling and hiking!
Joanie Stadtherr Cahill
Recreation Administration, 1985
Joanie Stadtherr Cahill was recently ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church. Joanie and her husband, Brian Cahill ('81 Natural Resource Planning and Interpretation) both retired from long careers with California State Parks. They live in the Folsom area with their daughter Erin.
Dave Albert
Kinesiology, 1994
Dave recently retired after working over 20 years as a police officer in Santa Cruz. He is currently working part-time in law enforcement training in the Bay Area and otherwise spends time with his wife, three adult kids, and one (so far) grandkid. He frequents Tahoe in the summer at the lake and in the winter on the slopes, he enjoys traveling to as many different Major League Baseball stadiums as possible, and he is still best friends with his old HSU roommate!
David Adams, Melissa Bittner, Lisa Silliman-French, & Barry Lavay
School of Applied Health
David Adams, Melissa Bittner (CSU Long Beach), Lisa Silliman-French (Texas Woman's University), and Barry Lavay (CSU Long Beach) published an article titled "Implementing Action Research in Physical Education: A Guide for Physical Educators in the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.
Jill Anderson and David Adams
School of Applied Health
Drs. Jill Anderson and David Adams received a $1.2 million Department of Education grant to implement a teacher preparation program designed to increase the number of California educators fully qualified to serve children with disabilities who have high intensity needs. The project is in direct response to the state’s growing demand for fully credentialed special education, early intervention, and related services personnel. The program will recruit diverse student cohorts to complete a teaching credential in either Special Education or Physical Education, and complete an MS in Kinesiology to obtain an Adapted Physical Education added authorization.
Jill Anderson, David Adams, Chris Hopper
School of Applied Health
The Adapted Physical Education Program led by Jill Anderson, David Adams, and Chris Hopper received federal funding (1.2m) from the U.S. Department of Education for a teacher preparation program. Funding for this Teacher Preparation Program will allow students to complete a Special Education Credential or a Secondary Credential in Physical Education, along with an Added Authorization to teach Adapted Physical Education, and a Masters degree in Kinesiology or Education. All students will be funded for a total of 2 years. Interested students should contact David Adams (Dha13@humboldt.edu) and Jill Anderson (jp319@humboldt.edu).