Federal Indian Law is the foundation of the United States legal system. Develop a critical understanding of law, politics, and policy development with courses like Tribal Justice Systems and Tribal Water rights.

Explore and engage with Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Indigenous Science, and place-based learning through courses focused on sustainability and environmental justice.

Engage with tribal knowledges and literatures to develop key understandings of language resurgence, and Native American literature and traditions.

Critical approaches to social science, health sciences, and interdisciplinary hands on learning for community health, wellness, and research. Classes include: Native American Health; Native American Psychology; and Decolonizing Public Health.

Applied Music students focus on developing their skills as performers or composers. An audition is required for admittance into the Applied Music concentration. Typically students complete that audition one or more semesters after they begin their studies at Humboldt. Your studio teacher helps you prepare for the audition. Applied Music students complete a Senior Recital and a course in career preparation. 

• Applied Music Requirements
• Music, Applied Music Concentration, B.A. MAP
• Music, Applied Music Concentration, B.A. Transfer MAP

The Music Teacher Preparation concentration prepares students to teach music in elementary, middle, and high schools. The department is vitally concerned with providing quality experiences to prepare future music educators. A broad spectrum of course offerings provides opportunities to learn all aspects of music education. Following graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Music Teacher Preparation concentration, students may be eligible to enter a professional preparation program leading to a music teaching credential.

• Music Teacher Preparation Requirements
• Music, Music Teacher Preparation Concentration, B.A. MAP
• Music, Music Teacher Preparation Concentration, B.A. Transfer MAP

Music Studies emphasizes a liberal arts orientation with study of a variety of music styles and music technology, as well as career preparation. No audition is required, and all new students enter the degree program in the Music Studies concentration.  

• Music Studies Requirements
• Music, Music Studies Concentration, B.A. MAP
• Music, Music Studies Concentration, B.A. Transfer MAP

We hear it every day—exercise is essential for overall health, athletic conditioning, disease prevention, and maintaining quality of life as we age. Yet, making exercise a meaningful and sustainable part of daily life often requires the guidance of trained professionals. Individuals educated in fitness and wellness management play a critical role in helping people from all backgrounds achieve better health, improved performance, and personal well-being. You can be one of them.

Cal Poly Humboldt's Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an option in Exercise Science is designed to meet the growing demand for graduates who can implement and interpret health and fitness assessments, as well as develop targeted programs that enhance health, fitness, and athletic performance. This program blends rigorous, science-based coursework with hands-on experience in our cutting-edge Human Performance and Biomechanics Laboratories. It culminates in a real-world internship with an organization seeking your specialized skills. Graduates are well-prepared for professional certification through the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. They go on to pursue fulfilling careers in corporate, clinical, or community settings as health and fitness specialists or strength and conditioning coaches—and many continue their education in graduate programs or medical school.

Exercise Science Requirements

The Health Promotion concentration is designed for students who are passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of their communities. If you see yourself working to create positive health outcomes through education and outreach, this concentration may be the right fit for you. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in community health, wellness, and education, while supporting the development of practical skills to design, implement, and lead health promotion programs for diverse populations.

Through a blend of classroom learning and hands-on experience, students gain the knowledge and tools needed to evaluate health programs and address real-world health challenges. Graduates are equipped to be leaders in the field of health promotion and are well-prepared for professional certification through the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) Exam.

Health Promotion Requirements

The Physical Education Teacher Education program at Cal Poly Humboldt prepares students to teach and coach in K–12 schools, while fostering a deep understanding of how to support diverse learners through culturally responsive and equitable teaching practices. This dynamic program emphasizes both academic knowledge and practical application, offering coursework focused on legislation, assessment, behavior management, and pedagogy aligned with current educational standards. Students gain hands-on experience through directed fieldwork at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, where they develop lesson plans, conduct assessments, and provide instruction to a wide range of students.

The program encourages participation in various recreational, educational, and athletic settings to build a well-rounded background in physical education. Throughout their studies, students develop essential professional and interpersonal skills through clinical teaching and coaching experiences. The pathway includes a four-year bachelor’s degree followed by a fifth-year credential program, including student teaching. Approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the program provides a seamless transition into the single subject teaching credential, supporting students on their path to becoming effective, confident educators in today’s diverse classrooms.

Physical Education Teaching Requirements

Careers in the health care industry are on the rise, and Cal Poly Humboldt’s Pre-Health Professions option provides a strong academic foundation for students pursuing advanced degrees in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant programs, nursing, medical school, or prosthetics and orthotics. This program meets the academic requirements necessary for graduate school admission while offering students opportunities to gain valuable, hands-on experience through practical placements in local clinics and healthcare settings.

Recognizing that graduate program prerequisites can vary by discipline, the curriculum includes flexible upper-division electives that allow students to tailor their coursework to align with the specific requirements of their intended professional path. To support student success, a clear and realistic four-year Major Academic Plan (MAP) is provided to guide students through their studies. With thoughtful planning and regular advising, students are well-positioned to complete the program on time and take the next step toward a rewarding career in health care.

This program will prepare you for graduate programs like:

• Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Doctor of Occupational Therapy
• Masters in Athletic Training

Pre-Health Professions Requirements

These courses focus on the context of media that include audience research, ethics and news coverage, media law, and how culture—through social class, race, gender, identity—is shaped by media.

• Media Studies Requirements
• Journalism, Media Studies Concentration, B.A. MAP
• Journalism, Media Studies Concentration, B.A. Transfer MAP

Includes courses in reporting, interviewing, and writing news stories as well as photojournalism, video and podcast production, media management, and entrepreneurship.

• News Requirements
• Journalism, News Concentration, B.A. MAP

Includes public relations courses and internship opportunities that help local organizations promote their profile.

• Public Relations Requirements
• Journalism, Public Relations Concentration, B.A. MAP

This concentration provides knowledge and direct experience of Chinese culture and society. It is appropriate for those whose future plans will require considerable cultural competency.

Chinese Studies Requirements

This concentration with an emphasis in either France, Germany, Spain, or a combination, provides language and cultural skills necessary to work in European history, politics, culture, and economy. An emphasis on language acquisition and time spent abroad give students direct experience with the societies of Europe.

European Studies Requirements

This concentration enables students to explore diverse areas of study related to the region, including anthropology, economics, film, geography, history, language, literature, music, politics, and popular cultures. This concentration also provides a basic foundation for graduate work in Latin American Studies.

Latin American Studies Requirements

This concentration focuses on cross-disciplinary exploration of issues pertinent to developing countries. This concentration will appeal to students interested in careers with governmental and nongovernmental organizations engaged in development. Humboldt and the International Studies Program is one of the largest feeders to the Peace Corps for schools of our size and this concentration often provides useful preparation.

Development Studies Requirements

This concentration focuses on the diverse forms of transnational cultural production (musical, literary, filmic, artistic) that characterize the modern era. Students study the historical relationship between culture and imperialism, the forging of new national cultures in the post-colonial Global South, the emergence of border and diaspora cultures, and the many other forms of culture that circulate and cross-pollinate across global routes.

Global Culture Studies