Engineering and Community Practice Graduate Program
Cal Poly Humboldt is excited to introduce a M.S. in Engineering and Community Practice, a one-year degree program designed to develop future engineering leaders who will work with and within communities in order to sustain, restore, and protect our environment.
The one-year Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Engineering and Community Practice (E&CP) is guided by an interdisciplinary approach that draws upon engineering, resource management, and Native/Indigenous knowledges and practices to address environmental issues in a range of local and global contexts. The program is designed to shape the future of engineering by integrating theories and methods drawn from Engineering and Native American Studies, preparing graduates of this program to promote social responsibility and civic engagement by building partnerships and projects with Indigenous and under-served communities.
The one-year M.S. in Engineering and Community Practice degree is tailored to those who wish to pursue environmental engineering and resource management positions that require strong technological and management skills with a particular focus on interdisciplinary and community-based engagement.
Program Design:
An engineering design concentration, and an engineering professional development component. Prospective students should be able to complete at least three (3) graduate-level engineering design courses within the program year (e.g. Applied Hydraulics, Advanced Thermo & Energy Systems, Water and Wastewater Design, etc.).
Coursework addressing environmental justice and sustainability, natural resource economics, TEK (Traditional Ecological Knowledge), tribal history and law, Indigenous sovereignty, and decolonizing methodologies.
A year-long capstone group project with a community partner.
More information about the engineering courses offered can be found at:
https://catalog.humboldt.edu/preview_entity.php?catoid=5&ent_oid=323
More information about the Native American Studies courses offered can be found at:
Who Should Apply?
The M.S. program is aimed toward students who have earned an undergraduate engineering degree in a related field such as environmental, civil, or mechanical engineering -or- students who have completed the necessary prerequisite courses prior to enrollment to be successful in graduate-level engineering design electives. Possible areas of concentration include aquatic restoration, watershed protection (quality and quantity) and management, decommissioning infrastructures, and clean and renewable energy systems. Prospective students should also be familiar with or willing to critically engage with the knowledges, experiences and needs of Native/Indigenous and traditionally underserved communities. The student will work alongside a cohort to engage with community-based projects relevant to the curriculum and degree objectives.
How to apply:
Prospective students should be prepared to submit the following application materials to apply for the M.S. program:
Personal Statement (1000-2000 words): Statements should include a) relevant information about yourself and your academic and professional background; b) your experiences and/or aspirations in integrating engineering and Native/Indigenous perspectives for meaningful community partnerships and collaborations; c) your motivation for pursuing the M.S. in Engineering and Community Practices degree, and how it connects to your professional or personal goals.
Official Transcripts: Including all undergraduate transcripts (except current or previous students of Humboldt)
Curriculum Vitae (CV): Include a current CV or Resume
Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) letters of recommendation are required from academic and/or professional references familiar with your academic, professional and personal accomplishments and potential success within the program. In particular, we suggest including letters that can speak to your preparedness to complete engineering requirements and any experience or commitment to working with marginalized communities, particularly Native/Indigenous communities and populations.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE): GRE tests and scores are not required.
Application Questions: In 250 words or less, how do you plan to meet the requirements of the M.S. program (e.g. completion of an undergraduate engineering degree, taken or planning to take course prerequisites before the start of the program, etc).
Please feel free to consult the program advisors listed below prior to submitting your application with any questions about the requirements, preparation, enrollment, and/or participation in this graduate program.
- Asst Prof Qualla Ketchum, Engineering: qualla.ketchum@humboldt.edu
- Asst Prof Aaron Gregory, Native American Studies: aaron.gregory@humboldt.edu
