Hands-on Learning Opportunities
Gain real-world experience and address issues facing our local community through research and service.
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Students are often drawn to Health, human services and public policy because they want to make a positive difference in their communities.
At CSUMB, our students get to make an impact before they even graduate. Two of our hallmark hands-on learning experiences are the capstone project and field practice program.
Capstone Project
This year-long experience brings together everything you’ve learned during your time at CSUMB. You’ll collaborate with a faculty mentor and agency partner to develop, implement and assess a community-based project.
Our students have addressed issues such as raising mental health awareness among teens, uncovering barriers to affordable housing, reducing caregiver burnout and improving pedestrian safety.
At the end of the year, you’ll get to present your work to the campus community at the annual Applied Research into Action (ARIA) Conference.
Field Practice Program
Gain real-world experience in a health and human services agency setting. As part of your graduation requirements, you’ll complete 240 hours of field experience.
Sites and projects vary from semester to semester, but a few example locations include:
- Cal Fresh Healthy Living
- Central Coast Continuation High School
- City of Marina Community Development Department
- Country of Monterey Health Department
- Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA) Santa Cruz
- Literacy Program - Monterey County Free Libraries
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz
- Sobriety Works
- Veterans Transition Center