Cal Poly Humboldt College of Extended Education & Global Engagement

What Cal Poly Humboldt College of Extended Education & Global Engagement does

The College of Extended Education & Global Engagement is a division of Cal Poly Humboldt, a public university within the California State University system located in Arcata, California. Founded in 1913 as Humboldt State Normal School and redesignated as a polytechnic in 2013 before officially rebranding as Cal Poly Humboldt in 2021, the broader institution serves 7,774 students across 48 majors and 61 minors, with representation from 25 countries and a 21:1 student-faculty ratio. The College of Extended Education itself is staffed by a small team (9 disclosed employees) and operates as a continuing-education and global engagement arm of the university.

The division runs an unusually broad portfolio for a single unit, anchored by credit-bearing degree completion programs (Leadership Studies B.A., online MSW), professional certification tracks delivered via the SkillStorm partnership (AWS, CompTIA, Microsoft Azure, Salesforce), and Open University / Over 60 / OLLI lifelong-learning pathways. It also operates niche vocational and lifestyle programs such as Basic Wildland Firefighter Training, Equine Assisted Services & Therapies, Practical Beekeeping, California Rangeland Education, paralegal certificates, and chamber music workshops. Delivery spans the eLearning LMS (extended.humboldt.edu), hybrid on-campus instruction, and dedicated international student services.

Revenue is generated through tuition and registration fees (treated as recurring per-unit or per-program tuition), one-time fees for professional certification courses, and one-time fees for non-credit and lifelong-learning courses. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is administered through the Student Financial Services office. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through university admissions, application-based enrollment, campus preview events, and an international recruitment office. As a public university division, financial results are not separately reported; figures roll into the parent CSU system budget, and the entity carries no outside shareholders, venture funding, or M&A history.

Name

Cal Poly Humboldt College of Extended Education & Global Engagement

Legal name

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt

Website

https://extended.humboldt.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The College of Extended Education & Global Engagement is a 9-employee division of Cal Poly Humboldt that delivers online degree-completion programs, professional technology certifications, lifelong-learning (OLLI), youth programs, and niche vocational courses to students across 25 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Continuing Education and Extended Learning

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL), Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD)

Keywords

• Continuing education programs
• Professional development courses
• Online degree completion
• Lifelong learning programs
• Professional certification training

Headquarters

HQ city

Arcata

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Registration Fees: Revenue from enrolled students through per-unit or program-based tuition fees for degree programs, certificates, and continuing education courses
2. Professional Development and Certification Programs: Revenue from professional certification courses including AWS, CompTIA, Microsoft Azure, Salesforce, legal studies, cannabis industry training, and other vocational programs
3. Extended Education Courses: Revenue from non-credit courses, workshops, youth programs, studio school, chamber music workshops, and lifelong learning programs for seniors (OLLI, Over 60 Program)

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The College of Extended Education & Global Engagement delivers continuing and extended education programs beyond traditional university enrollment, including undergraduate and graduate degree completion (Leadership Studies B.A., Online MSW), credit and non-credit courses through Open University, professional certification training (AWS, CompTIA, Azure, Salesforce via SkillStorm), vocational certificates (paralegal, beekeeping, wildland firefighting, equine-assisted services), educator professional development, lifelong learning for seniors (OLLI, Over 60 Program), and youth enrichment (Studio School, summer programs). Programs are delivered online, on campus, or hybrid to domestic and international learners.

Product overview

The College of Extended Education at Cal Poly Humboldt offers a diverse portfolio of educational programs and courses serving various student populations. The portfolio includes credit-bearing degree completion programs (Leadership Studies B.A., Social Work Online MSW), professional certification preparation through SkillStorm partnerships (AWS, CompTIA, Microsoft Azure, Salesforce), career-focused vocational programs (Beekeeping, Wildland Firefighter Training, Legal Studies, Equine Therapy), credit and non-credit courses for professional development, lifelong learning for seniors (OLLI at Humboldt, Over 60 Program), and youth enrichment through The Studio School and summer programs. Programs are delivered in-person, online, or hybrid formats and range from short certificate courses to full degree programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Open University Allows community members to take Cal Poly Humboldt courses without formal admission, including high school concurrent enrollment for eligible students.
• SkillStorm Technology Certificate Courses Professional certification preparation courses powered by SkillStorm, including AWS, CompTIA, Microsoft Azure, and Salesforce instructor-led certification programs delivered online.
• Social Work Online MSW Online Master of Social Work degree program providing advanced social work education through distance learning.
• Leadership Studies: Online B.A. Completion Program Upper-division transfer program enabling students to complete a Bachelor's degree in Leadership Studies entirely online.
• OLLI at Humboldt (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) Lifelong learning program for adults aged 50 and older, offering non-credit courses in various subjects to support continued intellectual engagement.
• Over 60 Program Reduced-fee program for adults aged 60 and older to audit university courses for personal enrichment.
• Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work (PPSC-SSW) Credential program for aspiring school social workers, providing specialized training for K-12 educational settings.
• The Studio School Creative arts programming for youth and adults, offering courses in visual arts, music, and performance.
• Beekeeping / Practical Beekeeping Vocational and hobbyist program teaching practical beekeeping skills, including classroom instruction and hands-on field experience.
• California Rangeland Education (CRED) Courses Professional education program covering rangeland management, including courses in plant physiology, animal husbandry, ecology, measurements, and law and economics.
• Center for Legal Studies Online Certificate Courses Online certificate programs in legal studies including Advanced Paralegal Certificate and Legal Secretary Certificate courses.
• Equine Assisted Services & Therapies Program Professional training for individuals designing and implementing equine-assisted therapy programs for mental health and developmental conditions.
• Brass Chamber Music Workshop Annual music workshop on campus since 1974 offering brass ensemble training and performance opportunities.
• Humboldt Chamber Music Workshop String ensemble music workshop providing intensive chamber music training and performance experience.
• Sequoia Chamber Music Workshop Annual chamber music workshop since 1972 offering instruction in string and woodwind chamber music performance.
• Basic Wildland Firefighter Training Certificate course providing entry-level training for wildland firefighting, including on-campus instruction and off-campus field exercises.
• Graduate Credit Courses for Teachers Graduate-level credit courses for educators seeking professional development and continuing education units.
• CE Credits Online for Teachers & Administrators Online professional development courses for teachers and school administrators offering continuing education credits.
• Professional Learning Board Online PD for Teachers Online professional development platform providing continuing education courses specifically designed for K-12 educators.
• Klamath Basin Field Course Intensive field-based course offering hands-on learning about the Klamath River basin ecology and natural resources.
• Youth Programs Educational programming for children and teenagers, including summer camps and after-school enrichment activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 21:1 student-faculty ratio enabling close collaboration and personalized attention

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• UCLA Extension: UCLA Extension is the continuing education and professional development arm of UCLA, offering certificate programs, professional development, and online degrees. Directly comparable in structure and mission as a public university extension school.
• San Diego State University College of Extended Studies: SDSU College of Extended Studies is a peer CSU institution offering similar professional certificates, online degrees, and continuing education. Most directly comparable in mission and scale within the same CSU system.
• Harvard Extension School: Harvard Extension School delivers online and on-campus degree completion, certificates, and continuing education. Directly comparable model for adult learners seeking academic credentials with high brand recognition.
• Stanford Continuing Studies: Stanford Continuing Studies offers liberal arts and professional development courses for adult learners. Comparable as a continuing education division of a top-tier research university with similar program categories.
• NYU School of Professional Studies: NYU SPS provides graduate-level professional education, certificates, and corporate training. Comparable scope and structure as a self-supporting continuing education division of a major university.
• UC Berkeley Extension: UC Berkeley Extension provides continuing education, certificates, and professional development within the University of California system. Operates the same university extension model for adult learners and professionals.
• Columbia University School of Professional Studies: Columbia SPS offers graduate degrees, certificates, and professional development across multiple disciplines. Comparable as a university-based continuing and professional education unit targeting career-advancing adults.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Coursera partners with universities to offer online certificates, specializations, and degrees. Represents a broader competitor in the online professional education and continuing education market where Humboldt also operates.

Others

• SkillStorm: SkillStorm is the technology certification content provider that powers Humboldt's IT certification courses. Functions as a supplier and partner rather than a direct competitor, but represents the broader ecosystem for IT workforce training.

Emerging players

• Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (National Network): The Osher Foundation network of 125+ OLLI programs at universities nationwide provides lifelong learning for adults 50+. Humboldt operates one such OLLI program; the network is the primary peer comparison for senior enrichment programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/HumboldtOnline
• Facebookfacebook.com/Humboldtcalpoly
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/humboldt-state-university-college-of-extended-education-and-global-engagement
• Instagraminstagram.com/humboldtpolytechnic

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cal Poly Humboldt College of Extended Education & Global Engagement