Program Description

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are essential healthcare workers who serve as navigators, educators, and informal counselors who connect community members and patients in hard-to-reach populations with clinical and governmental services to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations. CHWs often share similar life experiences, values, and language with the populations they serve, which in turn develops relationships based on a foundation of trust and connection. The Certificate of Achievement in Community Health Worker trains students to be frontline agents of change who serve as advocates for issues related to social determinants of health to reduce health disparities within the communities they serve. Students will learn skills required to help individuals and communities adopt healthy behaviors, access resources, and navigate complex governmental systems.

Learn more about the program on the Public and Community Health website.

Associate Degree for Transfer

This program also offers an Associate Degree for Transfer. Learn more and review the degree requirements on the Public Health Science AS-T listing.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to apply informal counseling and motivational interviewing techniques when communicating with individuals, groups, and communities, related to patient goals and outcomes.
• Students will be able to accurately disseminate culturally competent health education to individuals, groups, and communities.
• Students will be able to help patients navigate complex government applications for social services.
• Students will be able to apply written, verbal, and active listening communication strategies that are professional, courteous, and culturally competent.

Award Type(s)

• CA = Certificate of Achievement

Units Required

• Certificate(s): 15

Certificate Requirements

Certificate of Achievement in Community Health Worker

• Units: 15

Course List

Code	Title	Units
CNSL 6	EXPLORING LEADERSHIP	4
HLTH 21	CONTEMPORARY HEALTH CONCERNS	4
HLTH 101	INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY HEALTH WORK	5
ITRN 51	INTERNSHIP	2
Total Units		15