Community Health Worker Certificate of Achievement

The Certificate of Achievement for Community Health Worker (CHW) will be offered starting Fall 2022.

Community Health Worker Certificate of Achievement Program Mapper

Health Sciences and Wellness Learning Career Pathways

The Community Health Worker Certificate of Achievement will prepare the student to assist individuals in accessing health care services, recognize the specific needs of the community, collect community data to improve health education efforts, and network with public health, clinical, and social service agencies. The student will learn to interpret and monitor community health data for improvement in population well-being, explore possible environmental or systemic causes of adverse health conditions, identify need for changes in policies to improve the health and safety of the community, and investigate legal and regulatory actions for greater understanding of services. Students will be able to assist specific populations in communities by improving access to health care services, increase access to health screenings, assist the community members to better understand the health and social service system, facilitate communication between community members and health providers, work to improve adherence to health recommendations, and help to reduce the need for emergency and specialty services.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Community Health Workers, including promoters/promotoras and Community Health Representatives (CHRs), are trusted frontline public health workers who contribute to preventing and managing chronic diseases and promoting health equity objectives. The Community Preventive Services Task Force External recommends interventions that engage CHWs for cardiovascular disease prevention and for type 2 diabetes prevention and diabetes management."

Download Community Health Worker Presentation

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  • Describe the concepts of healthy living, lifelong wellness, and stress reduction techniques
  • Distinguish the components of the U.S. health systems as it relates to their options in healthcare
  • Explain the importance of interpersonal relationships and health
  • Identify the behavior concepts that enhance their quality of life

There has been an increased need for Community Health Workers since the implementation of the Affordable Health Care Act and the COVID-19 pandemic. Many individuals are facing challenges in physical and mental health, financial status, and living resources. Upon completion of the required courses and work experience, the Certificate of Achievement for Community Health Worker will prepare the student to develop the basic skills and essential core competencies required to enter the workforce.

Required Courses Title Units
HED 100 Contemporary Health Problems 3
HED 102 or HO 102 Introduction to Public Health 3
HED 110 or KIN 110 Community First Aid and CPR 3
HED 201  Community Worker in Health and Promotion (Offered Fall semester only) 3
HED 202 Health Systems and Perspectives 3
HED 204  Occupational Work Experience in Community Health Worker (Offered Spring semester only) 1
MATH 112 or PSYC 210 Elementary Statistics 4
Total Units   20

 

Recommended Courses: Semester 1 or 2 Title Units
HED 101 Stress Management 3
HED 103 or WGS 103  Women, Their Bodies and Health 3
HED 104  Introduction to Health and Society 3
HED 200 Nutrition for Health, Fitness and Physical Activity 3
MA 161 Medical Terminology 3

Suggested Sequence of classes

Semester 1

Course number Title Units
HED 100 Contemporary Health 3
HED or HO 102 Introduction to Public Health 3
HED 201 Community Worker in Health Education and Promotion (Offered Fall semester only) 3
Total required units   9

Semester 2

Course number Title Units
HED or KIN 110 Community First Aid and CPR 3
HED 202 Health Systems and Perspectives 3
MATH 112 or PSYC 210 Elementary Statistics 4
HED 204 Occupational Work Experience in Community Health Worker (Offered Spring semester only) 1
Total required units   11