Community Health Work

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Community Health Work program is designed to prepare individuals for entry-level employment as health navigators or community health workers in a variety of health industries, including public health, clinics, hospitals, insurance companies, and non-profit agencies that serve the community. Students will develop knowledge of public health systems and terminology necessary for communication in health care. Through this certificate, students will learn to support diverse client populations and connect them with appropriate health resources and services through the application of communication, relationship-building, education, assessment and outreach, service coordination, and advocacy skills in the community health setting.

Details

Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Community Health Work (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5896
Total credits required
16-18
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Admissions criteria

1. Formal application and admission to the program.
2. Background check requirements: Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Background Check Standards. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD Background Check Policy and drug testing protocols.
3. Clinical health and safety requirements must be met. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD Clinical Health and Safety Policy.
4. Inability to comply with background check requirements and/or clinical health and safety requirements at the start of classes may result in cancellation of enrollment.

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Explain the role of community health workers in providing direct services and cultural mediation among individuals, communities, and social service systems.
  2. Analyze public health concepts and key community health issues.
  3. Practice use of appropriate terminology and effective communication skills important in community health settings.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to collect, summarize, and disseminate health information and community health resources.
  5. Practice collaboration and communication techniques to provide culturally appropriate coaching, social support, and health education.
  6. Employ learner-centered educational techniques in individual and group settings.
  7. Participate in individual and community health assessments.
  8. Practice care coordination, case management, and health and social service system navigation.
  9. Utilize capacity-building and advocacy strategies at the individual and community level.
  10. Practice basic public health research and evaluation skills.
  11. Demonstrate entry-level proficiency in CHW core competencies for working effectively with diverse individuals, groups, and communities.
  12. Demonstrate the professional skills and conduct required for community health workers.

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Community Health Workers

$45,324

Health Educators

$45,663

* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
IPH105 Introduction to Community Health Work Critical course Gateway course 3
HCC145AA or
HCC146 or
SPA117		 Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals I or Intermediate Medical Terminology or Health Care Spanish I 1–3
HES100 or
HES210		 Healthful Living or Cultural Aspects of Health and Illness SB or C, G 3
IPH101 Introduction to Public Health 3
IPH112 Community-Based Health Education in Health and Illness 3
IPH205 Chronic Disease Management 2

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
IPH275 Community Health Work Practicum 1

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
IPH105 Introduction to Community Health Work Critical course Gateway course 3
IPH112 Community-Based Health Education in Health and Illness 3
IPH205 Chronic Disease Management 2

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HCC145AA or
HCC146 or
SPA117		 Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals I or Intermediate Medical Terminology or Health Care Spanish I 1–3
HES100 or
HES210		 Healthful Living or Cultural Aspects of Health and Illness SB or C, G 3
IPH101 Introduction to Public Health 3
IPH275 Community Health Work Practicum 1
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • C = Cultural Diversity in the US
  • G = Global Awareness
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=177629).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.