Public and Community Health

Why Study Public Health

The Certificate of Achievement in Community Health Worker is for people new to the field AND for existing community health workers who are in need of a certificate to comply with new requirements within the field. CHWs can work in healthcare spaces as part of a healthcare team helping patients with chronic disease and prevention. CHWs can also provide health education, serve as navigators connecting people to resources, or help people fill out complex government applications.

Program Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will be able to demonstrate health navigation and care coordination skills when supporting vulnerable individuals, groups, and communities.
2. Students will be able to demonstrate the dissemination of culturally competent health education to individuals, groups, and communities.
3. Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to assist individuals with applications for social services.
4. Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to apply written, verbal, and active listening communication strategies that are professional, courteous, and culturally competent.

If you have the following skillsets and interests, the CHW program is a good fit for you!

• Outgoing, trustworthy, eager-to-learn, has leadership skills.
• Passionate about helping people, especially those within vulnerable populations.
• Willing to work in person at sites, including clinics and community-based organizations.

CHW Program - Quick View

Our program traditionally begins in Fall (September) with both in-person and online requirements.

Required Courses:

• HLTH 101: Introduction to CHW (in-person course)
• HLTH 21: Contemporary Health Concerns (online course)
• CNSL 6: Exploring Leadership (online course)
• ITRN 52: Internship (online synchronous - a few live Zoom sessions with instructor and in-person 108-hour internship for those new to the field. Internship waived for CHW's with previous experience but will still need to take the class)

Prerequisites: English-language proficiency is required. All classes will be delivered in English. English speaking and writing skills are necessary. If English is your second language. we offer non-credit ESLL courses.

Already took HLTH 21? Students who have completed HLTH 21 previously may apply that course to our program if they earned a grade of C or higher within the past three years. Otherwise, they will need to retake the course.

Questions? Email us at CHW@fhda.edu

Degrees & Certificates

View list below for programs offered at Foothill. Then select program map for a possible schedule that fulfills program and college requirements.

For program requirements and full course listings, view degrees and certificates information.

Associate in Science for Transfer

• Public Health Science, AS-T Program Map

Associate in Science

• None

Certificate of Achievement (CA)

• Community Health Worker, CA Requirements

Quick Look at Public Health Courses

For a quick look at Public Health courses at Foothill, see list below. For complete course details, including units, hours and prerequisites, view course catalog. For when a course is offered, view class schedule.