Community Health Worker (Certificate)

Study community health at JCC

The Community Health certificate at Jamestown Community College prepares you to enter the workforce as an entry-level public health worker in clinical settings and government agencies. Community health is an in-demand field, with the public health workforce in the U.S. experiencing a 40% decline since 2015, and losses accelerating since COVID-19.

JCC’s program equips you with the training to make public health accessible to the communities you serve, addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as international perspectives. As a community health worker, you’ll encourage people to adopt healthy behaviors, work to decrease health disparities and inequity, and act as an advocate for the community. A community health worker also helps clients navigate health agencies and health services.

2024 median pay for community health workers: $51,030/year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Where to study at JCC

Program pathway

Earn this certificate as a part of:

This program includes courses that may qualify for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL).

Semester 1

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

ANT 1520: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or

SOC 1510: Introduction to Sociology or

PSY 1510: General Psychology

3

BIO 1500: Human Biology or

BIO 1510: Health Science or

BIO 1570: Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology or

BIO 2510: Anatomy & Physiology I

3-4

ENG 1510: English Composition I

3

HUS 1210: Introduction to Human Services

3

HUS 1350: Crisis Intervention

1

Semester 2

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

COH 1010: Community Health Worker Internship

2

COH 2500: Introduction to Public Health

3

HUS 1410: Generalist Practice Skills

3

Program Core Electives

Behavioral Health:

HUS 1310: Introduction to Alcohol and Chemical Dependency

HUS 2430: Chemical Dependency Treatment Methods

PSY 2560: Abnormal Behavior or SOC 2540: Deviant Behavior

 

Community Health:

COH 1500: Community Health Promotion

Choose two of the following:

ANT 2550/SOC 2550: Introduction to Dis/Ability Studies

ANT 2590/SOC 2590: Sex, Sexuality, and Gender

BIO 2760: Nutrition

HUS 2370: Gerontology

PSY 2510: Life Span Development

PSY 2570: Human Sexuality

7-9

Community health worker skills

After you complete the program, you will be able to:

  • Develop the skills necessary to becoming a Community Health Worker.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the ethics of the profession.
  • Demonstrate understanding of how the principles of rights, access, equity, and autonomy apply to social justice action, past, current, or future.