Before you begin, you’ll need to meet key health and safety requirements set by our clinical partners. See what’s required and take your next step.
Community Health Work
To begin, connect with an advisor who can guide you through program options and next steps, including the application process.
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
18
Catalog Year
2026-2027
Effective Term
Fall 2026
Admission 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
- Explain the role of community health workers in providing direct services and cultural mediation among individuals, communities, and social service systems.
- Analyze public health concepts and key community health issues.
- Practice use of appropriate terminology and effective communication skills important in community health settings.
- Demonstrate the ability to collect, summarize, and disseminate health information and community health resources.
- Practice collaboration and communication techniques to provide culturally appropriate coaching, social support, and health education.
- Employ learner-centered educational techniques in individual and group settings.
- Participate in individual and community health assessments.
- Practice care coordination, case management, and health and social service system navigation.
- Utilize capacity-building and advocacy strategies at the individual and community level.
- Practice basic public health research and evaluation skills.
- Demonstrate entry-level proficiency in CHW core competencies for working effectively with diverse individuals, groups, and communities.
- Demonstrate the professional skills and conduct required for community health workers.
Career Statistics
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 Arizona-based 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
$44,250
Customer Service Representatives
$38,100
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
$37,020
Health Education Specialists
$51,400
Healthcare Social Workers
$60,790
Social and Human Service Assistants
$39,460
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
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
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPH101 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 | ||
| IPH105 | Introduction to Community Health Work | Critical course Gateway course | 3 | |
| IPH106 | Cultural Aspects of Health for Community Health Work | 3 | ||
| IPH112 | Community-Based Health Education in Health and Illness | 3 | ||
| IPH136 | Medical Terminology for Community Health Work | 2 | ||
| IPH205 | Chronic Disease Management | 3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPH275 | Community Health Work Practicum | 1 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPH101 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 | ||
| IPH105 | Introduction to Community Health Work | Critical course Gateway course | 3 | |
| IPH106 | Cultural Aspects of Health for Community Health Work | 3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPH112 | Community-Based Health Education in Health and Illness | 3 | ||
| IPH136 | Medical Terminology for Community Health Work | 2 | ||
| IPH205 | Chronic Disease Management | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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 at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=16463216.
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.
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Community Health Work
While you’re on the waitlist, take time to explore courses, short-term programs, and scholarships that can help you reach your goals and keep you moving forward.
Explore your future in healthcare with resources that help you understand career paths, program requirements, and next steps so you can start preparing with confidence.