Community Health Worker - Certificate Program
The Community Health Worker Certificate program at Eastern Florida State College will prepare you to provide health-related community services in a variety of potential fields including government, social services, and healthcare.
What is a Community Health Worker?
Sometimes called a health coach, patient navigator, or promotore de salud, a community health worker (CHW) works to improve resources and health behaviors within the surrounding community. As a CHW, tasks you might be responsible for include:
- Helping individuals, families, groups, and communities to understand their health conditions and developing strategies to improve their well-being
- Advocating for local health needs
- Serving as an interpreter or liaison between patients and healthcare systems
- Building community understanding of healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices
- Connecting people to health care and social services resources, such as food, housing, health insurance, and health information
- Working with healthcare and social service systems to better meet community needs
Social work jobs (including community health worker jobs) are currently projected to grow by 11% through 2024, making the decision to become a public health worker an excellent career move.
Community Health Worker - Certificate Program
Program Overview
- Certificate Type
- College Credit Certificate (CCC)
- Delivery Method
- Online Only
- Total Credit Hours
- 18
- Academic Community
- Social & Behavioral Sciences & Human Services
- Contact Information
-
Email Program Advisor
321-632-1111Advising Appointments
Community Health Worker Certificate - Course Curriculum
You can complete the Community Health Worker College Credit Certificate (CCC) as a standalone program or in conjunction with EFSC's Social and Human Services A.S. degree. The program consists of academic coursework that focuses on a variety of community health topics, as well as a three-credit practicum that enables you to gain experience in the field.
Whether you're already employed and want to expand your knowledge through credit coursework, or you're seeking to enter a social work profession without prior experience, Eastern Florida's Community Health Worker Certificate will help you to further your career.
Community Health Worker Certificate - Admissions Information
The Community Health Worker Certificate is an open-access program with rolling admissions. You can use Eastern Florida's standard enrollment process to submit your application. We also encourage you to reach out to an EFSC advisor or the program manager with any questions as you plan your next steps.
Brief Costs and Financial Aid Eligibility
In-state tuition and fees for EFSC’s Community Health Worker Certificate are approximately $1,900. You could also be eligible to receive financial aid and scholarships to decrease your out-of-pocket expenses as you complete the program.
College Courses You Would Take
With the exception of the online practicum course, which also involves a hands-on experience component, EFSC's Community Health Worker Certificate courses are held 100% online, providing flexility for working adults.
Here are a few of the courses you'll take:
Develop communication skills for building relationships as you study info management, assessment, evaluation, referral procedures, and more.
Learn effective crisis intervention strategies and gain an understanding of your own reactions and coping methods to stay safe in the field.
Prep for an entry-level practitioner position as you learn from observation and hands-on experience in human services or a community agency.
Why Become a Community Health Worker at EFSC?
HANDS-ON TRAINING
During your practicum, you'll work under the guidance of social workers, psychologists, sociologists, and other trained professionals in a professional setting, such as a hospital, health clinic, or community service agency. As you learn different techniques to assess and assist clients, you'll not only prepare for future employment opportunities, but you'll also have a positive impact on your community.
EXPERIENCED FACULTY
We employ faculty who come to teaching from a variety of careers in human services. Many of our faculty have designed their courses to include skills you'll need in field work with various demographic groups. Throughout your studies, their knowledge and expertise will provide you with a practical foundation in community health work that will complement your hands-on employment experience and help you find a job after graduation!
Bachelor's Degree option
If you complete EFSC's Community Health Worker Certificate as part of our Social and Human Services A.S. degree, you'll be eligible to apply for transfer into the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at Florida State University (FSU). As you consider this option, work with an EFSC advisor and reach out to the FSU admissions team to ensure you meet all of the requirements.
Related Programs
If you're interested in the Community Health Worker program, we have several other related degrees and certificates you might also enjoy learning about. Our academic advisors can help you to identify prerequisite courses for these and any other programs that Eastern Florida State College offers: