Program Overview
The Community Health and Leadership (CHL) degree is designed for students who are interested in a variety of non-clinical health-related careers. For those students, the CHL Program will provide a solid foundational understanding of the healthcare system and professions within that evolving system. Students completing this program will have the opportunity for direct transfer for baccalaureate degrees in fields such as Public Health, Community Health, Health Administration. This degree may also be used in conjunction with a licensing or certificate program to enhance students' understanding of the healthcare system in general; their place in health care institutions' evolving priorities toward a focus on the social determinants of health and integrated care; and the many opportunities for leadership within that changing landscape.
Career Opportunities
EMSI job trends data provides further rationale for the CHL program's emphasis on transfer to 4-year higher education institutions. National educational attainment expectations reflect that only a small percentage of CHW and Community and Social Service Specialist jobs are attainable with an Associates level degree (8.8%, compared to 10% in 2023). A growing percentage of these jobs (62%) require bachelor-level training or higher.
What You Will Learn
- Demonstrate proficiency in written, oral, and non-verbal communication for non-clinical health roles.
- Effectively manage the interprofessional relationships within the healthcare setting.
- Summarize the association between health promotion and disease prevention.
- Describe how cultural differences relate to individual and group attitudes toward issues related to the healthcare system.
- Develop strategies for initiating and/or maintaining activities that promote individual and community health.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the foundations of healthcare scholarship requisite for admission into university level health care programs of professional study.
Estimated Cost
Supplies: $0
Course Fees: $50 - $100 for the program subject to change.
Career Outlook
Some careers shown require further education beyond this program.