Community health worker program
As a community health worker (CHW) student, you have the opportunity to develop valuable, employable skills to help people in your community while gaining exposure to diverse health professions — helping you explore and shape your long-term career path. The CHW program is a non-credit program that prepares students for entry-level health professions work in just 16 weeks. Students complete eight weeks of core content instruction (100 hours of instruction plus homework) and eight weeks of practical internship experience (100 hours of internship plus weekly evening seminar).
What is a community health worker (CHW)?
CHWs are frontline public health professional who acts as a trusted link between individuals, communities, and health and social services systems, primarily focusing on providing support and connecting people to necessary resources within their community to improve health outcomes. CHWs work on the periphery of health organizations to help ensure community members get access to the correct type of health services when they need them.
Join the inaugural cohort fall 2025.
- No cost to students for the fall 2025 cohort. Cost to students in the first cohort will be covered by the Innovative Bridge Transitions 2025 grant — saving approximately $1,500.
- Hybrid instruction. You'll meet synchronously in person only Tuesday evenings with some live instruction available at the Galesburg and Carthage campuses. You'll complete other requirements on your own time.
- $500 stipend. Those who complete their internship will receive a $500 stipend.
Apply to the program today!