Community Health Worker Certificate Program (hybrid program)

Name: Community Health Worker Certificate Program (hybrid program)
Telephone: 508 375-5013

Provider

Cape Cod Community College
Call Provider

Program Type

Vocational Skills Training

Program Activities

Community Health Worker (CHW) Certificate Program

Prepare for a rewarding career helping individuals and families navigate healthcare and community services. Community Health Workers serve as trusted advocates, connecting people to healthcare, social services, and resources that improve health and well-being.

This 172-hour hybrid program combines online, Zoom, and in-person instruction with a supervised internship. The curriculum includes:

84 hours of CHW Core Competency Training
45 hours of Introduction to Human Services
15 hours of Career Readiness
8 hours of Mental Health First Aid
20-hour supervised internship

Participants gain practical skills in outreach, health education, care coordination, advocacy, communication, cultural responsiveness, and community resource navigation. The program also includes career coaching, resume development, interview preparation, and job search support.

Cape Cod Community College is an approved Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) CHW training provider. Upon completion, students earn a DPH-recognized CHW training certificate and are prepared for entry-level employment in healthcare, public health, and human services settings.

Students may also be eligible to receive up to four prior learning credits toward Cape Cod Community College's Human Services Concentration degree program.

Participants

Unemployed, underemployed, marginalized populations.

Program is Offered In

English

Program Hours per Week

Information About Program Hours

Students can expect to spend approximately 6-8 hours per week in live instruction, delivered through a combination of synchronous Zoom sessions and in-person classroom activities. In addition, participants should anticipate 2-3 hours per week of independent learning, including reading assignments, reflective writing, and other coursework designed to reinforce classroom concepts.

Throughout the program, students receive both group-based and individualized career readiness support, including professional development activities, internship placement guidance, resume development, interviewing skills, and job search coaching.

Participants are also required to complete Mental Health First Aid certification, a full-day, in-person training that equips them to recognize and respond to common mental health and substance use challenges. In addition, each student completes a 20-hour internship with a community partner organization. Internship schedules are developed individually based on the needs of the host organization and the student's availability.

Overall, approximately 60% of program participation occurs in person, including classroom instruction, the Mental Health First Aid training, and internship experiences, while approximately 40% is delivered through live, synchronous Zoom sessions, providing flexibility while maintaining meaningful engagement and interaction.

Program Duration

21 weeks

Rolling Admission

Program Start Dates

February 1, 2027

Sample Schedule

Hours	Activity Type	Mon	Wed	Fri
6:00pm - 9:00pm (Virtual)	Introduction to Human Services (Virtual)	✓
5:30pm to 8:30pm (in-person)	Community Health Worker (core)		✓
12:00pm to 4:00 pm	On-site Internship			✓

Other Schedule Information

The first half of the program focuses on building a strong foundation in community health work through academic coursework, guided discussions, and experiential learning activities. Participants develop core competencies in communication, advocacy, care coordination, health education, and resource navigation while strengthening professional skills that support workforce readiness and career advancement in the field.

As students progress through the program, they receive guidance in identifying and securing a 20-hour internship with a community partner organization that aligns with their individual interests and career goals within community health. These experiences provide opportunities to explore specialized areas of practice and gain hands-on exposure to potential employment settings.

Participants also complete a full-day Mental Health First Aid certification training, further enhancing their ability to respond to behavioral health concerns in community-based settings. Generally, toward the conclusion of the program, students complete their 20-hour internship, allowing them to apply classroom learning in a real-world environment while expanding their professional networks and workplace experience.

Program Requirements

High school diploma/GED/HiSET | Internship host may require pre-CORI/SORI, drug testing. Immunizations/Health Records prior to placement

Program is CORI-friendly?

Yes

Additional Details

Internship host may require pre-CORI/SORI, drug testing. Immunizations/Health Records prior to placement

Anticipated outcomes

Certificate of completion for the 84 hour Cape Cod Community College | MA DPH approved, CHW Core Competency Training Program | Completion earns students a state-recognized training certificate — the education component required to apply for official MA DPH CHW state certification, which requires no separate examination once the required supervised work experience has been accrued. | Mental Health First Aid Certificate | Career Readiness Mindset digital badge

* Students may also be eligible to receive up to four prior learning credits toward Cape Cod Community College's Human Services Concentration degree program.

Stackable Credential(s) | Employment/Promotion | Basic skills gain | Industry Skills Gain

Participant Supports

Participant Support Category	All participants	As needed
DTA SNAP Child Care Referral		✓
DTA Transportation Support		✓
Clothing/Uniform	✓
Books/Supplies, Access to college Wellness Center, Library, food pantry, campus events and wrap around support services	✓
Loaner Laptops		✓

Are there any out of pocket expenses for the participant?

Do participants receive any pay?

Not applicable

Location

540 Main Street, Hyannis, MA, USA

Get Directions

Additional Information About Location

The program is delivered through a blended format, with approximately 60% of instruction conducted in person and 40% delivered through live, synchronous Zoom sessions.

In-person classes for the Core Community Health Worker (CHW) curriculum and Mental Health First Aid training are held at our Downtown Hyannis Center location.

Participants also complete a 20-hour individual internship experience, which is typically conducted in person at an approved host organization.

Phone Number

508 375-5013

Program Contact

Steve McLeod

Program Contact Email

smcleod@capecod.edu

Other Contact Information

Candidates should complete the Preliminary Interest Form using this link: https://capecod.edu/ccape/community-career-and-professional-education/cape-and-islands-area-health-education-center/community-health-worker/