Empower communities. Transform lives.

Caduceus symbol

Ready to make a difference? The Community Health Worker (CHW) Certificate at Fort Lewis College prepares you to advocate for underserved populations, prevent disease, and promote wellness in your community.

This 15-credit certificate can be completed alongside your bachelor’s degree and meets all requirements for the State of Colorado CHW registry credential. With strong job growth and a median annual wage of $48,200, community health worker careers offer meaningful work and reliable employment*.

Fort Lewis College offers the only in-person CHW training program in the Four Corners, fully accredited by CDPHE and open to FLC students and community members. This certificate strengthens majors in public health, health sciences, exercise and health promotion, borders and languages, criminology and justice studies, nutrition, Native American and Indigenous studies, psychology, and sociology and human services. You’ll gain hands-on experience and graduate eligible to become a Colorado Medicaid billing provider.

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024)

Nora Flucke

"The Community Health Worker Certificate fast tracks into a purpose-driven career for making a real difference in the health of individuals and communities."

Nora Flucke
Associate Professor of Public Health and Director of the Community Health Worker Certificate Program
  • Courses and eligibility
  • Emphasis area
  • Knowledge in action
Courses and eligibility

This is a non-degree seeking certificate. No prerequisites are required. You'll take five courses over 3-semesters

  • PH 101 Principles of Public Health
  • PH 250 Health and Disease
  • PH 275 Social Determinants of Health
  • PH 360 Community Health Worker Fundamentals
  • PH 460 Public Health Senior Project

Review the Course Catalog for the CHW Certificate

Emphasis area

This certificate prepares you for a career in health services by introducing the following concepts:

  • Community Assessment
  • Engagement and Capacity Building
  • Individual Assessment and Advocacy Effective Communication
  • Cultural Responsiveness and Mediation
  • Education to Promote Healthy Behavior
  • Change Care Coordination
  • Use of Public Health Concepts and Approaches
Knowledge in action

This practicum-based certificate prepares students for a job-ready role in community health work. Graduating with this certificate confers eligibility to register with the State of Colorado* as an approved CHW with Medicaid billing privileges.

* Passing of the State of Colorado competency assessment and completion of 2,000 practice hours required.

Your career path as a community health worker

Community health worker with client

You'll be prepared to enter these fields:

  • Client services navigator
  • Community health advocate
  • Community health worker
  • Health coach
  • Patient advocate
  • Patient navigator
  • Patient representative
  • Promotor/promotora de salud