hands-on training

Community Health

Community Health Professional (CHP)
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)

About

The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree in Community Health is an online program that prepares students for careers in health and wellness as well as illness and injury prevention.

This fully online program is designed for the working professional. This provides the opportunity for convenience and flexibility for students who need to balance work and family commitments, while providing an excellent and affordable educational opportunity. What you learn in the program builds on your existing skills and degree. Learn about health promotion, disease and injury prevention, population health and other prudent community-based topics, as you prepare for jobs as a health educator, patient advocate, health navigator or case manager.

A new degree for the new health care world

As health care changes its focus from sick-care to well-care there is a growing demand for community health professionals. Jobs can be found in traditional health care settings, government agencies, public and community health, as well as insurance companies and employee wellness programs. TCC's Community Health Professional BAS degree will prepare you for the new world of health care.

Builds on clinical knowledge

The Community Health Professional degree pairs your clinical background with public health theory and practice. The program is designed for working professionals in health and human services related fields, such as respiratory therapy, radiology technology, diagnostic medical sonography and paramedicine.

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Choose Your Specialization

The Community Health program offers two specialty tracks. Choose the track that fits your educational & career path.

Community Health Professional

The Community Health Professional track will enhance your current healthcare knowledge/experience with public health theory. This track is perfect for both those currently working in patient care and those who want to work in healthcare without working in direct patient care. While this degree track does not include any advanced patient care or clinical skill training, it will provide you the tools necessary to further your practice in prevention and wellness. You will learn about advocacy, law, population health, epidemiology, research and disaster preparedness. The Community Health Professional track then builds upon that foundation with electives in global health, cultural competency, environmental health, prevention, and families as the social system.

Pre-Medical

The Community Health Pre-Medical track is intended for those interested in pursuing a graduate medical degree, such as a Physician Assistant (PA), Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), or Doctoral Medical programs (MD and DO). This track may align with the curriculum of the programs you are interested in. You are encouraged to review the specific prerequisites for the graduate medical programs that you wish to apply to. Your assigned faculty advisor will be happy to help you develop an academic plan.

Find out more!

Complete the Self-Paced Virtual Information Session as the first step of the BAS admission process.

Or join us for an information session, held the first Friday of each month, starting at 3:30pm via Zoom.

Self-paced VIRTUAL INFO session

Application Factors

Priority placement will be based upon eligibility, date of application and space available.

Review the Factors

Entry Requirements

Please review the entry requirements for this degree

Review Entry Requirements

Apply to CHP BAS program

Transcript review is completed during application review.

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Our Stories

CHP BAS Program

TCC's CHP BAS degree program prepares students for successful employment. Here's a snapshot of what the program entails.

Review the degree requirements for our Community Health Professional Bachelor of Applied Science degrees within each specialization.

Community Health Professional

CORE REQUIREMENTS

PROGRAM MAP

Pre-Medical

CORE REQUIREMENTS

PROGRAM MAP
It’s important to be aware of how much college costs so you can plan your finances. All online students qualify for WA state resident tuition rates with a waiver, no matter where in the United States they live.

Students are encouraged to review the official Tuition Rates and fees set by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Every college also charges campus-based fees, like technology fees or lab fees.

Notes about tuition:
- Tuition rates subject to change by the Washington State Legislature.
- Tuition and fees are due at the time of registration and payment must be completed within 2 business days of registration. Continuing students and new students who register early may defer fee payment until the published deferment date (see calendar).
- Some courses have additional fees assessed.
- Washington Online (WAOL) students are assessed an additional fee of $8.00 per credit. This fee is non-refundable once the course begins.
- U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have not yet established Washington residency may now attend TCC at a reduced rate. This optional waiver has been approved by the TCC Board of Trustees, but may not be available at all state colleges. A student who plans to transfer to a college that does not participate in this waiver is advised to establish Washington residency before transfer. Residency information is available at the Admissions Counter.
Check out the Types of Aid available for you at TCC. BAS students qualify for all aid types.
The Community Health Professional (CHP) Bachelor Of Applied Science (BAS) degree prepares students for careers in health and wellness as well as illness and injury prevention. As healthcare changes its focus from Sick-care to Well-care there is a growing demand for community health professionals. Jobs can be found in traditional healthcare settings, government agencies, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, health consulting and education companies, as well as insurance companies and employee wellness programs. TCC's Community Health Professional BAS degree will prepare you for the new world of healthcare. Specific job titles may include:

Health Educator $61,999 ($29.81 hr)

Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Collect and analyze data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.

Medical and Health Service Manager $125,743 ($60.45 hr)

Plan, direct or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

Community Health Worker $42,321 ($20.34 hr)

Assist individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors. Conduct outreach for medical personnel or health organizations to implement programs in the community that promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health. May provide information on available resources, provide social support and informal counseling, advocate for individuals and community health needs, and provide services such as first aid and blood pressure screening. May collect data to help identify community health needs.

Social and Community Service Manager $61,897 ($29.76 hr)

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

EXPLORE COMMUNITY HEALTH CAREERS ON OUR CAREER EXPLORER
There are several Master’s degree-level paths that graduates of TCC BAS programs have upon completion.

WGU offers Master’s degrees in multiple fields. They accept all Washington BAS degree graduates via a statewide transfer (articulation) agreement.

WGU MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (PDF)

Pacific Lutheran University has a transfer agreement for all TCC BAS degrees to be accepted into all their Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Finance, Master of Science in Marketing Analytics degrees offered through their School of Business.

TCC to PLU

University of Washington-Tacoma’s Milgard School of Business (MSB) program accepts all TCC’s applied bachelor’s degrees into their Master of Science in Business Analytics.

UW Tacoma Memorandum of Understanding (PDF)