Community Health

Requirements of Admission to Program

Associate Degree in health (or 90 college level credits) or Associate degree (or 90 college level credits) in another subject with 1 year of healthcare experience.

Students may be admitted to the program, but must complete the following lower division courses with a earned grade of C or higher prior to taking 300 level CH courses: ENGL& 101 and MATH 136 or MATH&146. 

General Education Requirements - Credit Hours: (115)

COMMUNICATION: 10 credits

• ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5)
• ENGL 301 Professional Writing and Communication in Healthcare (5)

HUMANITIES: 10 credits

• CMST 330 Health Communications (5) 
• PHIL 320 Ethical Decision Making (5)

SOCIAL SCIENCE: 10 credits – recommend to choose from the following

• PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5)
• PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (5)
• PSYC 360 Health Psychology (5)
• SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology (5)
• SOC& 201 Social Problems (5) 

NATURAL SCIENCE: 10 credits – recommend to choose from the following

• ANTH& 205 Biological Anthropology (5)
• BIOL& 160 General Cell Biology (5)
• BIOL& 241 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (5)
• BIOL& 242 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (5)
• GEOG 205 Physical Geography (5)
• NUTR& 101 Human Nutrition (5)

QUANTITATIVE SKILLS: 5 credits

• MATH 136 Inferential Statistics (5)
  OR
• MATH& 146 Introduction to Statistics (5)

GENERAL COLLEGE LEVEL ELECTIVES: 70 credits
With the exception of the Pre-Medical Track, any college level course will meet these requirements. Recommend courses in health disciplines.

General Electives should ideally include the following:

• CU 103 Excel 1 (3)
• CU 203 Excel 2 (3)
• HIT 130 Medical Terminology (3)

For applying to medical schools (M,D,. D.O., D.M.D.), one year of biology courses, one year of inorganic chemistry along with physics and pre-calculus should be considered. The following courses should be considered for pre-nurse practitioner, pre-physician assistant, or pre-physical therapy:

Human Anatomy & Physiology: 10 credits

• BIOL& 241 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1(5)
• BIOL& 242 Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 (5)

General Biology: 5 credits from below

• BIOL& 160 General Cell Biology (5)
• BIOL& 222 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (5)

Microbiology: 5 credits

• BIOL& 260 General Microbiology (5)

Chemistry: 5 credits from below

• CHEM& 110 Chemical Concepts (5)
• CHEM& 161 General Chemistry (5)
• CHEM& 262 Organic Chemistry (5)

Statistics: 5 credits from below

• MATH 136 Inferential Statistics (5)
• MATH& 146 Introduction to Statistics (5)

English: 10 credits from below

• ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5)
• ENGL& 102 English Composition II (5)
• ENGL 103 Composition III: Writing about Literature (5)
• ENGL& 235 Technical Writing (5)
• ENGL 301 Professional writing and Communication in Health Care (5)

Other recommended courses include biochemistry, genetics, and social sciences (sociology, psychology, and anthropology). Students pursing graduate education in a clinical degree should work with a BAS faculty advisor for very specific course requirements.

Community Health Core Requirements - Credit Hours: (50)

• CHP 300 Introduction to Community Health (5)
• CHP 305 Community Health Advocacy (5)
• CHP 310 Community Health Communications and Informatics (5)
• CHP 315 Health Policy, Law and Ethics (5)
• CHP 320 Introduction to Epidemiology (5)
• CHP 325 Population Health and Wellness (5)
• CHP 330 Program Planning and Evaluation (5)
• CHP 335 Healthcare Research Methods (5)
• CHRC 420 Education in Healthcare (5)
• CHP 490 Community Health Professional Capstone (5)

Community Health Track Requirements - Credit Hours: (see below)

Four specialty tracks to choose from: Community Health Professional, Advanced Respiratory Care, Paramedicine - Critical Care Transport and Pre-Medical

Community Health Professional Track - 15 credits from below

• CHP 340 Disaster Preparedness (5)
• CHP 360 Global Health (5)
• CHP 400 Environmental Health (5)
• CHP 410 Trauma as a Community Health Issue (5)
• CHP 430 Epidemics and Prevention (5)
• CHP 440 Health, Culture, and Diversity (5)
• CHRC 400 Tobacco and Nicotine Treatment (5)
• CHRC 410 Leadership for the Health Care Professional (5)

OR

Community Health Advanced Respiratory Care Track - 15 credits
(This Track is specifically dedicated for current respiratory therapists)

• CHRC 400 Tobacco and Nicotine Treatment (5)
• CHRC 410 Leadership for the Health Care Professional (5)
• CHRC 430 Advanced Patient Care (5)

OR

Community Health Paramedicine - Critical Care Transport Track - 19 to 20 credits
(This Track is specifically dedicated for current paramedics)

• CHPM 450 Critical Care Transport (10)
• CHPM 460 Critical Care Transport Internship (5)
• CHPM 490 EMS Capstone (4-5)

OR

Community Health Pre-Medical Track- 15 credits from below

• CHP 340 Disaster Preparedness (5)
• CHP 360 Global Health (5)
• CHP 400 Environmental Health (5)
• CHP 410 Trauma as a Community Health Issue (5)
• CHP 430 Epidemics and Prevention (5)
• CHP 440 Health, Culture, and Diversity (5)
• CHRC 400 Tobacco and Nicotine Treatment (5)
• CHRC 410 Leadership for the Health Care Professional (5)

 

Total: 180 

What is the cost of the program?

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.

Student Approved Mandatory Fees

Description	Fee
Early Childhood Education/Childcare Bldg.	$1.25 per credit to 10 credits, maximum rate $12.50
Technology Fee	$1.75 per credit to 10 credits, maximum rate $17.50
Health and Wellness Center Fee	$3.00 per credit to 10 credits, maximum $30.00
Safety Fee	$15.00 per student
eLearning Fee	$6.00 per credit

Program Specific Costs

*All costs are approximate

Description	Total Cost
Tuition and Fees	$2260.30 x 6 = $13,561.80
Student Approved Mandatory Fees	$150.00 x 6 = $900.00
Books and Supplies ($300 per quarter)	$1800.00
Verified Credentials Background Check & Health Clearance	$125.00
TOTAL	$16,386.80

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.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Community Health Professional Bachelor of Applied Science program, students will be able to:

1. Identify and critique the influences of community health policies and practices on past, present, and future critical health issues of society
2. Identify the fundamental principles of community health to individual, community, and population health issues as well as disease incidence and prevalence
3. Examine the causes and prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases and describe prevention, maintenance, and treatment strategies
4. Describe the role of theory in health promotion, research, and practice to understand and change environmental and behavioral factors
5. Identify and critique the impact of health disparities in health behaviors, intervention strategies, community health policies, and access to quality healthcare
6. Critique cultural, legal, policy, and ethical factors that influence health status of individuals and populations
7. Use appropriate research and statistical tools and techniques to evaluate community health data related to outcomes, prevention, management, and treatment approaches
8. Identify culturally sensitive approaches to health communication with individuals, groups, communities, and populations
9. Develop and appraise community programs and interventions through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation
10. Practice team collaboration, leadership, and management skills in a variety of settings
11. Use effective written and oral skills to communicate with different populations within a given community
12. Create and deliver patient/client/community education

In addition to the outcomes listed above some Community Health Tracks have additional learning outcomes:

Advanced Respiratory Care:

• Demonstrate behavior consistent with advanced-level respiratory therapists
• Apply and evaluate clinical information to the role of advanced respiratory therapist

Paramedicine - Critical Care Transport:

• Evaluate the legal basis for education, performance and responsibilities of a critical care Paramedic
• Assemble and communicate pertinent patient information to healthcare personnel involved in the patient's care
• Integrate concepts of respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological anatomy and physiology and pathophysiology into the assessment and management of adult critical care patients
• Formulate treatment plans to include pharmacological and mechanical interventions for patients with a respiratory compromise and pharmacological, electrical and mechanical interventions for patients with a cardiovascular compromise
•  Formulate an impression of the clinical status and evaluate or assist in the provision of, appropriate medical interventions for the critically ill patient with a neurological disorder
• Evaluate a treatment plan for the critically ill patient with a neurological disorder within the scope of practice of the critical care paramedic
• Integrate the pathophysiology principles and assessment findings to implement treatment plans for burn patients, patients with critical renal or gastrointestinal or multiple organ dysfunction and shock and for the pediatric patient determined to be in overt shock or respiratory failure
• Integrate the principles and assessment findings to implement a transport plan for the critical ill patient

 

Degree Learning Outcomes

All Program Level Outcomes also align with TCC's Degree Learning Outcomes.  TCC has six measurable outcomes that all degree recipients are expected to meet. 

1. Core of Knowledge (COK): Demonstrate a basic knowledge of each of the distribution areas (Written Communication, Humanities, Quantitative Skills, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences), or, as applicable, specific professional/technical content, and program-level content and apply this knowledge to academic endeavors.
2. Communication (COM): Listen, speak, read, and write effectively and use nonverbal and technological means to make connections between self and others.
3. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving (CRT): Compare, analyze, and evaluate information and ideas to solve problems.
4. Information & Information Technology (IIT): Locate, evaluate, retrieve, and ethically use relevant and current information of appropriate authority for academic or, as applicable, specific professional/technical applications.
5. Intercultural Collaboration & Diversity (ICD): Demonstrate successful application of an interdependent, diverse, and multicultural worldview through collaborative engagement.
6. Responsibility & Ethics (RES): Demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes responsible and ethical behavior toward individuals, the community, and the environment.

Schedule of Classes 2021/22

The following is a suggested schedule for full-time students.

Progression from one quarter to the next is dependent upon receiving grades of C or higher in all courses. This is a general guideline. Your schedule will vary depending on which program track you are on, which general education and elective courses you need to complete and how many credits per quarter you wish to take.

Students should meet with their advisors to create their personalized educational plan. A draft educational plan will be based off of our preliminary review of unofficial transcripts. Changes to your academic plan may be required after your official transcripts have been reviewed by the Credential Evaluators. Official transcripts must be received by TCC no later than 6 weeks after you accept the offer to join our program.

 

Course Number	Course Name	Credits
Fall Quarter
CHP 300	Introduction to Community Health	5
CHP 305	Community Health Advocacy	5
ENGL 301	Professional Writing and Communication in Healthcare	5
Winter Quarter
CHP 315	Health Policy, Law and Ethics	5
CHP 335	Healthcare Research and Statistics	5
CMST 330	Health Communications	5
Spring Quarter
CHP 320	Introduction to Epidemiology	5
CHP 325	Population Health and Wellness	5
PHIL 320	Ethical Decision Making	5
Summer Quarter
CHP 430	Epidemics and Prevention	5
PSYC 360	Health Psychology	5
Fall Quarter
CHP 310	Community Health Communications & Informatics	5
CHP 330	Program Planning and Evaluation	5
SOC 201	Social Problems	5
Winter Quarter
CHP 400	Environmental Health	5
CHP 440	Health Culture and Diversity	5
GEOG 205	Physical Geography	5
Spring Quarter
CHP 340	Disaster Preparedness	5
CHRC 420	Education in Healthcare	5
CHP 490	Community Health Capstone	5

Curriculum Time Limits

While we do realize it may be necessary for some students to attend school at a part-time rate, it is vital that students complete all CHP BAS courses within five years to ensure that the curriculum they complete is as up-to-date as possible. A student may petition their CHP faculty advisor for a waiver of this requirement.

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

WGU MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (PDF)

TCC to PLU

UW Tacoma Memorandum of Understanding (PDF)