Program Overview
Official program overview
Program Overview
Credential abbreviation
Certificate in Faith Based Community Health Worker
Total program length
3 semester credit hours
Normal completion time
Six to nine months
General education
Not required
Foundational faith based community health worker courses
0 credit hours
Professional application courses
3 credit hours
Final applied project
0 credit hours
The Faith-Based Community Health Worker (CHW) certification program equips students with the essential skills to promote wellness as an expression of Christian compassion and servant leadership. Grounded in a biblical worldview, the curriculum integrates practical health education and outreach strategies with the ethical responsibility to steward community resources effectively. Students are trained to serve as vital liaisons between healthcare systems and diverse populations, addressing barriers to access while viewing every individual as a person of inherent dignity created in the image of God. By combining professional public health competencies with a heart for spiritual formation, graduates are prepared to advocate for the vulnerable and foster holistic health outcomes that reflect the transformative love of Christ.
The certificate provides introductory academic and applied preparation for faith based community health worker-support, community-care, outreach, referral, and service-related roles. It does not constitute professional licensure or independent authorization to provide regulated clinical services.
Program Facts
Program facts
- Total program length
- 3 semester credit hours
- Normal completion time
- Six to nine months
- General education
- Not required
- Professional application courses
- 3 credit hours
- Academic unit
- HBIU Medical Training Institute
- Total credits
- 3
- Duration
- Not specified
Program Description
Official program description
Learning Outcomes
Student learning outcomes
- Demonstrate effective communication skills for health education and advocacy.
- Identify and assess community health needs and resources.
- Implement outreach strategies that enhance access to health services.
- Facilitate health education programs tailored to diverse populations.
- Collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals and community organizations.
- Analyze the social determinants of health influencing community well-being.
Admission Requirements
Admission and entry requirements
Applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are also recommended for effective community engagement.
Culminating Project
The capstone requirement serves as the culmination of the student’s spiritual and professional development, requiring the design and execution of a community-based health project. Students must demonstrate their commitment to biblical stewardship and servant leadership by identifying a specific community health need and developing a sustainable intervention strategy. This project must integrate ethical reasoning with the practical health skills acquired throughout the program, requiring students to articulate how their work promotes healing and wholeness in alignment with their Christian testimony. The capstone ensures that graduates can effectively bridge the gap between clinical systems and community needs through a lens of prayerful service and compassionate advocacy.
Program Structure
Official program structure
Program Details
- Total Credits: 3
- Degree Level: Certificate
Semester-by-Semester Curriculum
Official course sequence
Year 4
Semester 11
3 credits| Code | Course Title | Credits | Prerequisite |
|---|
| MTI-130 | Certificate in Faith Based Community Health Worker (CHW – certification only) | 3 | None |
View DescriptionCertificate course in Community Health Worker (CHW – certification only) This course is part of the null program at HBIU. This course is part of a faith-based certificate program at HBIUThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.. |
Major / Core Requirements
Major and core requirements
General education | Not required
- Foundational faith based community health worker courses | 0 credit hours
- Professional application courses | 3 credit hours
- Final applied project | 0 credit hours
- Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
- MTI-130 | Certificate in Faith Based Community Health Worker (CHW – certification only) | 3 | None
Graduation Requirements
Graduation and completion requirements
- To earn the Certificate in Faith-Based Community Health Worker, students must successfully complete all 15 credit hours of the program curriculum with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. In addition to academic coursework, candidates must demonstrate personal growth in their call to ministry and service through the completion of a supervised field experience. Graduates are expected to reflect a commitment to the university’s mission by providing evidence of their ability to apply Christian ethical standards within professional healthcare settings. Final clearance for graduation requires faculty verification that the student has met all competencies in health advocacy, community engagement, and spiritual maturity.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities
Career Opportunities
- Community Health Worker
- Health Educator
- Public Health Advocate
- Outreach Coordinator
- Case Manager
- Disease Prevention Specialist
Additional Official Information
Additional source information
Important Notices
- The program educates ethical professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, servant leadership, professional integrity, and a commitment to apply sound principles to advance faith-based organizations, strengthen communities, and contribute responsibly.
- HBIU is a lawfully operating nonpublic faith-based postsecondary institution that maintains its status under section 1005.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes. The University annually affirms its compliance with the requirements applicable to faith-based institutions in Florida through Commission for Independent Education.
- HBIU accreditation from QAHE (for quality assurance in pre-tertiary and higher education mechanisms). QAHE offers globally recognized accreditation and quality assurance for higher education, training providers, and professional institutions worldwide. Students should consider the nature and scope of this recognition in relation to their individual certification and professional goals.
- Transfer credit is evaluated individually based on course content, credit hours, grades, institutional documentation, program requirements, and applicable university policies. Although HBIU provides academically structured programs, no institution can guarantee that another college, university, employer, licensing board, or credential-evaluation service will accept its credits or credentials. Students are encouraged to obtain advance written confirmation from the intended receiving organization.
- The program develops academic knowledge and applied competencies for service in faith-based organizations, nonprofit institutions, community programs, and related professional environments. Some occupations associated with the subject area may be regulated by governmental or professional authorities. A degree from HBIU demonstrates completion of the University's academic requirements but does not, by itself, confer professional licensure or legal authority to perform regulated services.
- Where a program is related to an external certification, eligibility is determined exclusively by the applicable certifying organization. Certification bodies may establish additional requirements involving education, examinations, experience, background screening, continuing education, or membership. HBIU does not guarantee certification eligibility or examination approval unless a formal written agreement expressly provides otherwise.
- Career and occupational information is provided to help students make informed educational decisions. Employment outcomes depend on factors such as the graduate's experience, geographic location, professional qualifications, employer requirements, economic conditions, interviewing ability, and any applicable licensure or certification requirements. Completion of a program does not constitute a promise of employment, promotion, job placement, or a particular occupational title.
- This program is delivered through online instruction. Students must have access to the technology, equipment, internet service, software, and learning resources identified in the University's technology requirements.
- Internship or field-experience participation is subject to academic eligibility, site availability, supervisor approval, and the requirements of the participating organization. The University assists students with the placement process but cannot guarantee placement with a particular organization, supervisor, location, or schedule.
- Students are responsible for reviewing the catalog, understanding program requirements, providing accurate information, meeting academic and financial obligations, and verifying whether the program supports their intended educational or professional goals.
- Completion of a University program does not authorize a graduate to use a professional title that is protected or restricted by law. Graduates must use titles that accurately reflect their education, credentials, employment role, and current licensure or certification status.
- Credential abbreviation | Certificate in Faith Based Community Health Worker
- Total program length | 3 semester credit hours
- Normal completion time | Six to nine months