Saddleback College is excited to offer our new Public Health programs this year. The certificates and degrees we offer allow students to pursue careers in health information, community health outreach, data reporting and analytics, health advocacy, and more! Our programs prepare you for careers in hospitals, health departments, non-profit agencies, educational bodies, research organizations, health clinics, and more! Many of our programs share courses, which allows you to complete more than one program with us. See the Venn diagram below to see what courses are shared between programs.

Whether you are looking to obtain a certificate to work in the field or pursue a degree to transfer to a Bachelor’s program, our public health department has a program for you. Many of our courses are offered fully online, so you can attend classes from across the state.

Community Health Worker Information Sessions

Join a Zoom meeting and learn more about our new Community Health Worker (CHW) program!

  • Monday, November 25th at 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 3rd at 6 p.m.
    • Zoom link coming soon
  • Wednesday, December 4th at 12 p.m.

Degrees and Certificates

View Classes in the Class Schedule

Public Health Associate Degree to Transfer

The AS-T degree in Public Health offers a direct path to both transfer and career paths by applying critical analysis skills to contemporary health issues and assessing the fundamental characteristics and organizational structures of the U.S. health system and the significant differences in systems in other countries. This degree is designed to prepare students with a general education in the principles, concepts and methodologies of Public Health and provide students with a foundation for a future career in public health, health education and other health-related fields. Students will gain a broad level understanding of individual, community, and population health at the local, national and global levels.

This degree is designed for seamless transfer to a California State University. 
 

Course IDCourse TitleUnits
HLTH 1CONTEMPORARY HEALTH ISSUES3
HLTH 1INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH3
BUS 10
OR
MATH 10
OR
PSYC 44		BUSINESS STATISTICS
OR
INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
OR 
STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES		3

3

3
BIO 20INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY4
BIO 20
OR
CHEM 1A
OR
BIO 11
OR
BIO 12		FUNDAMENTAL CHEMISTRY
OR
GENERAL CHEMISTRY 
OR
HUMAN ANATOMY
OR
HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
 		4

5

4

4
PH 103HEALTH & SOCIAL JUSTICE3
HS 170
OR
PH 102
OR
PSYC 5
OR
HLTH 3		ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS IN OUR SOCIETY
OR
HEALTH EDUCATION & PROMOTION
OR
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF HUMAN SEXUALITY
OR
WOMAN’S HEALTH ISSUES
 		3

3

3

3
PSYC 5PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF HUMAN SEXUALITY3
Total Units for the Major:23 - 24

PHIT Program Information

The Saddleback College Public Health certificate provides skills and knowledge to work in a new, multidisciplinary field. Students will be introduced to the basic concepts of public health infrastructure, data analysis and reporting, public health informatics and information systems, health services organization and delivery methods, data interchange standards, disruptive innovation, and data integrity, privacy, and security. Students can explore careers in the fields of public health, health information management, IT, and health informatics. The certificate is for both entry-level individuals and for providing additional competencies to those employed in various fields.

The mission of the new PHIT program at Saddleback College is to provide comprehensive and high quality courses that enable students to become a proficient and innovative public health informatics professional, and to prepare students to pursue advanced learning opportunities in the public health sector and become lifelong learners.

Tuition/Fees PHIT Certificate (14 units)
Tuition at $46 per unit (CA resident) $644
Books (Average $100 per course) $500
Health Fee ($26 per semester) $26

NOTE: This is just an estimate. Costs may vary for each student and are subject to change.

Roadmap for the Public Health Informatics and Technology Certificate. Effective Spring 2024.

Course Title Units
HIT 100 Health Information Science 2

MATH 10*

OR

PSYC 44*

OR

BUS 10*

Introduction to Statistics

 

Statistics for Behavioral Science

 

Business Statistics

3

 

3

 

3
HIT 230 Introduction to Public Health Informatics and Technology 3
HIT 240 Public Health Data Reporting Techniques 3
HIT 111* Introduction to Informatics 3

*Course has a prerequisite, co-requisite, limitation, or recommended preparation; see course description.

 

Community Health Worker Certificate (Credit)

The fully online Community Health Worker (CHW) Certificate of Achievement program provides the students with the skills needed to work in public health, healthcare, and social services. CHWs provide services including health education, navigation through healthcare systems and services, health outreach, community health data collection, and health promotion. Graduates will be able to help improve quality of life by identifying the social determinants of health and disparities in communities, increasing access to health care services, promoting health screening, and providing public health education on available health services and recommendations.

The certificate is for both entry-level individuals and for providing additional skill sets to those employed in various fields. Graduates can work in various settings including healthcare clinics, mental health facilities, substance abuse programs, nursing homes, assisted living, and neighborhood and faith-based organizations.

Course IDCourse TitleUnits
HSC 104 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY 3
PH 1INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH 3
HLTH 1 CONTEMPORARY HEALTH ISSUES 3
PH 102 HEALTH EDUCATION AND PROMOTION 3
PH 103HEALTH & SOCIAL JUSTICE3
PH 204INTERPROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN HEALTHCARE 1
PH 205DIRECTED PRACTICE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER3
MATH 10* 
OR  
PSYC 44* 
OR  
BUS 10* 		INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
OR
STATISTICS FOR BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
OR
BUSINESS STATISTICS		3

3

3
PSYC 30 
OR 
SOC 30 		SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
OR
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY		3

3

Application for the directed practice course will be posted in the fall 2024 semester.

Community Health Worker Certificate (Non-Credit)

The Community Health Worker (CHW) Certificate of Completion teaches students communication skills as they relate to medicine and healthcare, healthcare services navigation and coordination, health education and promotion, and knowledge of public health principles. This may lead to employment as a Community Health Worker, the ability to seek higher education in public health, and further exploration in related fields in public/allied health occupations.

Students who complete this program will be able to help improve quality of life for clients by identifying the social determinants of health (SDOH) and disparities in communities, increasing access to health care services, promoting health screening, and providing public health education on available health services and recommendations. Graduates can work in various settings including healthcare clinics, mental health facilities, substance abuse programs, nursing homes, assisted living, and neighborhood and faith-based organizations.

Course IDCourse TitleUnits
PH 401NCINTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH3
PH 402NCHEALTH EDUCATION AND PROMOTION3
PH 403NCHEALTH AND SOCIAL JUSTICE3
PH 404NCINTERPROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN HEALTHCARE1
SOC 425NC
OR
HS 476NC		SOCIOLOGY OF AGING
OR
CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS		3

3

Applications for the spring 2025 program will be posted in the fall 2024 semester.

Resources

View the Public Heath Programs Handbook

Frequently Asked Questions

Your first step is to become a Saddleback student (if you are not currently a student). You can click this link to be directed to the Saddleback College student application.

To join these programs, please meet with a counselor to create an academic plan.

For the community health worker program, you will need to complete an application at least one semester before you plan to complete your experiential hours. That way, we can ensure you complete the requirements your externship site requires.

You can email scph@saddleback.edu, and our program assistant will get back to you as soon as possible. You can also call the School of Health and Wellness division office at (949) 582-4701.

2024-2025 Estimated Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost of attendance at Saddleback College includes an estimate for tuition and fees, books
and supplies as well as basic living expenses like food and housing, and personal and miscellaneous
expenses. Your actual expenses may be higher or lower than the amounts listed below.

ExpensesLiving With Parents (2 Semesters)Living Away from Parents (2 semesters)
Tuition & Fees$1,432$1,432
Books & Supplies$1,062$1,062
Living Expenses: Food & Housing$14,480 $25,916
Personal & Misc.$4,059 $4,968
Transportation$1,791 $1,962
Total Resident$22,824$35,340
Total Non-Resident$35,124$47,640
ExpensesLiving with ParentsLiving Away from Parents
Tuition & Fees$712$712
Books & Supplies$354$354
Living Expenses: Food & Housing$4,827$9,276
Personal & Misc.$1,353$1,656
Transportation$597$654
Total Resident$7,843 $12,652
Total Non-Resident$13,993$18,802
ExpensesLiving With ParentsLiving Away from Parents
 Fall & SpringSummerFall & SpringSummer
Tuition & Fees$1,432$712$1,432$712
Books & Supplies$1,062$354 $1,062$354 
Transportation$1,791 $597 $1,962 $654
Total Resident$4,291 $1,666 $4,462 $1,723
Total Non-Resident$16,591 $7,816 $16,762 $7,873
  • Enrollment Fee: $46 per unit
    • Based on 15-units for Fall, Spring and Summer
  • Health Fee $26 for Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer
  • Non-Resident Tuition (in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee): $446 per unit ($376 non-resident tuition fee + $70 capital outlay fee)
  • Estimated cost of attendance may be adjusted for documented circumstances such as dependent care expenses, purchase of a computer, and other special circumstances (except for students enrolled less than half-time)

Optional fees

  • ASG Sticker - $10
  • Student Representation Fee - $2.00 (per semester)
  • Parking Permit Fee
  • Instructional Material Fees - as listed in the Schedule of Classes

Contact the Public Health Informatics and Technology Department