Degrees and Programs

Community Health

Anchorage CHA Training Program, ANMC (907) 729-2427

Norton Sound Health Corporation, Nome (907) 443-3404

Southeast Alaska Regional Health Cons, Sitka (907) 966-8758

Tanana Chiefs Conference, Inc., Fairbanks (907) 452-8251, ext. 3410

Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp., Bethel (907) 543-6150

Certificate; Degree: A.A.S.

Minimum Requirements for Certificate: 34 credits; for Degree: 60 credits

Downloadable PDF (452K)

The Community Health Aide/Practitioner (CHA/P) Training Program prepares residents to provide primary health care services in villages, under the supervision of a referral physician. CHA/P employment by a regional health corporation is a prerequisite for entering this unique training program.

The educational program consists of four basic training sessions. Each training session is four weeks long and is followed by a field component in the CHA's village clinic. The curriculum includes the knowledge and skills necessary to provide acute care for common medical problems, emergency car, follow-up care for patients with chronic illnesses and preventive services including prenatal and well child care. The training also includes a state-approved emergency care courses, completion of a skills checklist, a supervised clinical preceptorship and passing the CHP statewide examination.

Upon successful completion of all certification requirements, a certificate as a Community Health Practitioner (CHP) is awarded by the training center.

Students completing the training program also meet the requirements for a university certificate, recognizing the credits earned. These credits may be used to satisfy requirements for the A.A.S. degree.

The curriculum and certification process is kept uniform throughout the state by a CHA/P Academic Review Committee (ARC). This review committee has representation from the regional health corporations, training centers and university. ARC reports to the Association of CHA/P Program Directors and serves in an advisory role to the dean of the College of Rural Alaska.

For more information about the CHA/P basic training program, contact one of the CHA/P training centers. For more information about the A.A.S. degree, contact the Kuskokwim Campus.

Undergraduate Program

1. Complete the certificate requirements.
2. Complete the following:*

CHP 131 -- Community Health Aide, Session I (8 credits)

CHP 132 -- Community Health Aide, Session II (8 credits)

CHP 133 -- Community Health Aide, Session III (8 credits)

CHP 134 -- Community Health Aide, Session IV (8 credits)

CHP 135 -- Community Health Aide, Preceptorship (2 credits)

Note: The student may take CHP 082 prior to CHP 131 as an option when regionally available.

Community Health -- A.A.S. Degree

1. Complete the general university requirements.
2. Complete the A.A.S. degree requirements.
3. Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
a. Complete the following:

CHP 131 -- Community Health Aide, Session I (8 credits)

CHP 132 -- Community Health Aide, Session II (8 credits)

CHP 133 -- Community Health Aide, Session III (8 credits)

CHP 134 -- Community Health Aide, Session IV (8 credits)

CHP 135 -- Community Health Aide, Preceptorship (2 credits)

CHP 203 -- Clinical Update for Community Health Practitioners (1-3 credits)

CHP 206 -- Mental Health and Substance Abuse (1-3 credits)

CHP 207 -- Maternal and Infant Health (1-3 credits)

CHP 208 -- Communicable Diseases (1-3 credits)

CHP 211 -- Health Education (1-3 credits)

CHP 212 -- Diabetes: Primary Prevention and Village Medical Care (1-3 credits)

CHP 214 -- Cancer: Risks, Diagnosis and Treatment (3 credits)

CHP 215 -- Death and Dying (3 credits)

CHP 220 -- Women's Health: Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening (2 credits)

CHP 250 -- Current Issues in Rural Health Care** (1-3 credits)

CHP 293 -- Special topic courses

EMS -- any 200-level courses

HLTH -- any 200-level courses

** May repeat up to 3 credits toward A.A.S. degree.