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.

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.

Saddleback College Public Health Programs

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
PH 1INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH3
PH 110HEALTH SYSTEMS3

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

PHIT Program Information

The Saddleback College Public Health Informatics and Technology 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/FeesPHIT Certificate (14 units)
Tuition at $46 per unit (CA resident)$920
Books (Average $100 per course)$700
Health Fee ($26 per semester)$52

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 2026.

CourseTitleUnits
PHIT 100Health Information Science2
CIM 8Introduction to Data Science3
PHIT 230Introduction to Public Health Informatics and Technology3
PHIT 240Public Health Data Reporting Techniques3
PHIT 111*Introduction to Informatics3
PH 1Introduction to Public Health3
PH 110Health Systems3

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

 

Community Health Worker Certificate

The Community Health Worker (CHW) Certificate provides 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.

View a Community Health Worker Informational Presentation

Course IDCourse TitleUnits
PH 1INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH 3
HLTH 1 CONTEMPORARY HEALTH ISSUES 3
PH 103HEALTH & SOCIAL JUSTICE3
PH 205DIRECTED PRACTICE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER2
PH 110HEALTH SYSTEMS3
PH 206FOUNDATIONS FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS3
Course IDCourse TitleUnits
PH 401INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH 3
HLTH 401 CONTEMPORARY HEALTH ISSUES 3
PH 403HEALTH & SOCIAL JUSTICE3
PH 405DIRECTED PRACTICE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER2
PH 410HEALTH SYSTEMS3
PH 406FOUNDATIONS FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS3

PH 435NC

OR

HS 476NC

OR

SOC 425NC

NEW RESOURCES & SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS

OR

CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS

OR

SOCIOLOGY OF AGING

 

Students enrolling in PH 205/PHP 405, Directed Practice for Community Health Worker are required to obtain the following clearances before participation in the externship. Any findings may affect the student's ability to progress through or complete the program.

  • Students are required to register with CastleBranch and purchase the CastleBranch (CB) Compliance Tracker.

Students are advised to start the clearance process at least 3 months in advance of placement.

  • Physical Advisory Statement and Instructions
  • Background Check / Drug Screening
    • Students are required to use CastleBranch for the background check and drug screen.
  • Professional Behaviors Release
  • FERPA Release
  • Liability Insurance - HPSO
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Card:
    • Must be through the American Heart Association (No other Providers).
    • You may take the course at a 3rd party site. We suggest http://www.lifelinecpr.com/.
  • • Medical Insurance

Health Assessment Requirements

  • Please review the Mandatory Health Assessment Requirements document
    • Verified by the Student Health Center
  • Students assigned to clinical rotations must meet the health requirements mandated by the clinical facilities. The following health requirements must be completed and maintained throughout the clinical rotation:
    • Measles titer showing immunity
    • Mumps titer showing immunity
    • Rubella titer showing immunity
    • Varicella titer showing immunity
    • Hepatitis B titer showing immunity
    • Tuberculosis test
    • TDAP vaccine
    • Yearly seasonal COVID vaccination
    • Annual Physical
    • Annual Seasonal Flu shot

Students who do not meet the health requirements established by the clinical facilities may not be permitted to attend clinical rotations. Failure to complete the required clinical hours may result in an inability to successfully complete the course. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all health requirements are met by the deadlines provided.

For any questions or concerns regarding these requirements, students should contact Program Office as soon as possible.

The application for the Fall 2026 start for the Community Health Worker program, both credit and non-credit, will be open from May 1st - June 1st, 2026.

Apply Here

Healthcare Data Analytics

The Healthcare Data Analytics Certificate of Completion prepares students for positions in health data collection, data processing, and data analysis. It also provides a foundation for future training in data science and big data analysis, and for working with others to manage healthcare projects related to data analysis. Students learn to design and manipulate databases with SQL and database management systems, write computer programs to access and manipulate data files and databases, and work with electronic spreadsheets and database management systems to create models and analyze results. This certificate program is ideal for students with clinical degrees and incumbent workers.

Course IDCourse Title
PHIT 400NCHealth Information Science
PHIT 411NC*Introduction to Health Informatics
PHIT 430NCIntroduction to Public Health Informatics and Technology
PHIT 440NCPublic Health Data Reporting Techniques
CIS 405NCWeb Development and DB – Intro
CIMA 448NCDatabase Reporting

CIM 408NC

OR

CIMA 412NC

Introduction to Data Science

OR

Managing Projects Using Microsoft Projects

* Course has a prerequisite, corequisite, limitation, or recommended preparation; see course description.

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.

2025-2026 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 and Fees$1,432$1,432
Books and Supplies$1,089$1,089
Living Expenses: Food and Housing$13,942$25,461
Personal & Misc$4,140$5,067
Transportation$1,818$1,989
Total Resident$22,421$35,038
Total Non-Resident$36,921$48,538
ExpensesLiving with ParentsLiving Away from Parents
Tuition and Fees$574$574
Books and Supplies$363$363
Living Expenses: Food and Housing$4,627$8,487
Personal and Misc$1,380$1,689
Transportation$606$663
Total Resident$7,570$11,776
Total Non-Resident$12,970$17,170
Expenses

Living With Parents

Fall and Spring

Living With Parents

Summer

Living Away from Parents

Fall and Spring

Living Away from Parents

Summer

Tuition and Fees$1,432

$712

$1,432$712
Books and Supplies$1,089$363$1,089$363
Transportation$1,818$606$1.989$663
Total Resident$4,339$1,681$4,510$1,738
Total Non-Resident$17,839$7,081$18,010$7,138
  • Enrollment Fee: $46 per unit
    • Based on 15-units for Fall, Spring and 12-units for Summer
  • Health Fee $26 for Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer
  • Non-Resident Tuition (in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee): $450 per unit ($400 non-resident tuition fee + $50 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)

Contact the Public Health Program