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Board approves 24-credit community health worker embedded technical diploma
Summary
Mid State approved a 24-credit embedded technical diploma in community health work, aligning the curriculum with national C3 standards and planning a fall start using existing associate-degree coursework with no added program cost.
The Mid State board voted to approve a 24-credit community health worker embedded technical diploma, a new credential the college said would expand short-term workforce training and align to national community health worker standards.
Doctor Chris (speaker S7), who presented the proposal, described the diploma as fully embedded within the college’s health and wellness promotion associate-degree program and aligned with the national C3 community health worker core roles and competencies. "This new program is fully embedded within our health and wellness promotion associate degree program," Chris said, explaining that the college expects no additional program cost because the curriculum already exists within the associate degree.
The presentation noted national workforce demand trends for community health workers — the profession has grown by about 18% over six years and median pay was cited around $20 per hour — and that the program would provide guided career pathways enabling students to complete the 24 credits in roughly two semesters. The college also said the program aligns with dollars available through Wisconsin’s rural health transformation grant and that several local partners, including Aspirus and county health departments, supported the proposal.
Board members asked whether the credits would transfer into nursing and how local employers might use the credential. Chris said the courses are embedded in the health and wellness promotion program and that transferability to nursing would depend on alignment with nursing-course requirements; employers mentioned included Aspirus and local health departments that could hire graduates in outreach, care coordination or support roles.
The board moved and seconded approval, and the motion passed by roll call. Pending formal implementation steps, the college said it intends to begin the program in the fall, starting in the second eight weeks of the semester.
