Are you passionate about improving people’s lives and health while strengthening communities? The Public Health program prepares you to address real health challenges affecting our state. You will learn how behavior, environment and social conditions impact health outcomes and how public health systems and policies address these issues. Through hands-on learning and community-based experiences, you will build practical skills to support health education, outreach and program activities.
Graduates are prepared for entry-level roles in local health departments, community organizations, nonprofit agencies and environmental health settings. The program also provides a strong foundation for transfer to a four-year degree in public health or a related field.
Designed to support and strengthen Connecticut's public health workforce, this program includes an associate degree and two certificates in community public health and environmental public health. These options allow you to enter the workforce quickly or continue your education.
This work is supported by the CT Department of Public Health through funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce and Data Systems grant.
A Good Fit If You
- are interested in improving the health of individuals and communities
- enjoy working with people from diverse backgrounds
- possess strong analytical, organizational skills and complex problem-solving skills
- are interested in community outreach, education or public service
- have strong communication skills and work well as part of a team
- want a career that makes a direct impact
Paying for College
Through dedicated funding from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, eligible students may receive scholarship support through Fall 2027.
The scholarship supports:
- Tuition and fees
- Books and supplies
- Paid academic internships for associate degree students
- Paid externships for certificate students
Career Options
- Community Health Worker
- Environmental Health Inspector/Technician
- Public Health Program Support
- Health Education and Outreach Coordinator
- Social and Community Health Services Support Roles
Salary Range
Salaries vary by role, experience and location. See individual degrees and certificate information for more information.
Salary information has been gathered through various sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Degree and Certificates
Associate Degrees
The associate of science degree in Public Health builds a broad foundation across environmental health, community health, health education and health policy, equipping you with the skills and knowledge that today's public health employers are actively seeking.
The Public Health degree will allow you to enter the workforce in high-demand, entry-level roles at local health departments, community-based organizations and nonprofit agencies. Alternatively, you may choose to transfer seamlessly into public health bachelor’s degree programs at Connecticut's public state universities or other four-year institutions.
Through Fall 2027, you may be eligible for scholarships through the CT Department of Public Health, which can assist with tuition and fees, books and supplies and paid internships.
Credits
60
Time to Completion
2+ Years
Campuses
Capital, Gateway, Housatonic, Three Rivers
Career Paths
- Community Health Worker
- Environmental Health Inspector or Technician
- Public Health Program Support
- Health Education and Outreach Coordinator
- Social and Community Health Services Support Roles
Estimated Annual Salary Range
$42,000-$58,000
Salaries vary by role, experience and location.
Salary information has been gathered through various sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Occupational Skills
- Collect and interpret basic public health data
- Communicate health information to diverse audiences
- Apply health equity and social determinants of health concepts
- Support public health program implementation and evaluation
- Conduct community outreach and connect individuals to services
- Collaborate with community organizations and public agencies
Learn More
Campus Contacts
- Capital: Trisha Wain, trisha.wain@ctstate.edu
- Gateway: Julie Austin, julie.austin@ctstate.edu
- Housatonic: Letizia Morales, letizia.morales@ctstate.edu
- Three Rivers: Cynthia Arpin, cynthia.arpin@ctstate.edu
Credit Certificates
The Community Public Health certificate is a focused, career-ready program that will give you a comprehensive grounding in the multi-disciplinary world of community health, preparing you to take on meaningful roles in state and local health departments, regulatory agencies and nonprofit organizations. You'll develop the skills for a public-facing career, taking a hands-on role helping Connecticut residents obtain routine and emergency healthcare through a combination of classroom learning and hands-on externships.
This certificate is fully stackable into the Public Health associate degree. Through Fall 2027, you may be eligible for scholarships through the CT Department of Public Health, which can assist with tuition and fees, books and supplies and paid externships.
Credits
29-31
Time to Completion
1-2 Years
Campuses
Capital, Gateway, Housatonic, Three Rivers
Career Paths
- Community Health Worker
- Outreach Coordinator
- Health Program Assistant
- Social and Community Services Assistant
Estimated Annual Salary Range
$38,000-$52,000
Salaries vary by role, experience and location.
Salary information has been gathered through various sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Occupational Skills
- Conduct community outreach and engagement activities
- Provide basic health education using culturally appropriate approaches
- Connect individuals to healthcare and community resources
- Support health promotion programs and events
- Document and track participant and program data
- Build relationships with community partners
Learn More
Campus Contacts
- Capital: Trisha Wain, trisha.wain@ctstate.edu
- Gateway: Julie Austin, julie.austin@ctstate.edu
- Housatonic: Letizia Morales, letizia.morales@ctstate.edu
- Three Rivers: Cynthia Arpin, cynthia.arpin@ctstate.edu
The Environmental Public Health certificate focuses on the relationship between people’s health and their environment, providing the skills and knowledge to help you jump into a career advocating for policies and programs that can improve the health of local communities through clean water, air, soil and food. You’ll gain hands-on experience of the social and physical environments that affect a person’s health through a combination of externships and traditional classroom education, learning everything you need to know to assume an entry-level role at state and local health departments, regulatory agencies and non-profit organizations.
This certificate is fully stackable into the Public Health associate degree. Through Fall 2027, you may be eligible for scholarships through the CT Department of Public Health, which can assist with tuition and fees, books and supplies and paid externships.
Credits
26-28
Time to Completion
1-2 Years
Campuses
Capital, Gateway, Housatonic, Three Rivers
Career Paths
- Environmental Health Inspector or Technician
- Environmental Compliance Technician
- Environmental Health Aide
- Public Health Sanitarian Trainee
- Environmental Program Assistant
Estimated Annual Salary Range
$42,000-$60,000
Salaries vary by role, experience and location.
Salary information has been gathered through various sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Occupational Skills
- Assist with environmental health inspections and site assessments
- Interpret basic environmental and public health regulations
- Collect and document environmental health data
- Support compliance monitoring and reporting activities
- Identify environmental factors that impact community health
- Collaborate with public health and regulatory agencies
Learn More
Campus Contacts
- Capital: Trisha Wain, trisha.wain@ctstate.edu
- Gateway: Julie Austin, julie.austin@ctstate.edu
- Housatonic: Letizia Morales, letizia.morales@ctstate.edu
- Three Rivers: Cynthia Arpin, cynthia.arpin@ctstate.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
- Associate of Science (A.S.) in Public Health (eligible for financial aid)
- Certificate in Environmental Public Health (financial aid subject to U.S. Department of Education approval)
- Certificate in Community Public Health (financial aid subject to U.S. Department of Education approval)
These programs are designed to prepare students for entry-level public health careers or transfer to bachelor's degree programs.
The programs begin in Fall 2026.
The Public Health A.S. and both certificates will be offered at four CT State campuses: Capital (Hartford), Gateway (New Haven), Housatonic (Bridgeport) and Three Rivers (Norwich).
Applications are now open for new, transfer and readmit students.
Current CT State students should submit a change of program form: Visit MyCTState and log in using your NetID and password, navigate to the student forms card and select "Change or Declaration of Program."
This program follows a hybrid format. Some courses are offered online, while others require in-person attendance at one of four CT State campuses: Capital, Gateway, Housatonic and Three Rivers.
All internships and externships required for the program are in person.
Yes. Both certificates are fully stackable into the Associate Degree in Public Health. If you are enrolled in one of the certificate programs, your credits will apply directly toward the Associate degree.
Graduates may pursue entry-level positions in areas such as:
- Community Health
- Social Services
- Environmental Health
- Health Education or Outreach
- Public Health Program Support roles in government agencies, local health departments, nonprofits and community-based organizations
The Associate Degree also supports CSCU transfer pathways to bachelor’s degree programs in Public Health or related fields.
Yes. Through dedicated funding provided by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, eligible students will receive a scholarship through Fall 2027
What does the scholarship cover?
- Tuition and fees (including U-Pass) associated with Public Health programs
- Books and supplies associated with the Public Health programs
- Paid academic internships for the Public Health A.S.
- Paid externships for the (Environmental Public Health and Community Public Health) certificates
To be eligible for the Public Health scholarship, students must:
- Be a Connecticut resident
- Be a high school graduate (GED and home-schooled students qualify)
- Complete the FAFSA and accept all awarded aid
- Satisfy all CT State financial aid requirements
- Enroll part-time or full-time (6+ credits per semester)
- Enroll in the Public Health A.S. or one of the credit-bearing certificates (Environmental Public Health and Community Public Health)
- Maintain good academic standing once enrolled
Scholarship availability is limited and is available through Fall 2027.
There is no separate application to access the Public Health scholarship. Students who meet the eligibility criteria above will have their Public Health scholarship automatically applied to their financial aid award.
Yes. Current CT State students may be eligible if they meet the scholarship criteria and enroll in the Public Health Associate Degree or a certificate program at one of the four participating campuses.
Yes. Students may enroll part-time or full-time, provided they are taking at least 6 credits per semester.
Students may visit the following pages to learn more about funding options: