Connecticut State Community College (CT State) is launching a new associate degree in public health and two stackable certificates designed to strengthen the state's public health workforce in response to growing workforce shortages.

The program is supported by a $4.2 million grant from the Connecticut Department of Public Health and will be offered at CT State Capital (Hartford), Gateway (New Haven), Housatonic (Bridgeport), and Three Rivers (Norwich).

The program includes an associate degree in public health and certificates in community public health and environmental public health. Connecticut residents may be eligible for a Public Health scholarship, which covers the cost of tuition and fees, transportation (U-Pass), books, and supplies. The program is designed to include a paid, supervised internship or externship with the state Department of Public Health, a local health department, or a community-based public health agency.

“This effort connects education directly to community need,” said Christina Royal, Ph.D., interim president of Connecticut State Community College. “Students are learning in the classroom while gaining paid, hands-on experience in local agencies. This prepares them to step into roles that support public health and environmental systems across the state, particularly in communities that have historically lacked access.”

The programs were developed in response to workforce shortages and gaps in public health services. In Connecticut, the public health workforce has declined in recent years, while demand for services has increased, especially in underserved communities. The program is designed to expand access to public health careers and build a more diverse and well-prepared workforce.

The curriculum emphasizes applied, workforce-aligned training in areas including community health, environmental health, health education, and policy. Students will complete hands-on fieldwork, allowing them to apply classroom learning to real-world public health challenges.

Graduates will be prepared for entry-level roles in settings such as health departments, nonprofits, community health centers, and regulatory agencies. Potential career paths include community health workers, environmental science and protection technicians, and hazardous materials removal workers. Graduates may also transfer into bachelor's degree programs in public health or related fields, including programs offered at the Connecticut state universities.

Both certificates are fully stackable into the associate degree, allowing students to begin with a short-term credential and apply all credits toward degree completion. Each certificate can be completed in about one year and is offered in a hybrid format that combines online and on-campus instruction.

Select courses will be available through dual enrollment, giving high school juniors and seniors in participating districts the opportunity to earn college credit while exploring careers in public health.

The program was developed in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Public Health, which will continue to provide input to ensure alignment with workforce needs.

"Connecticut's public health workforce is the foundation of our ability to respond to emerging health threats and serve every community across the state," said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, M.D. "This partnership opens real pathways into the field and builds a pipeline of trained professionals ready to meet that challenge."

For more information on the program and scholarship eligibility, visit ctstate.edu/program/public-health.

Grant funding for this initiative was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, OE22-2203.

Registration for Fall 2026 is underway at CT State. Credit classes begin on August 27 with on-campus, online, and hybrid course options. Learn more and register at ctstate.edu/admissions-registration/register-for-classes.