Best institutions to study Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling
A program that prepares individuals to serve as facilitators, advocates, and referral professionals linking health care and related social services with affected recipient communities.
102 U.S. institutions graduated 2,189 Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.1504, a specialization of Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.15), and leads most directly to the Community Health Workers occupation (BLS SOC 21-1094).
About Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling programs
A program that prepares individuals to serve as facilitators, advocates, and referral professionals linking health care and related social services with affected recipient communities. Includes instruction in public and community health, human and social services, health services administration, group counseling, health education, group advocacy, cross-cultural and multilingual communication, and applicable laws and policies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling program prepares individuals to act as facilitators and advocates, connecting healthcare and social services to communities in need. This program is ideal for those interested in improving public health and supporting vulnerable populations through education and advocacy.
Students will gain skills in active listening, communication, and critical thinking, alongside knowledge in public health, human services, and applicable laws. Coursework typically includes group counseling, health education, and cross-cultural communication.
Credentials awarded
What Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree830 graduates / yr · 27 institutions38%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year572 graduates / yr · 32 institutions26%
- Master's degree359 graduates / yr · 17 institutions16%
- Associate's degree179 graduates / yr · 20 institutions8.2%
- Award of less than 12 weeks111 graduates / yr · 3 institutions5.1%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years98 graduates / yr · 6 institutions4.5%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship23 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate13 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.6%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,648 |
| 2013 | 1,914 |
| 2014 | 2,210 |
| 2015 | 2,410 |
| 2016 | 2,773 |
| 2017 | 2,502 |
| 2018 | 2,759 |
| 2019 | 2,627 |
| 2020 | 2,374 |
| 2021 | 2,503 |
| 2022 | 2,404 |
| 2023 | 2,358 |
| 2024 | 2,283 |
| 2025 | 2,189 |
Top 50 institutions for Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 143 | 50% | — | $33,954 |
| 2 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 120 | 46% | $11,580 | — |
| 3 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 88 | 97% | $22,055 | $58,269 |
| 4 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor's | 87 | 68% | — | $37,992 |
| 5 | City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College Chicago, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 83 | 27% | — | — |
| 6 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 67 | 57% | $18,677 | — |
| 7 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicMaster'sMaster's | 66 | 63% | — | — |
| 8 | City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College Chicago, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 65 | 18% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Central Arkansas Conway, ARPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 55 | 54% | — | $32,618 |
| 10 | University of Arkansas Hope - Texarkana Hope, ARPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 54 | 57% | — | — |
| 11 | Walsh University North Canton, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 51 | 58% | $18,964 | — |
| 12 | Santa Fe Community College Santa Fe, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 47 | 23% | — | — |
| 13 | Kettering College Kettering, OHPrivate not-for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 45 | 65% | $15,131 | — |
| 14 | CUNY Hostos Community College Bronx, NYPublicAssociate's | 44 | 16% | — | $38,336 |
| 15 | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 43 | 36% | — | — |
| 16 | Herzing University - Madison Madison, WIPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 42 | 28% | $20,965 | — |
| 17 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 39 | 43% | $34,565 | $43,886 |
| 18 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicBachelor's | 36 | 54% | — | $46,691 |
| 19 | Houston Christian University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 36 | 49% | $21,247 | — |
| 20 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NCPublicBachelor's | 34 | 44% | — | — |
| 21 | Northwest Technical College Bemidji, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 33 | 50% | — | — |
| 22 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 32 | 41% | — | $18,958 |
| 23 | Davenport University Grand Rapids, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 31 | 57% | $22,126 | $41,225 |
| 24 | Northwest Vista College San Antonio, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 31 | 32% | — | — |
| 25 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor's | 30 | 84% | — | $34,671 |
| 26 | Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs, COPublicBachelor's | 29 | 27% | — | — |
| 27 | CUNY Kingsborough Community College Brooklyn, NYPublicAssociate's | 29 | 28% | — | $31,072 |
| 28 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 29 | 77% | $32,060 | — |
| 29 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 52% | — | — |
| 30 | Normandale Community College Bloomington, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 27% | — | — |
| 31 | Mineral Area College Park Hills, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 49% | — | — |
| 32 | Seattle Central College Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 26 | 32% | — | — |
| 33 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicBachelor's | 25 | 55% | — | $25,631 |
| 34 | University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 24 | 50% | $11,672 | $21,137 |
| 35 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 65% | — | $40,516 |
| 36 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, INPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 22 | 43% | — | $37,268 |
| 37 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb, ILPublicBachelor's | 21 | 49% | — | $41,139 |
| 38 | Gonzaga University Spokane, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 86% | $30,006 | — |
| 39 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicMaster's | 19 | 75% | — | — |
| 40 | University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 18 | 38% | — | — |
| 41 | Jamestown Community College Jamestown, NYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 40% | — | — |
| 42 | Rogers State University Claremore, OKPublicMaster's | 17 | 29% | — | — |
| 43 | Lake Area Technical College Watertown, SDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 73% | — | — |
| 44 | Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 16 | 49% | $36,717 | — |
| 45 | William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJPublicBachelor's | 16 | 44% | — | $39,228 |
| 46 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor's | 14 | 69% | — | $42,480 |
| 47 | Sullivan University Louisville, KYPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 14 | 71% | $29,703 | — |
| 48 | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick, RIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 26% | — | — |
| 49 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 14 | — | — | — |
| 50 | Walla Walla Community College Walla Walla, WAPublicAssociate's | 13 | 38% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions field (CIP 51.15) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 38 states
Where Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling graduates come from. Each state links to all Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-1094, Community Health Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Community Health Workers or Health Education Specialists, with a job outlook that is much faster than average, projecting an 11.3% growth rate and approximately 7,800 annual openings. The median wage for these roles is $51,030, with typical education requirements varying from a high school diploma to a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.1504
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Community Health Workersprimary SOC 21-1094 | $51,850 | +11.3% Much faster than average | ~7,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Health Education Specialists SOC 21-1091 | $64,070 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~7,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.
- Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.
- Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions.
- Distribute flyers, brochures, or other informational or educational documents to inform members of a targeted community.
- Refer community members to needed health services.
Tools and technology used
Other Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.15).
- Mental Health Counseling/CIP 51.1508
Counselor 12,033 graduates / yr305 institutions - Substance Abuse/CIP 51.1501
Addiction Counseling 6,319 graduates / yr387 institutions - Marriage and Family Therapy/CIP 51.1505
Counseling 4,547 graduates / yr138 institutions - Mental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsCIP 51.15993,932 graduates / yr111 institutions
- Clinical/CIP 51.1503
Medical Social Work 3,398 graduates / yr53 institutions - Psychiatric/CIP 51.1502
Mental Health Services Technician 2,776 graduates / yr77 institutions - Genetic Counseling/CIP 51.1509
Counselor 402 graduates / yr36 institutions - Clinical Pastoral Counseling/CIP 51.1506
Patient Counseling 217 graduates / yr18 institutions - Trauma CounselingCIP 51.1513214 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Psychoanalysis and PsychotherapyCIP 51.1507limited data10 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Medical Family Therapy/CIP 51.1511
Therapist limited data7 graduates / yr2 institutions - Hospice and Palliative CareCIP 51.1512limited data5 graduates / yr2 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Infant/
Toddler Mental Health Services51.1510
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, an Associate's degree, or an Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, speaking, writing, critical thinking, and monitoring.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a Community Health Worker or a Health Education Specialist.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 11.3% and 7,800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling?+
Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling is CIP 51.1504 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.15). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to serve as facilitators, advocates, and referral professionals linking health care and related social services with affected recipient communities. Includes instruction in public and community health, human and social services, health services administration, group counseling, health education, group advocacy, cross-cultural and multilingual communication, and applicable laws and policies.
How many institutions offer Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling programs?+
102 U.S. institutions reported Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 38 states, awarding 2,189 credentials in the year. That is 6.1% of all Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions graduates.
How much do Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Community Health Workers occupation, which Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling most directly leads to, pays a median of $51,850 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions field report median earnings of $37,992 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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