Community Health Project

The Community Health Project (CHP) is a long-term project-based service opportunity for students interested in social justice and health.

Students work with community partners focused on issues including aging and wellness, the health and well-being of former foster youth, and disaster preparedness, just to name a few opportunities. In order to get involved in the Community Health Project, students go through an application and interview process, service-learning pre-training, and are expected to serve a minimum of 2-4 hours per week with a commitment to serve throughout the academic year. Students participate in ongoing meetings where they process their experiences, learn new skills, and hear from professionals in various community health-related fields.

Program requirements

• Apply online here to begin the application process: It is recommended that you include your LinkedIn profile as part of your application
• Interview(s) with project leads and community partners
• Pre-service orientation prior to program start date (invitations will go out to accepted applicants)
• Commitment to support a community partner site in San Diego*
  • 2-4 hours per week (10 hours may be required if seeking academic credit)
  • Minimum 40 hours of service within the program year
• Participate in mandatory weekly reflection sessions per quarter (limited accommodations made for course conflict during fall quarter)
• Enroll full-time at UC San Diego with a minimum 2.5 GPA

*CHP exists to help build capacity at community partner organizations, i.e. we expand their resources to help meet community needs. If you cannot commit to at least 2-4 hours per week during the academic year, please do not apply.

Program benefits

• Develop numerous transferable skills that will better prepare you for health-related graduate programs, a career in public health, or nonprofit work
• Apply coursework from majors like global health and public health to a real world situation
• Potentially receive academic credit. Participants may use this experience for practicum hours if paired with an academic advisor approved course, such as AIP 197. Please note, AIP 197 requires minimum of 10 hours of service per week.
• Gain professional experience
• Develop networking skills
• Earn strong letters of recommendation if you successfully complete the program
• Your Co-Curricular Record (CCR) will be updated upon completion of the program. You can use your CCR to help demonstrate to employers, graduate/professional programs, and for awards the competencies and skills you gained through your experience.