Health Careers Program

Each regional AHEC Center hosts a Health Careers Academy that is an introduction to the careers available in healthcare. The Health Careers Academy focuses on communication skills, job qualifications, educational requirements, career opportunities for healthcare professionals, and the workforce of the state. Students will have the opportunity to gain real-world experience, network with healthcare professionals, attend virtual workshops and seminars, go on field trips, and explore undiscovered areas of healthcare.

Visit your regional AHEC Center's website to learn more or contact your regional HCP Coordinator to get started!

South Carolina AHEC offers free, self-paced, online modules open to students in the state interested in careers in healthcare. The topics fall into three categories: career preparation, soft skills, and healthcare terms and trends. The modules are available 24/7 and are designed to help students expand their knowledge and develop skills that will help them on their path to a career in healthcare.

Students can register on the South Carolina AHEC Learning Portal to access the modules. Contact your regional HCP Coordinator for assistance with registration and answer any questions.

• View Modules

Several statewide education seminars will be offered during the academic year, conducted virtually by videoconference. Students will learn more about health careers, public health topics, personal health, and understanding the healthcare needs of South Carolina.

• Find Upcoming Webinars

Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that combines meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to provide a rich learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.

Community service projects are open to interested students and members of the Health Careers Academy are required to complete a minimum of two coordinator-approved service activities (internal or external) per year. Students who earn 50 or more approved service hours will be awarded the Dr. Sabra C. Slaughter Humanitarian Award.

Visit your regional AHEC Center's website to learn more or contact your regional HCP Coordinator to get started!

The South Carolina AHEC Regional Centers also offer summer programs. Programs vary by region and may include workshops, college level course instruction, internships in healthcare offices or facilities, or health professions training.

Visit your regional AHEC Center's website to learn more or contact your regional HCP Coordinator to get started!

Quick Links

• About the Academy
• Available Tracks
• 2026 Summer Health Careers Academy
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): About the Academy
• Applying to the Summer Health Careers Academy
  • Eligibility Requirements
  • How to Apply
  • Submit Application
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Submitting & Managing Your Application

About the Academy

Spend a week in Charleston and on campus at MUSC to learn more about the next step in pursuing a health career. The Summer Health Careers Academy is designed to help students, especially from rural and medically underserved communities, prepare for entry into health professions programs in South Carolina.

• Learn more about health professions programs and student resources at MUSC:
  • Admissions requirements
  • Financial assistance
  • Academic support
  • Student organizations and activities
  • Health and wellness
• Network with faculty, students and staff
• Get equipped with tools and strategies to succeed in graduate health professions programs
• Participate in hands-on experiences including simulation, telehealth and anatomy
• Experience life in Charleston and at MUSC

Available Summer Health Careers Academy Professional Tracks:

• Dental Medicine
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Physician Assistant

2026 Summer Health Careers Academy

This year’s program will be in person on MUSC’s campus in Charleston from June 8-12. Hotel lodging and food are provided for all participants for the duration of the Summer Health Careers Academy. Students are responsible for travel to and from Charleston. Fellows will receive a stipend of $200 upon the successful completion of the Academy. Please review the frequently asked questions (FAQs) and application sections below to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): About the Academy

1. Who is eligible to apply?

   All applicants must be at least 18 years old by June 1, 2026, be either a 2026 high school graduate accepted to college for Fall 2026 or a current college student, reside in South Carolina or be enrolled in a South Carolina college or university, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, and meet all additional program requirements outlined below.

   Applicants for the Dental Medicine track must have graduated from high school by December 2025 and earned a minimum of 12 hours of academic credit from an accredited college or university.

2. How do I apply?

   When the application is open, a link to the application will be available via a button below.

3. When is the application deadline?

   The application deadline for the 2026 Summer Health Careers Academy is 5:00 PM on April 8, 2026. All materials (including references) must be submitted by this date, and late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to avoid technical or last-minute issues.

4. When will I be notified of a decision?

   Applicants will receive notification by the end of April regarding their acceptance. Please note that due to limited space, some applicants may be placed on a waitlist. If you are waitlisted, we will contact you as soon as a spot becomes available.

5. Is there a cost to participate in the Academy?

   There is no cost to participate in the Academy; lodging and food will be covered by the program. Students may bring personal spending money for use during free time to explore Charleston.

6. Where will the 2026 SHCA be held?

   The 2026 Summer Health Careers Academy will be held on the campus of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, SC.

7. Will lodging and meals be provided?

   Lodging and meals will be covered by the program. All participants will stay at a hotel near campus, and a program staff member will always be on site.

8. Do I need to arrange my own transportation?

   Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from Charleston, SC. Transportation for all Academy activities during the week of June 8-12, 2026, is provided by the program.

9. How are students selected?

   A faculty team from each program track reviews and selects students for their respective tracks.

10. What is the time commitment?

    The 2026 Summer Health Careers Academy will be held June 8–12, 2026. Students are expected to participate in all scheduled days and sessions, and full attendance for the entire program is required. The daily schedule will typically run from morning through late afternoon or early evening, depending on the day’s activities.

11. Do students receive a certificate or credit for participation?

    Participants who successfully complete all required Academy activities will receive a certificate.

12. Who can I contact if I have questions?

    For questions related to the Summer Health Careers Academy, please contact alp@scahec.net.

Applying to the Summer Health Careers Academy

Eligibility Requirements

Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistant Professional Track Requirements

• Must be a South Carolina resident or enrolled in a SC school, college or university
• Must be 18 years old on or before June 1, 2026 - no exceptions
• Must have sincere interest in one of the participating health professions
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Must be currently enrolled in or accepted to an accredited college or university for the fall of 2026 with an interest in pursuing a career in a designated Academy track
• Must have completed graduation/GED requirements by June 1, 2026

Dental Medicine Professional Track Requirements

• Must have graduated from high school by December 2025 and earned a minimum of 12 hours of academic credit from an accredited college or university
• Must meet all other eligibility requirements stated above

Note: Applicants not meeting all eligibility requirements will not be considered.

How to Apply

1. Complete the online application within the Submittable portal, including:
   • A 500-word personal statement outlining: a) your plans to enter a health profession or b) why you should be selected as a Summer Health Careers Academy fellow
2. Submit supporting documentation by uploading it to your Submittable application:
   • Current unofficial transcripts
   • For 2026 high school graduate applicants only: documentation by a counselor on school letterhead confirming anticipated 2026 graduation date or a copy of letter of acceptance to an accredited undergraduate program.
3. Professional references: provide email addresses of two (2) professional references to fill out a reference form on your behalf.
   • Professional references can be an employer, community leader, teacher, or academic advisor
   • Entering your references' email addresses into the application will automatically send a reference form directly to their inbox
   • Important: Your professional references must return their reference forms by the application deadline for your application to be considered complete.

Submit Application

The application cycle for the Summer Health Careers Academy is currently closed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Submitting & Managing Your Application

1. How many references should I have?

   Applicants must provide the names and email addresses of two references in the application; once submitted, each reference will receive a link to complete and submit the reference form. The email will come from notifications@email.submittable.com.

   Professional references may include an employer, community leader, teacher, or academic advisor. All references must be received by the April 8, 2026 application deadline.

2. How to change a reference?

   If you need to rescind or change the reference request, you must contact us via your Submittable account and request the change to your reference. To submit this request, select the submission from the main list view and then choose Open Editing in the top right corner.

3. How can I check on the status of my reference request?

   You will receive an email notification when the references have submitted their forms. You can also log in to your Submittable account at any time before the deadline to see the status of the reference submissions.

   Open your submission, click on the Forms tab and open the Initial Form. Scroll through the application until you see the reference section. If the reference form has already been received, you will see an indication that says so, along with the date that it was received.

   Below the supporting document field, you will see an option to Resend Request. The Resend Request will send a new request to your references, reminding them to submit the reference form on your behalf.

4. How can I confirm my application is complete?

   To confirm your application is complete, log in to your Submittable account and check the status listed next to your submission. "Complete" means that you have successfully completed all parts of the application, and the references have been received.

5. What is required for the MUSC Human Resources onboarding process?

   Once you are confirmed as a participant, your information will be submitted to the MUSC Human Resources Onboarding Team. All participants must provide a copy of their immunization records and a current TB test within 90 days of the start date. Detailed instructions will be emailed to you from the Onboarding Team.

6. Who can I contact if I have questions?

   For questions related to the Summer Health Careers Academy, please contact alp@scahec.net.