Upstate AHEC’s Health Careers Academy (HCA) is a four year, interactive, academic-based program designed to encourage and prepare high school students to enter health careers. The curriculum includes activities that improve student skills while demonstrating the link between classroom subjects such as communications, math, and science to the practice of healthcare. The Health Careers Academy has four types of activities:
We provide monthly sessions at our center that teach basic knowledge and skills to prepare students for admission into college and a career in healthcare. Health Careers Academy meetings are every 2nd Tuesday of the month.
We also provide personal and professional development presentations at schools, youth summits, conferences, etc. on topics including but not limited to:
- career exploration,
- college preparation,
- studying,
- and time management
as a part of our Academy program. If you are interested in having our Health Careers Program Coordinator come out to your school and/or program, please give us a call at (864) 349-1175.
We provide interactive labs that review foundational science and introduce college-level practices to the students. These labs are typically led by professionals in the field of the “lab of study” which allow students to have direct exposure to healthcare professionals and lab procedures.
Serving the community is an important part of the Health Careers Academy. We encourage our students to participate in service projects that will enhance their experience in health careers while fostering civic responsibility. Organizations that we have partnered with include but aren’t limited to Amedysis Hospice, Our Lady’s Pantry, and Ronald McDonald House.
We provide packaged HCA modules online for student self-study that align with the Academy curriculum. The modules highlight key healthcare concepts through interactive exercises, animations, videos, and images. Courses include topics such as anatomy and physiology, health sciences, professionalism, and health administration.
Students that complete the self-directed study guide in AHECU will be awarded a Certificate of Health Professions Literacy. Interested in joining our online Health Careers Academy? Send us an email hcpstudent@upstateahec.org.
Become a participant
Apply now for the 2019-2020 Health Careers Academy! We will accept applications until Friday, August 30th, 2019 or until we reach capacity. We will notify students of their acceptance by Friday, September 13th, 2019.
For more information or questions, please contact the Health Careers Program Coordinator, Tiara Scott at 864-349-1175 or at hcpstudent@upstateahec.org.