AHEC Scholars
AHEC Scholars is a two-year program designed to supplement and broaden a student’s healthcare training. Any student enrolled in their final two years of an Alaskan healthcare program (see more details on eligibility below) can apply. An abbreviated form of the program, requiring half as many hours, is available to students enrolled in a degree or certificate program taking two years or less.
Each year, students are required to complete 40 hours of classroom or online training and another 40 hours of community-based learning out in the field. The classroom training covers six topic areas related to the practice of healthcare to supplement students' knowledge of behavioral health, interprofessional education, social determinants of health, cultural competency, practice transformation, and other current or emerging issues. Students will have the opportunity to complete their community-based learning in an Alaskan rural community or with urban underserved populations.
In addition to the opportunity for more hands-on learning, helpful health-related training, and networking opportunities, AHEC Scholars also receive stipends and travel support.
Now accepting applications for the 2020 cohort.
- Student Handbook
Click here to view the current Student Handbook for more details about the program.
- Curriculum Requirements
Basic Curriculum Requirements
AHEC Scholars is a two-year program, including 40 hours in classroom or online training plus 40 hours of community-based learning each year. Before the student graduates from the AHEC Scholars program, they must have completed at least 5 hours in each of the core topic areas: behavioral health, interprofessional education, social determinants of health, cultural competency, practice transformation, and other current or emerging issues
Students in a 4-year Bachelor or Graduate program: Apply to become a Scholar for your final 2 years of study.
Students in a degree or certificate program that takes 2 years or less: Apply to become a Scholar for your final year of study. You will only complete 1 year of requirements.
AHEC Scholars is set up with a modular format, so different students can complete different coursework to satisfy the curriculum requirements. Students can assemble any collection of modules they choose so long as they meet all the criteria below. Most of the curriculum offerings are available online but some may require face-to-face interaction. Not all courses will be accessible in all places. Contact the nearest AHEC regional office for the most up-to-date list of courses available in your area.
- Community-Based Learning Opportunities
Community-Based Learning
“Community-based learning” provides students with real-life health field experience. Students will spend 40 hours per year in a clinic, hospital, community organization, government agency, etc., learning how healthcare is provided in the real world outside the classroom. AHEC Scholars provides two tracks for the community-based learning.
The rural track sends students out to small towns and villages across Alaska. Small communities may have no more than one or two healthcare providers, so the scope of the job is very wide. AHEC will cover the costs for students’ round-trip transportation and housing expenses on a reimbursement basis.
The urban underserved track addresses city populations which suffer from lack of access to affordable or effective care. These populations include the elderly, the homeless, Alaska Natives, and others. The community-based learning takes place in Anchorage or Fairbanks.
AHEC Scholars enrolled in the program for 2 years will have an urban underserved community-based experience for their first year, and will go out to a rural community in their second year. Timing and location is flexible and the AHEC staff will work with the Scholar to place them. (Those students based outside of Anchorage and Fairbanks will work with AHEC staff for a more customized plan.)
- Requirements for Admission
Students must meet all the following requirements for admission to the AHEC Scholars program:
- Students must be currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program related to
healthcare. (In other words, a nursing student must be accepted into the School of
Nursing; someone completing pre-requisites would not qualify.) As of September 2018,
AHEC recognizes all the following programs:
- Behavioral Health Aide
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Children's Mental Health
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.Ed.)
- Clinical-Community Psychology
- Community Health Aide/Practitioner
- Community Health Worker
- Dental Assisting
- Dental Health Aide/Therapist
- Dental Hygiene (BS)
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Dietetics (Certificate, BS, MS)
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Health Sciences
- Human Services (AAS, BHS)
- Justice
- Justice Administration
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Coding
- Medical Lab Science (AAS, BS)
- Medicine
- Nursing (AAS, BS, MS)
- Nursing Practice (Doctorate)
- Occupational Therapy
- Outdoor Leadership (AAS)
- Paramedicine (Certificate, AAS)
- Pharmacy
- Physical Education
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Physician Assistant
- Public Health
- Radiologic Technology
- Social Work (BS, MS)
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Surgical Technology
- Complete the online application for rolling admission into the 2020 cohort.
- Students must be currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program related to
healthcare. (In other words, a nursing student must be accepted into the School of
Nursing; someone completing pre-requisites would not qualify.) As of September 2018,
AHEC recognizes all the following programs:
For more information about AHEC Scholars, please contact: