AHEC Scholars
What is AHEC Scholars?
AHEC Scholars is a one- or two-year program designed for students enrolled in a health-related degree or certificate program to enhance their healthcare training. The program includes eight core topic areas and focuses on current and emerging issues in healthcare practice. Students must complete both classroom or online coursework and community-based experiential learning (CBEL). Many students will have the opportunity to carry out their CBEL in rural communities or underserved urban areas.
What are the Benefits of Becoming a Scholar?
- The Alaska AHEC Scholars program is nationally recognized and shows prospective employers that you have had a longstanding commitment to rural and underserved practice
- Become a part of a large community of scholars nationwide with a variety of academic disciplines including medicine, dental, pharmacy, behavioral and allied health
- The CBEL requirement (often in rural communities) can provide a once in a lifetime experience to improve understanding of the healthcare system in Alaska
- You will receive training on relevant and emerging issues outside of your academic program
- Opportunities for nationally recognized certifications and continuing education are available
- The opportunity to meet and gain relationships with health care professionals and community members during your CBEL
- Financial and travel support during the program is offered via scholarship opportunity
Scholars have been asked key learning outcomes of their experience. What we have found is that Scholars feel greater confidence in advocating for the needs of their community; greater confidence demonstrating leadership skills, and greater confidence utilizing knowledge and skills from the coursework to provide care to rural and or medically underserved communities.
Am I Eligible?
Students must be living in Alaska and currently enrolled in a health career program. This includes certificate, associate, bachelor, and graduate programs. We may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for students that are located in Alaska but enrolled in online health degree programs or located out of Alaska but enrolled in an online Alaska program. Pre-majors are not eligible.
What are the Requirements?
AHEC Scholars is traditionally a two-year program, but there are some exceptions (see Scholars Handbook). If you are enrolled in the one-year program, you will complete the "second year" requirements only. All students must complete the same five required didactic modules/coursework in each core topic area provided, the remaining hours can be of your choosing as long as it falls under the core topic areas. The following current/emerging topics were approved by our federal funders at HRSA.
First Year:
Core Topic Areas:
- Behavioral Health
- Interprofessional Education
- Social Determinants of Health
- Cultural Competency
- Practice Transformation
Current Emerging Topics:
- Chronic Disease
- Geriatrics
- Oral Health
- Substance Use Disorders
- Suicide
- Trauma-Informed Care
- COVID-19
|
Coursework |
Hours |
| Didactic (in classroom or online) | 40 |
| Community Based Experiential Learning (CBEL) | 40 |
Second Year:
Core Topic Areas:
- Behavioral Health
- Interprofessional Education
- Social Determinants of Health
- Cultural Competency
- Practice Transformation
Current Emerging Topics:
- Chronic Disease
- Geriatrics
- Oral Health
- Substance Use Disorders
- Suicide
- Trauma-Informed Care
- COVID-19
|
Coursework |
Hours |
| Didactic (in classroom or online) | 40 |
| Community Based Experiential Learning (CBEL) | 40 |
Applications Closed for 2025
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