Texas Area Health Education Center (AHEC) East

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AHEC Scholars Program 

Area Health Education Center Scholars Program Students

Hands-On Training for Future Healthcare Leaders 

The Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Scholars Program offers health professions students advanced training and team-based experiences in rural and high-needs communities. Open to students in primary care–related disciplines, such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, mental health counseling, laboratory sciences, social work, and community health, this program helps build a more diverse and culturally competent healthcare workforce. 
 

Why Become an AHEC Scholar? 

  • Gain real-world experience in rural and high-needs settings 

  • Practice interprofessional collaboration with diverse healthcare teams 

  • Enhance career development, networking, and résumé credentials 

  • Make a meaningful impact on communities in need 

  • Receive national recognition at program completion  

Become an AHEC Scholar: Apply Today

 

Program Highlights 

  • Didactic Learning: 40 hours per year of online and in-person instruction 

  • Experiential Learning: 40 hours per year of clinical rotations, community service, or simulations 

  • Flexible Credit: Many requirements align with coursework already completed in your degree or certificate program 

  • Commitment: Two-year participation (one year for some disciplines like CHWs) 

Eligibility 

Students currently enrolled in health professions or allied health program are invited to apply. View the full list of eligible disciplines.

Apply Today

 

Citizenship and Eligibility Documentation 

In accordance with federal requirements, all AHEC Scholars must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence before receiving program benefits.

Acceptable documentation includes (one of the following): 

  • U.S. birth certificate 

  • U.S. passport 

  • Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship 

  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad 

  • Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”) 

  • Eligible U.S. visa or other documented legal status 

  • REAL ID–compliant state driver’s license or ID 

Scholars may also be asked to complete a legally binding self-certification form confirming their status. 

In addition, all Scholars receiving stipends are required to submit a W-9 Form (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification) as part of their onboarding packet. 

 All documentation must be on file before Scholars are eligible to receive stipends, services, or program support. 

Year 1 and Year 2 Requirements Overview

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Requirements

  • Year 1 Didactic Requirements and Selectives (All Students)
  • Year 2 Didactic Requirements and Selectives (All Students)
  • Year 1 Experiential Selectives (UTMB Students)
  • Year 2 Experiential Selectives (UTMB Students)
didactic and experiential hours

What is Involved?

  • 40 hours of didactics (variety of learning modalities available including online) each year for two-years
  • 40 hours of experiential learning (simulations, community service, clinical rotations) each year for two-years
 
concurrent credit

Concurrent Credit?

Many of the AHEC Scholar requirements can be satisfied by the didactic and experiential learning you are already completing for your degree program and in extra-curricular activities.  Ask us about your specific program!

 
AHEC Scholars Application Requirements

What do I need to Apply?

  • Completed Application 
  • Personal Statement
Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

AHEC Scholars FAQs

Students must be enrolled in either: 

  • A Certified Health Worker (CHW) course, or 

  • A minimum two-year health profession program that leads to a degree or certificate. 

Applicants should be “practice ready” at program completion—prepared to enter the healthcare workforce with their degree or certification.  

  • Health Professions Students: Two years (40 hours of didactics + 40 hours of experiential learning each year). 

  • CHW Students: For the duration of your course.  

 

If your program meets the criteria above and you’ll be practice ready at completion, you qualify. 


 

Many AHEC Scholar requirements can be met through your existing coursework and extracurriculars. Contact AHEC staff to confirm credit approval.  

  • Didactic: Approved coursework, AHEC modules, webinars, seminars, conferences, or lectures on one or more of the eight core topics. 

  • Experiential: Rotations, clinicals, preceptorships, volunteering, or simulations that are interprofessional and serve rural or high-needs populations.  

 

Applications are reviewed within two weeks of submission. You’ll receive a decision during that timeframe. 

Visit www.utmb.edu/ahec, go to the AHEC Scholars page, and complete the online application. CHW students apply at the same link; accepted students receive next steps from their instructor. 

  1. Behavioral Health 

  2. Cultural Competency 

  3. Current & Emerging Health Issues 

  4. Interprofessional Education 

  5. Practice Transformation 

  6. Social Determinants of Health 

  7. Virtual Learning & Telehealth 

  8. Connecting Communities & Supporting Health Professionals 

The program year runs July 1 – June 30. You may apply anytime and retroactively count hours completed within that program year toward your requirements. 

Apply to the AHEC Scholars Program