Outreach and Engagement Programs

South Carolina AHEC Summer Careers Academy

The South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (South Carolina AHEC) presents the Summer Careers Academy in collaboration with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Colleges of Nursing, Dental Medicine, Medicine, Health Professions, Pharmacy, the MUSC Library, and the Southeastern Virtual Institute for Health Equity and Wellness. The Academy is a one-week summer program designed to help students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds prepare for entry into health professions education programs in South Carolina.

Participating programs include:

• Dental Medicine
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy (OT)
• Pharmacy
• Physician Assistant (PA)
• Physical Therapy (PT)

All applicants must be a South Carolina resident or enrolled in a South Carolina school, college or university and meet other eligibility requirements.

Academy Fellows will participate in a week of clinical and educational sessions on the MUSC campus. Classroom lectures and project topics will focus on several health disparities prevalent among South Carolinians. Housing and meals are provided, and fellows will receive a stipend of $200 with the successful completion of the Academy. More information is available on the South Carolina AHEC website.

Creating Opportunity & Academic Success for Tomorrow’s Therapists (COAST)

Founded in 2017, Creating Opportunity & Academic Success for Tomorrow's Therapists (COAST), was created to promote awareness of the physical therapy profession to students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. The initiative was created by several students and faculty members MUSC's Division of Physical Therapy to educate students about graduate school admissions processes and provide mentorship opportunities.

One such opportunity is Physical Therapy Exploration Program Day (PEP Day). The full-day event is an immersive experience for prospective students to learn more about the physical therapy field. Highlights of the event include a presentation on PT, a meeting with current College of Health Professions students and faculty, a panel discussion with a physical therapist, lunch, and a tour of MUSC.

Student Mentors for Minorities in Healthcare (SMMH) Program

Student Mentors for Minorities in Healthcare (SMMH) Program is a mentoring program for high school and undergraduate college students interested in the health professions. The program identifies a current College of Health Professions student to serve as a mentor for a high school or undergraduate student. Program sessions are held once or twice a month on Saturdays from 10:00am- 12:30pm. During the sessions, student participants are provided opportunities to connect with their mentors, learn about health professions, receive information that will assist with preparation to graduate school, and engage in activities that support career planning and professional development.

If you are interested in getting involved with or learning more about one of our programs, please contact the Office of Student Engagement at martinoe@musc.edu.