Prepare for Your Future
The AHEC Scholars program is designed to better prepare health profession students for future practice in rural and urban underserved communities by providing the unique opportunity to practice hands-on training and gain experience.
18,000 total participants in 511 regional AHEC activities and programs
Learn about recruitment efforts by AHEC
Facilitated 3,327 total student rotations in clinical pursuits across Georgia
Learn about training efforts by AHEC
Partnered with 1,139 professionals to mentor graduating students
Learn about retentions efforts by AHEC
AHEC Scholars is an exciting multidisciplinary program that gives health professions students a unique opportunity to practice hands-on training and gain experience providing care in a rural or underserved environment.
Work with other health professions students in your region, build your resume and increase your professional contacts. Make lasting connections with different professions and learn how to function as an interdisciplinary team. Set yourself apart from your peers and develop skills that will transform healthcare in Georgia.
Students enrolled in selected health professions degree programs in Georgia with a duration of two years or longer are invited to apply. This program requires a two year commitment and a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 to apply. Students from a rural area, disadvantaged background, or from an under-represented minority are preferred.
Area Health Education Centers
Health Sciences Campus
AA-1057
1120 15th Street
706-721-8331
706-721-8508
The Scholars Program consists of 80 hours of online and classroom instruction and 40 hours of hands-on clinical training over the two years. Requirements for this program are in addition to a student’s regular coursework required by their degree program. Most instructional material will be self-paced study, with some small group facilitated discussions and in-person workshops held in your region with local health professions faculty.
Program Eligibility: You must show evidence of a GPA of 2.5 or higher to apply for AHEC Scholars. You will be required to upload an electronic copy of an official transcript on the application form. New topic areas beginning 2023: Connecting Communities and Virtual Learning/Telehealth!
Core topic areas covered in the Scholars Program curriculum include:
Students must be enrolled in one of the programs of study at the schools listed below in order to apply for the AHEC Scholars Program.
| School | Program | AHEC Region |
| Clayton State University | Dental Hygiene | Atlanta AHEC |
| Clayton State University | BSN | Atlanta AHEC |
| Morehouse School of Medicine | Physician Assistant | Atlanta AHEC |
| Morehouse School of Medicine | MD | Atlanta AHEC |
| Mercer University Atlanta Campus | Physician Assistant | Atlanta AHEC |
| Mercer University Atlanta Campus | Master of Public Health/PhD Public Health | Atlanta AHEC |
| South College | Physician Assistant | Atlanta AHEC |
| South College | Physical Therapy | Atlanta AHEC |
| South College | Nursing | Atlanta AHEC |
| Berry College | BSN | Blue Ridge AHEC |
| Dalton State University | Social Work | Blue Ridge AHEC |
| Dalton State University | BSN | Blue Ridge AHEC |
| Georgia Highlands College | Dental Hygiene | Blue Ridge AHEC |
| Georgia Highlands College | Nursing (ASN) | Blue Ridge AHEC |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College | Nursing (ASN) | Blue Ridge AHEC |
| PCOM Georgia/PCOM South Georgia | DO Rome Anchor Program | Blue Ridge AHEC |
| Shorter College | BSN | Blue Ridge AHEC |
| Brenau University | Physical Therapy | Foothills AHEC |
| Brenau University | Occupational Therapy | Foothills AHEC |
| University of Georgia Athens | Pharmacy | Foothills AHEC |
| Georgia Southern University | Public Health MPH | Magnolia Coastlands AHEC |
| Georgia Southern University | Nursing | Magnolia Coastlands AHEC |
| Georgia Southern University | Nutrition | Magnolia Coastlands AHEC |
| Albany State University | Family Nurse Practitioner | SOWEGA AHEC |
| Albany State University | BSN | SOWEGA AHEC |
| Albany Technical College | Nursing (ASN) | SOWEGA AHEC |
| Augusta University | MD | SOWEGA AHEC |
| University of Georgia (Albany SW Campus) | Pharmacy | SOWEGA AHEC |
| PCOM South Georgia | DO | SOWEGA AHEC |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | BSN | SOWEGA AHEC |
| Columbus State University | Nursing | Three Rivers AHEC |
| Columbus State University | Public Health MPH | Three Rivers AHEC |
| Columbus Technical College | Nursing | Three Rivers AHEC |
| Mercer University | Family Therapy | Three Rivers AHEC |
| Middle Georgia State University | Nursing | Three Rivers AHEC |
| Middle Georgia State University | Occupational Therapy | Three Rivers AHEC |
| PCOM Georgia/PCOM South Georgia | DO Columbus Anchor Program | Three Rivers AHEC |
Not enrolled at any of these institutions, but still interested?
Contact your regional AHEC and let them know!
Before You Get Started
You will be asked to provide personal and contact information. This information will be used both to screen applicants to the program, and for federal reporting purposes.
You must show evidence of a GPA of 2.5 or higher to apply for AHEC Scholars. You may upload an electronic copy of an official transcript on the application form.
On the application, you will be asked to answer the following open-ended questions, in no more than 250 words:
Questions? Contact your regional AHEC for more info
Now that you've determined your eligibility, have your transcript handy, and thought about how you'd answer the questions, it's time to apply!
