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 profoundly enhance their healthcare training.

The program includes eight core topic areas focusing on current and emerging issues in healthcare practice. Students must complete both classroom (or online) coursework alongside Community-Based Experiential Learning (CBEL). Many students will have the phenomenal opportunity to carry out their CBEL in rural communities or underserved urban areas.

Map of Alaska detailing active AHEC placement sites and participating rural community locations

PROGRAM BENEFITS

  • The Alaska AHEC Scholars program is nationally recognized and vividly demonstrates to prospective employers your longstanding commitment to rural and underserved practice.
  • Become a vital part of a large community of scholars nationwide across a variety of academic disciplines including medicine, dental, pharmacy, behavioral, and allied health.
  • The CBEL requirement (often placed in rural communities) can provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience to profoundly improve your understanding of the healthcare system in Alaska.
  • You will receive advanced training on relevant and emerging issues outside of your standard academic curriculum.
  • Opportunities for nationally recognized certifications and continuing education are readily available.
  • Gain the profound opportunity to meet and establish deep relationships with health care professionals and community members during your CBEL.
  • Strategic financial and travel support during the program is actively offered via scholarship opportunities.
An AHEC Scholar joyfully winning a raffle prize at a community event

Scholars have been extensively surveyed on the key learning outcomes of their experience. What we found is that Scholars feel a drastically greater confidence in advocating for the needs of their community, demonstrating leadership skills in the field, and utilizing knowledge and skills from their coursework to successfully provide care to rural and medically underserved communities.

AM I ELIGIBLE?

Students must be actively living in Alaska and currently enrolled in a health career program (including certificate, associate, bachelor, and graduate programs). We may make deliberate 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.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

AHEC Scholars is traditionally a two-year program, but there are some exceptions (see the official Scholars Handbook). If you are enrolled in the one-year program, you will complete the "second year" requirements only. All students must complete the required didactic modules in each core topic area provided; the remaining hours can be of your choosing as long as they fall under the core topic areas. The following current/emerging topics were stringently approved by our federal funders at HRSA.

First Year Curriculum

Core Topic Areas:

  • Behavioral Health Integration
  • Interprofessional Education
  • Community Health Workers
  • Telehealth
  • Practice Transformation

Current Emerging Topics:

  • Chronic Disease
  • Geriatrics
  • Oral Health
  • Substance Use Disorders
  • Suicide
  • Trauma-Informed Care
  • COVID-19
Coursework & Required Hours (Year 1)
Coursework Hours
Didactic (in-classroom or online) 40
Community Based Experiential Learning (CBEL) 40

Second Year Curriculum

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 & Required Hours (Year 2)
Coursework Hours
Didactic (in-classroom or online) 40
Community Based Experiential Learning (CBEL) 40

HOW TO APPLY

The Alaska AHEC Scholars Form is OPEN for 2026

Are you a student currently enrolled in or planning to enter a healthcare certificate or degree program? The program offers students the chance to deepen their healthcare training through interactive learning and real-world experiences in rural and underserved communities across Alaska.

For detailed eligibility information, please rigorously review the application webpage or contact our administrative team below.

CONTACT US

 

Alaska AHEC Scholars Administration

ahecscholars@alaska.edu