Mid-Carolina AHEC Area Health Education Center
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Health Careers Program

Health Careers Program

Health Careers Academy

High School

The Mid-Carolina AHEC, Inc. offers the Health Careers Academy (HCA) for high school students. The HCA activities promote academic success, career development and personal growth for students. Dive into the future of healthcare with our Virtual Health Careers Program, tailored for high school participants in Aiken, Cherokee, Kershaw, Newberry, and Union. Engage with interactive modules and live webinars that offer a deep dive into healthcare professions and topics.

Mid-Carolina AHEC Inc. offers two in-person academy locations:

Midlands Location
Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, Kershaw Counties

Upper Midlands Location
Chester, Lancaster, York Counties

Academy Dates: The Health Careers Academy conducts its sessions annually from September-April. Each new academic year begins with an orientation held in August.

Enrollment Process: The application for the 2026–2027 in-person sessions is now open. Please submit your completed application to your respective coordinator by Friday, June 19, 2026. Acceptance letters will be distributed the following week.

Middle School

The Mid-Carolina AHEC, Inc. offers the Health Careers Academy (HCA) Medical Explorers Program for middle school students. The HCA activities promote academic success, career development and personal growth for students. The HCA also helps families understand that the path to becoming a health professional begins in middle school.

Midlands Location
Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, Kershaw Counties

Upper Midlands Location
Chester, Lancaster, York Counties

Academy Dates: The Health Careers Academy conducts its sessions annually from December-April. Each new academic year begins with an orientation held in December.

Enrollment Process: The in-person session applications for the 2026-2027 academic year will open on September 1, 2026.

Undergraduate

Applications for the 2025 Summer Enrichment Programs are now CLOSED. We welcome you to return in February 2026 to explore the program options available for next year. Thank you for your interest!

Enrollment Process Section Undergraduate: For information about upcoming summer internship opportunities, please contact HCP Coordinators Whitney Amaker at wamaker@midcarolinaahec.org and Madison Sweatt at msweatt@midcarolinaahec.org via email.

Statewide Services: Seminars & Modules

Several statewide education seminars will be offered during the academic year, conducted virtually by videoconference. Students will learn more about health careers, public health topics, personal health, and understanding the healthcare needs of South Carolina.

South Carolina AHEC offers free, self-paced, online modules open to students in the state interested in careers in healthcare. The topics fall into three categories: career preparation, soft skills, and healthcare terms and trends.
Program Listings

Virtual Program

Dive into the future of healthcare with our Virtual Health Careers Program, tailored for high school participants in Aiken, Cherokee, Kershaw, Newberry, and Union. Engage with interactive modules and live webinars that offer a deep dive into healthcare professions and topics. Join us to uncover the path to your career in healthcare!

* For those eager to experience class sessions firsthand, in-person sessions are available. Please contact your regional coordinators for location details.

Academy Expectations: Participants should strive to achieve and maintain high academic standards by actively taking part in course modules and attending virtual webinars.

Academy Dates: The Health Careers Academy conducts its sessions annually from October-March. Each new academic year begins with an orientation held in October.

Enrollment Process: - Enrollment Process Section Virtual Program:  The Virtual Program Applications for the 2026-2027 Virtual Health Careers Program will open on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

While the Health Careers Program does not offer academic credits, students have the opportunity to earn certifications such as CPR and CNA. It's important to note that students must maintain academic expectations throughout the program to be eligible for these certifications.

The Health Careers Academy is composed of several elements: face-to-face events, online learning modules, volunteer service initiatives, live online webinars, summer enrichment programs, and chances to connect with medical professionals and local leaders.

In the Health Careers Program, activities typically take place during after-school hours. The exact timing may vary depending on the program schedule.

To begin, students should choose the program option that best suits them. Once the enrollment form is completed, it should be submitted to the respective HCP Coordinator. For in-person sessions, each location has its own coordinator, and their contact information can be found on the program page.

The Health Careers Explorers' Program is open to students currently in 8th grade. Those progressing into 9th grade up to students entering 12th grade are welcome to join the Health Careers Program. Additionally, graduating high school seniors and college students are eligible for our Undergraduate Program.

In the Health Careers Program, we make sure to introduce students to a wide range of healthcare career options available right here in South Carolina. Our goal is to provide exposure to various paths and not limit the focus to just one type of health career. While students have the freedom to explore and concentrate on their preferred career choice, we also strive to showcase different options that may spark their interest. This approach allows students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the various opportunities within the field.

Our Services

  • Exploration into Health Careers
  • Health Professions Mentoring
  • Pre-Health Skills Building
  • Student Advising
  • College & University Visits
  • Hands-on Skills Training

Counties We Serve

Aiken, Cherokee, Chester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Union, and York

Program Coordinators

Whitney Amaker
Health Careers Program Coordinator
803-287-4900

Madison Sweatt
Health Careers Program Coordinator
803-246-0321

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Mid-Carolina AHEC Area Health Education Center

1824 Highway 9 ByPass West
P.O. Box 2049
Lancaster, SC 29721

803.286.4121

Strengthening the healthcare workforce
throughout central South Carolina - especially in rural areas.

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