Health Careers Opportunity Program at UMB

Our Objective:

image of HCOP participants

Recent surveys of Boston Public School students revealed that most knew about jobs being a doctor or nurse; however, few knew about careers in public health communication, clinical research, or environmental science, for example. The Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) activities provide students with information about the variety of careers available in medicine and public health.

Through structured summer programs and follow up activities during the academic year, HCOP aims to increase the number of middle and high school students from disadvantage backgrounds who are interested in and prepared for a career in medicine and/or public health.

About the Program:

woman clapping HCOP is a federally funded educational program serving approximately 50 Boston Public School students in the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th grades. Preference will be given to students enrolled in the Academy of Public Service, Economics and Business Academy, Health Careers Academy, Tech Boston Academy, Burke, Excel, Odyssey, Monument, West Roxbury, and Madison Park High Schools, and the Gavin, Cleveland and McCormack Middle Schools.

HCOP collaborates with Tufts University, Tufts University School of Medicine, and the Massachusetts Public Health Association to create a “pipeline” that starts at Boston middle and high schools, continues through the undergraduate programs at Tufts University, and culminates in the public health and medical programs at Tufts University School of Medicine

Program Services and Activities:

HCOP students participate in various awareness activities to gain greater exposure to the many health professions available and to develop a better understanding of the skills required to pursue the career(s) of their choice. Awareness activities include:

Thirty Week Academic Year Program: Students attend an after school program where they participate in health career awareness and exploration, mentoring, academic, college, and financial advising, tutoring, and supervised study, Monday and Wednesday 3 pm – 5 pm
Seven Week Summer Institute: Students attend seven weeks; of classes in math, science, reading and writing, Issues in Public Health, and Health Careers Awareness. Students earn a stipend during the Summer Institute.
Health Careers Seminars: Industry professionals talk with students about different health careers and the education required for these careers.
Shadowships: Students spend a half-day with a health professional exploring a particular health career in more depth.
A Public Health Symposium: Students learn about critical issues in public health from experts in the field and the Health Careers Club. Members of the Health Careers Club organize this event for the community and students in the Pre-collegiate programs.

Health Professionals interested in volunteering for HCOP should complete the volunteer registration form.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ANTI-SMOKING WEBSITE!!

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Health Careers Opportunity Program
University of Massachusetts Boston
McCormack Building, 3rd Floor, Room 619
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125-3393
Phone: 617-287-5834
Fax: 617-287-5844
email: hcop@umb.edu