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(352) 733-0111

Summer Health Professions Education Program

Program dates are May 13 to June 21, 2024.

SHPEP training exercise

The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is a free summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for college students interested in the health professions. SHPEP’s goal is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development for freshman and sophomore students and prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health professions schools.

The application for the UF SHPEP 2024 cohort will open on Nov. 1, 2023 and close on Feb. 5, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (EST).

UF SHPEP 2024 will be offered in a hybrid format. During the first two weeks of the program, all events, workshops, and instruction will be held virtually. All programming during the remaining four weeks will take place in-person on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida, during which participants will be provided on-campus housing and meals.

A variety academic and professional experiences

  • Academic enrichment in the basic sciences and quantitative topics.
  • Learning and study skills development.
  • Clinical exposure via small-group rotations.
  • Career development sessions concerning the admissions process.
  • Workshops on financial strategy.
  • Seminars on health policy and health systems.

See a SHPEP Sample Curriculum and Schedule (PDF).

Applying for UF SHPEP

Application deadlines

Eligibility requirements

  • Have a GPA of 2.5 or above.
  • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or an individual granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
  • Be a new participant to SHPEP (have not previously participated in the program)
  • Be a college freshman or sophomore at the time of application (possess less than 60 credits, excluding AP credits).

Additional considerations

  • Identifies as a first-generation health professional (i.e., applicant’s legal guardian(s) did not receive graduate degrees in a Health Profession).
  • Identifies as a first-generation college student (i.e., applicant’s legal guardian(s) did not receive undergraduate degrees).
  • A University of Florida Pell Grant recipient, Promise Student, or Machen Florida Opportunity Scholar.
  • Comes from an economically and/or educationally disadvantaged background.
  • Demonstrates a desire to work as a health professional in underserved communities.
  • Identifies as a Non-traditional student with less than 60 credits.

Program overview

SHPEP offers a variety academic and professional experiences such as workshops, lectures and discussions pertaining to success in the health sciences career track.

  • Academic enrichment: The academic enrichment component of the program enhances studying and test-taking abilities and improved knowledge of basic science principles. Scholars (a) review, acquire, integrate and apply the basic science principles that underlie biomedical theory and practice; (b) analyze clinically relevant problems to recognize the molecular basis for the causes, effects and methods of treatment of disease, and to excel in pre-professional course work; and (c) become aware of advances in health sciences and understand the contributions of research to health care.
  • Clinical skill laboratories: Scholars work with a human patient simulator to illustrate biological principles and laws of physics and chemistry in a hands-on manner utilizing customized scenarios and simulations such as the dangers of drug abuse or smoking. Similarly, the College of Veterinary Medicine has a Clinical Skills Laboratory with animal models to demonstrate and practice lifesaving CPR, as well as basic medical and surgical skills. The College of Dentistry offers laboratory experiences giving the scholars hands-on experiences in dental procedures, such as creating tooth composites and denture models.
  • Gene diagnostic laboratory: Scholars participate in a wet lab experience in the biotechnology teaching laboratory. Students are introduced to the basic biotechnologies used in genetic analysis and diagnosis of disease, and perform and analyze the results of an experimental sequence using gel electrophoresis, PCR and bioinformatics.
  • Clinical exposure rotations: We provide a variety of clinical rotations for scholars to learn more about their intended careers and engage in interprofessional learning experiences. Rotations take place in the teaching clinics of the six colleges or in sites with interprofessional models of care and teaching.
  • Career development workshops: Scholars participate in activities designed to successfully guide them through the admissions process. Admissions officers will discuss the applications, interviewing and financial decisions and best practices for admissions success, such as community service, shadowing and research experiences.
  • Clinical experience: Scholars engage in multiple clinical rotations in their intended careers, as well as other professions, so they can learn more about their intended careers and about other professions to acquire interprofessional education knowledge.

Please visit the national SHPEP website for additional information.

Contact information

Program Coordinator: Rachel Powers
Phone: (352) 294-8628
Email: uf-shpep@ufl.edu

Please visit the college in which you are interested in: