ACPS and SMHS have partnered to create new health and medical pathways for students interested in a career in medicine and health care. This partnership aims to address the workforce shortage of qualified health care workers in Virginia and the region.
GW faculty work collectively with instructors to broaden and enrich course offerings for students enrolled in the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy.
The pathways created by the partnership allow students to begin earning college credits in their first year of the program, For some students participating in dual enrollment courses will significantly reduce the amount of time and money needed to graduate from college and will create many career options upon graduation.
Students who successfully complete the program have the option to:
- Attain employment immediately after graduation into an entry-level health care job in the workforce
- Matriculate into Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) to attain an associate degree or Transfer into the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences through a guaranteed admissions agreement (GAA) with college credits to earn a bachelor’s degree. Under the GAA, students who opt to complete their health sciences degree at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences will also be eligible for scholarships.
The unique public-private partnership provides students the opportunity to begin their Academy experience the summer between eighth and ninth grade. The six pathways students can study include:
- Laboratory Sciences
- Biomedical Informatics
- Sports Medicine
- Emergency Medical Services
- Surgical Sciences
- Nursing
Students spend both the ninth and tenth grade years in the Academy exploring health sciences. In the last two years of the program, students will focus on the pathway of their choice. Students can earn up to 18 dual-enrolled college credits from GW at no cost while enrolled in the Academy.