Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) - University of Iowa*
SHPEP is implemented at 12 universities across the nation. Each institution provides scholars
with academic enrichment in the basic sciences and math, clinical experiences, career
development activities, learning and study skills seminars, and a financial planning
workshop. Program sites vary on how they deliver each of these required components
and their program start date. Program types include dental, medicine, nursing, optometry,
pharmacy, physical therapy and public health.
The University of Iowa Health Sciences Colleges are pleased to offer an enriching
six-week experience with SHPEP. The Health Sciences Colleges include the Carver College
of Medicine, College of Dentistry, College of Pharmacy, and College of Public Health.
We strongly believe in the value of exposing students from underrepresented backgrounds
to the possibility of pursuing health fields and supporting their goals in accomplishing
that dream to help improve the health of society at large.
Through in-depth experiences with one of the colleges listed above, scholars in our
program will learn about the variety of opportunities available in the healthcare
field to help them decide which career they are interested in pursuing. Additionally,
the students will have opportunities to improve study skills, understand and learn
how to improve health disparities, and enhance networking skills. Each scholar will
have the opportunity to take one basic science course including Anatomy/Physiology,
Physics, and Organic Chemistry to help expose and prepare for future enrollment in
these courses. Scholars will also learn how to best work in healthcare teams with
our Interprofessional curriculum.
Must be a high school graduate and currently enrolled as a freshman or sophomore in
college. Must not have exceeded 60 earned college credits. Advanced Placement (AP) credits
are not counted toward the 60 earned college credits.
Have a minimum overall college GPA of 2.5
Be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or an individual granted deferred action
for childhood arrivals (DACA) status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Must not have previously participated in the program
One official transcript from every U.S., U.S. Territorial, or Canadian post secondary
institution attended sent directly by the institution's registrar's office. Please
review the Transcript Requirements section for more information.
One letter of recommendation from a qualified reference. Please review the Recommendation requirements section for more information
Health insurance
Other factors for consideration included that a student:
Identifies with a group that is racially underrepresented in the health professions
Comes from an economically or educationally disadvantaged background and/or
Has demonstrated an interest in issues affecting underserved populations
Submits a compelling personal statement and a strong letter of recommendation
Application opens typically in November and closes in February.
* For current information, refer to the program website listed on this page under
"contact information."
