This program is perfect for:
- Motivated high school students.
- Aspiring scholars who are curious about healthcare, science, and making a difference in their community.
- Learners seeking a summer intensive to help prepare them for college and a career in healthcare.
A comprehensive introduction to healthcare careers
Offered by the UC Santa Cruz Premed Postbacc Program, the High School Health Pathways Summer Academy prepares diverse, community-minded high school students for future pathways in healthcare and STEM. Students explore human biology through hands-on labs, learn directly from health professionals, and gain early exposure to careers in medicine, nursing, public health, and research.
Through engaging coursework, field trips, mentoring, and a capstone project, participants build foundational knowledge and confidence—setting the stage for long-term success in pre-health pathways.
Program overview
- Dates: June 15 – July 24, 2026, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., M-F
- Time: 6 weeks
- Format: In-person | Silicon Valley Campus of UC Santa Cruz (Santa Clara, CA)
- Application Fee: $70
- Cost: $7,000
- Application Period: Now through May 16—applications accepted on a rolling basis.
- Download our program flyer.
Join our next info session.
Wednesday, March 25, 6 p.m.
Bring your questions to this online event with Program Director Dr. Deepthi Nair.
Human biology
College-level rigor
Human biology course taught by experienced faculty.
Hands-on labs
Microscopy, vital signs monitoring, suturing practice, and guided scientific experiments.
Public health advocacy
Learn about community health challenges and how to become an effective health advocate.
Expert mentorship
Meet the healthcare community
Connect with doctors, nurses, researchers, and healthcare professionals.
Field experiences
Onsite tours
Visit local medical schools, biomedical labs, and community health organizations
Capstone project
Showcase your learning
Students share their experiences through a culminating presentation to peers and professionals.
Six weeks of transformative learning
The six-week, full-time Summer Academy is designed to immerse high school students in the foundations of health, medicine, and public health. The program runs Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and integrates academic coursework with hands-on activities and real-world healthcare exposure.
A formal human biology course is taught twice per week. In addition to classroom-based instruction, students participate in clinical skills labs, public health seminars, experiential learning activities, and guided field experiences. Each week builds upon the last, allowing students to progressively deepen their understanding of human health and healthcare systems.
Sample schedule
This sample schedule is for illustrative purposes and does not reflect a finalized daily agenda.
Day 1 - Foundations of Public Health
Day 2 - Human Biology + Social Determinants of Health
Day 3 - Clinical Skills Lab: Suturing & Applied Anatomy
Day 4 - Human Biology + Addiction Medicine & Health Advocacy
Day 5 - Experiential Learning: Medical School Tour
Who should apply?
High school students in grades 9-12 (as of Spring 2026) who are curious about science, interested in health careers, and passionate about making an impact in their community.
- Curious about human biology and how the body works
- Interested in careers like doctor, nurse, PA, or public health professional
- Passionate about helping others and improving community health
- Ready to engage in hands-on learning and real-world experiences
Let UC Santa Cruz be where your healthcare journey begins
Whether you dream of becoming a doctor, public health professional, nurse, PA, or another health professional, this program is a meaningful first step toward making that dream a reality.
Program Instructor
Hamed Mouseghy, MD
Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology, UC Santa Cruz Premed Postbacc Program
"A strong foundation in human biology underlies every healthcare profession. My goal is to help students understand the biological mechanisms that drive health and disease."