Summer Program

2023 chsp interns

Clinical Health Summer Program (CHSP) is an important component of NC-HCAP. CHSP is a seven-week (40 hours a week) experiential learning opportunity held each year from May through June for underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students. The 40 hour week salaried position consists of both clinical experiences in health care agencies and academic enrichment experiences provided by NC-HCAP Health Careers Centers. The program provides UNCP Students an opportunity to learn about the duties and responsibilities of a health professional and how a health care delivery system operates.

  • What Can I Expect From CHSP?
  • What Is Expected of Me As a CHSP Participant?
  • How Do I Know If I Am A Good Candidate?
  • How Do I Know If CHSP Is Right For Me?
  • Where Might I Be Placed?
  • How Do I Apply?



What Can I Expect From CHSP?

  • Site placement: a 40-hour a week position in a health care agency under the direct supervision of health professionals in either medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, public health, veterinary medicine, nursing, health administration or allied health.
  • Health sciences seminars and special presentations
  • Site visits to area health facilities and agencies.
  • Interaction with many types of health care professionals
  • A competitive stipend/wage

What Is Expected of Me As a CHSP Participant?

Write an:

  • autobiographical essay; an essay describing your summer experience; a research paper or develop a project based on your choice of health related topic and present this information to chancellors and preceptors.
  • Take five to ten photos depicting your summer experience.
  • Some clinical sites require that CHSP participants receive the three-shot Hepatitis B vaccine series.

How Do I Know If I Am A Good Candidate?

CHSP is designed to assist the student who:

  • Is an UNCP Undergraduate interested in pursuing an allied, graduate or professional health program
  • Has a minimum grade point average of 2.5
  • Is a member of a racial group that is underrepresented in the health professions
  • Is educationally or economically disadvantaged

How Do I Know If CHSP Is Right For Me?

CHSP is right for you if you are serious about

  • Becoming a health care professional
  • Improving your communication skills, science background, and basic skills essential to professional training
  • Deepening your understanding of different health care delivery systems and the variety of duties and services performed by health services personnel
  • Enhancing clinical skills while earning money

Where Might I Be Placed?

CHSP participants from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke are placed in a wide variety of health care facilities and private practices. Past participating agencies include:

  • Collins and Lowery Dentistry-Pembroke, NC
  • Scotland Memorial Hospital - Laurinburg, NC
  • UNC Health Southeastern-Lumberton, NC
  • Robeson Pediatrics-Lumberton, NC
  • Cole Pediatric Therapy-Lumberton, NC
  • Pembroke Pediatrics - Pembroke, NC
  • Lumberton Children's Clinic - Lumberton, NC
  • Southeastern Veterinary Hospital-Lumberton, NC
  • Pembroke Optometric Clinic-Pembroke, NC

How Do I Apply?

To receive a CHSP application, email hcap@uncp.edu. Final applications must be returned by February 23, 2024 along with the following items:

One copy of college transcript; photograph; personal statement; one letter of recommendation, preferably from a science faculty member; two faculty appraisal forms (provided by NC-HCAP) in addition to the recommendation letter, at least one from a science faculty member; and identification of race/ethnic identity.