The Pathways to Health Careers Academy (PHCA) is a year-long academic enrichment program that provides local high school juniors and seniors with academic support, mentorship, and exposure to healthcare careers.
20 students from Service Planning Area (SPA) 6 and underserved areas of SPA 8, including Inglewood, Hawthorne, Gardena, Carson, and Wilmington are selected each year.
The program begins with a 4-week Summer Academy, where students take two college-level courses while simultaneously beginning their community-based internships. Internships begin in July and end in December, providing students and community-based organizations (CBOs) with adequate time and flexiblity to complete projects while students balance academic responsibilities.
Program Dates: July 7 2026 – May 2027
Format: Hybrid (online and in person)
Open to: Rising 11th and 12th grade students
Eligibility
Students must meet the following requirements to apply for PHCA.
Be a rising 11th– and 12th-grade student
Have a GPA betweeen 2.0-3.5
Reside in Athens, Carson, Compton, Crenshaw, Florence, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hyde Park, Inglewood, Lynwood, Paramount, Watts, or Wilmington.
Students with the following attributes are especially encouraged to apply.
Transitional-Aged Youth (TAY).
Students with lived experience in mental or behavioral health.
Students from communities who are underrepresented in higher education.
Youth who may be underperforming or are at risk academically.
Program Benefits
The PHCA program prepares participants to be competitive college applicants, especially in public health, behavioral health, and mental health fields. Participants receive:
Enrollment in college credit courses such as PHE 250: Community Health Issues and PHE100: Introduction to Mental Health
Tutoring and mentorshipfrom educators and healthcare professionals beginning in October
Essential academic and career skill development.
Intenstive SAT preparation during the summer followed by dedicated college preparation and application sessions in September
Paid internship opportunities in healthcare settings from July through December
Opportunities to meet other students and full-time professionals in healthcare
A participation stipend
Application
The application period runs from September through March. The application deadline for Cohort 9 was March 31, 2026.