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Health Careers Opportunity Program

Health Professions Pathways

Fresno State Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) Health Professions Pathways (HPP) is housed within the Center for Access to Science for All (CASA). The HPP will provide valuable support to participants interested in pursuing targeted health professions.

About Health Professions Pathways

Student in white coat for medical school

Thank you for your interest in the Fresno State Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) Health Professions Pathways (HPP), housed within the Center for Access to Science for All (CASA).

The HPP Program will provide valuable support to participants interested in pursuing targeted health professions.

Support may include, but not limited to, the following:

  • Paid summer program for incoming Fresno State students
  • Peer mentoring, health professions workshops and conferences
  • Paid summer internships for selected students
  • Free KAPLAN test preparation (DAT/GRE/MCAT/OAT/PCAT) for selected students
  • Health professional mentorship
  • Personal statement support
 

Apply to HPP

Apply to HPP (if eligible) after the HCOP form is submitted. If you've applied to HPP already and have been accepted, you do NOT have to reapply. 
***After your application submission you will be contacted by our team regarding your HPP application, HPP contract, and next steps.  Please feel free to contact CASA by calling (559) 278-4748 or visiting Science 1, Room 101.

The Summer 2025 Eligibility cycle begins on May 1st, 2025, meaning that any application submitted will be considered until the end of the cycle in September 10,  2025. For questions or concerns, please contact our Outreach Coordinator at apimentel@mail.fresnostate.edu or 559.278.4748.
JOIN HPP

Eligibility

  •  Must join HCOP first
  •  Interested in pursing a career to become a:
    • Chiropractor
    • Clinical Lab Scientist
    • Clinical Psychologist/ Behavioral Health Specialist
    • Dentistry
    • Genetic Counseling
    • Gerontology
    • Nursing
    • Optometrist
    • Pharmacist
    • Physician
    • Physician Assistant
    • Podiatrist
    • Public Health
    • Social Work
  • Educationally and/or economically disadvantaged.
  • Citizen, national, or a lawful permanent resident of one of these: United States, Commonwealths of Puerto Rico, Marianas Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated State of Micronesia.

The Health Resources and Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defines educationally and/or economically disadvantaged as follows:

  • Disadvantaged background: an individual comes from an economically or educationally/environmentally disadvantaged background (https://bhw.hrsa.gov).
  • Economically disadvantaged: an individual comes from a family with an annual income below low-income thresholds established by the U.S. Census Bureau, adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index, and adjusted by the Secretary of the HHS, for use in all health professions programs (https://bhw.hrsa.gov). View the HHS Poverty Guideline guidelines.
  • Educationally/environmentally disadvantaged: an individual comes from an environment that has inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to enroll in and graduate from a health professions school, or from a program providing education or training in an allied health profession (https://bhw.hrsa.gov).

 

person writing

HPPP Test Prep Program

This program is designed to support eligible students in preparing for entrance exams required for graduate and professional health programs.

Upcoming Dates:

  • Summer 2025 Application Due: May 2nd
  • Fall 2025 Application Open Date: September 1st

Learn More About the HPPP Test Prep Program  

 

Summer bridge 2024 cohort

HPPP Summer Bridge Program

The Health Professions Pathways Program supports incoming first-year and transfer students with our 3-week Summer Bridge Program, which hosts the students on campus with a daily three hour curriculum and provides informative workshops, activities, campus tours and valuable networking connections to improve their first year at Fresno State.

Upcoming Dates:

July 21 - August 8, 2025
Times:
9am - 12pm (M-F)

Learn More About the HPPP Summer Bridge Program

 

student in optomolgy clinic

HPPP Paid Summer Internship Program

This program is designed to provide undergraduate students in pre-health pathways with hands-on experience in healthcare, research, or public health settings. These internships support personal and professional growth while helping students build networks and competitive resumes for graduate and professional school applications.

Application cycle has closed!

Learn More About the HPPP Paid Summer Internship Program  

 

Fresno State Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) is funded by California State University, Fresno.
Health Professions Pathways (HPP) is funded by the Department of Health Care Access and Information.

Lilia De La Cerda, MPH, Project PI

Larry G. Riley, Ph.D., Project Co-PI