Learn to create your path to a career in a health profession in the Health Careers Academy.
As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to develop, please regularly visit our website for the latest information about program changes and requirements.
Health Careers Academy is an intense and rewarding multi-week summer program for rising high school juniors and seniors. This program is designed to enhance math, science, language arts, and critical thinking skills while exposing students to health and science-related professions. This program challenges students by balancing a rigorous academic curriculum, test preparation service learning and health science career exploration.
HCA is currently offered in seven regions of New Mexico. Applicants are encouraged to apply for the program in the region where they reside. For specific locations, schedules and eligibility, see the program site list below.
Visit our Application Websites:
Application Deadline for all NM sites is December 31, 2025
What is required during the application process?
Join one of our online information sessions:
Select the program location below for the location-specific flyers and application.
Location: In person, based at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM
Specific Eligibility: Open to Albuquerque and Surrounding Areas, must be able to commute to UNM daily
Summer Schedule: June 10, 2026 – June 24, 2026, M-F, 9:00am-3:00pm
2026 Applications: Summer 2026 application cycle will be open from October 1, 2025 through the application deadline on December 31, 2025. Accepted participants will be notified early April 2026.
Location: In-person at UNM Health Sciences Rio Rancho Campus. Daily transportation will be provided for Cuba Public School students to program location.
Specific Eligibility: Open to current sophomore and junior students in Sandoval County only.
Summer Schedule: June 10, 2026 – June 24, 2026, M-F, 9:00am-3:00pm
2026 Applications: Summer 2026 application cycle will be open from October 1, 2025 through the application deadline on December 31, 2025. Accepted participants will be notified early April 2026.
Location: In-person, based in Las Vegas, NM. Daily transportation support will be provided -- must be able to commute to Las Vegas, NM daily.
Specific Eligibility: Open to current sophomores and juniors from San Miguel, Guadalupe, Mora, Colfax, Harding and Union Counties
Summer Schedule: June 10, 2026 – June 24, 2026, M-F, 9:00am-3:00pm
2026 Applications: Summer 2026 application cycle will be open from October 1, 2025 through the application deadline on December 31, 2025. Accepted participants will be notified early April 2026.
Location: Residential, based at Santa Fe Indian School
Specific Eligibility: Open to current sophomores and juniors students enrolled at Santa Fe Indian School
Summer Schedule: June 10, 2026 – June 24, 2026, M-F, 9:00am-3:00pm
2026 Applications: Summer 2026 application cycle will be open from October 1, 2025 through the application deadline on December 31, 2025. Accepted participants will be notified early April 2026.
Location: Hybrid, based in Aztec, NM
Specific Eligibility: Open to current sophomores and juniors in San Juan, McKinley, and Cibola Counties, and the Navajo Nation.
Summer Schedule: June 10, 2026 – June 24, 2026, M-F, 9:00am-3:00pm
2026 Applications: Summer 2026 application cycle will be open from October 1, 2025 through the application deadline on December 31, 2025. Accepted participants will be notified early April 2026.
Location: In-person based in Hobbs, NM
Specific Eligibility: Open to current sophomores and juniors in Lea, Eddy, Chaves, or Lincoln counties.
Summer Schedule: June 10, 2026 – June 24, 2026, M-F, 9:00am-3:00pm
2026 Applications: Summer 2026 application cycle will be open from October 1, 2025 through the application deadline on December 31, 2025. Accepted participants will be notified early April 2026.
Location: In-person daily sessions based in Hobbs Area.
Specific Eligibility: Open to current sophomores and juniors in Taos and Rio Arriba counties.
Summer Schedule: June 10, 2026 – June 24, 2026, M-F, 9:00am-3:00pm
2026 Applications: Summer 2026 application cycle will be open from October 1, 2025 through the application deadline on December 31, 2025. Accepted participants will be notified early April 2026.
UNM Health Sciences and Services Building, First Floor
MSC09 5235
2500 Marble Ave. NE
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131
505-272-2728
HSC-Diversity@salud.unm.edu
