Medical Spanish Opportunities
Latino Health Track
A scholarship is available to students who are interested in pursuing the Latino Health Track (LHT). If accepted into the LHT, students must:
- Take the offered medical Spanish courses in the PA schedule;
- Pursue the Graduate Certificate in Spanish for the Health Professions (see below); and
- Complete clinical rotations in high-density Latino areas.
Acceptance into LHT is competitive. While a greater language proficiency will increase competitiveness, it not required, nor is Latino heritage. A career objective to serve Latino communities is the greatest asset.
Students offered a seat in the PA program or placed on the alternate list will be sent an application in the Spring. Those accepted into the LHT will be announced in August before the start of the program.
Veterans
Veterans are encouraged to apply for the Latino Health Track will be given priority.
Graduate Certificate in Spanish for Health Professions (15 credits)
The Department of Global Studies and Languages has a hybrid graduate certificate in Spanish for the Health Professions (SHP). PA students may take individual SHP courses or pursue the graduate certificate. Dr. Cathleen Tarp, director of the SHP program, has a joint appointment with the Department of Global Studies and Languages and the PA program. She teaches regularly scheduled Spanish courses for PA students during the didactic year as well as other Spanish coursework in the languages department.
PA students are able to earn the graduate certificate by completing 15 credits from two areas of core instruction: language (minimum of 9 credits) and culture (minimum of 6 credits).
For more information, please visit the Course Catalog for the Department of Global Studies and Languages.
Access to individual Spanish for Health Professions courses
Those students that are not a part of the Latino Health Track are able to take individual SHP courses and take medical Spanish classes that are offered during the didactic year as electives or pursue the graduate certificate on their own.
International Rotation and Medical Mission experiences
In addition to courses and the graduate certificate, PA students are eligible to participate in two short-term medical mission trips to Spanish-speaking countries--the Dominican Republic and Peru--and a potential international clinical rotation in Belize. These international experiences are strictly voluntary. Students can receive academic credits toward the graduate certificate.
