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Pre-Professional Health Education

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Health Scholars Program | FAQs |  Post-Baccalaureate Program

Volunteer & Research Opportunities

In addition to the course work you take to prepare for entry into professional school, there are other important activities that will help you learn about the profession you are interested in and develop skills and abilities that will develop your understanding and strengthen your candidacy to the schools of your choice.  Every candidate for professional school should strive to have a strong academic record, a history of volunteer or service experiences, and a significant research experience.  Below you will find some of the many opportunities available.

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Volunteer Experiences

Volunteer experiences are an essential aspect of your development during your undergraduate years.  By volunteering in an organization that provides a variety of experiences or in one or two different organizations, you will gain valuable understanding of the many opportunities available to you as a health care professional.

Temple University Office of Community Service

The Temple University Office of Community Service provides a listing of areas hospitals and organizations that provide opportunities for volunteers.  Local hosptials, such as St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and organizations, such as The American Cancer Society and The American Lung Association, are among the institutions and organizations that provide experiential learning opportunties and allow pre-health studies students to develop their understanding of the rich complexity of the health care community in the twenty-first century.  For a complete list and contact information, click here.

Temple University Volunteers Organized Against Disaster (VOAD)

VOAD is open not only to students, faculty and staff of Temple but also to members of the community. All are encouraged to join VOAD and make a difference!
VOAD was founded as a result of a very successful Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Enough critically needed durable medical equipment was collected to fill a tractor trailer. The initial effort was followed by an even more successful equipment collection which filled an even larger semi truck. It all started with the incredible group of people who are the Institute on Disabilities, joined by many others who make the Temple University community a great place to experience. Responding quickly, Facilities, Temple Police, Parking, Athletics, IT & Computer Services, Recycling, and others asked how they could help. Considerable logistic support was provided by PEMA (Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency). Temple University VOAD's goal is to carry that spirit forward to build a permanent program in order to prepare AHEAD for times of emergency or disaster. VOAD is committed to supporting community activities that need assistance. For more information, click here.

Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine - Internship Program

Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine invites applicants to apply for its free, four-day winter internship program (WIP) or eight-day summer internship program (SIP) which takes place each year in January and June.  Interns attend workshops and seminars on podiatric medicine, as well as shadow and work with podiatric physicians in hospital, private practice, and outpatient clinic settings. A TUSPM student doctor will also work with interns on a case presentation.  Topics include: gross anatomy of the foot and ankle; introduction to podiatric medicine; biomechanics and pathomechanics of the foot and ankle; foot screening and evaluation; diabetes; sports injuries; geriatric conditions; pediatrics; and wound healing.  Candidates must have completed 30 credit hours, prior to participating, in programs at an undergraduate institution and may not have previously applied to a school of podiatric medicine.  For more information, click here. 

Cooper University Hospital

Opportunity to work in a busy, urban emergency department by functioning as a research assistant. Students interested in a healthcare profession (premed, predental, and nursing students) have participated in our well-established program since 2001. Undergraduates must be able to commit to one 6-7 hour shift per week. Students will undergo an orientation, attend lectures on research design and methodology and directly interact with patients as they assist with data collection for ongoing ED studies. This program is much more than "volunteering" in a hospital setting. You'll be part of the research team and will have an opportunity to earn a letter of recommendation. If you are interested, please contact Dr. Baumann, Division Head of Clinical Research, Department of EM at baumann-b@cooperhealth.edu.

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania - College & Premed Volunteer Program

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania College and Premed Volunteer Programs provide opportunities to college students, post-baccalaureate students and other candidates who are changing their career focus, and who are taking classes leading to a career in medicine. Many opportunities exist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for college students who are searching for volunteer positions that will allow exposure to careers in healthcare.  Premedical, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration and other college students are invited to HUP for service/learning experiences that enhance career goals. The College and Premed programs are structured to provide college students at all levels of education opportunity to gain valuable hospital experience and exposure to medicine.  Because of its design, HUP can accommodate a high number of interested candidates in the program.  As Premed Students plan to include volunteer service at HUP in their busy schedules, each should remember the importance of their commitment to serve, as well as the opportunities they have to observe medicine. A successful volunteer program incorporates service with learning.  For more information, click here.

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Summer Clinical Internship

The Office of Admissions at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School invites you to apply for a Summer Clinical Internship for undergraduates interested in careers in medicine.

Participants will have the opportunity to shadow clinical faculty members at the medical facilities in New Brunswick , New Jersey . Distinguished faculty from a variety of specialties will host students. Students will be paired with faculty in specialties representing students’ interests. Students are encouraged to keep the hours of the clinicians in order to get a real sense of the specialty, the issues in patient care and the practice of medicine, A lunchtime seminar series will complement the clinical experiences. Students will also take part in a pedagogic exercise at the end of the program. Students will make brief presentations to their peers on topics selected and researched with the guidance of the faculty preceptors.  For more information, click here.

Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP)

SMDEP is a free (full tuition, housing, and meals) six-week summer medical and dental school preparatory program that offers eligible students intensive and personalized medical and dental school preparation. Program offerings include:

• Academic enrichment in the basic sciences (organic chemistry, physics, biology, pre-calculus/calculus) and key elective courses (writing, oral presentations, current topics in health)
• Learning-skills seminars, including study skills and methods of individual and group learning
• Limited clinical exposure through small-group clinical rotations and full-group clinician seminars
• Career development, including the exploration of the medical and dental professions and an individualized education plan to identify other appropriate summer experiences
• A financial-planning workshop

For more information, click here.

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Research Opportunities

Every year, undergraduates have opportunities to participate in directed research projects during the summer months.  Some of these opportunities are available on campus at Temple; many others are available at universities, colleges, institutions, and corportations across the country and overseas.  There are opportunities for students in almost every field, and many of them provide generous stipends, housing and meal allowances, and travel support to the location.

Engaging in a concentrated research project can

• Deepen your understanding of the material you are studying in classes'
• Broaden your understadning of opportunities for further undergraduate and post-graduate study;
• Prepare you for graduate school - including your competitiveness for funding opportunitities;
• And become the first step toward a scholarship opportunity to support the completion of your undergraduate studies or to continue your education in graduate school.

Temple University Funding Opportunities

DIAMOND RESEARCH SCHOLARS PROGRAM

The Diamond Research Scholars Program offers a seven-month long funded research experience under the direction of a faculty mentor.  Participants receive a summer stipend of $2,750, tuition remission for three hours of research or independent study, and Honors credit for their research or creative arts project.  Scholars are expected to participate in the annual undergraduate research conference, TURF-CREWS.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH INCENTIVE FUND

The Undergraduate Research Incentive Fund (URIF) provides funding for undergraduate research projects and travel funds for students to present their research at local, regional, or national conferences.  Funding support up to $2,000 is available.

The Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) — Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBES) Program

Sponsored by the Graduate School at Temple University and funded by the National Science Foundation, the program is designed to significantly increase the number of students receiving doctoral degrees in the social sciences, behavioral sciences, and economics, with special emphasis on the population groups underrepresented in those fields.  Target populations include African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders.  The program at Temple provides research experiences and funding support for students in the following fields:  Anthropology, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.

Non-Temple Funding Opportunities

Below you will find general descriptions and links to some of the many Summer Research opportunities available for undergraduates in basic science and biomedical research; nearly all provide some funding support.  As you review the opportunities, please keep in mind the following:

• The list is not exhaustive;
• At the time of posting, not all the sites have been updated to reflect summer 2007 dates; if you see something that you are interested in check back in mid-October or contact the program to find the most up-to-date information;
• Some opportunities require letters of recommendation and transcripts; PLAN NOW, APPLY EARLY.
• Most of the opportunities expect a full-time commitment to the research activity or program for the period of support.
• Many of the opportunities listed have a commitment to providing support to individuals from under-represented or disadvantaged groups.  Be sure to read through the eligibility requirements carefully.  The summary statements below capture only the general guidelines.  Unless otherwise noted, candidates for these opportunities are expected to be current undergraduates enrolled full-time who have at least one full-time semester of course work after summer 2007.
• Support for the application process can be found by contacting Duane Smith at d.smith@temple.edu or 215-204-4991.

• For additional funded research opportunities beyond biomedical-related research, click here.