The Healthcare Career Exploration Academy introduces high school students to ten different healthcare disciplines to make it easier to decide which degree program matches their skills and interests. Students will learn about career opportunities within allied health professions, gain certification in health-related skills and earn two credits that will transfer to Quinnipiac University.
This program is perfect for high school students who are interested in a future career in health professions. In this exciting 2-week program, high school students will be introduced to a variety of health professions all while engaging in hands-on skill building such as proficiency in taking vital signs, introduction to suturing techniques, fabrication of custom orthoses, basic gait training and transfer skills, bench science laboratory techniques and basic dissection techniques.
At the end of this interactive experience, you’ll walk away with:
Three Certifications: Basic First Aid and CPR, Stop the Bleed and Teen Mental Health First Aid
The opportunity to earn up to two (2) college credits transferable to Quinnipiac University
Foundational knowledge in interprofessional education and experience with patient simulation
Hands-on, skill-building experiences within specific health professions, including but not limited to: measuring vital signs, performing suturing techniques, clinical lab anatomy and dissection, acquiring bench research skills with DNA testing, gait and transfer training, fabrication of custom orthoses and splints, diagnostic imaging, nutrition/dietary with hands on cooking.
An understanding of health profession career options, and knowledge of how different professions use their skills and expertise to solve problems across the healthcare industry
All attendees will have the opportunity to earn two course credits transferable to Quinnipiac University as well as industry certificates in:
Basic First Aid and CPR issued by the American Red Cross
Stop the Bleed by American College of Surgeons-Committee on Trauma
Teen Mental Health First Aid by National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Certificate of participation following their day at CESI-Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation at Hartford Hospital
Program Dates and Schedule
July 7, 2025 - July 18, 2025
Sample Daily Schedule: This is only a sample schedule and is subject to change due to a variety of factors.
Time
Activity
Details
9 a.m.
Ice Breaker
Skill Building: Interview like a health professional
Morning Program Meeting
Program 1: Health and Wellness / Nutrition
Program 2: Nursing Profession
Check-in with the group, quick introduction to the day's theme, and a challenge or game to get excited and motivated for the day!
10 a.m.
Morning Lesson: Nursing Profession
Holistic Healthcare
Vital Signs
Anatomy "Have Bones", Pig Lungs
Case Study: A Nurse's Perspective
Health and Wellness / NutritionPromoting Healthy EatingHands-on Cooking
QU faculty will teach and discuss the key topic for the day through an engaging lesson that incorporates group discussions, fun activities, and foundational theory.
Noon
Lunch
Eat and socialize with your classmates
1 p.m.
Afternoon Lesson: Intro to Healthcare
Identifying personal characteristics, strengths, knowledge and skills
Putting it into action
Elevator speech and application letter
There is a lot to learn in just two weeks, but the limited program size means there are lots of opportunities to ask questions throughout the lessons.
3 p.m.
Group Discussion
Practice taking your vital signs
Analyze your data: baseline, interim and post hike up Sleeping Giant
Make comparisons and graph your data
Put what you have learned into practice by working on a project using real data sets to analyze data, detect patterns, and solve problems!
4 p.m.
Review and Debrief Meeting
Nursing
Nutrition and Dietary
Intro to Healthcare
A chance to reflect and discuss the day as well as look to the days ahead.
4:30 p.m.
Day Program Ends
Dismissal for commuter students.
5 p.m.
Dinner
Dinner will be provided for those students with full room and board.
6 p.m.
Evening Activities (Group Recreation in our new Recreation and Wellness Center, Games, Guest Speakers, Independent and Group Enrichment Projects)
The evening is reserved for overnight students to have fun, experience our on-campus amenities, and bond with each other and staff through organized enrichment activities.
10 p.m.
Quiet Time
Weekend Programming and Excursions
In addition to the daily schedule listed above, our two-week programs offer organized trips and excursions during the weekends. Last summer, program attendees spent time in our local community while mini golfing, visiting the Mystic Aquarium and shopping in New Haven.
Field trips and weekend excursions may vary by program and session.
Hands-On Learning at Hartford Healthcare
Last summer, attendees in the Healthcare Career Exploration Academty took a day trip to the Hartford HealthCare Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation (CESI) at Hartford Hospital. Attendees spent the entire day with professional hospital staff practicing their newly acquired skills in simulated cases, from robotics to suturing and CPR. Students also watched a live bariatric surgery, did a Q&A with the surgeon and had a visit from Life Star helicopter staff.
Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant Professor Tim Ferrarotti teaches suturing during The Health Exploration and College Prep Summer Program on Quinnipiac’s North Haven campus.
Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant student Amelia Maurer works with Thalya Bailey, a rising junior at Achievement First Amistad High School, on suturing during The Health Exploration and College Prep Summer Program.
The Health Exploration and College Prep Summer Program is designed for high school students who want to learn about career opportunities within allied health professions, gain certification in health-related skills, and earn two credits that will transfer to Quinnipiac University.
Alexa Priore, a rising senior at Pomperaug High, practices suturing with a Quinnipiac Health Sciences student.
Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant student Dylan Latella works with Cherie Marimba, right, a rising senior at Wilbur Cross, on surgical knot-tying.
Participation Requirements
Participants must be current high school students in grades 10, 11, 12 or recent graduates. Typically, participants are 15 to 18 years of age at the start of the program entering their sophomore, junior and senior years.
Equipment and Materials
Quinnipiac University will provide all required materials, including laptops, for students within this program. Students are welcome to bring their own laptops or other devices for use outside of instruction periods or with the approval of their instructor.
Program Costs
Option 1: 2-week overnight program from Sunday to Saturday. Includes full room and board as well as evening and weekend activities: $3,360
Option 2: 2-week on-campus commuter program from Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Includes lunch daily: $2,400
Attendees will also need to cover the credit fee of $100 to receive academic credit ($50 per credit hour).
Both options offer:
Two weeks of faculty-designed programs taught on-campus with educational support staff
Technology and software support
A Quinnipiac T-shirt
A digital badge for use on social media, resumes or portfolios
Access to special Quinnipiac Admissions events
How to Register for Summer Programs
We've recently launched a new application and registration system for summer programs, camps and courses. Each new student must create an account in order to access this system. If you already have an account and are a returning student, please sign in using your credentials from the main page. If you plan to attend multiple programs, please use the same account, although courses will need to be purchased individually.
Take the Next Step
Students must declare if they plan to attend for either the residential (overnight) experience or the commuter experience at the time of registration. We are currently offering a $100 discount for early bird registrants who register and pay in full before January 15, 2025.
If you are not paying in full at the time of registration, you must submit a non-refundable $250 deposit to reserve your spot for 30 days. Any student who places the non-refundable deposit must pay the full remaining cost of the program within 30 days from the date of deposit to be enrolled in the program.
Partial financial support may be available for those who indicate the need for financial assistance in their online application. Financial support awards are based on a combination of financial need and academic merit.
We are pleased to offer a 15% discount on all summer camps and experiences to current Quinnipiac employees, Quinnipiac alumni and employees of our corporate partners. Please contact summerprograms@qu.edu to request your discount code.
Find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions among prospective students and families regarding our summer programs. If you can't find an answer to your question, please contact us and we'd be happy to chat.
Quinnipiac University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as an institution of higher education. Students who have a current IEP or 504 plan are encouraged to share any accommodations or modifications they may require in order to access the fundamentals of a QU summer program or camp they plan to attend.
Students requesting disability-based accommodations should indicate this within the application as well as email summerprograms@qu.edu about any and all specific accommodation needs.
