CTE Pathway · HOSA-aligned

Health Sciences & Medicine

How an Arizona high schooler moves from a health-curious 9th grader into the AZ medical workforce. Mapped to ADE's CTE pathway framework with HOSA as the anchor CTSO.

Stage 1 of 4

High School Coursework

Health-sciences-aligned curriculum + early CNA / EMT certification programs (offered through EVIT, West-MEC, Pima JTED) build foundational credentials. AP Biology, Anatomy, and Chemistry feed both HOSA event categories and pre-med college admissions.

AP Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology
CNA certification (EVIT, West-MEC, Pima JTED)
Sports Medicine / Athletic Training electives
Medical Terminology dual-enrollment with AZ community colleges
AHA BLS (Basic Life Support) certification

See AZ health-aligned opps

Stage 2 of 4

CTSO Activities (HOSA)

Joining HOSA in 9th-10th grade and progressing through chapter calendar — area + state competitions in Medical Terminology, Pathophysiology, Clinical Specialty events, Health Career Display. Top finishers qualify for HOSA International Leadership Conference (ILC).

Chapter membership + officer roles
Competitive events (Medical Terminology, Pathophysiology, Behavioral Health)
Service Project Award (community health initiative)
State Leadership Conference + ILC qualification
Health-care job-shadow placements via chapter advisor

See HOSA-relevant opps

Stage 3 of 4

Summer Experience

Summer separates competitive medical-school applicants from generic ones. Mayo Clinic Phoenix HS Research Internship, TGen Helios Scholars, Banner Health volunteer programs, Phoenix Children's Hospital Junior Volunteers, AZ summer pre-med intensives.

Mayo Clinic Phoenix HS Research Internship (paid)
TGen Helios Scholars Program (paid biomedical research)
Banner Health Volunteer / shadowing program
Phoenix Children's Hospital Junior Volunteer
ASU / UA pre-med summer intensives

See AZ medical research + volunteer

Stage 4 of 4

College & Career

Senior year converts the pipeline into outcomes — applications to AZ pre-med tracks (ASU Edson, UA Honors with biomed focus, NAU pre-health), health-aligned scholarships, and direct paths into AZ healthcare. AZ's shortage of healthcare workers makes in-state retention a priority for AZ employers.

AZ pre-med college applications (ASU Edson, UA Honors, NAU)
Health-aligned scholarships (Bob & Renee Parsons, Pima County Bar, Tucson Medical)
Need-based aid (Pell, AzGrant)
Direct hire pipeline: Banner Health, Mayo, TMC, Dignity Health
Continued HOSA-Postsecondary participation

See AZ pre-med scholarships

Explore other Arizona CTE pathways

Business, Finance & EntrepreneurshipFBLA-aligned Marketing, Sales & EntrepreneurshipDECA-aligned Family, Consumer Sciences & Human ServicesFCCLA-aligned Agriculture, Food & Natural ResourcesFFA-aligned Skilled Trades, Industry & ConstructionSkillsUSA-aligned Technology, Engineering & Computer ScienceTSA-aligned

For counselors & advisors

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See full quarterly research FBLA student page

High School Coursework

AP Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology

CNA certification (EVIT, West-MEC, Pima JTED)

Sports Medicine / Athletic Training electives

Medical Terminology dual-enrollment with AZ community colleges

AHA BLS (Basic Life Support) certification

See AZ health-aligned opps

CTSO Activities (HOSA)

Chapter membership + officer roles

Competitive events (Medical Terminology, Pathophysiology, Behavioral Health)

Service Project Award (community health initiative)

State Leadership Conference + ILC qualification

Health-care job-shadow placements via chapter advisor

See HOSA-relevant opps

Summer Experience

Mayo Clinic Phoenix HS Research Internship (paid)

TGen Helios Scholars Program (paid biomedical research)

Banner Health Volunteer / shadowing program

Phoenix Children's Hospital Junior Volunteer

ASU / UA pre-med summer intensives

See AZ medical research + volunteer

College & Career

AZ pre-med college applications (ASU Edson, UA Honors, NAU)

Health-aligned scholarships (Bob & Renee Parsons, Pima County Bar, Tucson Medical)

Need-based aid (Pell, AzGrant)

Direct hire pipeline: Banner Health, Mayo, TMC, Dignity Health

Continued HOSA-Postsecondary participation

See AZ pre-med scholarships