Health Care Careers Exploration Program

All Youth Programs

A group of students in a classroom setting gathered around a table with medical equipment, including an ultrasound machine.

What:

A one-week summer program introducing students to careers in health care and health sciences

Who:

Deaf and hard-of-hearing students entering grades 10,11, and 12 in Fall 2025

When:

July 18-22, 2026

Where:

RIT/NTID Campus in Rochester, N.Y.

Cost:

$900 – includes housing, meals, activities, supplies, and more!

Deadline:

Apply by May 30, 2026

Overview and Health Career Tracks

Explore the exciting world of health care! During this hands-on program, you’ll:

Interact with deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing professionals working in health care and health sciences fields

Learn about a variety of health-related careers including nursing, medical imaging, exercise science, and research

Tour medical labs and facilities

Participate in interactive workshops, simulations, and group projects

Gain exposure to career pathways and college majors at RIT/NTID

Potential career tracks you’ll explore include:

  • Nursing
  • Radiologic Technology
  • Medical Laboratory Sciences
  • Exercise Science and Physical Therapy
  • Psychology and Behavioral Health
  • Health Care Administration
  • Biomedical Research
  • Public Health
  • Nutrition and Wellness

Whether you dream of becoming a nurse, therapist, technician, researcher, or working in another health related field, this program will help you explore what’s possible and take the first step towards your future. 

The Experience

At HCCEP, every day is packed with hands-on learning, new experiences, and real-world exploration in health care and health sciences. Our RIT/NTID Youth Programs team has years of experience creating unforgettable summer programs designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing students like you.

Student performing an ultrasound on a patient lying on a bed in a classroom setting, with educational slides about the thyroid gland displayed on screens in the background.

  • Step into the world of health care through interactive workshops, lab tours and skill-building activities. You’ll learn directly from professionals working in health care careers like nursing, medical imaging, physical therapy, lab science, and more.

  • Work closely in small groups led by experienced professionals and mentors who support you throughout the week and help you make the most of each activity.

  • Explore new subjects through unique workshops and seminars that cover a wide variety of health topics.

  • Spend your days learning and building skills with a full schedule of activities that give you an opportunity to learn alongside deaf and hard-of-hearing students like you.

And when the day’s done?
You’re just getting started:

Three individuals wearing maroon t-shirts with a 'Health Care Careers Exploration Program' logo.

  • Evenings are all about connection: enjoy social activities like game nights, movie nights, bowling, field trips, and more. All events are fully supervised and accessible.

You’ll stay in RIT’s residence halls, eat in the campus dining facilities, and experience a taste of college life in a welcoming, accessible environment. The best part is that you’ll do it with friends just like you!

Person wearing a green hat with an 'L' emblem, holding a pink drink, and making the sign for 'love'.

That’s what HCCEP is all about—exploring your future in health care, making connections, and discovering what’s possible. 

That's not all!

Here’s what sets this program apart:

$1,000 RIT/NTID Scholarship

If you complete HCCEP and later enroll at RIT/NTID for college, you’ll receive a $1,000 scholarship and a waiver of the RIT application fee. It’s our way of welcoming you and supporting your journey toward a health care career. (Note: Available to U.S. students only. Not combinable with other NTID summer program awards.)
Parent and Guardian Workshop

On the final day, parents and guardians are invited to a complimentary workshop to learn about the college application process, talk with financial aid and vocational rehabilitation services experts, and ask administrators questions that will help support your child’s college journey. Your student will be with the HCCEP program during this time.
Life on Campus

Get a feel for what college life is really like. HCCEP gives you a chance to build independence and confidence in a safe, accessible environment designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
Friendships and Connections

Beyond the workshops and labs, you’ll connect with other students through evening social activities like bowling, game nights, field trips, and more. Build lasting friendships while having a great time on and off campus.

FAQ

Deaf and hard-of-hearing students entering grades 10–12 in the upcoming fall who are in good academic standing. An application, transcript, audiogram, and short essay are required.

You’ll explore health care careers through hands-on workshops, lab visits, field trips, and group projects. Participants also earn CPR/First Aid certification.

The fee is $900, covering housing, meals, and all program activities. Transportation to campus and personal spending money are not included.

We encourage you to work with your state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies on financial assistance for this program. Limited scholarships may be offered based on financial need if VR assistance is unavailable.

Students live in RIT residence halls and eat meals in campus dining facilities.

Clothing, toiletries, bedding, and towels.

Applicants will be notified by email with acceptance details and instructions for submitting forms and payment.

Apply Now!


Apply

to our program on the website.


Submit

your audiogram, transcript, and short essay.


Deposit

Once you receive the acceptance letter, make a non-refundable $150 deposit to secure your spot.


Complete

all required forms.


Pay

Make the full payment ($750 toward the total program fee of $900).


Congratulations!

You are officially registered!

Before you apply

Please check to see if you meet the eligibility criteria below:

  • You will be a high school sophomore, junior or senior in fall 2026.
  • You are college bound and in good academic standing.
  • You have a hearing loss. 

Application Process

Complete the online application and submit the following items:

  • an official high school transcript
  • an unaided audiogram
  • a short essay or paragraph indicating why you want to attend this program and what your long term goals might be in the health care field.

After you apply, you need to submit these required items to our team. Acceptance into the program is contingent on you submitting the required information. The deadline to apply is May 30, 2026.

Payment

The program fee for HCCEP is $900. Once your application is accepted, a non-refundable $150 deposit (applied towards the $900 fee) is required to secure your spot in the program.

Pay Online

Required Forms

Once all documents are received, reviewed, and approved, please complete the forms below and remaining program fee payment.

NTIDoutreach@rit.edu

NTID Health Care Careers Exploration Program
Rochester Institute of Technology
52 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, New York 14623

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the Health Care Careers Exploration Program, contact us!

Students, please fill out the Learn More form if you're interested in learning more or participating in the next Health Care Careers Exploration Program.

585-286-4555 (videophone)
585-362-2185 (text/FaceTime)
1-866-644-6843 (toll-free in the U.S. and Canada)

You can contact us by email at ntidoutreach@rit.edu.

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