Health Opportunities Program
UNMC Kearney Campus Grand Opening on May 14, 2026.
UNMC’s Health Opportunities Programs (HOP) are designed to address the healthcare needs across the state of Nebraska. In partnership with Chadron State College, Peru State College, University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska at Omaha and Wayne State College, the health opportunities programs recruit, educate and graduate leaders from Nebraska who are committed to returning to Nebraska’s rural and urban underserved areas to practice healthcare.
Health Opportunities Programs support Nebraska’s health workforce by connecting students with health career pathways and educational opportunities. Our office supports the evaluation and strategic evolution of HOP initiatives as part of its broader work to strengthen the learner-to-workforce continuum.
These programs help students explore health careers, connect with educational pathways and prepare for future roles in Nebraska’s health workforce.
RHOP - Rural Health Opportunities Program
- Be a Nebraska resident who has either a rural home address or rural high school address.
- The following cities and towns are not considered rural: Omaha, Ralston, Boys Town, Elkhorn, Lincoln, Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Chalco and Offutt Air Force Base.
- Be an incoming freshman that has applied and been accepted to the state college of interest.
- Be committed to practice in a rural Nebraska area.
- Demonstrate strong academic potential (ACT score expectations vary by program, but scores must be at least a 19 or above in all four areas to receive consideration).
- Apply for only one professional field.
- Full tuition scholarship at a Nebraska State College of your choice (does not apply to summer session courses).
- Guaranteed admission into UNMC.
- Early registration privileges.
- Opportunities to visit UNMC during your time at Wayne State.
- Special academic advising.
- Free official MCAT practice tests.
KHOP - Kearney Health Opportunities Program
- Have a sincere interest in becoming a healthcare provider in: dentistry, dental hygiene, medical laboratory science, medical nutrition, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, radiography, physical therapy, physician assistant and public health.
- Have a willingness to practice healthcare in rural Nebraska.
- Must receive a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Have scored a minimum ACT composite of 23 and must have completed the science portion of the ACT. Superscores are not considered.
- Must be a rural Nebraska resident. Students from the following cities and towns are not considered rural and therefore are not eligible: Omaha, Ralston, Boys Town, Elkhorn, Lincoln, Bellevue, Papillion, LaVista, Chalco and Offutt Air Force Base.
- Students selected for KHOP will receive a full tuition scholarship to UNK for up to 120 credit hours.
- Students will follow a special curriculum and participate in professional development activities at UNK that will prepare them for their healthcare program at UNMC.
- Students receive admission to their specified healthcare program at UNMC upon satisfactory completion of all requirements within the prescribed timeline.
- Freshmen students are part of the KHOP Learning Community that includes a Learning Community scholarship. Situated in Centennial Towers West, this vibrant community unites KHOP students and provides four KHOP upperclassmen mentors, nurturing both their academic and personal growth. Students have the advantage of an instant study group of peers who are enrolled in similar courses. They can participate in a mentoring program and various professional development opportunities through CN AHEC.
UHOP - Urban Health Opportunities Program
- Demonstrate a strong interest in a career of medicine.
- Apply as a high school senior.
- US citizenship or permanent residency.
- Nebraska residency.
- High school GPA ≥3.25 and ACT composite and math Score ≥24.
- Recommendation letters.
- Tuition assistance at UNO starting freshman year for UHOP scholars.
- Automatic UNO Pre-medical Committee sponsorship.
- Mentoring by UNMC medical students.
- MCAT preparation assistance.
- Opportunities to provide mentorship.
- Successful program completion results in guaranteed admission to the UNMC Medical Doctorate program.
Annual Pathway Program Visit
Every year, students in the RHOP, KHOP and UHOP pathway programs visit the UNMC campus for hands-on education. See the slideshow below for highlights from the 2025 visit.
