Medical/Health Education & Careers via U.S. Military
UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY OF THE HEALTH SCIENCE (USU)
America's Medical School: (Medicine, Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, and Psychology graduate & post-graduate programs)
The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) is the nation’s federal health professions academy — akin to the undergraduate programs of the U.S. military academies at West Point, Annapolis and Colorado Springs. And like the academies, students attending USU can focus on their education without the worry of incurring debt. Medical students enter the University as commissioned officers in one of the four uniformed services: Army, Navy, Air Force or Public Health Service (PHS). No prior service is required for admission to USU. Students pay no tuition or fees and, in fact, receive the full salary and benefits of a uniformed officer throughout their four years at the university in exchange for a seven-year active duty service commitment. (PHS graduates have a ten-year active duty obligation). These benefits include free medical care for students and eligible family members, a housing allowance, and 30 days paid leave annually. Books and laboratory equipment are also furnished to students at no charge.
Prior to matriculation, all incoming students attend a four- to six-week officer orientation program where they learn about the customs and traditions of life in their respective services as well as the responsibilities of a uniformed officer. This orientation provides students who have no prior commisioned officer experience with a transition to the uniformed services. Students then proceed to USU for the beginning of their formal medical education.
Upon graduation, students are promoted to the rank of O-3 (Captain for Army/Air Force, and Lieutenant for Navy/Public Health Service).
USU is located in Bethesda, Maryland, approximately two miles from Washington, DC. USU is located alongside the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and is directly across the street from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The physical proximity of these three world-class institutions creates a globally-unique academic health center of extraordinary depth, breadth and impact.
- USU Coursework Requirements
- USU Fact Sheet for a USU Fact Sheet
- America's Medical School: What you Need to Know (Detailed information about your USU education and military career commitment)
For more information, contact:
LTC Aaron Saguil,
Associate Dean of Recruitment and Admissions
Email: aaron.saguil@usuhs.edu
U.S. ARMY MEDICINE - EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES:
The U.S. Army offers ways to pay for education in medical, dental, optometry, veterinary, psychiatric nurse practitioner, clinical or counseling psychology programs. Depending on your unique situation, you may be eligible for a scholarship, a monthly stipend program or educational loan repayment. In addition, you'll train alongside dedicated health care professionals and gain unique experience. You'll also receive paid continuing education courses and have the opportunity to earn advanced degrees.
Health Professions Scholarship Program: The U.S. Army health care team will pay 100% of your tuition for a graduate-level health care degree for any accredited medical, dental, veterinary, psychology or optometry program in the United States or Puerto Rico.
Undergraduate Health Care Education: Bachelor of Nursing Program, Reserve Nurse Corps Program (reserve program while you are currently enrolled in an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing program).
Graduate Health Care Education: Dental Programs, Medical Programs, and Allied Health Programs (Optometry, Clinical or Counseling Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nutrition, Veterinary)
Post-Graduate Health Care Education: Dental Programs, Medical Programs, and Allied Health Programs (Audiology Externship or Podiatric Surgical Residency). Information on how to gain specialized experience and training via the Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs for all medical specialties (residencies and/or fellowships).
U.S. NAVY MEDICINE - CAREERS & EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES:
Browse military careers in: Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Health Care Administration, Health Care Science, Clinical Care, Medical Support
Navy Medical Education Programs:
Physicians, dentists and nurses. Health care administrators, health care scientists and clinical care providers. If you’re drawn to any of these occupational areas, the Navy offers a variety of programs that can help finance your graduate-level professional schooling all the way through residency (if applicable). After which, you’ll begin a fulfilling occupation as an Officer and professional serving in the world of Navy Health Care.
Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP): covers 100% of the cost of medical school, dental school or qualifying postgraduate school tuition, plus offers a monthly stipend of $2,200 to cover living expenses for up to four years. Beyond that, medical school and dental school candidates can get a sign-on bonus of up to $20,000.
Navy Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP): provides anywhere from $157,000 to $269,000 while finishing medical school, dental school or qualifying postgraduate school. That includes a monthly salary and housing allowance from $3,280 to $5,610 for up to 48 months of your program (housing allowance may vary depending upon location).
Note that it’s also possible to get military pay and additional benefits that are competitive with many entry-level management positions for up to 24 months while still in school for some master’s programs and for up to 36 months for various Ph.D. programs.
Navy Financial Assistance Program (FAP): provides potentially over $275,000 during a typical four-year medical or dental residency. That includes a $45,000 annual grant on top of any residency program-based salary – plus a monthly stipend of $2,200 to cover living expenses for up to four years.
Offers for Practicing Health Care Professionals (Active Duty): Practicing physicians, dentists, nurses and select health care specialists interested in Active Duty service may qualify for incentives ranging from sign-on bonuses to loan assistance through the Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP).
Offers for Practicing Health Care Professionals (Reserve): Practicing physicians, dentists, nurses and select health care specialists interested in Reserve service may qualify for incentives ranging from specialty pay to sign-on bonuses to loan assistance through the Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP).
U.S. AIR FORCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS:
When you join as a healthcare professional, the Air Force offers programs to finalize your training or certification, assist with educational debt and advance your skills. Whether you are still in school or need continuing education, we make sure you have the resources and tools necessary to complete your goals and continue advancing your career in the healthcare field.
The Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program (ASCP): Active duty, enlisted Airmen may apply for the Airman Scholarship and Commissioning
Program (ASCP). This program offers Airmen the opportunity to earn a commission while
completing their bachelor’s degree in a variety of fields, including technical, nontechnical,
nursing, pre-health and foreign language areas.
Those selected temporarily separate from active duty Air Force to join ROTC and become
a full-time student at a participating college. Participants receive tuition and fees
scholarships for up to $15,000 per year, and a textbook allowance of $600 per year.
The Health Professions Scholarship Program: Healthcare professionals can pursue further studies with financial assistance through
the Health Professions Scholarship program. These scholarships cover all tuition and
required fees, including textbooks, small equipment and supplies as well as a monthly
allowance for living expenses. While on scholarship, recipients spend 45 days on active
duty in the Air Force. Upon graduation, recipients serve one year of active duty for
each year of scholarship, with a minimum of three years.
Studies funded with the help of scholarship include one- and two-year programs for
Biomedical Science Corps specialties (Pharmacists, Optometrists, Clinical Psychologists
and Public Health Officers), two- and three-year programs for Nurse Corps specialties
and three- and four-year programs for Medical Corps and Dental Corps.
The Allied Health Internship Program: The Allied Health Internship Program offers several internship opportunities at Air Force medical facilities. The program allows participants to become interns in practice areas such as Clinical Psychology, Audiology, Clinical Social Worker, Dietetic and more. Contact your health professions recruiter for qualification and benefit information.
The Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP): The Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP) offers active duty Airmen an opportunity
to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an in-demand career in the Air Force. Participating
students remain on active duty and continue to receive an income while going to school
full time at a college or university that participates in ROTC. Participants receive
a tuition and fees scholarships for up to $15,000 per year, as well as a textbook
allowance of $600 per year.
Those selected may participate for up to three years, depending on their degree program
and previous academics. Students will commission upon passing the National Council
Licensure Examination, and then attend Commissioned Officer Training and the Nurse
Transition Program.
The Physician Assistant Training Program: Physician’s Assistants are an in-demand and highly respected career within the Air Force. Active duty Airmen can apply to the Physician Assistant Training program. The qualified individuals accepted into the program will receive the advanced training they need to provide expert medical care to military personnel and their families.
Healthcare Continuing Education (HCE): Healthcare Continuing Education (HCE) is critical to the success of the Air Force mission. We support healthcare career development with mentorship opportunities and humanitarian missions around the world through funding and scheduling that allows for continuing study. Specific education and training opportunities are available for Physicians, Nurses and Dentists.
Residency Financial Assistance Program: Medical and dental professionals can complete their residency without financial worry through the Residency Financial Assistance program. Those selected will receive more than $45,000 for every year they participate in the program as well as a stipend of over $2,000 per month to cover living expenses. Upon completion of residency, participants complete one year of service in the Air Force for each year of participation, plus one extra year. Contact your health professions recruiter for qualification and benefit information.
Browse professional careers in the Air Force: such as Health & Medicine, Dentistry, Allied Health, Mental Health, Health Administration, Health Technicians & Specialists, Nursing, Physicians & Surgeons