Pipeline Rural Education Program

Pipeline Rural Education Program (PREP)

The Pipeline Rural Education Program introduces WVU undergraduate students to pathways into the rural healthcare professions and invites all eligible undergraduate health professions students to apply. Application deadline is September 14, 2026.

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PREP Purpose

According to the RHI (Rural Health Information) Hub, maintaining healthy rural communities depends on a robust rural health workforce. However, provider shortages are more common and oftentimes more severe in rural areas. Rural communities need physicians, nurses, dentists and other healthcare professionals that are well-educated, well-trained and have had experiences that expose them to and prepare them for rural practice. To combat the shortage of rural healthcare providers, the WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health has created PREP (Pipeline Rural Education Program). Creating more opportunities for undergraduate students to be exposed to rural experiences will bridge the gap much sooner.

Program Description

PREP (Pipeline Rural Education Program) invites rising WVU juniors and seniors interested in exploring rural healthcare to apply. Participants must complete the program in full to receive a $500 participation award.

  1. Attend Rural PRO in the fall semester.

  2. Attend 2 Rural Health Interest Group meetings in the fall or spring semester.

  3. Attend 1 Project Reach event in the fall or spring semester.

  4. Attend 1 Rural Immersion in the fall or spring semester.

  5. Meet with the Pre-Health Office at any point before graduation.

  6. Must attend WVU Rural Health Day in the spring semester.

  7. PREP poster presentation and graduation in May.

Eligibility

Undergraduate rising juniors and seniors in the following disciplines are eligible to participate. If your program isn’t listed, but you would like to participate, please contact us.

  • Biology

  • Biochemistry

  • Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics

  • Chemistry

  • Child Development and Family Studies

  • Communication Sciences Disorders

  • Counseling and Mental Health

  • Dental Hygiene

  • Engineering

  • Exercise Physiology

  • Forensics

  • Health Informatics & Information Management

  • Health & Well-Being

  • Human Nutrition & Foods

  • Immunology & Medical Microbiology

  • Neuroscience

  • Nursing

  • Pharmacy

  • Physics

  • Pre-Medical Biology

  • Psychology

  • Public Health

  • Social Work

Eligible students must also have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and an interest in rural and/or medically underserved healthcare.

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