TTUHSC Rural Health
Home F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health

Rural practice experience

Community–based education is a crucial component to the student's learning experience. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center provides opportunities for students to gain hands–on experience in rural settings.

Community–based Experiences Offered by the Health Sciences Center
TTUHSC School Rural Community–based Education Component
Allied Health Sciences
  • Years 2 and 3: 6–week and 8–week rural clinicals available in most degree programs
Medicine
  • Years 1 and 2: Weekly half–day rotations in community clinical setting
  • Year 1: Extracurricular experience available in Summer
  • Year 3: Variable number of weeks as part of family practice rotation
  • Year 4: 4–week Rural Selective
Nursing
  • Bachelor and Graduate level: Semester–long rural clinicals available
Pharmacy
  • Year 3 or 4: Required 6–week rural clerkship

Students at the Health Sciences Center are encouraged to seek out a rural–based experience to round out their understanding oDoctorsf providing care in settings outside an urban medical center. Some students already desire to practice in a rural community–others are unfamiliar with rural life and try it out to see what it is like. All come back with an appreciation of the care and skill required of rural providers.

More than 170 health care professionals in rural communities across the region participate as community–based preceptors through the West Texas Area Health Education Center (AHEC) program. The AHEC staff assists students from health professions programs across the state with finding a community–based experience in the region. The AHEC also assists students with local housing in rural communities so that they get the full experience of rural life. Doctors at computer

For more information about setting up a rural practice opportunity, call or email Shannon Kirkland at 806.743.1338.