Commissioned Corps Officer Student Training and Extern Program (COSTEP)

The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps offers two excellent opportunities for students to serve their country while completing their education. If you are interested in a public health career, we encourage you to apply to the Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP) and the Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP). Both programs offer excellent benefits and are highly competitive.

If you have questions about COSTEP, please join our upcoming conference calls on the following dates and times (all times Eastern Standard):

Friday September 09, 2011: 11 AM
Monday September 19, 2011: 12 PM
Tuesday October 04, 2011: 1 PM
Wednesday October 19, 2011: 2 PM
Thursday November 03, 2011: 11 AM
Friday November 18, 2011: 12 PM
Monday November 28, 2011: 1 PM
Tuesday December 06, 2011: 2 PM
Wednesday December 14, 2011: 11 AM
Thursday December 29, 2011: 12 PM

NEW Call-in number: 866-705-5819
Passcode: 1633181

Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP)

Are you looking for an opportunity to meet leaders in public health, gain valuable professional experience, and be paid for your work while you complete your health-related education? Consider the JRCOSTEP. JRCOSTEP training and extern positions are available to students who have completed at least 1 year of study in a master's or doctoral program or at least 2 years of study in a professionally accredited baccalaureate program in specific health disciplines and meet other program requirements. In recent years most JRCOSTEPs are in a variety of fields such as environmental health, pharmacy, engineering, nursing, and dentistry. JRCOSTEP participants work in the same exciting Federal agencies and programs as full Commissioned Corps officers do. Typical assignments in locations throughout the country vary from 31 up to 120 days during official school breaks. Most JRCOSTEP participants are hired for the summer months (i.e., June, July, August) but other opportunities may be available throughout the year. They are not obligated to serve in the Commissioned Corps after graduation, but may decide to serve an extended active-duty assignment after they complete their professional education. Click on JRCOSTEP testimonials to read a few firsthand accounts by program participants, and click on JRCOSTEP Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Applicants for JRCOSTEP who currently are in the next-to-last year of their professional education also may apply for SRCOSTEP.

Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP)

Are you looking for financial assistance to complete your education for a public health career? Consider SRCOSTEP - available to full time students during their final year of academic study or professional training. The program of study must lead to the completion of the academic and professional requirements outlined on our website by professional discipline. Those selected for the program can receive pay and benefits of an active duty officer at the O-1 level for up to 12 months while completing their academic or professional training. Applications are accepted from all Commissioned Corps eligible areas of study, though clinical positions (e.g. nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and physician assistants) are most often selected. In return for financial assistance, SRCOSTEP participants agree to work for the sponsoring agency as a Commissioned Corps Officer after graduation. The service obligation is equal to twice the time sponsored; that is, for 9 months of financial support, a SRCOSTEP participant commits to 18 months of employment with the division or organization that provided the support. Click on SRCOSTEP testimonials to read a few firsthand accounts by program participants, and click on SRCOSTEP Frequently Asked Questions for more information. To find out if you are eligible to apply, Click on "Apply Now" to take the prescreen. Candidates that are interested in applying for SRCOSTEP are encouraged to apply for JRCOSTEP (this can be done on the same application).

Application Due Dates for SRCOSTEP

Thank you for your interest in a program through which you can serve your country while also completing your education and earning valuable work experience.