Professional Career Escalators

If you're an incoming first-time college student with a minimum 2.5 GPA or a transfer student with a minimum 2.5 GPA and 30 transferable credit hours, you will be invited to apply for up to $2,500 in scholarships.

Apply to UMKC

About Our Program

Our program gives students professional experiences that encourage successful transitions into careers in four growing industries — health care, education, business and engineering or law and justice.

Program expectations

Discover the five core experiences of the program, time commitment and other program requirements.

Scholarships

Choose from a $1,500 tuition scholarship or a $2,500 on-campus housing scholarship.

Career tracks

Discover how the program's career tracks fit with these degree-to-professional career examples.

Experiential learning

Participate in virtual meetings, shadowing, industry tours and networking opportunities.

Group of students clasping hands together in middle.

Who Can Apply?

Incoming first-time college students with a minimum 2.5 GPA or transfer students with a minimum 2.5 GPA and 30 transferable credit hours will be invited to apply through their UMKC status page. The deadline to apply is March 1.

Learn how to apply

Benefits of Professional Career Escalators

Career guidance and development

Gain specialized career and academic advising, access to program-exclusive workshops and goal assessments.

Mentorship

Take advantage of group and individual mentorship with peers, faculty experts and community professionals.

Graduate and professional preparation

Access admissions prep resources, professional workshops and graduate or professional school planning guidance.

Leadership development

Identify your leadership style, understand leadership theories and practice leadership.

Experiential learning

Learn from industry professionals through networking and explorative events.

Scholarships

Earn up to $1,500 in tuition assistance or $2,500 on-campus housing scholarship.

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Our High School Program

Through the Professional Career Escalators-Career U (PCE-Career U) program, high school students have the opportunity to engage in career exploration and professional development, network with Kansas City-area professionals and connect with current students in the collegiate Professional Career Escalators program through in-person and virtual workshops during the academic year.

Learn more about Career U

Meet Our People

Mako Miller Phone: (816) 235-6476 Email: mako.miller@umkc.edu

Amanda Lague Phone: (816) 235-2196 Email: alague@umkc.edu

Connor Davis Phone: (816) 235-6430 Email: connordavis@umkc.edu

"I have financial aid through the Professional Career Escalators program that goes towards my housing in the living-learning community. That helps me feel as though I belong in this community, and it provides a recognition for being a part of the Professional Career Escalators."
Alex Rose

Alex Rose

Health care track, Professional Career Escalators

Read Alex's story