With funding through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant from the CDC, the DPH Academic Health Department (AHD) is thrilled to announce a new paid experiential learning opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students, a paid internship program. This program will be a unique hands-on internship exposing students to state level public health work combined with opportunities for professional development.
Equitable hiring process
Applications will be reviewed initially based on a rubric in a process where identifying information (name, school, gender, race etc) are removed. The Academic Health Department is implementing this hiring strategy in an effort to practice equitable hiring practices.
Highest scoring applicants will be invited to a brief interview with the Academic Health Department and the Preceptor throughout April and May. Applicants will be notified by end of June of their hiring status.
Qualifications & learning objectives
There are a range of positions throughout the Department that this program is recruiting for. Not all students need to be studying public health, however, you should apply to roles where you have the skills and education indicated in the project description to be considered. Additionally, a strong interest in public service and understanding to the DPH’s mission is what will be considered. We encourage you to review our Program FAQs before you apply.
Student intern qualifications
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- At least the minimum age required by federal, state or local laws and employment standards U.S. citizen, or appropriate employment authorization documentation
- A degree-seeking student in an undergraduate or graduate school 1) within Massachusetts or 2) with a permanent residence in Massachusetts
- Able to produce a letter of verification from your educational institution showing proof of enrollment
- Able to complete and sign Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) paperwork
- Completed application including an unofficial transcript, resume, and three short answer responses
Intern learning objectives
- An understanding of careers in governmental public health and public service
- Newly gained professional and relevant skills
- Knowledge on addressing socioeconomic and environmental determinants of health
- Appreciation of racial equity and knowledge on addressing health disparities through racial inequities
- Opportunities to reflect on career interests through professional developmental opportunities
Compensation
Undergraduate interns will be paid at a rate of $20.00 per hour and graduate interns will be paid at a rate of $25.00 per hour.
Program timeline
Early March Application opens
April 21 Applications closes
April-May Interviews held
Late June Interns notified
Second week in September Orientation
September 9 - December 9 Internship experience
December 5 Closing session: Internship expo & final projects presentation (in-person)
Internship projects
Here is a list of internship projects for the Fall 2024 semester at DPH. You will have a chance to share which project(s) you are interested when you submit the application online.
Project 1: Maternal and Child Health Fact Sheets
Master's and or Doctoral students
Project 2: Health Transition Toolkit Soft Launch
Bachelors and or Master's students
Project 3: Title V Needs Assessment
Associates, Bachelors, and or Master's students
Project 4: Weapons-Related Injury Surveillance System
Master's students
Project 5: The Impact of School Health Services in the Commonwealth
Final year of Undergrad, Master's, and or first year PhD students
Project 6: Violent Death Surveillance Project
Master's or Doctoral students
Project 7: Infectious Disease Education Support
Associates and or Bachelor students
Project 8: The Impact of Financial Incentives on COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Massachusetts
Master's and or Doctoral students
Project 9: Local Public Health Workforce Development Operational Modernization
Associates, Bachelors, and or Master's students
Project 10: Digital Media Quality Improvement
Associates, Bachelors, and or Master's students
Project 11: Data Modernization Initiative Information Management
Upper-class Bachelors, Master's, and or Doctoral students
Project 12: Learn How to Prosecute Professional License Matters
Associates, Bachelors, and or Master's students
Project 13: Spatial Analysis of Breast Cancer Incidence and Staging and Mammography Facility Distribution in Massachusetts Communities
Master's and or Doctoral students
Project 14: Residential Radon Exposure: Tracking and evaluating radon test kits, usage and results
Master's students
Project 15: STD Prevention and Control for Health Departments, Health Communication Project
Associates and Bachelors students
Project 16: Unified Recovery and Monitoring Program – A New Alternative-to-Discipline Recovery Program
Final year undergraduates, Master's degree and/or Doctoral students)
For more information, please check out Program FAQs. You can also contact us by email dphinternship@mass.gov.