With funding through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the DPH Academic Health Department (AHD) is excited to host its third year of the paid internship program.
This hands-on internship program provides students with meaningful exposure to state-level public health work, paired with structured professional development and a platform to showcase their work at the end of semester at the Intern EXPO. Interns gain real-world experience while learning about careers in governmental public health and public service. Please read the project descriptions carefully as some internships are one semester and some are two.
Application instructions
- Review the 23 projects listed in this project listings document
- Complete application by Sunday May 17, 2026, and follow all the instructions carefully
- You may apply for more than one project, but you will need to complete a different application for each
- These are the materials you’ll need to apply: Resume, responses to short answer questions, unofficial transcript
- The AHD will be in touch with the status of your application by early July
If you have any questions or need any accommodations to complete the application, please e-mail: DPHinternship@mass.gov.
Qualifications & learning objectives
DPH recruits for a variety of internship positions across the department. While not all applicants must be majoring in public health, students should apply to projects that align with their skills and academic level. A demonstrated interest in public service and an understanding of DPH’s mission are essential.
We encourage all applicants to review the Program FAQs before applying.
Eligibility requirements:
- Have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA
- Meet the minimum age requirements under federal, state, and local employment laws
- Be a U.S. citizen or possess appropriate employment authorization documentation
- Be enrolled in a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate program for the duration of the internship either at a Massachusetts institution, or have permanent residence in Massachusetts
- Be able to produce a letter of verification from their educational institution showing proof of enrollment
- Be able to complete and sign Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) paperwork
- Submit a completed application, including an unofficial transcript, resume, and three short-answer responses
Intern learning objectives
Interns will contribute meaningfully to key projects and initiatives across DPH. Through this immersive experience, students will:
- Develop an understanding of careers in governmental public health and public service
- Build professional and technical skills relevant to their field of study
- Engage in structured career development opportunities to reflect on their interests and goals
- Gain knowledge of socioeconomic and environmental determinants of health
- Develop an appreciation for racial equity and strategies to address health disparities rooted in systemic inequities
Compensation
- Undergraduate interns: $20.00 per hour
- Graduate interns: $25.00 per hour
Program timeline
- Mid-March: Intern application opens
- April 7 & April 23, 2026: Online intern information sessions
- May 17, 2026: Application deadline
- Mid-May through late June 2026: Application review and interviews
- By early July 2026: Applicants notified of application status
- September 7, 2026: Internships begin
- Second week in September: Intern Orientation
Intern information sessions
The AHD strongly encourages interested applicants to attend an information session to learn more about the program and application process. During these sessions, attendees will receive:
- An overview of the internship program and professional development opportunities
- Guidance on strengthening their application, including resume and short-answer best practices
- A detailed review of the application process and timeline
If you require any support with the registration process or need accommodations to attend, please reach out to: DPHInternship@mass.gov
Dates:
Tuesday April 7th, 1:00pm-2:00pm
Thursday April 23rd, 1:00pm-2:00pm
For more information, please visit the Program FAQs.