DPH Paid Internship Program
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.
The DPH Paid Internship Program is now accepting applications for the Fall 2024 (September – December) semester. The deadline to apply is April 21, 2024. Learn more about this program, internship projects, and timeline.
DPH Internship Program
The DPH Internship Program is an unpaid or short-term paid program which offers valuable work experience at DPH directly related to the students’ academic field of study. It is expected that students performing unpaid work are earning course credit or receive credit for meeting a course requirement. If you are in search of an internship, capstone, or practicum experience, please complete our student expression of interest form and send your resume to DPHInternship@mass.gov.
General program requirements
In order to qualify, the student must be:
- At least the minimum age required by federal, state or local laws and employment standards;
- A U.S. citizen, or appropriate employment authorization documentation;
- A student enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree-seeking student;
- Able to produce a letter of verification from your educational institution showing proof of enrollment.
-
Able to complete and sign CORI paperwork, including:
Academic Public Health Corps
The Academic Public Health Corps (APHC) is a program of the Massachusetts Academic Health Department Consortium (AHD) formed in March 2020. It is managed by the Massachusetts Health Officers Association (MHOA) and funded by the MA Department of Public Health (MDPH). The mission of the APHC is to support public health agencies and to advance health equity in Massachusetts by engaging with public health students, alumni, and expert participants through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Corps members are paired directly with local boards of health, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, or public health affiliated organizations in Massachusetts to support a variety of community level projects related to: Health Communication, Social Media Development and Management, Community Outreach, Translation Services, Data Analysis and Presentation, Policy and Protocols, and Mobilizing and Supporting Partnerships.
General requirements
- Corps members must be affiliated with one of the APHCs thirteen partner institutions as any of the following:
- Undergraduate student
- Graduate student
- Alumni
- Staff/Faculty
How do I apply to become a Corps Member?
The Academic Public Health Corps hires current public health students and recent graduates for 3-month or more Corps Member positions supporting public health across MA! Build your resume, find a practicum, and network with other public health professionals. A full job description is available online.
Apply online: APHC Corps Member Application, Summer 2024
Note: The APHC seeks to include a range of lived experiences in our organizational leadership. To that end, anyone who is interested in this role should apply — even if you do not perfectly match the qualifications listed above. We strongly encourage applications and inquiries from women, LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, people with disabilities, and others from historically underrepresented communities.
Approximate application deadlines (please check the job description via the APHC website for exact dates)
| Key Dates | Fall Cohort | Spring Cohort | Summer Cohort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application opens | April 15 | August 15 | January 15 |
| Application deadline | May 15 | September 15 | February 15 |
| Send offer letters | June 15 | October 15 | March 15 |
| Start date | 1st week of September | 1st week of January | 3rd week of May |
| Internship end date | Late December | Mid-May | Late August |
Local Health Internship Program, Division of Epidemiology (Summer Only)
The Local Health Internship Program is a summer program offered by the DPH Division of Epidemiology in Massachusetts. Since 2004, the program has placed 15-35 graduate students in various health departments throughout the state. The goal of the program is to enhance students' classroom education by providing real-world experience in local health departments and supporting them in completing public health projects.
Selected students will work on different projects related to topics like environmental health, substance use disorder, and communicable diseases. They will receive guidance from mentors and can shadow professionals in different DPH programs. At the end of the program, students will showcase their projects through posters and presentations. The program requires a minimum commitment of 160 hours during the summer, and participants will be paid $25 (graduate)/$20 (undergraduate) per hour for up to 160 hours of work.
2024 Project Descriptions (DOCX)
For more information, please email Julie Coco, Internship Coordinator
Local Health Internship Program Seasonal Timeline
| January & February | Local Boards of Health (LBOHs) design project proposals and submit to DPH an official application requesting to host an intern for the coming summer |
|---|---|
| February | DPH posts a comprehensive listing of approved internship vacancies and instructions for public health student applicants. |
| Mid-March | Student Internship Applications are Due |
| Late March | Student Match Week |
| Late May | Student Intern Orientation and Program Commencement |
| June & July | DPH Shadowing Opportunities Available |
| End of July | Student Project Abstracts Due |
| Mid-August | Closing Session/Final Projects Presentation |
Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS) Internship Program
The Massachusetts DPH Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS) Internship Program is perfect for current undergraduate students. As an intern with BIDLS, you will gain valuable resume experience, build relevant skills, and develop important networking connections. Applications are open from February 12, 2024 through March 10, 2024.
High School Opportunities
Outbreak! 2023
Outbreak! 2023 is a FREE program open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in learning about a variety of public health topics and careers. This interactive experience will have additional opportunities for students to expand their interests in person through optional tours and events.
Applications for Outbreak! are currently closed. Please check back for updated application submission information for 2024.
Learn more on the Public Health Museum's website.
Boston Congress of Public Health (BCPH) Public Health Summer Institute Pre-College Program
The Boston Congress of Public Health hosts the Public Health Summer Institute Pre-College Program, exclusively for high school students! This program consists of five sessions of intensive four-day summer programing. The four-day institutes will take place over summer, usually from July-August . Students will dramatically enhance their knowledge of the intersecting fields of public health, health equity, and social justice near the campuses of Harvard University, Yale University, Claremont Colleges, or Gallaudet University. Applications for the Boston Congress of Public Health Summer Institute Pre-College Program are currently closed. Please check back for updated application submission information for 2024. Learn more about the pre-registration, application fees, and program information on the Boston Congress of Public Health website.