Exploring Internship Opportunities at Boston's Museums of Science and Fine Arts
Internships provide invaluable opportunities for students and young professionals to gain practical experience, develop skills, and explore potential career paths. Boston, a hub of education and culture, boasts renowned institutions like the Museum of Science and the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), both offering robust internship programs. These programs cater to a diverse range of interests and academic backgrounds, fostering the next generation of museum professionals.
Museum of Science Internship Program: Inspiring a Lifelong Love of Science
The Museum of Science in Boston offers a dynamic internship program designed to engage collegiate and youth participants. This program is structured to promote learning, skill development, and community engagement.
Goal-Setting and Development
The Museum Internship Program provides a goal-setting structure that combines institutional methods with SMART goal elements, encouraging interns to set clear, measurable goals, fostering both personal growth and organizational impact.
Youth Internship Programs
The Museum of Science offers both Academic Year and Summer Youth Internship Programs. These programs are open to actively enrolled high school students aged 14-19, or those in equivalent programs. As a result of taking part in the Summer Youth Internship Program, interns will gain authentic work experience and develop transferable skills while contributing to our mission to inspire a lifelong love of science in everyone.
Learning Goals and Outcomes
Interns will develop their social and vocational competencies and an understanding of their application to future professional/academic environments. Interns will be able to communicate clearly and professionally with supervisors, colleagues, and Museum visitors.
Read also: Internship Guide
Practical Information for Museum of Science Interns
Eligibility
Internships are available as long as your educational institution allows it. The museum can work with students who wish to use their work-study funds or internship stipends from their school.
Application Process
Application deadlines are specified in the internship postings.
Intern Benefits
Intern benefits include free parking in the Museum garage and proximity to the MBTA's Green Line. Interns receive free admission to the Exhibit Halls, IMAX® films, Planetarium shows, 4-D shows, and Duck Tours, as well as discounts in the Museum store and café.
COVID-19 Policy
All staff, volunteers, and interns are required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Individuals that will be working on site (any site, including schools, other Museums, etc.) must receive their first vaccination shot no later than September 13, 2021 and be fully vaccinated by October 25, 2021. The Museum will consider an exemption from the vaccine requirement if the staff member, volunteer, or intern is unable to get vaccinated due to a qualifying medical disability or a sincerely held religious objection. The Museum is not required to provide an accommodation or exemption from the vaccine requirement if doing so would pose a direct threat to others in the workplace or would create an undue hardship for the Museum. For more information, you can request their Respiratory Illness Prevention Policy.
Non-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of the Museum of Science that all employees should be able to enjoy a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. This requires that each employee treat with courtesy and respect every other employee and individual with whom the employee has contact in the course of the employee’s employment. The Museum strictly forbids discrimination or harassment of any kind, including discrimination based race, color, religion, creed, gender, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, citizenship status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, disability, military status, status as a disabled, recently separated veteran, Armed Forces service medal veteran, or other covered veteran or any other protected status under applicable law. This policy extends to each and every level of our operation. Accordingly, any form of harassment, whether by a fellow employee, manager, supervisor, or by a third party doing business with the Museum, will not be tolerated. If an employee believes that he or she has been the subject of discrimination or harassment or that he or she has witnessed it in the workplace, the employee should immediately bring concerns to the attention of Human Resources, his or her supervisor, or any member of management with whom the employee is comfortable.
Read also: Internships at History Museums
MFA Pathways Internship Program: Building the Next Generation of Museum Professionals
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, invites college and university students to participate in the life of the Museum through the MFA Pathways internship program. Through paid undergraduate- and graduate-level internships in departments across the institution, MFA Pathways interns gain hands-on training in specific museum roles, participate in professional development to learn about a range of museum careers and practices, and build professional networks on which to draw in advancing career aspirations. All participants receive mentoring from staff in their assigned departments and opportunities to engage with professionals throughout the Museum.
Commitment to Inclusivity
As we amplify our efforts toward becoming a truly inclusive institution and fostering the next generation of museum staff, the MFA actively encourages students from all backgrounds to apply to the program.
Paid Internships
With a paid program in place, the MFA no longer offers unpaid internships or student volunteer opportunities. For more information regarding the MFA’s paid experiential learning opportunities for high school students, visit Teen Programs.
Application Information
Review available internships and apply on the Museum’s job portal during the application periods. The link will be activated during each open application period.
Program Dates
- Spring 2026 Internships: January 30-April 24, 2026
- Descriptions posted: October 23, 2025
- Application period: October 23-December 3, 2025
- Summer 2026 Internships: June 15-August 21, 2026
- Descriptions posted: February 12, 2026
- Application period: February 12-March 15, 2026
Applications are reviewed and interviews are scheduled and conducted throughout the application period (i.e. on a “rolling basis”), so early submissions are strongly encouraged. Positions are removed once they are filled. Required hours and specific eligibility qualifications are included in each individual description; read each description carefully.
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Pay Rates
Undergraduate interns are paid $16.80 per hour; graduate interns are paid $19.95 per hour.
How to Apply
Combine your cover letter and resume into a single document (PDF or Microsoft Word only). Applications that do not follow published instructions will not be considered. Do not submit any materials not specifically requested within the description. transcripts, portfolios, etc.) that is not requested in the description.
Frequently Asked Questions about MFA Internships
Are internships at the MFA paid?
Yes, all internships are paid. Undergraduate interns are paid $16.80 per hour; graduate interns are paid $19.95 per hour.
Who may apply for an internship?
MFA Pathways internships are available for either undergraduate or graduate students who have completed their first year of college (including community college) and will be enrolled in a corresponding degree program/process during the internship period. Candidates who have completed a bachelor’s degree are not eligible to apply for an undergraduate internship. In clearly specified situations, internships are available to recent graduates. Read each description carefully for specific criteria on who may apply. Each internship carries additional, department-specific, qualifying criteria; read each description carefully. The opportunities offered each semester are determined by the expected work flow of the various departments and vary from term to term.
Do you accept international students?
Yes, international students who are eligible/approved for CPT/OPT work for pay in the United States are eligible for the MFA Pathways internships. Applicants must submit a copy of the published description to their visa administrators for approval before applying. During the interview, international students must indicate that you will be applying to receive CPT/OPT credit. Once offered an internship, candidates must immediately provide the MFA with any agreement documentation required by the CPT/OPT sponsor. All CPT/OPT approvals must be completed before orientation as candidates must present proof of work eligibility, as directed by Human Resources, at the time of orientation. (Note: the MFA does not sponsor visas for internships.)
May I do an internship for course credit?
Yes. Before applying, you must (1) provide a copy of the internship description to your advisor for approval, and; (2) make all appropriate arrangements with your school to receive credit. During your interview, you must indicate that you will be applying to receive credit from your institution. Once offered the internship, you must immediately provide any agreement documentation required by the school to the MFA for appropriate approval and signatures.
How long do internships last?
Undergraduate-level internships run for one semester unless published as a two-semester position. Graduate-level internships may last one or two semesters. Each description has detailed information on length; read each description carefully.
Is there a deadline for internship applications?
Applications are reviewed-and hiring decisions are made-on a rolling basis each period, so apply early. Improperly formatted materials cannot be corrected or re-submitted. Therefore, apply as early as possible for full consideration, as interviews may begin as soon as applications are received.
How many hours per week do I need to commit to an internship?
Fall and spring internships require between 10 and 20 hours per week; summer internships may require between 12 to 35 hours. Review each description carefully to determine the time commitment that the specific internship requires. These required hours include two hours per week for the Museum Pathways and Practices professional development course which meets on Thursdays during the summer, and on Fridays during the fall and spring, from 12:30-2:30 pm.
Is there a professional development component to internships at the MFA?
The MFA Pathways internship program requires each undergraduate intern to participate in the Museum Pathways and Practices course. This series of 8-11 two-hour-long seminar sessions is held on Fridays during the fall and spring, and on Thursdays during the summer. Each session is comprised of (a) informal networking and cohort building among interns, and (b) a presentation/conversation led by Museum professionals from across the MFA. At the end of the semester, all interns are also required to prepare a short presentation highlighting their internship experience. Graduate interns are expected to participate in the Museums in Context course which comprises 3-5 sessions over the semester. They are also required to attend two undergraduate sessions: “Meet the Leadership Team” and “Final Presentations.” Dates for all sessions are announced at the orientation.
Are interns required to attend an orientation?
All selected interns must attend an orientation session before beginning their internship. Orientation dates and times are included in each description. During your interview, you must confirm your availability to attend the orientation.
When do internships start?
Internship periods are listed in Program Dates. Individual schedules must be confirmed with mentors when accepting the internship offer. Applicants should note in their cover letter and during their interviews any special circumstances that could affect their start or end dates, as well as participation in the Museum Pathways and Practices course.
Does the MFA provide housing for interns?
At this time we are able to offer summer interns a modest housing subsidy of $1,500. (This subsidy is subject to taxes.)
Does the MFA provide transportation for interns?
The MFA provides interns a monthly transportation subsidy equal to the cost of a monthly public transit MBTA LinkPass, currently $90.
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