Navigating Public Health Internships in Boston: A Comprehensive Guide

Public health internships in Boston offer invaluable opportunities for students and recent graduates to gain practical experience, explore career paths, and contribute to community well-being. This article provides a comprehensive overview of public health internship programs in Boston, addressing key requirements, opportunities, and resources.

Introduction

Boston, a hub for healthcare and research, boasts a vibrant public health sector. Internships in this field provide hands-on experience in various settings, from municipal government to global health organizations. These experiences can be pivotal in shaping career trajectories and developing essential skills.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

Academic Standing

Most public health internships in Boston require applicants to be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. Some programs, like the City of Boston Summer Internship Program, also consider individuals with 2-4 years of post-secondary school work experience. A few internships may also consider recent graduates (up to 3 years out of college). You must also remain a student for the entire duration of the internship you are applying for. For example, if you apply for a two‑semester internship, you are not eligible if you will graduate before the end of that internship period.

Major and Qualifications

While some programs prioritize public health majors, many are open to students from diverse academic backgrounds, as long as they possess the appropriate qualifications for the specific intern project.

International Students

International students are often eligible to apply, provided they can obtain the necessary paperwork, such as CPT/OPT authorization. Some internships require international students to have valid CPT/OPT authorization by a specific date. It's crucial to verify eligibility and documentation requirements with the specific program. Additionally, interns must have a Social Security Number (SSN) or have already applied for one.

Residency

Certain internships, such as the City of Boston Summer Internship Program, may require proof of residency within the city limits by the first day of the internship.

GPA and Language Proficiency

While a specific GPA may be requested, language proficiency beyond English is typically not mandatory. However, certain host organizations may value language skills relevant to the communities they serve.

Commitment

Many internships require a full-time commitment for the entire duration of the program. Taking summer school classes, studying for standardized tests, or assuming other paid or voluntary positions during the internship period are generally not permitted.

Internship Programs and Opportunities

City of Boston Summer Internship Program

The City of Boston Summer Internship Program offers motivated individuals the chance to work in various city departments, gaining hands-on experience in municipal government. Interns engage in projects related to economic opportunity, education, housing, language access, sustainability, communications, and equity. The program includes a professional development series and a collaborative summer group project. The program is open to individuals who are at least 18 years old and currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program; or have 2-4 years post secondary school work experience. This year’s internship program runs from June 1, 2026, to August 14, 2026.

Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness Summer Internship Program

This program, offered by the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness, provides a paid opportunity for students interested in studying the linkages between physical, social, and mental health, and the translation of science to inform policy and practice. Interns work with Center Affiliate Scientists in a research assistant capacity, contributing to data collection, analysis, literature reviews, and grant writing. The internship includes mentorship and guidance through weekly meetings and other events. Interns will serve in a research assistant capacity, working with Center scholars or affiliates to collect and/or analyze data. Other possible activities might include providing support with literature reviews, grant writing, and/or the development of repositories of information. Internships will take place over 10 weeks (20 hrs/week) from June to August. The internship will take place in person, so interns will need to relocate/live in Boston for the duration of the internship program. At the conclusion of the program, interns are required to give a ten-minute presentation, and to submit a brief report (two pages max) summarizing their work over the course of the summer.

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MGH Center for Global Health Internships

The MGH Center for Global Health (CGH) serves as a hub for the hospital’s global health community. The MGH Center for Global Health is collaborating with Harvard Medical School’s M.S. in Media, Medicine, and Health Program. The one-year M.S. program includes an internship/independent course and is currently seeking MGH-based mentors to host students this Fall. MMH 760: Internship in Media, Medicine, and Health is an individual internship course in which a student of the Media, Medicine, and Health master’s program at Harvard Medical School works with a supervisor at a lab or program for one semester as a participant-observer; photographer, documentarian, or journalist; or social media specialist.

Boston University Study Abroad - Geneva Internship Program

Public Health students have the opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience through the Geneva Internship Program. During the first six weeks of the program, students take core classes while preparing for an eight-week professional internship at a local organization. The internship manager facilitates individualized internship placements in English. Students are placed in one of the many public health organizations headquartered in Geneva.

Health Career Connection (HCC)

HCC partners with leading health organizations to offer full-time, paid internships in healthcare, public health, primary care, and behavioral health. Interns participate in a comprehensive career and professional development educational program alongside their internship placement. This combination of program components requires a full-time commitment Monday through Friday during daytime work hours (schedule to be determined with the host organizations and by HCC scheduled educational activities). Internships are 10 consecutive weeks from your start day (i.e. The primary focus of the HCC health internship program and workshops are to provide students with an educational experience, exposure and work experience in public health and health-related settings. Summer workshops are a mandatory complement to student internships. Many HCC interns are hired on a full-time or part-time basis and some summer interns may extend their internship or continue on a volunteer basis upon exemplary completion of their health internship.

Community Health Leadership Program (CHLP)

The CHLP includes a robust series of interactive cohort-based learning sessions, virtual workshops, leading national speakers, career exposure panels, career planning activities, graduate education preparation and skill-based training. CHLP fellows gain valuable knowledge of trends in community health and valuable professional and leadership skills such as working in teams, project management, data analysis, advocacy, engaging community and policy stakeholders, patient-centered care, philanthropy, and research. CHLP Fellows learn to recognize and address geographic, cultural, and social contexts that undermine health challenges for rural and urban underserved communities.

Other Opportunities

BHCHP: While BHCHP assesses its needs for summer internships, they often exercise a case management function. Alternate internship arrangements may be considered through their volunteer process.

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UMass School of Public Health and Health Sciences: The School collaborates with employers to offer premier internships and practicums for its students.

Finding and Applying for Internships

Handshake

Handshake is a valuable platform for finding available internships. Students can sign up for academic credits in Handshake by clicking on the “Career Center” tab, then “Experiences” then “Request an Experience”. All students must also sign the Field Experience Risk Acknowledgement FormStep 3. Go to the “Career Center” tab, then “Resources”, scroll down until you see the Field Exp. Risk Acknowledgment Form. Download it, Sign, upload it back into Handshake.

University Career Centers

University career centers, like the Tufts University Career Center, offer career advising and resources for finding internships.

Online Resources

Websites like Boston.gov/internships list available internships with the City of Boston.

Application Process

The application process typically involves submitting a resume and a cover letter. The Office of Human Resources reviews submissions to ensure candidates meet the qualifications. Selected candidates may be contacted for an initial screening call, followed by interviews.

Compensation and Benefits

Hourly Wage

Many public health internships in Boston offer an hourly wage. Undergraduate students may be paid at a different rate per hour than graduate students. The City of Boston Summer Internship Program pays interns an hourly wage.

Stipends

Need-based stipends may be available to cover supplemental costs of an unpaid internship. Check out AcademicWorks, which automatically matches you with UMass scholarships.

Housing

Housing is generally not provided by internship programs. However, some universities, like UMass, offer on-campus housing options for students interning in the Boston area.

Academic Credit

Students may be able to receive academic credit for participating in an internship program, provided it meets their course requirements. It is important to speak with program advisors to complete all necessary paperwork for the internship to count for credit. HCC does not provide academic credit, but they do support students who would like to receive academic credit for their summer health internship.

Maximizing the Internship Experience

Networking

Internships provide opportunities to connect with professionals in the field. The Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness Summer Internship Program offers opportunities for connecting and networking. CHLP participants build invaluable relationships, learn networking skills, develop new professional skills and increase their knowledge of key issues and strategies to become leaders who advance community health improvement for all.

Skill Development

Interns gain hands-on experience and develop valuable skills in areas such as data analysis, project management, and community engagement. CHLP Fellows learn to recognize and address geographic, cultural, and social contexts that undermine health challenges for rural and urban underserved communities.

Career Exploration

Internships allow students to explore different career paths and determine if a particular area of public health is a good fit. HCC encourages students to explore career options and fields through HCC internships.

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