15 Internships for College Students in Arizona
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you’re a college student looking to turn academic knowledge into real-world experience, an internship is one of the most direct and effective ways to do it. Internships help you develop technical and professional skills, see how your major applies in professional settings, and gain insight into workplace expectations. Whether you’re aiming for a career in science, business, tech, healthcare, or the nonprofit sector, a strong internship can be a major stepping stone.
Why should you intern in Arizona?
Arizona offers a wide range of options for undergraduates, thanks to its mix of major universities, research institutions, corporate hubs, and growing tech and healthcare sectors. Depending on the internship, you might conduct biomedical or cancer research in university labs, support legislative policy analysis, contribute to finance and data projects at major corporations, assist with wildlife fieldwork, or help coordinate nonprofit and public service initiatives. These opportunities attract both Arizona-based students and out-of-state students seeking experience in the region’s academic, corporate, and public institutions.
To help narrow your search, we’ve gathered 15 internships for college students in Arizona.
If you’re looking for online internships, check out our blog here.
15 Internships for College Students in Arizona
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply here.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks. Open to undergraduates and gap year students
Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship program where you work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that addresses a genuine need for the startup they are working with and present their work at the end of their internship. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup.
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Stipend: Paid; exact stipend amount unspecified
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: February 6
Dates: June 8 – August 14
Eligibility: Undergraduate students from any college or university, nationally or internationally
You spend 10 weeks working full-time in a neuroscience or related research lab at Barrow under the supervision of a scientist mentor. You engage directly in ongoing basic science or disease-focused projects, which may involve advanced imaging, molecular techniques, or data analysis, depending on your placement. The program expects you to treat the internship like a full-time job, typically 40 hours per week in the lab. At the end of the summer, you typically summarize your work through presentations or reports as part of the program’s culminating activities. You are expected to have some background in science coursework, though the site does not specify a minimum GPA.
Location: University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Paid (funding from American Cancer Society and University of Arizona Cancer Center; exact amount unspecified)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: January 16
Dates: 10-week full-time summer program
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors in any STEM discipline; minimum 3.0 GPA; enrolled college/university students not taking summer courses; U.S. citizenship not required
You complete a 10-week, full-time cancer research project matched with an established researcher at the Cancer Center through the CRTEC department. You become part of a group of students working towards master’s or doctoral degrees in health sciences. Throughout the program, you participate in professional development courses, attend conferences, and engage in social events alongside your research. Accepted students will be matched with an experienced researcher from the Cancer Center to collaborate on a research project for the duration of the program. You cannot enroll in summer courses during the program.
Location: University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ
Stipend: Paid (funding details unspecified; federal funding supports the program)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: January 27
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Eligibility: Current undergraduate junior, senior, or Master’s student in the fall semester; cumulative GPA 2.75+; U.S. citizen or permanent resident; full 10-week commitment with no other employment/courses/vacations
You participate in a 10-week summer research experience focused on cancer prevention and control, led by the Cancer Prevention and Control Program faculty at the University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center. You work intensively on a research project addressing cancer health disparities, with direct student-community engagement components. The multidisciplinary initiative aims to expand the cancer prevention workforce by attracting diverse students to this field. The program builds on the University of Arizona's efforts to retain students in cancer prevention research.
Location: University of Arizona College of Medicine (Arizona Health Sciences Center), Tucson, AZ
Stipend: Paid; >$10/hr for 35 hours/week
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Dates: TBA
Eligibility: Diverse/disadvantaged undergraduates (underrepresented minorities, disabled students from financially/educationally/socially disadvantaged backgrounds per federal definition); 3.0+ GPA; U.S. citizens or permanent visa holders with SSN; preference for Summer Institute on Medical Ignorance alumni
You work full-time in basic or clinical research labs at the College of Medicine, with emphasis on cardiovascular, respiratory, cell-based sciences, neurosciences, or pediatrics. You will receive pay of more than $10 per hour for 35 hours per week throughout the summer program. You interact with medical student mentors acting as “big brother” or “big sister” figures, plus faculty mentors and visiting professors through bi-weekly research seminars. You deliver a brief oral presentation on your research in a special seminar and submit a 3–4 page summary report at the program’s conclusion. Preference goes to alumni of the Summer Institute on Medical Ignorance high school program.
Location: University of Arizona College of Medicine — Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
Stipend: $4,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: January 18
Dates: June 2 – August 7
Eligibility: Current undergraduates (including Spring 2026 graduates) or recent college graduates in a gap year; minimum 3.0 GPA strongly advised; U.S. citizen or permanent resident; full 10-week commitment (no vacations or summer classes)
This 10-week program involves hypothesis-driven biomedical research under the mentorship of a college-based biomedical scientist. You’ll work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary setting to enhance their critical thinking, scientific analysis, technical laboratory techniques, and computational skills. Depending on your interests, you may be assigned to traditional wet-lab or computational dry-lab settings. Each week, you participate in Lunch and Learn discussions with physician scientists, college leadership, and current medical students. You are required to write a short scientific paper summarizing your summer research, and you present your findings at a college-wide symposium.
Location: Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Scottsdale/Phoenix, AZ campus
Cost/Stipend: Paid fellowship (stipend provided; exact amount unspecified)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 180 undergraduates accepted each year across 3 campus locations
Application Deadline: February 3
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Eligibility: Current college undergraduates interested in biomedical research careers
In this program, you participate in a 10-week research experience, collaborating with a mentor on a project tailored to summer students. You collaborate daily with Mayo Clinic faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, medical students, and recognized scientists. You select from research areas including biochemistry and molecular biology; biomedical engineering and physiology; clinical and translational sciences; immunology; molecular pharmacology and experimental therapeutics; neuroscience; regenerative sciences; or virology. You can contribute to real-world research projects at the forefront of science, with opportunities for acknowledgment or co-authorship in professional publications.
Location: Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Phoenix or Flagstaff, AZ
Stipend: $15.85/hour for undergraduates
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: February 4
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Eligibility: Incoming/continuing undergraduate, graduate, or medical students who attended an Arizona high school/college/university; U.S. work eligible; full-time Fall enrollment; available 40 hours/week
You work full-time for eight weeks on a research project under the mentorship of a TGen scientist at headquarters in Phoenix. You will focus on the genetic components of diabetes, neurological disease, and cancer, or, at TGen North in Flagstaff, on public health and pathogens such as Valley Fever and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. You can select from areas including laboratory research, computational biology and bioinformatics, mathematics and statistics, or research administration. You attend educational seminars to develop professional skills and learn about bioscience career options. You practice scientific writing and create a scientific poster.
Location: Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Stipend: $5,000 stipend and on-campus housing
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Dates: 8-week summer program
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors/seniors or master’s students considering doctoral programs; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, ASU-sponsored F-1/J-1 visa students, international applicants
You participate in a full-time, eight-week engineering research program (30–40 hours per week), starting with two weeks of remote work. Under the guidance of research faculty, you work on projects spanning various engineering disciplines. This experience provides an in-depth understanding of doctoral-level research through practical, hands-on involvement at a leading research university. You also have opportunities to network with industry partners, faculty, and peers through a range of events and activities. The program includes structured summer experiences offered by the Fulton Schools, allowing you to explore graduate research. Additionally, you can review the SURI Catalog of Opportunities for details on specific faculty-led projects.
Location: Various Arizona State University departments, primarily in Tempe, AZ
Stipend: $4,000 – $6,000 stipend for 10 weeks, plus housing, transportation, and often food arrangements
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 5 –10 undergraduates per REU site
Application Deadline: Varies by site
Dates: 10-week summer program
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents enrolled in undergraduate degree programs
The REU program at Arizona State University offers 10-week summer research experiences in various scientific and engineering disciplines, typically hosted in small cohorts of 5–10 undergraduates. You’ll contribute to active research projects under the mentorship of faculty and graduate researchers, gaining exposure to experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. Projects vary by host department but often align with National Science Foundation–funded initiatives. Each student is assigned a specific research topic and receives comprehensive support throughout the program.
Location: Arizona Game and Fish Department, various statewide locations, AZ
Cost/Stipend: $16.50/hour
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: Starting May 18 (8–12 week assignments)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled full-time in a Bachelor’s or higher degree program (12+ semester hours) in Wildlife Biology or a closely related field; recent grads within 1 year
Interns with the Arizona Game and Fish Department gain field experience in wildlife biology, ecological monitoring, and habitat management. Supervised tasks may include tracking and surveying wildlife, collecting data on fish populations, conducting habitat measurements, or assisting with public education materials. Positions often involve long hours outdoors and may require hiking, camping, and other physically demanding activities in varying environmental conditions. Internship listings are posted on the state’s employment portal, and applicants can indicate preferences for up to five roles across statewide locations.
Location: American Express offices, Phoenix, AZ
Stipend: $24.05 – $63.00 hourly + sign-on bonus
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: Typically opens late summer or early fall preceding the internship year
Dates: 10-week summer internship, generally June–August
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in their penultimate year (rising seniors) in relevant majors; additional requirements specified per posting
This 10-week program at American Express places interns in functional roles such as product management or technology, where they contribute to business strategy, data analytics, or customer experience initiatives. Structured as a cohort, the program includes formal training, networking events, and mentorship from company leaders. Interns typically work onsite or in a hybrid format from the Phoenix office, with opportunities to present their work to senior stakeholders. High-performing interns may be considered for return offers or future full-time positions within the company.
Location: Make-A-Wish Arizona, Phoenix, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid (offers college credit)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: Varies by cycle (Fall: Jan-Jul; Spring: Aug-Nov; Summer: Jan-Apr)
Dates: Fall: Late August – Early December | Spring: Early January – Late April | Summer: Mid May – Early August
Eligibility: 18+ years old; minimum 15–25 hour work week; reliable transportation
In this program, you assist in coordinating wishes for children with critical illnesses, creating travel documents, and compiling wish packets for traveling families. You manage wish-related data entry in Salesforce, tracking medical clearances and correspondence throughout the wish process. Additional tasks may include donor outreach, volunteer coordination, and support for wish discovery visits. You research and build connections with healthcare facilities to strengthen referral sources and deliver touchpoint gifts. Interns also help with outreach to medical facilities and contribute to the development of orientation materials and process updates.
Location: Arizona State Senate, House of Representatives, Governor’s Office, or Supreme Court, Phoenix, AZ
Stipend: $6,000 stipend, tuition/fee waiver, 12 undergraduate upper division credits or 9 graduate credits; up to $1,000 relocation reimbursement for non-Maricopa County students
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 40–50 interns total (approximately 20 each in Senate and House)
Application Deadline: September 19
Dates: January 5 – May 8
Eligibility: College students from all majors/disciplines
This full-time spring internship places students in the Arizona State Legislature, Governor’s Office, or Supreme Court, where they participate in policy research, legislative tracking, and bill analysis. Interns attend committee hearings, assist in drafting summaries and amendments, and communicate with legislators, lobbyists, and constituents. Assignments vary by placement but typically involve active engagement in the legislative process through subject-area committees or partisan staff offices.
Location: City of Phoenix Finance Department, Phoenix, AZ
Stipend: Paid (exact amount unspecified)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: Unspecified (notification list via fin.administration@phoenix.gov)
Dates: 12-week summer program
Eligibility: Bachelor’s/master’s students (sophomore year+) in Finance, Accountancy, Supply Chain Management, Economics, Public Service/Public Policy, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Business Management, Sustainability (GPA 2.8+)
Through this program, you can work up to 20 hours per week in flexible four- to eight-hour shifts, two or three days per week in an office environment. You assist across divisions, such as Finance Administration/Central Payroll, by establishing strategic planning processes, reviewing records management, creating payroll schedules, and developing training materials. You can also expect to handle entry-level business analyst duties, including Enterprise Resource Planning, requirements research, report creation in SAP Analytics, and process improvements. Your responsibilities will include preparing the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, making year-end journal entries, and analyzing financial records in Accounting and Reporting. You will develop travel guides, streamline audit procedures, and enhance vendor bill management within the City Controller’s Office. Additionally, you will perform revenue-collection tasks, including tax-compliance reviews and damage-claim investigations, as well as risk-management activities, such as claims investigations and record archiving.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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