15 Medical Internships for Undergraduates in Arizona
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you are an undergraduate student in Arizona looking to gain some experience in medicine or healthcare, a medical internship can be a great next step. Medical internships are accessible (and rewarding!) ways to explore your interests, gain practical experience, and learn from medical professionals. These internships also provide industry exposure and skill development opportunities that set you up for a successful career. As an intern, you will also explore various roles in healthcare and pathways to pursue those professions. The experience will allow you to build a network and learn about the workings of hospitals or medical research facilities.
To help you with your search, we have curated a list of 15 medical internships for undergraduates in Arizona. We have prioritized rigorous and selective opportunities that allow you to network, build skills, and benefit from mentorship.
15 Medical Internships for Undergraduates in Arizona
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including fall, spring, summer, and winter
Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort—Summer: May | Winter: November | Spring: January | Fall: September
Eligibility: College students and young professionals who can work for 5–10 hours/week for eight weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective startup internship program that connects undergraduate students with high-growth startups that raise over a million dollars on average. These organizations operate in a diverse range of industries, including medicine and health tech. During the internship, you can explore your interests in medicine, develop relevant skills, and gain hands-on work experience while working on real projects under the guidance of the startup manager. This internship also enables you to get some exposure to professional work environments and explore career paths. By the end of the program, you will complete and present your work to the organization. You can explore the available options here.
Location: University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
Stipend: $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 (tentative)
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
The Flinn Summer Internship is an opportunity for you to conduct hands-on biomedical science research. During the 10-week program, you will work in an interdisciplinary lab under the mentorship of a biomedical scientist to develop a hypothesis and conduct research. In the process, you will get to exercise and refine critical thinking skills, scientific analysis abilities, technical laboratory skills, and clinical techniques. You will also participate in weekly Lunch and Learn discussions with physician scientists, college leadership, and medical students. This internship can help you learn how to convert lab findings into patient-centric health solutions.
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Stipend: Minimum hourly wages available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies; 42 students selected from 350 applicants previously
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Full-time enrolled college or university student who is at least 18 years old by the start of the internship
The Barrow Neurological Institute offers a 10-week internship for undergraduate students interested in exploring medical research. As an intern, you will conduct neuroscience research under the mentorship of a Barrow scientist in a lab, working with advanced technology and equipment. Internships are available in various departments, such as Translational Neuroscience Research Laboratories, Barrow Neuroimaging Innovation Center, and Sonntag Spine Center, with a few of them offering opportunities to shadow physicians. Weekly research seminars will help you explore the field of neuroscience research and gain insights into various medical career pathways. You will present your findings through an oral presentation or scientific poster at the annual Barrow symposium. You may also earn co-authorship on scientific abstracts and manuscripts.
Location: TGen Headquarters, Phoenix, AZ, or TGen North, Flagstaff, AZ
Stipend: $15.40/hour for undergraduate students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application deadline: February 5
Eligibility: Full-time students who are currently attending college or university in Arizona and are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
Helios Scholars is an eight-week biomedical research internship, where you will work full-time at the TGen headquarters or TGen North under the guidance of a mentor. Your work will involve exploring the genetic components of diabetes, neurological disease, and cancer, or investigating public health and pathogens. Internships are available in laboratory research, computational biology and bioinformatics, mathematics and statistics, and research administration. Alongside lab work, you will participate in educational seminars, practice scientific writing, attend networking events, and create and present a research poster or deliver an oral presentation. Past interns have published scientific abstracts and manuscripts.
Location: Mayo Clinic campuses in the U.S., including in Scottsdale, AZ
Cost/Stipend: None; stipend $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 180 students overall
Dates: May 27 – August 1
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Current second- and third-year college undergraduate students at a U.S. college or university with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (out of 4.0)
The SURF program at Mayo Clinic is a 10-week medical research experience that places you in a laboratory environment. You will work with a mentor on an ongoing research project in areas like immunology, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, or regenerative medicine. You will spend your time analyzing data, engaging in lab work, and developing a research poster for the end-of-the-program presentation. You will also have access to the feedback and guidance of scientists. This medical internship for undergraduates also features weekly seminars, networking events, and interactive sessions led by graduate students and medical professionals. As an intern, you may find opportunities to co-author publications.
Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Stipend: $14.50/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 12 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current degree-seeking University of Arizona undergraduates enrolled in a minimum of seven credit hours with good academic performance
The UBRP is a summer opportunity to conduct biology-related research. Here, you will explore the scientific method, receive mentorship from faculty, and gain an overview of biological research. Besides conducting lab-based research, you will attend professional development workshops to develop communications skills and scientific seminars to learn about biological research. You can also participate in field trips, community service, and social events. Following the summer experience, you may be able to continue working with your mentor during the academic year. Research opportunities span various biological and health sciences, including pharmacology, cancer, and health informatics.
Location: Virtual, hybrid, or in-person in various locations in Arizona
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August 27 – November 26
Application deadline: July 11
Eligibility: Individuals who are at least 18 years of age and eligible to work in the U.S.; precise eligibility criteria may vary according to the internship site
This government public health internship program blends academic learning with practical experience. You will participate in three program components: project assignment, leadership academy, and the symposium. During the project assignment portion of the internship, you will complete project-based work in the specific offices of the public health department, receive one-on-one mentorship, and learn about the workings of governmental public health. In the leadership academy component, you will attend professional development seminars, network with professionals, and explore career roadmaps. Finally, at the symposium, you will present your project outcomes. College credit may be available to students from select institutions.
Location: A.T. Still Research Institute, Mesa, AZ
Stipend: May be available depending on funding
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Two months beginning late May or early June and ending late July or early August
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students who have community service/leadership experience and are in good academic standing
The CRDP is an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to conduct clinical and biomedical research under the mentorship of a clinician-researcher. As part of the research experience, you will develop a scientific question, analyze data, write manuscripts, and develop and present scientific posters. You will also compete for research funding. You will work approximately 30 hours per week, regularly meet your research mentors, and attend team meetings. You will submit an abstract to the ATSRI’s annual fall research symposium. Depending on your university or college, you may receive academic or elective credit.
Location: Pima County Health Department, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Internship can run between 1 month and a year
Application deadline: Varies according to available opportunities
Eligibility: Registered students receiving internship credit or as a class requirement through a partnering college, university, or educational institution; find further details here
The Pima County Health Department’s internship supports undergraduates interested in public health. As an intern, you will work in an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. Internships are available in various areas, including clinical services, community-based health services, community health insurance, and health administration. The department you are placed in depends on your interests and the department’s availability. You will develop a project in your field of study and earn college credit at the end of the internship. You will also participate in public health programs and community-based interventions.
Location: Tucson Medical Center, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: One student each semester
Dates: 15 weeks in the spring
Application deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Senior college level students, graduate students, or non-affiliated applicants pursuing a career as a child life specialist, who has a “Passed” status on the ACLP Eligibility Assessment for 10 academic courses; applicants have have a minimum GPA 3.0 and 100 hours of volunteer experience with children, under the supervision of a child life specialist, in a hospital
The Child Life Internship Program is a 15-week spring semester internship. The Tucson Medical Center provides interns opportunities to assist in delivering patient care across inpatient pediatric and pediatric intensive care beds and outpatient areas that serve pediatric patients. You will complete four rotations in Surgery, General Pediatrics and Pediatric Intensive Care, Radiology, and the Emergency Department. These rotations will help you develop a holistic understanding of pediatric care. You will be expected to work full-time during the internship, gaining about 600 hours of clinical experience.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 months – 1 year; dates not specified
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
If you are interested in neuroscience, the Brain and Spine Center’s internship offers hands-on experience in the field as well as patient care. As an intern, you will explore basic and advanced EEG monitoring and undergo training to recognize wave patterns during normal awake, sleep, and in patients with neurological disease. This experience can offer insights into brain activity in patients with neurological conditions such as confusion, dementia, and seizures. In the process, you will earn clinical hours that are required for graduate and medical school applications.
Location: Various locations across the U.S., including Arizona
Cost/Stipend: Varies by site
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 per site (tentative)
Dates: Vary depending on the site
Application deadline: Varies based on the site
Eligibility: Undergraduates (college and university students) pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree and who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or U.S. nationals; additional requirements vary by opportunity
The NSF REU program offers various research opportunities to undergraduates at different locations across the country, including in Arizona. A few host organizations in Arizona offer research opportunities in biology, immunology, biochemistry, and other related areas. If selected, you will work with faculty and senior researchers to conduct original research. These faculty members and researchers also act as mentors throughout the program, providing you with career insights. This program can also help you build field knowledge and research skills for pursuing a career in research or medicine.
Location: Virtual option available for Arizona students
Cost: Summer: $95 application fee + $4,380 program fee | Fall: $35 application fee + $1,980 program fee; no stipend
Application deadline: Summer: February 24 | Fall: June 2
Dates: Summer: July 28 – August 8; Fall: September 11 – November 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors + undergraduate pre-med students who are at least 16 years old
Stanford’s CSI is an opportunity for pre-med students to explore clinical skills, career paths in medicine, and medical practice. During the internship, you will attend virtual lectures and expert-led activity-based sessions to explore techniques like suturing, administering injections, and conducting physical exams. You will also work on real and simulated medical cases, coming up with diagnoses and suggesting treatments. You will participate in a group presentation to discuss the assigned medical case. The experience can help you explore medical specialties and build the technical skills required to pursue a career in medicine.
Location: Various Southwest Behavioral & Health Services (SB&H) sites in Arizona
Stipend: Offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by opportunity
Application deadline: Depends on available opportunities
Eligibility: senior or recent graduate in a behavioral health-related degree program who is at least 21 years old and has had a valid driver’s license for three consecutive years
SB&H provides various internship opportunities to students in Arizona in departments in Outpatient (children and adult services), Inpatient, Community Living, School Based, Community Outreach, Human Resources, Finance/Accounting, and Information Systems. As an intern, you will step into the roles of a Recovery Support Specialist, Behavioral Health Technician, or Community Behavioral Health Specialist. You will learn about recovery-based approaches to client care, apply clinical methods and procedures, plan treatment, manage cases, provide individual and group counseling, and more. By the end of the internship, you will have gained work experience and college credit.
Location: Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Three interns per semester
Dates: 15 weeks
Application deadline: March 24 (fall) or September 5 (winter/spring)
Eligibility: Students who are enrolled in an ACLP-endorsed degree program (Bachelor's or Master's) OR have successfully completed 10 courses in content areas specified by the ACLP prior to internship start date; applicants must meet practicum criteria and have CPR certification from any certifying organization
This 15-week internship is designed for students interested in a career as a child life specialist. During the internship, you will complete three rotations in the inpatient and outpatient units under the supervision of experienced Certified Child Life Specialists. In the process, you will build critical thinking and clinical skills. Through reflective activities, case studies, projects, and education, you will prepare for the Child Life Certification Exam. You will dedicate 600 hours to the program.
One other option—Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you want to pursue independent research under the guidance of a mentor, consider applying to Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective high school programs founded in partnership with Harvard and Oxford researchers. In the past, 4,000+ students applied for just 500 spots in the research program. You can learn about the application and available programs on the application form here.
Also, you can check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented low-income students. Last year, it offered 150 students full need-based financial assistance.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop a research paper.
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