15 Medical Internships for Undergraduates in Los Angeles, CA
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you're studying medicine or planning to enter healthcare after college, doing a medical internship while you're still an undergraduate can help you build experience early. These internships put you in hospitals, clinics, and labs where you’ll get a close look at how healthcare works. You might help with basic patient care, support clinical trials, observe surgeries, or assist with lab research, depending on the role.
Internships also give you something strong to add to your resume, especially if you’re applying to med school or health-related graduate programs later. You’ll work with doctors, researchers, or hospital staff and start forming professional connections that can help you find jobs, letters of recommendation, or research roles in the future.
If you're based in Los Angeles, it makes sense to look for opportunities nearby. The city is home to major hospitals, medical schools, and research institutions, which means there are plenty of programs that accept undergraduate students as interns. You can join without needing to relocate, and often balance the internship with part-time classes or other commitments.
With that in mind, here are 15 medical internships for undergraduates in Los Angeles you can explore! If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs.
15 Medical Internships for Undergraduates in Los Angeles, CA
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (February), Summer (2 cohorts - April/May/June as applicable), Fall (August), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who can work for 10-15 hours/week, for 8 weeks
Ladder University Internship Program is an 8-week, fully remote experience where you work directly with a start-up on a real-world project. You’ll be matched with a company based on what you choose during the application. You’ll meet with your host company for 8 working sessions. You’ll complete a professional-level project, present it at the end, and receive a reference letter from your founder or manager. Start-ups offer internships in areas like software engineering, AI/ML, health tech, journalism, environmental science, and more. Here is the application form.
Location: USC Norris Cancer Hospital, Los Angeles, CA; Los Angeles General Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 2–3 interns per site
Cost/Stipend: Free; Current USC undergraduate students may be eligible for research funding, if available
Dates: One-year program (starts in summer)
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: College graduates preferred; undergraduate seniors who can commit to 10 hours/week are also eligible; must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher; Spanish-speaking applicants preferred, but not required at the LA General Medical Center
USC’s Division of Medical Oncology at the Keck School of Medicine offers a one-year internship for college graduates and undergraduate seniors planning to apply to genetic counseling programs. You’ll work directly with USC cancer genetic counselors at either the Norris Cancer Hospital or the Los Angeles General Medical Center. Your responsibilities include shadowing clinical sessions, entering pedigree data, participating in research tasks, and attending weekly case conferences held on Zoom. You’ll also give a final presentation on a cancer genetics topic.
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Scholarships available for students enrolled in AAP
Dates: 2 to 3-year program
Application Deadline: April 28
Eligibility: Currently in the first or second undergraduate year and a member of the Academic Advancement Program (AAP), with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher; must have completed two science gateway classes with a 2.5 average in all science courses; must have a demonstrated interest in the health sciences
UCLA’s HIGH AIMS program is a two-year academic and mentoring program for first- and second-year undergraduates who plan to apply to health profession schools. You’ll get support in science courses, career planning, and graduate school preparation. As part of the program, you’ll participate in internships and research with UCLA faculty or mentors, attend career seminars and workshops, and engage in community service. You’ll also receive guidance to build a strong application for health profession programs.
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Information not available
Dates: Starts in the fall (3-year program)
Application Deadline: June 6
Eligibility: Current full-time first-year UCLA undergraduates; should maintain a 3.0 GPA; First-Aid and CPR/AED certified; 3-year commitment required, starting fall of the sophomore year
The UCLA Sports Medicine Internship Program (SMIP) offers UCLA undergraduate students keen to pursue a career in sports medicine the opportunity to combine academic studies with practical experience through observation and assisting. You will work with UCLA Sports Medicine staff, physicians, and student-athletes with a rotation in different sports medicine roles, including athletic team assignments. You will learn how to identify, appraise, and effectively treat a variety of athletic injuries under the supervision of physicians, physical therapists, and athletic trainers. You will also gain knowledge of injury prevention, rehab, physical therapies, and more.
Location: Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Dates: 9-week summer research plus monthly virtual workshops over the academic year
Application Deadline: January 18
Eligibility: CSU juniors, seniors, and recent graduates from LA-area CSU campuses with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (know the full eligibility criteria here)
The U-GROW program at Cedars-Sinai Cancer is a year-long medical research internship for juniors, seniors, and recent graduates from eight California State University campuses in the Los Angeles area. You’ll begin with a 9-week paid summer internship, working 20–40 hours per week with a Cedars-Sinai researcher on clinical, translational, or community cancer research. You’ll complete at least 180 hours, present your findings at a scientific poster session, and attend biweekly cohort meetings. After summer, you’ll join monthly virtual workshops focused on scientific writing, communication, and graduate school preparation.
Location: Member health centers within LA County
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Up to 25
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship ($1,500 total)
Dates: May 15 to August 7 (This timeline is subject to change. Applicants will be notified if any changes arise)
Application Deadline: March 28 (applications typically open in November)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in the last 4-6 months of their program/area of study or have recently graduated; must live in Los Angeles County; must be at least 18 years old; commit to complete a 100-hour internship (check here for accepted areas of study and other requirements)
The CCALAC Allied Health Internship Program is a 100-hour, in-person medical internship for undergraduate students interested in healthcare careers. You’ll be placed at a community health center in Los Angeles County, where you’ll work 15–25 hours per week under the supervision of clinic staff. After an initial orientation and two workshops, you’ll begin hands-on training in roles such as medical assistant, nurse assistant, dental assistant, substance abuse counselor, phlebotomist, and pharmacy technician. At the end of the internship, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and may be considered for employment at your site depending on clinic needs.
Location: Multiple locations across California, including at UCLA and USC
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 5–10 students
Cost/Stipend: Stipend to support research during the academic year + summer research stipend + tuition remission
Dates: 2-year program (typically starts in May)
Application Deadline: November 24
Eligibility: UCLA students/transfer students, majoring in Life Sciences or Physical Sciences; USC students, rising junior, any major; should have a strong interest in regenerative medicine (eligibility criteria and application process differ at each location; check UCLA details here and USC details here)
The COMPASS program (Creating Opportunities through Mentorship and Partnership Across Stem Cell Science) is a two-year paid medical research internship for undergraduates. It’s funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and designed for students interested in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. You’ll receive hands-on lab training in stem cell growth and differentiation, complete a research internship with a faculty mentor, and engage in patient outreach and advocacy. The program includes coursework in stem cell biology and ethics, professional development workshops, and a capstone project presented in your senior year.
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: A $3,000 stipend (housing at USC, transportation, and tuition are covered)
Dates: June 16 - July 24
Application Deadline: February 10 (applications typically open in December)
Eligibility: Completed at least 2 years of undergraduate study by the start of the summer program; must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents
LA’s BEST @ USC (Los Angeles Biostatistics and Data Science Summer Training Program) is a six-week, all-expense-paid medical research internship for undergraduates and beginning graduate students. Hosted by USC’s Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, the program introduces you to biostatistics and data science through coursework, hands-on analysis of real public health data, and group research projects. You’ll earn 2.0 USC academic credits, present your work in a final poster session, and receive training from USC faculty in areas like clinical trials, statistical genetics, and epidemiology.
Location: UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, plus travel-funded poster presentation at CDC
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 30 - 35
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 stipend (housing and some meals provided)
Dates: June 22 - August 16
Application Deadline: January 31 (applications typically open in November)
Eligibility: Community college graduates attending a U.S. or U.S. territory institution or transfers to four-year institutions (check optional eligibility criteria here); must be a U.S. citizen, national, or resident; must be authorized to work in the U.S.
UCLA’s Public Health Scholars Training Program is an 8-week, full-time summer internship for undergraduate students and recent graduates interested in public health careers. You’ll be matched with a community-based organization, health system, or government agency in Los Angeles, where you’ll work on real public health projects three days a week. On the other two days, you’ll attend workshops on health equity, social justice, and public health leadership at UCLA. You’ll also collaborate with peers on a group research poster, which you’ll present at the CDC Showcase in Atlanta, Georgia.
Location: Multiple locations across California
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships (hourly wage rate based on placement location and education level) or academic credit
Dates: Summer, Spring, and Fall (18 to 29 hours/week)
Application Deadline: May 16 (Spring); December 12 (Fall)
Eligibility: Undergraduates and graduate students residing in the state of California throughout the internship; must be eligible to work in the U.S. (check all eligibility criteria here)
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) offers paid internships for undergraduate and graduate students across a wide range of public health fields. You can work in areas such as epidemiology, health statistics, informatics, healthcare administration, child health, nutrition education, HR, IT, and more. Internships are available in remote, hybrid, and onsite formats, with most placements at CDPH’s Richmond and Sacramento campuses, as well as field offices and health centers throughout California. You will work 18 to 29 hours per week and are paid an hourly wage based on location and education level.
11. USPHS JRCOSTEP
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Pay and allowances of an Ensign (or more for those with prior service)
Dates: 30 - 120 days
Application Deadline: Application period is typically September - November
Eligibility: Undergraduates with at least two years of study toward a baccalaureate degree in specific areas (check all eligibility criteria here)
The Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP) is a paid medical internship offered by the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students in health-related fields. You’ll train alongside active duty officers during school breaks for 31 to 120 days, typically in the summer. Internships are available in areas like nursing, pharmacy, physician assistant, dietetics, medical lab technology, and more. You’ll be matched to a duty station based on your academic program, skills, and agency needs. Participants receive pay and allowances equivalent to an Ensign, plus housing and travel support. After completing the program, you may apply for SRCOSTEP or a General Duty commission upon earning your qualifying degree.
Location: UCLA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 10
Cost/Stipend: $3,500 + housing and some meals + travel allowance for non-UCLA out-of-state students/non-UCLA students residing in California
Dates: June 22 - August 29 (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduates enrolled in 4-year colleges and universities in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and other U.S. Territories with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.2 or above; must be U.S. citizens/U.S. permanent residents
The UCLA Amgen Scholars Program is a 10-week, full-time medical research internship for undergraduates interested in biomedical science, bioengineering, chemical engineering, or related fields. You’ll be matched with a UCLA faculty mentor and work in their lab on a research project. The program includes lab training, weekly seminars on graduate school applications and research presentations, GRE prep, and writing support. You’ll submit a research paper and present a poster on your summer project. All participants live on campus, and all program costs are covered.
Location: Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Information not available
Dates: May 19 - 23
Application Deadline: February 10 (applications typically open in mid-January)
Eligibility: USC pre-medical enrolled undergraduate in the fall as a full-time student with junior or senior standing; Spring-graduating students are ineligible to apply; able to commute between USC and CHLA
The USC-CHLA Medical Preceptorship Program is a one-week, full-time medical internship for USC pre-med undergraduates with junior or senior standing. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and shadow physicians in departments such as General Pediatrics, Pediatric ICU, Pediatric Emergency, Cardiothoracic ICU, and the Cardiothoracic Operating Room. You’ll also attend daily Resident Noon Conferences. The program takes place the week after USC Commencement.
Location: Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: October 18 (spring), February 21 (summer), May 15 (fall)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students affiliated with a university at the undergraduate and graduate level are preferred but not necessary; must commit to two 8-hour shifts a week for at least 10 weeks (know the full requirements here)
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles offers an unpaid, observational pre-internship experience for undergraduate and graduate students interested in becoming child life specialists. You’ll observe child life interventions in clinical and therapeutic settings, complete weekly assignments such as reflective journals and self-care assessments, and learn to plan and lead developmentally appropriate play activities. The program focuses on building foundational skills in communication, empathy, time management, and ethical practice.
Location: UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA School of Dentistry/UCLA School of Nursing/Charles R. Drew University School of Nursing, as applicable to the medical track selected
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: $1000 stipend + need-based financial aid for travel + meal card
Dates: June 16 - July 25 (one week virtual + five weeks in-person)
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school graduate currently enrolled as a college freshman or sophomore with a minimum overall college GPA of 2.5; must be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident/an individual granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA); earlier program participants are ineligible
The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is a free, six-week medical enrichment program for college freshmen and sophomores interested in careers in medicine, dentistry, nursing, and other health fields. You’ll receive academic instruction in biology, chemistry, and population health, participate in clinical simulations and small-group rotations, and attend workshops on financial literacy, wellness, and graduate school preparation. The program includes daily full-time programming and housing at one of 11 partner institutions. After completing the program, you’ll be paired with a mentor in your chosen health track for continued support.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the medicine tracks 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.
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 Harvard College graduate. 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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