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15 Paid Internships for College Students in Healthcare

Internships can be valuable opportunities to gain work experience, earn, and build professional skills while still pursuing your education. As an intern, you get to apply knowledge from your college coursework to real-world situations, explore career options, and grow your professional network. If you are interested in building a career in medicine or healthcare, internships can place you in real hospitals, clinics, professional research environments, or other health-focused organizations, allowing you to contribute to the daily operations of these facilities. 


Many internships offer stipends, which can help offset travel costs while rewarding you for your contributions. Internships can also lead to permanent job offers!


To help you find the right options, we have compiled a list of 15 paid internships for college students in healthcare. Here, you will find wide-ranging options offering learning opportunities in various areas within healthcare, including public health, nursing, clinical medicine, biomedical engineering, and pharmacy. 


If you are looking for more prestigious internships, you can check out this set of blogs!


15 Paid Internships for College Students in Healthcare


Location: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Stipend: $5,000 + free housing + need-based travel awards

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students/year

Dates: June 1 – August 7 (10 weeks)

Application deadline: January 31

Eligibility: Students (sophomores, juniors, and seniors) enrolled full-time in a four-year accredited college/university at the time of application, with a minimum overall GPA of 3.3; applicants must be U.S. citizens/legal permanent residents.


CRISSP is a full-time paid summer internship for college students interested in exploring research careers in pediatrics and accessing clinical shadowing opportunities. You can choose from basic/translational, clinical, and behavioral research tracks based on interests. Then, you will be matched with a mentor who will offer guidance and support to help you work on an independent research project and build essential research skills in the process. You will participate in professional development programs and activities, including taking an advanced course in translational research, attending the summer Colloquium to gain exposure to research careers, and engaging in luncheons with faculty and peers. Your CRISSP experience will conclude with a poster presentation of your research.


Location: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Stipend: $7,000 stipend + free housing for in-person project participants + up to $500 reimbursement for travel to and from Philadelphia for the program or to a conference to present research

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 1 – August 7

Application deadline: January 14

Eligibility: College undergraduates who have completed one year by June 1 with a 3.0 GPA and will not graduate before the program ends; applicants must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents.


The Injury Science Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) is a paid internship for undergraduate students hosted by the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Here, you will engage in hands-on interdisciplinary research experiences in behavioral science, education, population science, engineering, and statistics. You will receive guidance from pediatric researchers and peer mentors while working on research projects focused on coming up with injury interventions, developing products and policies, and evaluating these solutions. You can choose to present your research at conferences at the end of the summer program.


Location: Various Leadership Alliance member institutions

Stipend: Paid; amount varies by institution

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies depending on the institution

Dates: 8 – 10 weeks in the summer; dates vary by institution

Application deadline: February 3; applications typically open on November 1.

Eligibility: Students with a minimum 3.0 GPA currently enrolled full-time in an accredited public or private college/university in the U.S. or its territories who have completed at least two semesters and have one or more semesters remaining of their undergraduate education; applicants must be documented U.S. citizens/non-citizen nationals/permanent resident with alien registration receipt cards (I-551) or another legal document; 


The SR-EIP is a research program designed for undergraduate students interested in applying to Ph.D. or MD-Ph.D. programs and in gaining theoretical and practical research experience across a wide array of fields, including healthcare. As a participant, you will work on a research project at a Leadership Alliance member institution in a field of interest under the guidance of a mentor or faculty. You can pursue an internship within fields such as behavioral genetics, endocrinology, infectious diseases, pharmacology, and biomedical engineering. During the internship, you will participate in research seminars and professional development workshops to explore future careers and network with research professionals and alumni. The internship ends with a poster/oral presentation at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium.


Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Stipend: $19.97/hour

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 23 – August 15 for semester system/Out-of-state students; June 23 – August 29 for UW/quarter system school students

Application deadline: January 31

Eligibility: Freshman through senior undergraduate students, first-year professional program students, and incoming UW biomedical graduate students who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents; applicants must have completed at least one college-level math and one college-level science series with a minimum 3.0 GPA in math and science series’ coursework.


The University of Washington's STAR Program is a paid summer internship for underrepresented minority and marginalized undergraduate and graduate students. The program offers research experiences in the health, biomedical, and behavioral sciences. You will engage in learning experiences within faculty-mentored research labs and gain academic exposure for future professional programs at the postgraduate and doctoral levels. You will connect with peers, faculty, and researchers and gain access to long-term mentorship for pursuing your academic and career goals. The program wraps up with a Health Sciences Summer poster session and a campus-wide Undergraduate Research Program poster Session in August.


Location: Designated clinic, community-based organization, hospital in New York

Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available.

Dates: July 3 – August 10

Application deadline: Typically, March

Eligibility: College freshmen and sophomores, as well as rising high school juniors and seniors who are 17 – 20 years of age by the start of the program and residents of Brooklyn or Queens 


SHIP at the Brooklyn Queens Long Island Area Health Education Center (BQLI AHEC) offers students opportunities to explore careers in healthcare within a health facility. You will gain real-world community health experience while exploring current healthcare issues in Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island. You will interact with and receive guidance from healthcare professionals through weekly workshops that cover topics in health and career readiness. You will also find opportunities to build leadership skills, workplace habits, and collaboration. Field trips may be a part of the experience. You will work with peers in a health-themed project, which you will present at the program’s closing ceremony.


Location: Keck School of Medicine USC, Los Angeles, CA, or affiliated hospitals in LA

Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available

Dates: Early June – early August (exact dates TBA) 

Application deadline: February 2; applications open in December.

Eligibility: Students who have completed at least two years of undergraduate study and have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 or higher; applicants must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents.


Bridging the Gaps (BTG) is Keck School of Medicine of USC (KSOM-USC)'s Pathway program, which offers students opportunities to gain basic science, translational, and clinical research experiences. Alongside research work, you will participate in weekly seminars covering various health topics and healthcare competencies, as well as career development workshops offering guidance on the graduate school admissions process, financial aid, and more. You will attend formal lectures in physiology, pathophysiology, and biostatistics and have opportunities to shadow professionals at affiliated hospitals. The program wraps up with a presentation of your research findings to the KSOM community.


Location: Multiple locations in the U.S.

Stipend: $5,000 for undergraduates; $6,000 for graduates

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Two per hosting union/worker organization

Dates: June 16 – August 15 (approximately 40 hours/week) with a mandatory national three-day orientation at UCLA in June

Application deadline: January 31

Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed two years of college with a current area of study related to workplace health and safety, and recent graduates who have graduated within the last six months


The Occupational Health Internship Program (OHIP) offers college students pursuing programs in public health, environmental studies, public policy, and related fields opportunities to work on projects focused on the working conditions in underserved or high-hazard jobs. You will be matched to a project based on your field of interest and specific technical skills or second-language knowledge requirements. Earlier cohorts worked on projects that focused on examining and addressing hazards for grocery workers, adverse worker health effects due to mold exposure in a hospital, and health hazards in the meatpacking industry. You will also attend educational and skills training sessions and engage in activities led by the host union/worker organization, such as rallies and special events. At the end of the program, you will submit a product to the host, such as an educational resource, a training session for workers, or a presentation on your team’s findings and recommendations. You will also deliver a presentation at the OHIP Summit web-conference and produce a final project report.


Location: Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County's member health centers within LA County

Stipend: $1,500

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~20 – 35; varies by year

Dates: June 1 – 31 + orientation on May 14 + workshops on May 21 and 28

Application deadline: March 20

Eligibility: College students who are in the last four to six months of their program/area of study or have recently graduated, are at least 18 years old, and live in LA County (check accepted areas of study and other eligibility requirements here)


The Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC) offers paid internship opportunities for college students interested in exploring allied healthcare careers. You will gain exposure to and training in a wide array of healthcare roles, including those of a pharmacy technician, medical assistant, nurse assistant, and dental assistant. You will also attend workshops and training sessions offering skill-building opportunities in areas like community health, health administration, and social work. You will have opportunities to build professional connections through mentorship and peer networking. You will receive a certificate on completion of the program.


Location: Hybrid, remote and on-site at Portland State University + Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 

Stipend: $1,000/week with free housing, meals, and travel assistance

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: July 6 – August 7 (five weeks)

Application deadline: February 5; applications open on November 1.

Eligibility: American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) undergraduate college students (primarily freshman and sophomores) who are interested in health professions


The Tilikum Summer Health Experience is a summer program designed for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) undergraduate college students who want to explore healthcare careers in medicine. The program combines academics with indigenous cultural engagement through virtual sessions and in-person learning experiences at Portland State University and Oregon Health & Science University. You will build knowledge in core science subjects, gain insight into the healthcare challenges faced by indigenous communities, and work on research projects focused on health disparities among AI/AN populations. You will practice clinical techniques and engage in shadowing and networking opportunities with healthcare professionals. You will also attend professional development workshops, participate in wellness activities, and undertake cultural visits to indigenous sites.


Location: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Stipend: $6,000 + free housing and travel support

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~35 

Dates: May 24 – July 31 (40 hours/week for 10 weeks)

Application deadline: February 1

Eligibility: Undergraduate college students who are U.S. citizens or individuals with permanent resident visas; recent graduates are also eligible.


SRIP at the University of Virginia's School of Medicine provides college students with opportunities to gain hands-on research experience in biomedical sciences and prepare for admission to graduate school. Here, you will build lab and research skills while working on a biomedical research project under the mentorship of a faculty member. You will attend research lectures led by professional scientists and physician scientists, professional development sessions, and workshops to learn strategies for communicating complex scientific topics with clarity. The program wraps up with a submission of a one-page abstract and an oral presentation at SRIP’s final symposia.


Location: Morristown Medical Center/Overlook Medical Center/other centers in NJ 

Stipend: Paid; amount determined by Atlantic Health System (typically $18.50/hour is offered)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 1 – July 24; commitment of eight weeks and three 12-hour shifts/week

Application deadline: Not specified; applications typically open in early November.

Eligibility: Students obtaining their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) who have completed their junior year/an Associate of Science degree in nursing, hold a minimum 3.0 GPA, and have BLS certification


Atlantic Health System's Nursing Externship Program provides nursing students with hands-on patient care experience under the supervision of a preceptor. You will be placed at one of Atlantic Health's medical centers, where you will gain insight into the role of the professional nurse, learning how to deliver basic nursing care through practice. You will work on building relevant nursing skills and competencies such as time management, empathy, and collaboration. On completing the eight-week externship, you may be eligible for continued employment as a patient care technician or nursing assistant!


Location: Multiple locations in Wisconsin (check past internship locations here)

Stipend: $1,200 – $4,800, depending on the weekly time commitment you choose

Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available

Dates: June 1 – July 24

Application deadline: January 31 (phase 1 deadline); phase 2 is scheduled in the spring 

Eligibility: Students currently attending a college/university in the U.S. with a high school diploma/GED at the time of application who are 18 or older and U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; preference given to those with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, two years of completed college coursework, and a connection to Wisconsin


Wisconsin AHEC's CHIP provides college students with opportunities to explore careers in diverse areas of healthcare, such as population health, public health, and community service. Here, you will gain hands-on project work experience at a community health center, a local health department, a tribal health center, or similar healthcare sites. As a CHIP intern, you will deepen your understanding of public health issues and the role of professionals in public health activities. You will gain workplace experience, build skills in time management, and learn how to find solutions for challenges related to public health. You will also attend two-hour weekly virtual seminars during the program.


Location: State University of New York (SUNY), State College of Optometry, and the University Optometric Center, NY

Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15+

Dates: June 1 – 12 (spring); January 5 – 16 (winter); commitment of eight hours/day for two weeks)

Application deadline: Till spots fill

Eligibility: Full-time college students and graduate students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are New York state residents 


SUNY College of Optometry’s CSTEP offers internships and academic learning experiences to college students interested in optometry, healthcare, and other STEM fields. Here, you will engage in clinical observations at the SUNY College of Optometry's University Eye Center. You will attend demonstrations of optometric equipment and procedures, learn about the various modes of optometric practice, and work on a research project. You will also attend professional development workshops on college admissions, career guidance, and financial aid, as well as seminars to enhance research skills and prepare for the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). You will get to connect with faculty and university senior students and tour optometric units at a hospital or a private and/or group practice. As a spring intern, you will attend a free credit-bearing optometry course in the summer. You will deliver an oral presentation discussing your research experience at the end of the internship.


Location: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Vary, with cohorts in fall (16 weeks), spring (16 weeks), and summer (10 weeks)

Application deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Undergraduate engineering students with a 3.0 GPA and U.S. citizenship


The Medical College of Wisconsin’s BUILD internship provides undergraduate engineering students, especially those underrepresented in medicine, with the opportunity to explore engineering career pathways in research and healthcare. You will learn how to apply academic learning to real-world medical research problems while working within a lab environment. You will be mentored by preceptors and faculty, gain hands-on experience in biomedical research projects, and develop an understanding of biomedical engineering practices. Some of the projects focus on the design and fabrication of medical research devices, providing opportunities to gain technical knowledge and skills for careers in prosthetics and related fields.


Location: NYSCF Research Institute, New York, NY

Stipend: $18/hour (undergraduates) | $19/hour (recent graduates of an undergraduate program) | $20/hour (graduate students)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20

Dates: June 2 – August 8 

Application deadline: Open till spots fill; applications typically open on January 8.

Eligibility: Students currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate at an accredited institution who have completed at least one year as a matriculating undergraduate student at the time of internship and are at least 18 years old; applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent resident aliens, or foreign applicants with valid visa documents.


The lab research track of the NYSCF summer internship is a competitive opportunity to work on projects related to stem cell research. Here, you will be matched with a mentor based on available projects, your skill sets, and your relevant experience outside the college coursework. Earlier cohorts have worked on projects related to diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and more. You will undergo safety training before working on molecular biology/cell culture techniques, imaging, and other lab tasks.


Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies by program format; need-based financial assistance available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Several cohorts each year; summer, winter, fall, and spring

Application deadline: Multiple deadlines each year

Eligibility: Undergraduates and young professionals


Ladder Internships offers students fully virtual opportunities to work with high-growth start-ups in various fields, including healthcare and mental health. As an intern, you will work under the supervision and guidance of a start-up manager and a Ladder Coach on projects that align with your interests and the organization’s goals. The experience can help you contribute to real-world projects in a professional healthcare setting and access opportunities to build professional skills. You will present your work to the organization at the end of the internship, gaining experience in professional communication.


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 mentor to develop an independent research paper.


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