15 Social Work Internships for Undergraduates in NYC
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 21
- 12 min read
If you’re a college student pursuing social work, especially as an undergraduate, NYC is one of the best places to gain hands-on experience. If you already study in NYC, you’re in a prime position to take advantage of opportunities right in the city. You can explore internships during the semester without needing to relocate, build long-term relationships with organizations, and potentially transition part-time work into a full-time role after graduation. These experiences not only strengthen your professional skills but also give you the cultural awareness and adaptability that are highly valued in the field of social work.
We’ve narrowed down this list to 15 top-tier social work internships for undergraduates in NYC, all based in hospitals. We focused on the prestige of the host institution, the rigor of the day-to-day experience, and opportunities to network with licensed professionals and leaders in the field. Some placements may emphasize case management and intake interviews, while others might offer research roles or access to interdisciplinary care teams.
If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
15 Social Work Internships for Undergraduates in NYC
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Location: NYU Langone Health, New York, NY
Cost: Free; unpaid
Dates: Runs in multiple sessions between June and August (specific dates vary by placement)
Application Deadline: December 22
Eligibility: Undergraduate students; minimum age 18; GPA of 3.2 or higher required
The Health Career Opportunity Program (HCOP) at NYU Langone Health is a competitive, immersive summer internship offering undergraduates direct exposure to various hospital-based disciplines, including social work, neurology, emergency medicine, and rehabilitation. In the social work and care management track, students shadow licensed professionals during patient consultations, observe assessments, and learn about care coordination strategies used in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Interns may also engage in mock counseling sessions and review patient documentation protocols.
Across other specialty areas, you’ll rotate through units such as the ICU, creative arts therapy, or speech–language pathology, often attending rounds, interdisciplinary meetings, and didactic sessions. Research-focused tracks involve supporting data analysis, literature reviews, and even limited protocol writing under supervision. HCOP prioritizes mentorship and structured learning, with interns required to complete onboarding tasks such as background checks and medical clearances prior to the program start.
Location: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY
Cost: Free; most placements offer stipends; volunteer options also available
Dates: Summer Session: June – August (20–35 hours/week) | Fall Session: September – December (10–20 hours/week) | Winter/Spring Session: January – May (10–20 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Summer: January 15 – February 15 | Fall: July 15 – August 15 | Spring: October 15 – November 15
Eligibility: Matriculated undergraduate, graduate, or professional students in good academic standing; NYC residency required for fall and spring sessions
The HRTP: A Public Health Internship Program is one of the longest-running public health traineeships in the country, administered by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. You’ll work closely with experienced public health professionals on projects that reflect real-world challenges, applying academic knowledge to practical fieldwork. Opportunities may include research assistance, program planning, data analysis, and health communications, depending on the department and current health initiatives. In the summer session, students also attend structured workshops, seminars, and networking events designed to deepen their understanding of public health systems. The social work-related placements often cover community health needs, case investigations, or care navigation for vulnerable populations. You can expect mentorship, collaborative projects, and insight into the functioning of municipal health departments. HRTP is open to students across disciplines, though the experience is especially relevant for those pursuing social work, psychology, or public health careers.
Location: Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; unpaid
Dates:
Spring Rotation: April 1 – June 30
Summer Rotation: June 16 – September 1
Fall Rotation: September 2 – January 4
Winter Rotation: January 5 – April 5
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students (16+), college students, and post-bac students
In the Health Scholars Program at Maimonides Medical Center, you’ll spend three months gaining firsthand exposure to healthcare inside Brooklyn’s busiest emergency department. As an intern, you'll join a team that serves over 120,000 patients annually, helping improve patient experience while observing how emergency care functions in a fast-paced hospital. You’ll assist staff by speaking with patients, easing their concerns, and relaying information to nurses and physicians, enabling you to build communication and empathy skills central to fields like social work and clinical psychology. You’ll also attend optional lectures on topics like physiology, patient care, and public health, led by physicians and emergency medicine residents. If you're interested in research, there’s a chance to contribute to ongoing ED studies after completing extra training. This is a hands-on, service-based role, where you’re treated as part of the care team while also learning how hospital systems operate.
Location: NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, New York, NY
Cost: Free; unpaid
Dates:
Spring Internship: January – May (15 weeks, full-time; exact dates vary)
Fall and Summer: No internships currently available
Application Deadline: September 6 (for Spring semester)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing certification as a Child Life Specialist; must be affiliated with a college or university with an approved contract
If you're working toward becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist, the Child Life Internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital offers an intensive, hands-on learning experience. Over 600 hours and 15 weeks, you’ll support children and families coping with hospitalization, illness, or trauma. You'll learn to apply developmental theory in real time while preparing pediatric patients for medical procedures, facilitating therapeutic play, and offering emotional support through grief, stress, or life-threatening diagnoses. Throughout the internship, you’ll be guided by certified child life professionals who’ll mentor you through simulation-based training, clinical supervision, and reflective practice. You’ll also collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and gain insight into the full scope of psychosocial care in a pediatric hospital setting.
Location: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
Cost: Free; unpaid
Dates: Flexible start dates; minimum 12-week full-time commitment, with the option to extend up to 24 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or non-citizen nationals; must be currently enrolled in or have recently completed a master’s program in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, or a related field; minimum 3.0 GPA
If you’re pursuing a graduate degree in public health or a related field, the Mount Sinai Public Health Internship Program offers a chance to contribute to ongoing research in environmental and occupational health. You’ll work full-time on a faculty-led project that aligns with your interests, from studying lead exposure and cancer genetics to investigating social determinants of health in NYC communities. Each project is rooted in multidisciplinary research and gives you the opportunity to analyze real data, support lab experiments, or assist in community-based public health interventions.
Beyond research, you’ll receive individualized career support, mentorship, and the chance to collaborate with clinicians, scientists, and health equity advocates. You’re encouraged to engage in writing and data analysis, and some interns participate in developing scientific presentations.
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
Cost: Free to apply; unpaid, or modest stipend provided upon completion
Dates: 10-week summer program; exact dates vary by project
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, post-bac, and medical students enrolled in U.S. institutions; no visa sponsorship available
Through the Anita Mesi General Internal Medicine Summer Internship, you’ll spend ten weeks working closely with a faculty mentor on research related to healthcare delivery, chronic illness, behavioral interventions, or health equity. You’ll have the opportunity to join one of several active projects, from community-based initiatives to clinical trials, while learning how to conduct literature reviews, collect and analyze data, and contribute to publications or grant development. As an intern, you’ll also take part in workshops on academic writing, public health tools like Qualtrics or EndNote, and the inner workings of academic medicine. If you’re interested in social work, psychology, or population health, many of the ongoing studies, like those related to aging, caregiving, or chronic disease management, offer relevant, applied experience. You’ll build connections with researchers and clinicians at Weill Cornell while gaining valuable insight into how general internal medicine research shapes patient care and public health systems.
Location: Cohen Children’s Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY
Cost: Free; unpaid
Dates: June 10 – August 9 (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Rising college sophomores, juniors, or seniors; must be at least 18 years old; no previous research experience required
During the Cohen Children’s Summer Research Internship, you’ll spend ten weeks conducting mentored clinical or translational research within one of nine pediatric sub-specialties, including Emergency Medicine, Cardiology, Neurology, and Medical Genetics. You’ll work under the guidance of a physician-researcher, contribute to data collection or analysis, and engage with ongoing studies focused on improving pediatric care.
You’ll also attend weekly educational seminars and interactive workshops designed to introduce you to clinical research methods, scientific writing, and potential career pathways in pediatric healthcare. The program includes shadowing opportunities and ends with a presentation where you’ll share your research findings. This is a full-time, in-person internship with daily attendance required, offering exposure to both hospital-based research and interdisciplinary collaboration in a major children’s hospital.
Location: NYU Langone Health, New York, NY
Cost: Free; unpaid (course credit may be available)
Dates: Rolling start; typically part-time over multiple months
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current or recent undergraduate or master’s students in pre-med, public health, psychology, or related fields
As a PASSION intern at NYU Langone Health, you’ll work on health services and tobacco cessation research targeting underserved urban populations. You'll engage in hands-on data collection ranging from participant recruitment and informed consent to phlebotomy and biomarker testing, while gaining exposure to the clinical research process. You’ll also learn about the steps involved in IRB applications, grant writing, and manuscript preparation. Expect to be on-site around 15 hours per week, attend a weekly team meeting, and present in a monthly journal club. The program also offers opportunities to shadow primary care physicians and learn the basics of statistics and SAS software. Designed for those interested in medicine, public health, or research, this internship gives you early exposure to the realities of healthcare delivery and academic research in a major urban hospital setting.
Location: NYU Langone Health, New York, NY
Cost: Free; housing available through NYU (separate application required)
Dates: Multiple sessions from May 19 to August 8
Eligibility: High school seniors (18+), college students, and recent graduates
If you’re early in your academic path and looking to explore healthcare careers, the HCOP at NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation offers structured exposure across various medical specialties. Over four weeks, you’ll observe clinicians in action at one of NYU Langone’s participating hospitals, engage in daily lectures, and participate in discussions on medical ethics and rehabilitation medicine. You’ll be placed in one specialty for the entire session, with opportunities to explore areas like emergency medicine or research in extended tracks. While the program is unpaid, you’ll receive a certificate for completing at least 140 hours of clinical observation and instruction—valuable for both your resume and school credit (upon institution approval).
Location: Bellevue Hospital, Manhattan, NY | NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $10 application fee
Dates: 10-week summer program; exact dates announced annually
Application Deadline: Varies by year; typically early spring (rolling until filled)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (rising sophomores and above), recent grads, and post-bac/master’s students
Project Healthcare is NYU Langone’s immersive summer volunteer program in emergency medicine, offering you a close-up view of patient care at either Bellevue Hospital or NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn. Over 10 weeks, you’ll rotate through areas like the trauma ICU, pediatric ER, cardiac cath lab, and operating rooms. Your role as a patient advocate puts you directly at the bedside, talking with patients, supporting their needs, and helping improve their care experience. Expect a fast-paced clinical environment, with 5-hour shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays (Bellevue) or a fixed daytime schedule (Brooklyn). You’ll also attend weekly meetings modeled after medical school classes, take part in a literature review and health fair, and work on a public health initiative. The program includes mentorship from emergency medicine residents and guest lectures from NYU faculty and medical professionals.
Location: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY (in-person and virtual options)
Cost: Free
Dates: Flexible, offered during the summer
Application Deadline: Closed for this summer; early submissions encouraged for future sessions
Eligibility: College students or recent graduates with an interest in rehabilitation, wellness, or performance
If you're interested in rehabilitation sciences but not quite ready for direct clinical experience, the Rehabilitation Internship Program at HSS could be a great fit. You’ll contribute to project-based work across fields like physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, performance/wellness, and prosthetics/orthotics, without hands-on patient contact. Over the course of the program, you’ll engage in clinical research, operational initiatives, or educational development, depending on your assigned focus. The program also offers limited opportunities for clinical observation and includes a final capstone presentation where you’ll share your work with HSS staff. You’ll gain insight into clinical workflows, refine your research and communication skills, and develop a clearer sense of where your interests lie within the rehabilitation space.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free; unpaid (stipend up to $2,000 may be available through the CCGMH Summer Scholars Fund)
Dates: June–August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising college seniors from any major with an interest in global mental health
In this fully virtual internship, you’ll dive into the field of global mental health through hands-on research and faculty mentorship. Over eight weeks, you’ll be paired with Columbia-affiliated research projects that align with your interests, while also attending daily seminars and career development sessions. You’ll gain exposure to interdisciplinary approaches, including psychiatry, psychology, epidemiology, and social work, while exploring mental health interventions in diverse global contexts. In addition to building your research and analytical skills, you’ll receive guidance on graduate school planning and professional development. While unpaid, you can apply for a $2,000 stipend if your home institution doesn’t offer internship funding.
Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
Cost: Free; includes housing, round-trip travel, and a stipend
Dates: May (TBA) – August 1
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors, or recent graduates (after April 2024); minimum GPA 2.7
The Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP) at Columbia offers you a comprehensive, fully-funded introduction to public health practice and research. Over the course of the program, you’ll attend academic courses taught by Columbia faculty, work on a hands-on field placement under professional mentorship, and take part in weekly seminars on topics ranging from biostatistics to health policy. The program wraps with a final project presentation in NYC and a CDC showcase in Atlanta. You’ll also visit health organizations around New York City and engage in group discussions that focus on applying public health knowledge to real-world issues. With support for travel, housing, and living expenses, SPHSP is a strong option if you're seeking a rigorous and well-structured experience in public health.
Location: Various host companies across New York City (in-person, hybrid, and remote options available)
Cost: Free to apply; paid internships starting at $16.50/hour (most pay $18/hour or more)
Dates: Summer Internships: Typically 10 weeks, late May – early August | Academic Year Internships: Flexible start dates; part-time
Application Deadline: December 31 (early summer deadline); rolling applications accepted year-round
Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled at a NYC-based college/university, or NYC residents enrolled anywhere in the U.S.; must be 18+ and eligible to work in the U.S.
If you're looking to explore the intersection of science, research, and business, the LifeSci NYC Internship Program might be a good fit. Whether you’re studying biology, data science, social work, or public health, you’ll have the chance to match with a host company for a part-time or full-time paid internship aligned with your interests. Once selected, you’ll work on real projects, ranging from lab research and data analysis to health communications or operations, while gaining exposure to a fast-growing industry that includes hospitals, biotech firms, and public health startups. Throughout the program, you'll be expected to attend seminars, contribute meaningfully to your team, and engage with a network of professionals across NYC. If you’re interested in healthcare access, policy, or social impact, there are also roles that touch on community health, care management, and patient advocacy. You apply once, but can express interest in multiple positions through the program’s student job portal.
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.
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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