Program overview

Program length: 1-2 consecutive semesters
Class size: 4-6 students
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Affiliated schools: Boston University, Florida State University, St. Leo University, and University of Central Florida 

This internship provides the in-depth clinical knowledge and skills that students need to deliver comprehensive outpatient social services as well-rounded medical social workers. You will work with physicians, nurses, administrators, social workers, and other allied health professionals as a respected member of the patient care team.

You will learn at an internationally renowned medical center that includes a large designated cancer center and organ transplantation program and serves a large, diverse patient population with common and uncommon medical conditions.

As a social work intern, you help patients and their families cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses, addressing problems that impede recovery, or rehabilitation. You may organize support groups for families of people undergoing organ transplants or who have cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, or other illnesses.

You also advise family caregivers, counsel patients, and help plan for patients' needs by arranging at-home services, from meals-on-wheels to oxygen equipment.

Graduation and certification

Students who have fulfilled all required coursework from their home academic institution are eligible for graduation after completing the internship.

Application process

Your application and all supporting documentation must be received at least two months prior to the start of the semester. The program starts at the beginning of the academic semester.

Prerequisites

To participate in the Social Work Internship, you must be enrolled at one of the following affiliated schools — Boston University, Florida State University, St. Leo University, the University of Central Florida, or the University of West Florida. It is suggested that all coursework be completed prior to the internship.

You are expected to know the biopsychosocial aspects of human behavior and social work practice principles. You also must have effective communication skills and the motivation to contribute in an interdisciplinary medical setting.

Applicants are not selected based on grades alone, but your college or university cumulative GPA should be at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Non-U.S. citizen applicants

Admission to Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is open to U.S. workers in the four categories below. Therefore, visa sponsorship is not available.

1. U.S. citizens
2. U.S. nationals
3. Lawful permanent residents
4. Asylees and refugees

Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT). Scores from the speaking portion of the exam are given particular consideration in admission decisions. Learn more about the exam and register online at the Educational Testing Service.

The Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences code for the TOEFL iBT is 5784.

Educational transcripts from schools outside the U.S. must be translated (if they are not already in English) and evaluated for U.S. equivalence by an accredited credential evaluation service company prior to submission. Please refer to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for a list of qualified companies. The applicant pays for the examination and credential-evaluation services.

How to apply

Submit the following application materials via email to the Social Work Internship coordinators (ford.nancy@mayo.edu or marfilius.traci@mayo.edu):

• Statement of professional goals (one-page maximum)
• Resume
• Writing sample

Interview process

Applicants considered for acceptance may be invited to visit Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida, for a personal interview with the program coordinator and field instructor.

Acceptance

When an acceptance offer is made, your reply is requested within one week. Your acceptance to the internship depends upon successful completion of the health review and background check.

Tuition and financial aid

Tuition rates are determined by and paid to your school of social work. Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences charges no additional fees.

You are responsible for providing your living accommodations and transportation. The section of social work may be able to provide information on locating housing options for the duration of the internship.

You may hold outside employment during the internship if it does not conflict with your educational responsibilities.

Curriculum

During the internship, you participate in:

• Patient care rounds
• Multidisciplinary patient care team conferences
• Staff and committee meetings
• Program and policy development and implementation
• Supervision with field instructor and other staff
• Training and education activities

As a social work intern, you:

• Conduct psychosocial assessments and clinical interventions that include psychosocial diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up
• Participate in patient case management and discharge planning
• Make referrals to community resources
• Provide patient and family education
• Facilitate support groups

You are assigned a field instructor who is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Your field instructor supervises your clinical assignments. A social work internship coordinator supervises the field instructors and students and coordinates the internship. The coordinator is also the liaison to each intern's academic institution.

Schedule

For the majority of the internship, your learning schedule is determined by the requirements of your school of Social Work. This typically includes eight-hour days, two to five days a week, Monday-Friday during normal business hours, depending on the semester and your hour requirements.

Accreditation information

See accreditation information for Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.