Program overview

Program length: 12, 18, or 32 weeks
Class size: 28 students a year
Minnesota locations: Rochester, Albert Lea, Austin, Mankato, Red Wing, or St. James
Wisconsin locations: Eau Claire or La Crosse

This internship provides the in-depth clinical knowledge and skills that students need to deliver comprehensive 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.

During this internship, graduate and undergraduate social work students work at Mayo Clinic facilities throughout the Midwest. You will learn at an internationally renowned medical center that includes a large designated cancer center and organ transplantation program and serve a large, diverse patient population with common and uncommon medical conditions.

As a social work intern, you evaluate and intervene with patients and their families who are experiencing chronic, acute, and terminal illnesses. Social workers are part of the interdisciplinary teams covering medical, surgical, and psychiatric settings.

Through individual and group work, you may provide services related to organ transplantation, cancer, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, and mental health, as well as advise family caregivers and assist with patient discharges.

Graduation and certification

Upon successful completion of the internship, you receive a certificate of completion from Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.

Prerequisites

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.

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

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

Exceptions to the application deadline are made on a case-by-case basis for BSW students only.

Application instructions

Complete the following steps to apply:

1. Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission
   • Select - Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
   • Select - Social Work Internship (RST)
2. Complete each section of the application and submit
   • A specific location (Rochester, MN; Austin, MN; Mankato, MN; La Crosse, WI; or Eau Claire, WI) can be selected further in the application
3. After submission, view the required Supplemental Items and Documents
   • Upload each required item in the Supplemental Items section 
   • Complete the Recommendation Request section

Additional required items

• CV/resume
• Essay providing a brief statement of your professional goals, including how an internship at Mayo Clinic aligns with those career goals
• One letter of recommendation is required and must be completed in the Recommendation Request section. The recommender will receive an email with a link to complete their recommendation.
  • Choose a faculty member from your school of social work that is responsible for field placements indicating the school's approval and support of this placement for you.
• Unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools (if applicable) will be uploaded in the Supplemental Items section. 

Interview process 

The selection committee carefully reviews each application. Individuals considered for acceptance may be invited to interview with the program director and selected faculty. An interview can be arranged only when your application file is complete.

Acceptance

When acceptance notifications are sent, your reply is requested within one week. Your acceptance to the program depends upon successful completion of the health review and background check.

Tuition and financial aid

There is no tuition for the internship. You are responsible for providing your living accommodations and transportation.

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

Curriculum

The internship is offered as a 12-week practicum in the summer, for 18 weeks in the fall or spring, and for 32 weeks beginning in September. Your training may take place at Mayo Clinic and the two campuses of Mayo Clinic Hospital (Methodist Campus and Saint Marys Campus), or one of the Mayo Clinic Health System locations throughout the Midwest region.

During the internship, you participate in:

• Patient care rounds
• Multidisciplinary patient care team conferences
• Staff and committee meetings
• Program and policy development and implementation

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
• Coordinate support groups

You are assigned a field instructor who is a staff member with two or more years of clinical experience. Your field instructor supervises your clinical assignments. A master's-level social worker coordinates the internship and supervises the field instructors and students. The coordinator is also the liaison to each student's academic institution.

Schedule

Hours may vary and are based on program length. Student internship hours are coordinated with program faculty and are generally completed on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Accreditation information

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