Program overview

Program length: 1 semester (3-4 months)
Public Health Internship class size: 1-5 students
Location: Jacksonville, Florida, and Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona

Mayo Clinic’s Health Care Public Health Internship program provides both undergraduate and graduate students opportunities to spend time at a health care organization. This unpaid internship aims to provide students with the hands-on, practical experience to enhance students' classroom knowledge. As an experiential immersive program, interns will develop and hone their practical skills through a broad range of opportunities, including:

• Exposure to hospital and/or clinic operations through project-based work
• Directly contribute to organizational projects under executive mentorship
• Explore career and professional development opportunities
• Participate in lecture series which consists of a series of round-table discussions with senior leadership throughout the organization

Application process

2025 Public Health Internship application timeline

Prerequisites

To apply for this program, students must be enrolled in a public health baccalaureate or master's program.

The internship must be required by your institution for degree credit. You must successfully complete the required pre-professional and professional college coursework at your college or university before you are eligible to complete the internship.

Application instructions

During the application window, complete the following steps to apply:

1. Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission. Select the following when creating an account:
   • School of Study - Office of Non-Clinical Education Programs
   • Area of Interest - Public Health Internship
2. Once logged on, select "Create a New Application"
3. Select "Start a Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Experience Application"
4. Complete each section of the application and submit 
5. After submission:
   • Select the "View" button next to your application
   • Select the "Supplemental Items and Documents" tab
     • Upload your supplemental items
     • Complete the Recommendation Request section

Additional required items

• CV/resume.
• Personal Statement is to include the following and be uploaded in the Supplemental Items section:
  • Write about your career goals and why you would be a good candidate for the program.
  • Why do you want to pursue a career in public health?
  • What attracted you to apply to Mayo Clinic?
• 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 upload a letter.
  • Professional: References should be individuals who are/were an authority figure in your current/previous schooling or place of employment (i.e., supervisor, teacher)
• Unofficial college transcript

Application review and interviews

Program leadership reviews applications upon submission. Based on application quality, selected students will be asked to participate in a 10- to 15-minute phone or Zoom interview. 

Typically, you can expect a final decision within two weeks after the close date of the application window.

The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Office of Non-Clinical Education Programs in Florida will work directly with accepted students to obtain proper paperwork, including a background check, drug screen, required immunizations, proof of active medical insurance, and enrollment verifications. Students also must sign a statement of confidentiality before beginning the experience.

Curriculum

During the semester, students will assist with a departmental project and/or opportunity. These opportunities prepare students to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a team in a health care setting. Projects vary by semester depending on preceptor availability, but the list of departments below provides a general idea of internship experiences.

• Infectious Disease
• Community Engagement and Health Equity Research
• Clinical Research

Schedule and time commitment

Typical business days are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Selected students will work with their mentor to determine a mutually agreeable schedule. Currently, there are no available remote, weekend, or evening internship opportunities.

Interns are required to commit to a minimum of 20 hours a week for the duration of the semester with minimal flexibility in the last two weeks, regardless of a student's academic internship requirements. Many interns elect to work more than this but cannot exceed 40 hours.

Tuition and financial aid

Tuition rates are determined by and paid to the college or university at which you are enrolled. Mayo Clinic Office of Non-Clinical Education Programs charges no additional fees for the Public Health Internship Program.

You are responsible for your living accommodations and transportation.

Accreditation information

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