15 Hospital Internships for High School Students in Houston, TX
Are you a high school student in Houston, TX, and wondering how you can gain real-world experience in healthcare? Hospital internships for high school students in Houston, TX, are a valuable way to build your resume, strengthen college applications, and develop practical skills in a professional setting.
Houston, TX, is home to several top hospitals, including the Houston Methodist Hospital and the Memorial Hermann Hospital, which help reduce travel and housing costs by being local. Whether you're supporting patient services or assisting with research, hospital internships for high school students in Houston, TX, allow you to explore potential career paths while improving your confidence and employability in the long run.
We’ve compiled a guide to the 15 best hospital internships for high school students in Houston, TX, featuring programs hosted by leading medical institutions throughout the city. Each opportunity provides firsthand experience in a hospital environment, helping you better understand the healthcare field and where you might fit within it.
15 Hospital Internships for High School Students in Houston, TX
1. Houston Methodist’s High School Emerging Researcher Experience
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors | Minimum 3.5 GPA | At least 16 years old by the start of the program
Houston Methodist’s High School Emerging Researcher Experience places you in a real research environment, where you'll work under the mentorship of Houston Methodist faculty on projects aligned with your mentor’s area of expertise. You’ll gain exposure to translational research alongside undergrad interns, using lab techniques and protocols necessary for your assigned project. Throughout the program, you'll also take part in a structured professional development curriculum designed to support your future college and career goals. This internship includes participation in seminars, social events, and a final symposium where you'll present your research in a poster format.
2. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center – Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center
Cost/Stipend: $6,800 for 10 weeks; $6,120 for nine weeks
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohort
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Current Texas public, private, or charter high school seniors | At least 18 years old by the program start | U.S. citizen or permanent resident
This 10-week program introduces you to biomedical research and careers in allied health at MD Anderson, one of the nation’s top cancer centers. In this program, you'll work full-time in a research lab under the supervision of MD Anderson faculty, contributing directly to ongoing scientific projects. Your time will be split between conducting hands-on lab work, attending faculty-led seminars, and engaging in specialized summer program activities like poster and elevator speech competitions. The experience aims to strengthen your understanding of scientific inquiry and the discipline needed to pursue a research career. By the end, you'll have the chance to present your findings at a formal event.
3. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
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 online program that connects high school students with startups and nonprofits across various industries, including healthcare and medical technology. Over several weeks, you’ll work remotely on a project that’s meaningful to the organization, while receiving ongoing mentorship from both a startup supervisor and a Ladder-assigned coach. Each internship ends with a formal presentation of your work, allowing you to demonstrate your contributions and gain feedback. Because placements are international, this program provides cross-cultural exposure and project-based learning in a flexible online format. Ladder Internships accepts applications on a rolling basis and includes a screening process to match you with the right project. Apply here.
4. MD Anderson Cancer Center UPWARDS Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center
Cost/Stipend: None / $6,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 10 students
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer (July–September)
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Under-represented incoming high school seniors | 18 or older by the start of the program
The UPWARDS Program at MD Anderson is designed to support high school students from underserved communities in gaining direct research experience in cancer science and related biomedical fields. Over 10 weeks, you'll spend time in a lab, working on a project guided by a faculty mentor while also participating in professional development sessions. You'll attend scientific lectures, receive mentoring, and join outreach activities aimed at increasing STEM interest among younger students. This is a full-time, paid opportunity located on the MD Anderson campus. At the end of the program, you'll present your work during the CATALYST poster symposium, alongside others in the MD Anderson research community.
5. Harris Health Junior Volunteer Program
Location: Various locations throughout Harris County, TX
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: June 16 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18
This program allows you to learn about healthcare careers while contributing to patient care services across Harris Health System facilities. As a junior volunteer, you could be assigned roles such as assisting in hospital departments, helping with patient navigation, organizing medical records, or participating in clerical and educational support roles. You'll also gain access to internal systems like Harris Health email and Epic (read-only) to help perform your duties effectively. The program also includes optional field trips and events to widen your exposure to different areas of healthcare. Volunteer assignments vary by location, and each hospital or pavilion is managed by a dedicated volunteer coordinator.
6. MD Anderson – DACCPM Summer Research Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: All high school students | 18 years or older by the program start date
This program allows you to explore clinical or basic science research under the mentorship of faculty members. It matches you with a research or clinical mentor and assigns a project in fields like pain management, cancer recurrence, or opioid use. The program starts with a Cancer Biology boot camp using The Biology of Cancer by Robert Weinberg, which you'll receive before the program begins. Over the summer, you'll participate in lectures, literature reviews, lab safety training, and career development workshops. Your work culminates in a poster presentation and abstract submission as part of the CATALYST Summer Program.
7. MD Anderson – Partnership for Careers in Cancer Science and Medicine
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Cost/Stipend: None / $6,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, by nomination only
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Current high school seniors who are at least 18 years old by the program start date (applicants must be nominated by their school) | U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident
This program is a specialized summer research experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center which provides in-depth research and training experiences for students interested in pursuing careers in cancer science, medicine, and related health fields. Your summer will begin with orientation and a foundational training series known as HotStart, which is led by postdoctoral fellows and covers essential lab techniques and research ethics. The main focus is conducting a hands-on research project under the supervision of an MD Anderson faculty mentor. Alongside research, you'll attend seminars, participate in workshops on scientific communication. The program concludes with a research presentation at MD Anderson’s Summer Experience Final Event.
8. The Health Museum: DeBakey Cell Lab Internship
Location: The Health Museum, Houston, Texas
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive / 20 students
Dates: June 17 – July 27
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school students who are currently enrolled in Houston Independent School District (HISD) schools | 15 years or older as of June 15 | GPA of 2.5 or higher
The Health Museum’s DeBakey Cell Lab Internship allows high school students to gain practical experience in biomedical science while contributing to public science education. You will help run hands-on lab experiences for museum visitors, while also receiving weekly training in subjects like genetics, data science, public health, and science communication. The schedule requires a commitment of at least 20 hours per week, with additional Saturday sessions for professional development. You will rotate through weekday shifts in the museum’s lab, and the experience is supervised in collaboration with medical and academic partners from the Texas Medical Center.
9. Texas Children’s Hospital – Summer Junior Program
Location: Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / About 20-50 students
Dates: June 6 – July 17
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students ages 15-17
The Summer Junior Volunteer Program at Texas Children’s Hospital allows students to volunteer across its multiple Houston campuses, gaining insight into pediatric healthcare while developing soft skills in a hospital setting. As a volunteer, you'll support departments like Guest Services, outpatient playrooms, or recreational activities like crafts and play carts that bring comfort to young patients. Volunteers typically serve in two three-hour shifts Monday through Thursday and may also attend Lunch and Learn sessions featuring guest speakers from different clinical departments. This program is coordinated by the Volunteer Services team and places a strong emphasis on service, teamwork, and reliability. Find more information on the program pamphlet.
10. Baylor College of Medicine - DocPrep Program
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 60 students
Dates: Typically runs one week in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically spring (March-May)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors interested in medicine and healthcare careers
The Baylor College of Medicine’s DocPrep Program is a week-long summer enrichment experience for rising high school seniors eager to pursue a future in medicine or healthcare. It combines lectures on biomedical science, patient care, and healthcare careers with hands-on simulation labs. You will practice suturing, work with high-tech medical mannequins in simulation centers, and engage in small-group discussions led by professionals. A standout feature is the chance to interact directly with faculty from both the medical and health professions schools, allowing you to hear firsthand what it's like to train and work in medicine. By the end, you will sharpen communication, teamwork, and basic clinical skills.
11. Memorial Hermann Health System High School Summer Internship
Location: Houston, TX and Greater Houston Metro
Stipend: Select roles are paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / Not specified
Dates: 10 weeks, early June to late July/early August
Application Deadline: Typically March
Eligibility: Houston-area high school students
In this internship, you will gain hands-on exposure to healthcare governance, business operations, risk management, finance, and information technology, critical for running a large hospital network. You will be part of bi-weekly learning sessions and interactive workshops that cover topics ranging from laws affecting healthcare delivery to analytics and population health strategies. You will collaborate on team projects, shadow professionals in various departments, and attend skill-building seminars focused on communication and leadership. This internship allows you to explore both clinical-adjacent and non-clinical roles, such as marketing, supply chain, or human resources, which are often overlooked in traditional hospital internships.
12. Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center Student Summer Volunteer Program
Location: Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive / Not specified
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically April, open for a limited period
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old at the time of application
The Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center Student Summer Volunteer Program gives high school students an inside look at the hospital environment, helping them understand the importance of service and teamwork in healthcare. You will assist at the main information desk, support families in waiting areas, and act as office assistants across various departments. You will also get involved in day-to-day hospital operations by managing service lines, which introduces them to how hospitals run and the needs of patients and visitors. By committing to at least 100 hours of service, you will not earn a letter of recommendation, which can be very useful for college applications.
13. Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Summer Internship & Jr. Volunteer Program
Location: Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: $50 / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / Not specified
Dates: 7 weeks, typically from June to July
Application Deadline: Typically early spring
Eligibility: Enrolled in high school | Between 15-17 years | Must attend a one-day orientation, submit a TB test
The Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Summer Internship & Jr. Volunteer Program provides high school students with hands-on experience in a major hospital setting, exposing them to the world of healthcare, patient support, and the day-to-day operations of a medical center. You will engage in patient care, confidentiality, professional ethics, and teamwork as they rotate through various hospital departments. You will greet and assist visitors, help deliver supplies or flowers to patients, observe clinical staff, and support administrative tasks. You will participate in a structured orientation and complete at least 50 service hours, which will help you develop critical skills like effective communication, empathy, adaptability, and professionalism.
13. MohanLab High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid, amount unspecified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (who have completed 11th grade of high school)
The MohanLab High School Summer Internship Program is a hands-on research experience designed for high school students interested in biomedical, medical, and bioengineering fields. Over eight weeks, you will start with an introduction to laboratory techniques before taking on your bench research projects under the mentorship of skilled scientists and graduate students. You will learn essential lab procedures, collect and analyze experimental data, present research findings at group meetings, and potentially contribute your work to peer-reviewed publications. You can also continue your research beyond the summer, with opportunities for manuscript writing and deeper involvement in scientific study. You will develop skills in experimental design, critical thinking, scientific presentation, and data analysis.
14. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None / $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 5 weeks (June – August)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (in the U.S. for the virtual program and in Baltimore City, MD, for the in-person program).
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a summer research program for junior and senior high school students that helps them gain exposure to careers in the neurological sciences. You will work on research projects focused on brain science, such as neurodegenerative diseases, neural imaging, or brain development. You will attend virtual lectures, complete basic lab simulations, and engage in professional development sessions with scientists and clinicians in the field. The curriculum also includes guidance on preparing for research careers, understanding brain science, and developing communication skills. Successful participants receive a certificate at the end of the program.
15. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
Location: Remote or Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid based on the opportunity
Dates: Offered year-round; winter internships are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Eligible to work in the U.S. and reside in a state where APA is registered as an employer | Enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution | Students under 18 must submit a D.C. Work Permit with their application
APA internships provide high school and college students with an immersive experience exploring the connection between psychology and practical, real-world challenges. Positioned within various departments such as public policy, education, research, and communications, you will engage in projects tailored to their interests while gaining insight into how psychological science shapes decision-making, all under the guidance of experienced professionals. During the winter session, depending on your placement, you may contribute to literature reviews, support outreach initiatives, handle administrative tasks, or work on web-based activities. Additionally, you will take part in workshops, discussions, and collaborative projects designed to help you develop valuable skills in communication, research analysis, and organizational behavior.
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