14 Internships for Undergraduates in Alabama
If you are an undergraduate student, an internship can be a worthwhile way to explore different fields. An internship is a practical way to explore different career pathways and build professional skills. Internships for undergraduates provide opportunities to contribute to projects within companies, hospitals, government offices, or research organizations. In these roles, you gain experience in areas such as data analysis, client services, laboratory procedures, policy research, and technical development. These internships help you develop both technical capabilities and professional skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.
Why should I do an internship as an undergraduate?
An internship enables you to apply classroom knowledge to problems and workplace systems. It strengthens your resume by demonstrating initiative and practical experience, provides tangible work samples for interviews, and can lead to professional references or mentorship opportunities. Internships also clarify your interests, allowing you to make informed decisions about senior-year courses or graduate programs, and can improve your chances of securing a job or admission to graduate school after graduation.
Alabama is home to universities, hospitals, manufacturing industries, public-sector organizations, and expanding technology and aerospace sectors. To help you get started, we’ve put together 14 internships for undergraduates in Alabama.
1. University of Alabama Birmingham’s Experimental & Computational Materials Research REU
Location: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive | approximately 15 students
Dates: May 17 - July 24 (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled in a U.S. undergraduate program and returning to their degree after the summer
The University of Alabama Birmingham’s Experimental & Computational Materials Research REU is a 10-week summer research internship funded by the National Science Foundation. It places undergraduates in hands-on research with leading faculty at UAB. You will contribute to ongoing materials science projects and may select from research clusters such as computational materials research, materials under extreme conditions, materials for energy applications, sensors/laser technology, or biomaterials for implants and tissue engineering. During the program, you’ll complete about 400 hours of research, attend seminars, and professional development sessions focused on scientific communication and ethics. The program concludes with a research expo, where you present your findings. The experience helps you build a dual skill set in both experimental and computational techniques, valuable for future graduate study and careers in R&D. Close collaboration with mentors and peers on meaningful scientific work further strengthens your professional network and research portfolio.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
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 undergraduates and gap year students!
Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship program where you work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup. Apply now!
3. University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazer BRAIN Undergraduate Summer Program
Location: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Stipend: Stipend and on-campus housing provided to all participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified | admissions are competitive
Dates: June 1 - July 24 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Undergraduate students | U.S. citizens or nationals
The Blazer BRAIN Undergraduate Summer Program at the University of Alabama is an intensive 8-week research experience designed for undergraduates seeking meaningful exposure to neuroscience research, with limited access to such opportunities at their home institutions. Participants are placed in active neuroscience labs within the Heersink School of Medicine, where they work under the supervision of faculty mentors on research projects. This provides hands-on experience with research methods and data analysis. In addition to lab work, you’ll attend laboratory meetings and seminars, present your findings at a research forum, and receive training in scientific communication, including preparing written reports and oral presentations. The program also includes professional development workshops focused on graduate school preparation, such as crafting personal statements, securing recommendation letters, and mock interviews, helping you build skills that are valuable for future academic and research careers. Overall, Blazer BRAIN combines practical neuroscience research with structured mentoring and career preparation. It helps to build your research profile, understand scientific inquiry, and helps you define your long-term goals in biomedical and research-focused fields.
4. Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA) Economic Development Intern Program
Location: Multiple host organizations across Alabama (for example, Alabama Power Company, Department of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Southeast Gas, Spire Energy)
Stipend: Paid (compensated for the internship duration)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive (6 positions)
Dates: Summer term (approx. 10 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (often rising seniors or above)
The Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA) Economic Development Intern Program places you with professional economic development organizations across Alabama, where you support initiatives related to job growth, investment recruitment, and workforce development. You’ll work on projects involving data research, incentive analysis, proposal preparation, client engagement, and economic strategy, gaining exposure to how businesses and government partners promote economic opportunities in different regions of the state. You’ll be involved in meetings with industry professionals and prospects, help prepare materials that inform decision-making, and collaborate with other interns and staff to present insights at the end of the program. Through this experience, you’ll strengthen skills such as research, communication, analytical thinking, and project coordination, while learning how economic development professionals help shape the business climate and support local communities throughout Alabama.
5. Southeastern Research Experiences for Undergraduates (SE REU)
Location: Partner institutions in Alabama (funding support for UAB REU placement, Birmingham, AL)
Stipend: Includes a 10-week stipend, paid on-campus housing, and travel support
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, only 1 student will be funded
Dates: May 17 - July 24 (tentative 10-week session)
Application Deadline: Typically in February - March
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students enrolled at a higher education institution in the southeastern U.S., pursuing a STEM degree
The SE REU (Southeastern Research Experiences for Undergraduates) program provides funding and logistical support for students across the southeastern United States to participate in high-quality summer research placements at partner National Science Foundation REU sites, including those hosted by institutions in Alabama. Through this initiative, you complete a 10-week research internship in which you will work alongside faculty mentors and contributors on real scientific projects across a range of STEM disciplines. The program offers a stipend along with support for housing and travel, allowing you to focus fully on your research work without any logistical constraints. Projects in the past have included experimental and computational research opportunities, offering practical experience with laboratory techniques, data analysis, and seminar-style professional development. By the end of the program, you’ll typically present your findings and contribute to the broader research community with valuable experience that boosts your resume for graduate school or STEM careers.
6. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Heliophysics REU (UAH)
Location: University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) + NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 10 students (highly competitive)
Dates: May 27 - August 1 (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Typically early spring (varies annually)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in physics, computer science, engineering, mathematics, or related STEM fields
The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Heliophysics REU allows you to work on advanced research projects in space science, computational modeling, and data analysis. You’ll be paired with faculty and NASA researchers, contributing to projects that may involve simulations, instrumentation, and large-scale scientific data processing. The program provides hands-on experience in research environments that involve programming, modeling, and analytical techniques relevant to artificial intelligence workflows. You’ll also present your findings at the end of the program, gaining experience in scientific communication. Participating in this program helps you gain funded research experience while working with NASA scientists on projects in computational and space science.
7. Governor’s Office Internship Program (Alabama)
Location: Montgomery, AL
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 2 - July 31 (nine-week summer session)
Application Deadline: March 13 (COB)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled full-time
The Governor’s Office Internship Program places participants within the executive branch of Alabama’s state government, providing hands-on experience in policy development, communications, constituent services, and administrative functions. As an intern, you may be assigned meaningful responsibilities such as drafting policy briefs, supporting public communications, assisting with research for legislative initiatives, attending meetings with cabinet agencies (such as the Department of Tourism, Minority Affairs, or Finance), and observing how public governance is executed at the state level. This internship offers insight into public service and leadership in Alabama and builds professional skills in communication, analysis, and project coordination. It is particularly valuable if you plan to pursue a career in public policy, law, business, or nonprofit work.
8. Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Internships
Location: Alabama Department of Public Health, Montgomery, AL (central office) and field sites statewide (county or area health offices)
Stipend: Mostly unpaid or for academic credit | paid internships depend on host office funding and are paid at Alabama state intern rates based on semester hours completed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies depending on the office and available placement
Dates: Summer, fall, and spring term placements
Application Deadline: Rolling based on placement availability
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited college or university | relevant majors include public health, health sciences, communications, business, accounting, and related fields
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Internship Program connects undergraduates with hands-on public health experience across Alabama’s public health system. Internships are designed to help students understand the mission and responsibilities of public health practice, gain valuable workplace experience, and explore future career paths in health programs, outreach, administration, communications, and finance. Placements vary by county and are subject to departmental needs. Responsibilities include supporting community health initiatives, performing data entry, and assisting administrative and financial teams within the department. Many internships can be completed for academic credit, and some host offices offer hourly pay based on internal funding. You will work under the supervision of departmental staff, contribute to ongoing public health projects, and build professional skills valuable for future employment or graduate study in health-related fields.
9. Political Science & Criminal Justice Internships – University of South Alabama
Location: Department of Political Science & Criminal Justice, University of South Alabama (Mobile, AL)
Stipend: Typically unpaid and completed for academic credit (PSC 496 or CJ 496 courses)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Placement-dependent
Dates: Fall, spring, or summer semesters
Application Deadline: Must apply at least one semester before the desired internship term
Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring or minoring in Political Science or Criminal Justice | must meet course prerequisites and departmental approval
The Political Science & Criminal Justice Internship Program at the University of South Alabama provides undergraduates a structured way to apply academic knowledge to real-world environments across government, public service, law enforcement, courts, policy organizations, and related agencies. Internships are coordinated through the PSCJ department, where students work with an appointed internship coordinator to select an agency partner that matches their interests and academic goals. You submit an application and resume, which are forwarded to potential host sites where agencies contact students to arrange interviews and placements. Once you are accepted, you can enroll in the internship course (such as PSC 496 or CJ 496) for academic credit, complete a minimum number of field hours (approximately 112 hours for 3 credits) while working under professional supervision, and fulfill academic requirements such as reflective essays or activity logs related to your internship experiences. These placements help you explore careers in public administration, law enforcement, legislative offices, courts, nonprofit organizations, and policy research, strengthening your professional skills and resume before graduation.
10. School of Computing Internships – University of South Alabama
Location: School of Computing, University of South Alabama (Mobile, AL) | internships with industry partners and technology employers coordinated through the School of Computing and the faculty internship coordinator
Stipend: Students typically register in a zero-credit internship course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitively, 50+ students accepted annually
Dates: Fall, spring, or summer semesters, schedules arranged by student and host employer
Application Deadline: Rolling placement
Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in computer science, computer information systems, information technology, health informatics, and related computing fields | typically required to have completed key coursework and maintain a competitive GPA of 2.75+
The School of Computing Internship Program at the University of South Alabama bridges classroom learning and real-world technology experience by connecting undergraduate computing students with industry partners and employer placements. Internships provide hands-on exposure to professional environments where students apply computing concepts and technical skills to real development, systems, or IT under the supervision of workplace mentors. You will improve technical skills, enhance your communication and teamwork, and establish professional networks that support job readiness after graduation. Interns register for an internship course for formal recognition, work scheduled hours (typically up to 20 hours per week during semesters), and complete program requirements that may include project reports or presentations. This program helps students build practical experience that complements their academic degree and prepares them for careers in software development, cybersecurity, data analytics, IT support, and related technology fields.
11. University of Alabama Police Internship
Location: University of Alabama Police Department (UAPD), Tuscaloosa, AL | Internships take place within UAPD units, including Criminal Investigations Division (CID), Cyber Intelligence Unit (CIU), Patrol, Dispatch, and Community Relations
Stipend: Unpaid | internships are completed for academic credit through courses such as CJ395 or CC395, with credit hours tied to workload and department requirements
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Fall and Spring semesters
Application Deadline: Fall: March 1 - 31 | Spring: September 1 - 30
Eligibility: Active enrollment as a University of Alabama student | registration in CJ395 or CC395 during the semester of the internship
The University of Alabama Police Internship offers you an opportunity to work alongside law enforcement professionals within UAPD. You gain hands-on exposure to core police operations such as investigations, evidence analysis, patrol support, dispatch coordination, and community engagement. You’ll rotate through specialized units such as the Criminal Investigations Division and the Cyber Intelligence Unit, where you observe investigative procedures and assist with intelligence gathering, reporting, and data-related tasks. You’ll collaborate with experienced officers and staff while learning how law enforcement units manage cases, analyze information, and support public safety operations. The internship emphasizes observational learning and skill development in areas such as analytical thinking, communication, and operational support. Participating in this program helps you gain practical exposure to law enforcement workflows while earning academic credit.
12. Virtual Student Federal Service
Location: Remote (virtual placements with U.S. federal agencies)
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive for high-demand projects
Dates: Applications open in July or February, depending on the cycle
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in an accredited college or university
The program places you on virtual project teams where you contribute to real agency work, ranging from research and data analysis to digital communications, mapping, and policy support. You typically contribute about ten hours per week while balancing academic coursework. The unique part of this program is the chance to support agencies such as the Department of State, NASA, EPA, and USAID on authentic, mission-driven projects. You’ll be matched with a federal mentor, attend regular virtual check-ins, and collaborate with professionals across departments to complete deliverables that often contribute to agency products. Through these projects, you will develop practical skills in project management, technical writing, data visualization, and remote teamwork, and you will frequently present results to supervisors or cross-agency partners. The remote format also lets you create a portfolio of work while expanding your professional network within the federal government.
13. Internships Through University Career Centers
Location: Internship opportunities coordinated through career centers at Alabama universities (for example, The University of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of South Alabama)
Stipend: Some opportunities may be paid, others are for academic credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer, fall, and spring opportunities available
Application Deadline: Rolling and employer-driven through career platforms such as Handshake
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students at participating Alabama institutions with active career center access
Career Center Internship Pathways help you connect your academic experience with real-world work opportunities by linking you directly with employers across industries through university-supported platforms, events, and personalized guidance. Through tools such as Handshake, career consultants at your school’s career center assist you in identifying and applying for internships aligned with your major. They also support you in preparing professional materials and refining your job search strategy. You’ll have access to a variety of local, national, and sometimes international listings and can attend career fairs, on-campus recruiting, networking events, and employer information sessions. Many career centers also offer workshops, resume reviews, interview coaching, and opportunities to create internship pathways with employers aligned with their goals. Some institutions provide stipend support for unpaid internships, rewarding students who secure experiential learning positions that enhance career readiness. Working with your career center lets you explore what types of internships match your skills and goals, build a professional network, and gain experience that strengthens your resume and helps prepare you for post-graduation careers.
14. Department of American Studies Internship Program – University of Alabama
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL | placements with approved organizations in the Tuscaloosa-Birmingham area and beyond)
Stipend: Academic credit-oriented
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Semester-based (fall/spring/summer)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in American Studies or related College of Arts & Sciences majors (department approval required)
The American Studies Internship Program allows you to apply classroom learning to hands-on work experiences with external organizations in areas such as history, culture, community outreach, museum education, and public programs. In this program, you’ll work with an approved host such as a museum, cultural nonprofit, civic organization, or community institution, where you commit to regular weekly work hours and contribute to organizational tasks that deepen your understanding of American culture and society. Alongside your fieldwork, you’ll maintain a journal, reflect on your professional experience in writing, and engage with your on-site supervisor and faculty mentor to connect your experience with academic and career goals. Through placements that historically have included cultural institutions, historic sites, and community groups, you’ll build skills in communication, research, and critical thinking while gaining insight into how cultural professionals work. This internship program also helps you build professional connections, explore career paths related to history, public humanities, cultural heritage, and advocacy work, and strengthen your readiness for graduate study or employment after graduation.
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