15 Medical Internships for Undergraduates in NJ (New Jersey)
College internships give you practical experience that employers and graduate programs look for. When you intern in a clinical, research, or healthcare operations setting, you get to support a trial, analyze data, or observe patient care systems. For students considering medicine, dentistry, public health, or biomedical research, internships offer early clarity about what daily work in these fields involves. You build professional references, learn workplace expectations, and increase your employability chances.
Why should I do a medical internship in college?
A medical internship during college strengthens your job prospects and can clarify your long-term academic plans. You’ll gain practical competencies, such as understanding clinical protocols, research compliance, patient interaction standards, and data documentation. This makes you more competitive for entry-level healthcare roles after graduation. For those planning to apply to medical or other health professional schools, internship experience signals commitment to medical careers. Employers in healthcare settings often prefer candidates who already understand institutional workflows and regulatory environments, reducing the training curve. Internships also expose you to interdisciplinary teams, helping you assess where your interests lie within medicine.
If you are based in New Jersey and interested in healthcare, we’ve compiled the top 15 medical internships for undergraduates in New Jersey that provide defined responsibilities, supervision, and meaningful exposure.
1. Rutgers NJMS Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)
Location: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark
Stipend: $1,000; distributed in two installments (usually $500 in Week 2 and $500 in Week 4); a $200 meal stipend is often added for other meals.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 80 students per cycle
Dates: June 2 – July 11
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: College freshmen and sophomores, U.S. citizens/permanent residents, from underrepresented groups; minimum 2.5 GPA; first-time participant
The Summer Health Professions Education Program at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School is a six-week enrichment experience combining two weeks of virtual coursework with four weeks on campus in Newark. You’ll explore career pathways in medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy through instruction in basic sciences, health systems, and clinical reasoning. Simulation labs and hands-on exercises introduce patient care techniques, pharmacy practice fundamentals, and nursing procedures. A central focus of the curriculum is interprofessional collaboration, where you learn to work across disciplines through role-playing and team-based activities. Discussions on health equity, cultural competency, and social determinants of health connect classroom material to community impact. The program also integrates exposure to health policy and population health frameworks.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; 70–100 students per session
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduate and gap year students who can work for 5 – 10 hours/week for 8 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program connects you with high-growth startups operating in sectors such as health tech, AI/ML, sustainability, and consulting. As an undergraduate, you are placed on a defined project aligned with your interests and work closely with a startup manager. Many participating companies have raised over $1 million in funding, creating a fast-paced environment where problem-solving is central to the role. If you are exploring medicine, healthcare innovation, or health technology, you may contribute to operational strategy, product development, or research-driven initiatives. The internship centers on tangible deliverables, culminating in a formal presentation of your work to the organization. Apply now!
3. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) Program
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~14–16 students
Dates: June 4th week – August 25
Application Deadline: March 8; however, applications stay open until positions are filled
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate freshmen and sophomores who turn 16 by June 15; attend a university in the Tri-state area (NJ, NY, PA, CT); U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) program is a prestigious, NCI-funded research internship designed to increase diversity in the cancer research workforce. It is a multi-year research initiative that engages undergraduates in cancer-related biomedical research. During the summer, you will complete a 10-week mentored lab experience focused on cancer biology or related disciplines. The program continues during the academic year with monthly professional development workshops and community health engagement sessions. Participants are trained as “Community Scientists,” linking laboratory findings to outreach and public education efforts. You develop and present research posters and oral presentations at RUYES Research Day.
4. Coriell Institute for Medical Research – Research Internship for College Students
Location: Camden, New Jersey
Stipend: $20/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort sizes
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer, typically running from June through August
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Current undergraduate or recently graduated college students; NJ residents OR attend a college/university in NJ to receive the paid stipend
The Coriell Research Internship for College Students is a ten-week, part-time summer program where you work alongside professional scientists in a real medical research lab. You will explore practical topics in cellular biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. During your time there, you will conduct lab experiments, extract DNA, manage tissue cultures, and purify proteins. You receive one-on-one mentoring while actively contributing to a world-renowned biobanking facility. Through these tasks, you will learn how to operate standard research equipment, analyze experimental data, and effectively present your scientific findings to a group.
5. Rowan University SURP – Biological & Biomedical Sciences
Location: Glassboro, NJ
Stipend: $2,000 for 5 weeks or $4,000 for 10 weeks
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 15–25 students per track
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Currently enrolled undergraduates
In the Rowan SURP program, you will explore biological and biomedical sciences by teaming up with a professor. You will spend your summer working in a lab, testing ideas, and making a poster to show your results. The program also includes free social events and helpful workshops to make learning fun. Along the way, you will build useful skills, such as how to operate lab tools, solve problems, and explain your work to others. Ultimately, this program gives you a clear picture of what a career in science is really like.
6. Bioengineering Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (BE-SURE)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton
Stipend: Paid; research budget provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 8–10 participants
Dates: 9 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate sophomores through rising seniors; must attend a U.S. college/university
BE-SURE is a nine-week residential research program at the interface of engineering and life sciences. As part of a small cohort, you will undertake a faculty-mentored project in areas such as synthetic biology, biomedical imaging, tissue engineering, computational biology, biomechanics, or systems biology. In addition to lab work, you receive training in scientific communication and research presentation. The program includes industry exposure, such as visits to the Princeton Innovation Center Biolabs, to highlight translational pathways from lab discovery to application. You interact with fellow undergraduates and research teams across campus, including groups like the Princeton iGEM team. The summer concludes with a poster session and reception where you formally present your findings.
7. PHEL Internship Program
Location: PHEL facility, Trenton
Stipend: $20/hour; limited to 200 hours
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 5–10 positions depending on semester
Dates: Spring: Start on or about January 15; Summer: Start on or about June 1; Fall: Start on or about September 1
Application Deadline: Usually 6–8 weeks before the start date
Eligibility: All undergraduate students
This medical internship for undergraduates in New Jersey provides interns with project-based experience in public health, laboratory science, and health policy. You’ll work alongside subject matter experts in molecular microbiology, environmental chemistry, and laboratory testing that supports agencies such as the CDC, the New Jersey Department of Health, and law enforcement. These internships typically require a minimum of approximately 200 hours over 12 to 15 weeks, with flexible scheduling. Projects are tailored to your academic background and may contribute to capstone requirements in coordination with a college advisor. On-site resources include workspace, computer access, and campus facilities.
8. NJIT URI Summer Fellowship – Bioscience and Bioengineering
Location: Newark, New Jersey (NJIT Campus)
Stipend: $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 150–170 students
Dates: 10 weeks (Late May to early August)
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Undergraduate students from any discipline who have a faculty advisor
The NJIT URI Summer Fellowship fits perfectly with your ambitious plans, letting you dive directly into bioscience and bioengineering research. You will work full-time in a lab, design experiments, meet regularly with a faculty mentor, and create a final project presentation. The program allows you to showcase your hard work at an official summer research symposium alongside other student inventors. Throughout the summer, you will learn practical skills like how to collect valid data, safely operate advanced lab equipment, and write professional scientific reports. This 10-week experience provides clear, step-by-step guidance to help you build a strong foundation for your career.
9. Children’s Specialized Hospital Research Center Internship
Location: New Brunswick
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 3-4 students per semester
Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer opportunities
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines
Eligibility: Undergraduate students interested in clinical research
In this medical internship for undergraduates in New Jersey, you’ll join a small cohort of three to four students for a semester-based clinical research experience focused on pediatric rehabilitation. You will be matched to projects in autism, brain injury, chronic health conditions, cognition, or mobility, depending on research needs and individual skill sets. You’ll contribute to research design, data collection, and analysis while learning to critically evaluate scientific literature through a bi-monthly journal club. The program places you in direct contact with clinicians and investigators, including opportunities to attend team meetings across the RWJBarnabas Health campus. Site visits to partner institutions such as Rutgers and the Kessler Foundation broaden your exposure to collaborative research environments.
10. Rutgers Cancer Institute Summer Clinical Research Internship Program
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute, New Brunswick
Stipend: No information available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 10–20 students
Dates: 10 weeks from June through August with flexible start dates
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Enrolled in either an associate, undergraduate, or graduate program; GPA of 3.5 or greater on a 4.0 scale
Hosted by the state’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, this medical internship for undergraduates in New Jersey runs for ten weeks and centers on clinical oncology research. You spend a minimum of 24 hours per week supporting cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment trials under faculty and research staff supervision. Responsibilities include assisting with patient recruitment, managing study protocols, and contributing to data collection and outcomes tracking. Regular mentoring sessions introduce you to clinical trial workflows, regulatory considerations, and interdisciplinary coordination. After an initial in-person orientation, certain tasks may be completed virtually depending on project needs. At the conclusion, you present your findings during a formal closing ceremony by way of an academic report.
11. Atlantic Health System Overlook Summer Internship Program (OSIP)
Location: Overlook Medical Center, Summit
Cost/Stipend: Administrative cost of $500 to retain a space in the program; Fully refunded if the student has two or fewer absences / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically 17 students
Dates: June 2–26
Application Deadline: January 1
Eligibility: College students who have completed at least two years of undergraduate study
The Overlook Summer Internship Program at Atlantic Health System is a four-week clinical shadowing experience designed for college students considering medical school. You will rotate through operating rooms, emergency departments, inpatient units, physician offices, and clinical meetings, observing day-to-day responsibilities in multiple specialties. Each weekday begins with a one-hour breakfast discussion led by a healthcare professional who outlines the lifestyle, training pathway, and practical realities of their field. Afterward, you report to your assigned mentor for shadowing that varies based on specialty and clinical setting. Fridays are shorter and focus on mentorship conversations and peer discussion over lunch.
12. Newton Summer Internship Program (NSIP) – Atlantic Health System
Location: Newton, NJ (and surrounding Atlantic Health System facilities)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 1–12
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed at least one year of college
The Newton Summer Internship Program helps you explore different healthcare careers before you decide to apply to medical school. The program covers important medical topics by showing you the daily routines of different doctors and exploring the application process for medical training. During your time, you will listen to morning career discussions, shadow mentors in the operating room or emergency department, and interact with working healthcare professionals. A unique feature of this program is its daily customized rotation, meaning your schedule changes constantly based on your assigned mentor's specialty. By participating, you will learn how to navigate a hospital environment and gain clear insights into medical career lifestyles.
13. M.E.D.I.C.A.L Summer Academy - Seton Hall University
Location: Seton Hall University, South Orange
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: Mid-July to early August
Application Deadline: Typically, May 1
Eligibility: Must be an incoming first-time freshman admitted to Seton Hall University and qualified for the Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Plus Program (PMPDPP)
The M.E.D.I.C.A.L Summer Academy at Seton Hall University is designed for students in the Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Plus Program (PMPDPP) who are preparing for healthcare careers. The medical internship for undergraduates in New Jersey begins with an orientation for scholars and their families outlining academic expectations and program requirements. During the academy, you engage in college-level science and mathematics coursework alongside personalized advising. Workshops address study strategies, time management, and effective use of campus technologies and academic services. You are introduced to university resources that support long-term success in pre-health pathways.
14. Rutgers Cancer Institute Summer Clinical Research Internship Program
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 10–15 students
Dates: June – August (flexible start date; 10-week internship)
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Undergraduate, associate, or graduate students; 3.5+ GPA on a 4.0 scale
Over 10 weeks in this internship, you assist with cancer trials addressing prevention, diagnosis, and treatment while committing at least 24 hours per week. Tasks may include protocol management, patient recruitment coordination, and support for data collection processes. Mentors provide ongoing supervision, helping you understand regulatory frameworks and ethical considerations in oncology research. Some responsibilities can transition to remote work after initial onboarding. In parallel, participants engage in outreach-oriented activities connected to broader science education efforts across the state. The medical internship for undergraduates in New Jersey concludes with a formal presentation summarizing your contributions and research insights developed during the term.
15. Rutgers NJMS – Summer Student Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically 20–30 projects total
Dates: 8 weeks from early June to late July (Kickoff: June 10)
Application Deadline: Late February
Eligibility: First/second year medical students at NJMS or undergraduates in the combined BS/MD program
The Summer Student Research Program at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School is an eight-week, full-time research experience in Newark. You will work with faculty mentors on clinical or laboratory projects spanning cancer biology, cardiovascular research, infectious diseases, neuroscience, pharmacology, surgery outcomes, and biomedical imaging. Early in the program, you complete research ethics and lab safety training to prepare for responsible conduct in research settings. Weekly mentor check-ins provide structured guidance as you refine your project focus. At the end of the medical internship for undergraduates in New Jersey, you present a five-minute individual or group PowerPoint summarizing your findings at a formal closing ceremony.
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