15 Medical Internships in Arizona for Undergraduates
For students interested in medicine, internships offer early insight into clinical environments, patient care, and healthcare systems. Exploring such opportunities can also help you refine your interests across specialties and career paths. College students doing a medical internship in Arizona gain valuable hands-on experience treating a highly diverse patient base, including a large population of retirees. This real-world exposure helps them build practical clinical skills and confidence to better prepare for their future healthcare careers.
Why should I do a medical internship in college?
Doing a medical internship during college is one of the best ways to figure out if a healthcare career is truly right for you before committing to years of advanced schooling. Beyond just observing, these experiences let you step out of the classroom and get hands-on exposure to the day-to-day realities of patient care, clinical routines, and how medical teams actually work together under pressure. This early experience is valuable for building a professional network of doctors, nurses, and administrators who can later write strong letters of recommendation or serve as mentors. Most importantly, having real-world clinical experience on your resume boosts your employment chances after graduation; hospitals and clinics are far more likely to hire candidates who have already proven they can handle a fast-paced medical environment.
To simplify your search, this list highlights 15 medical internships for undergraduates in Arizona.
For other healthcare-related internships, check out a list of summer-specific internships here, and find a list of more healthcare internships here.
1. SPARCC Internships
Location: Tucson, AZ
Stipend: None
Dates: Spring, summer, and fall cohorts
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Spring: Late October/Early November; Summer: Mid-March – April; Fall: Late June/Early July
Eligibility: Undergraduate or gap-year students
The SPARCC Internships offer hands-on experience in a sports medicine clinic setting with direct involvement in patient care. You work closely with doctors, staff, and patients to understand daily clinical operations. You can choose from clinical, rehabilitation, or research internship tracks based on your interests. You participate in case studies designed by providers to support applied learning. You engage in activities such as providing rehab support, conducting balance testing, and interacting with patients. You are expected to fulfill structured responsibilities in an environment that emphasizes active participation over observation.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective virtual internship that connects students with startups and nonprofits across a range of industries worldwide. You work on real-world projects that address the actual needs of the organizations they are assigned to. Each intern collaborates closely with a manager from the startup throughout the internship, and also receives timely help and feedback from a dedicated Ladder Coach. The program emphasizes practical experience through project-based work. At the end of the internship, participants present their completed work. Apply now!
3. University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Community Medicine and Population Health (CMPH) Summer Internship
Location: University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
Stipend: Paid weekly, amount not disclosed
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (including incoming freshmen enrolled for Fall) and Master’s level students
During the CMPH Summer Internship, you will immerse yourself in the core topics of community medicine, population health, health equity, and cultural humility. You will formulate research questions alongside a faculty mentor, shadow primary care physicians in community clinics weekly, and build hands-on community engagement projects. Uniquely, this 10-week program helps you build a personalized medical school application plan without requiring any prior clinical experience. By navigating these settings, you will master technical skills in study design, data collection, program evaluation, and ethical research methods. Finally, you will showcase your development by delivering a formal 10-minute presentation to peers and faculty detailing how structural factors shape real-world health outcomes.
4. Mayo College Clinical Research Internship Study Program
Location: Scottsdale/Phoenix, AZ
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in or a graduate of an accredited U.S. college or university; completed freshman year of college prior to the start of the program; 18 years old by the start of the program; minimum 3.5 GPA; U.S. citizens or permanent residents or F1 visa status (if currently attending a U.S. college)
The Mayo College Clinical Research Internship Study Program is a paid 10-week summer internship focused on clinical research. Interns are placed with a faculty mentor to work on a research project tailored to their interests. The program involves participation in studies such as clinical trials, observational research, and epidemiological analysis. You’ll attend weekly lectures and develop research methodology skills. All projects are reviewed by the Institutional Review Board when required. The program concludes with a written report and an in-person presentation of research findings.
5. Terros Health Internship Program
Location: Pinchot Gardens, Phoenix, AZ
Stipend: None
Dates: (Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts). The exact start/end dates correspond to the student's learning contract
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in their Master’s or Bachelor's Program with an emphasis in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling and other behavioral health specialties; internship must be a mandatory requirement as part of the student's educational program; provide the required credentials of a qualified academic Supervisor/Preceptor; successfully pass the pre-student onboarding process, which includes a criminal background check and a pre-employment drug screen
The Terros Health Student Program offers internship opportunities for students pursuing degrees in psychology, social work, counseling, or behavioral health fields. Interns work in a professional healthcare setting under the supervision of a qualified preceptor. The program takes place within integrated care environments focused on physical health, mental health, and substance use treatment. Participants engage in activities such as group facilitation, client outreach, and therapeutic support. The experience includes exposure to trauma-informed and client-centered care approaches. Learning is guided by an internship contract aligned with academic coursework.
6. ASU Pre-Health – Emergency Department Internship
Location: Partner hospitals within the Phoenix metropolitan area (Maricopa County), including facilities from Banner Health, HonorHealth, Dignity Health, and Valleywise Health
Cost: Standard ASU Tuition for a 3-credit course; additional fees include: Background Check: $67; Drug Screen: $20; Fingerprint Clearance: ~$73; MyClinical Exchange: ~$37
Dates: Spring: January 12 – May 1; Summer: May 18 – August 11; Fall: August 20 – December 4
Application Deadline: Spring: October 17; Summer: Mar 13; Fall: May 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors or seniors; minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA; completion of at least 3 core Pre-Health prerequisite courses; Valid CPR (BLS) certification, updated immunizations, and a passed background/drug screen
In this internship, you will explore vital topics like emergency triage procedures, direct patient care, and modern healthcare delivery systems. Your activities will involve shadowing doctors and nurses during active shifts, acting as a direct communication liaison between patients and medical teams, and completing an online reflective curriculum tailored for professional school preparation. A unique feature of this program is its intense, real-world accessibility, allowing you the option to take overnight or weekend shifts to witness authentic, round-the-clock emergency medicine. Ultimately, you will develop essential non-cognitive skills, including interpersonal communication, clinical professionalism, and high-pressure responsibility.
7. Summer Undergraduate Internship Program @ Barrow Neurological Institute
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Stipend: Paid at Arizona minimum wager per hour
Dates: June 4 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Currently enrolled college or university students; at least 18 years old by the start date of the internship; meet U.S. employment eligibility requirements
The Summer Undergraduate Internship Program at Barrow Neurological Institute is a paid, 10-week program for undergraduate students. You work full-time in research laboratories under the mentorship of Barrow scientists. The program offers opportunities across areas such as basic science, neuroscience research, communications, and philanthropy. You engage in projects related to neurological conditions, neuroimaging, rehabilitation, and innovation. Weekly seminars and career-focused sessions are included in the program. The experience concludes with a research presentation at the annual summer intern symposium.
8. Banner-ASU Neuroscience Scholars Program
Location: Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area, AZ
Stipend: $4,000
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Must be 18 years or older by the program start; full-time undergraduate or graduate student during the Fall semester; minimum 3.0 GPA required; U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or resident of U.S. territories/commonwealths; pass a standard Banner Health background; maximum of two summers allowed in the program
The Banner-ASU Neuroscience Scholars Program is a paid, eight-week internship where you work full-time alongside leading scientists to investigate neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Depending on your specific lab placement, your research will cover one of five specialized topics: basic and translational neuroscience, computational image analysis, healthy aging research, brain and body donation, or clinical neurodegenerative research. During your tenure, you will actively conduct hands-on biomedical research, attend professional bioscience seminars, and practice your scientific writing. By the end of the program, you will have developed skills in advanced laboratory methodologies, clinical data analysis, and professional academic communication.
9. Hospice of the Valley College Partners Program
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Current undergraduates who are 18 years or older; reside in or return to Maricopa County (AZ) for the duration of the program; have a valid driver’s license and pass a background check
The Hospice of the Valley College Partners Program pairs you with older adults living with dementia, covering vital topics like compassionate care, neurodegenerative diseases, and caregiver relief. You will visit patients weekly to provide steadfast companionship, lead meaningful socialization activities like playing music, and offer critical in-home respite for overwhelmed family caregivers. Additionally, you will participate in monthly educational sessions with physicians and nurses to discuss disease progression and clinical best practices. The program stands out by offering outstanding incentives, including scholarship opportunities, travel support, a formal Dementia Training Certificate, and strong letters of recommendation for graduate programs.
10. Dignity Health Student Research Internship (St. Joseph's Hospital)
Location: St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Compliance costs: $20 (drug screen), $67 (background check), $65+ (fingerprint card), and $36.50 (MyClinical Exchange platform fee) / Stipend paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Dates: Spring: mid-January – early May; Summer: late May – early August (approx. 10 weeks); Fall: late August – mid-December
Application Deadline: Spring Cohort: October 17; Summer Cohort: March 13; Fall Cohort: May 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors or seniors; have a strong academic background in a relevant field (Science, Pre-Med, etc.); able to pass all hospital safety and biohazard screenings
This internship immerses you directly in basic science and clinical research topics. Throughout the program, you will actively assist with data collection and analysis, maintain accurate logs of lab experiments, and present periodic project updates to your department mentors. A uniquely valuable feature of this internship is the direct guidance from experienced medical faculty, which even offers you the potential opportunity to submit your final research findings to peer-reviewed academic journals. By working directly within this fast-paced, nationally recognized quaternary care hospital, you will build scientific expertise alongside active clinical professionals.
11. Tucson Medical Center (TMC) College Volunteer/Internship Program
Location: Tucson Medical Center (TMC) Main Campus, Tucson, AZ
Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round (Semester-based alignment across Fall, Summer, and Spring cohorts)
Application Deadline: Spring: Typically September – October; Summer: Typically March –
April; Fall: Typically June – July
Eligibility: Undergraduates in the second semester of freshman year or beyond; 18 years or older; minimum of 100 service hours or a six-month duration; provide a finalized school schedule for the upcoming semester; proof of immunizations (MMR, Varicella, Tdap, Flu, Hep B) and a clear TB test; pass a TMC-facilitated background check and drug screen
In this program, you will step directly into a 600-bed regional hospital to experience frontline healthcare. The program covers fundamental clinical workflows, patient experience management, and interdisciplinary care across units like the Emergency Room and Hospice. During your shifts, you will actively escort patients, provide comfort items during unit rounds, assist nursing staff with clerical tasks, and help families with wayfinding. The program features a tailored placement system, allowing you to support high-acuity environments that align with your specific career goals. Ultimately, you will build skills in professional clinical communication, teamwork, and crisis empathy to prepare for future medical training.
12. A.T. Still Research Institute’s Clinician Researcher Development Program (CRDP)
Location: A.T. Still Research Institute, Mesa, AZ
Stipend: Paid if funding is available
Dates: Summer: Last Thursday of May through the end of July | Academic Year Cohort: Follows the standard academic calendar (August–May)
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: Graduate and undergraduate students; must complete NIH web training on ‘Protecting Human Research Participants’
A.T. Still Research Institute’s CRDP is designed to support undergraduate and graduate students interested in incorporating research into clinical practice. The program emphasizes hands-on experience in clinical and biomedical research environments under structured mentorship. You learn to formulate research questions, conduct data analysis, and prepare scientific manuscripts. You also develop and present scientific posters as part of the curriculum. Exposure to research funding processes is integrated into the training, and you are required to submit an abstract to the annual fall symposium hosted by ATSRI.
13. NATIVE HEALTH – UnitedHealthcare Paid Internship
Location: Several Phoenix and Mesa sites in AZ
Stipend: Selected interns receive a paid stipend for a total of 200 hours of work
Dates: Spring: Typically runs January – April (8–10 weeks); Summer: Typically runs late May – July (8-week intensive); Fall: Typically runs September – December (8–10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Spring: Usually due by mid-November; Summer: Usually due by early May; Fall: Usually due by late July
Eligibility: Must be an American Indian/Alaska Native student enrolled in a Federally Recognized Tribe; at least 18 years of age; cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher; pass a background check and obtain a Fingerprint Clearance Card; provide a current TB skin test and immunization records; fully vaccinated against COVID-19
This internship is specifically designed to prepare American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduates for impactful careers in public health. During your internship, you will thoroughly explore essential topics like community wellness and addressing the social determinants of health. You will engage in hands-on nonprofit operations, manage diverse public health projects, cultivate your professional network, and collaborate with dedicated healthcare teams. By navigating these realistic work environments and tight deadlines, you will develop valuable skills in complex problem-solving, multitasking, and organizational management.
14. Child Life Internship Program at Tucson Medical Center
Location: Tucson Medical Center, Tucson, AZ
Stipend: None
Dates: 15 weeks in the spring
Application Deadline: Early September
Eligibility: Senior college level students pursuing a career as a child life specialist, who has a “Passed” status on the ACLP Eligibility Assessment for 10 academic courses; applicants have have a minimum GPA 3.0 and 100 hours of volunteer experience with children, under the supervision of a child life specialist, in a hospital
The Child Life Internship Program is a 15-week internship conducted during the spring semester. Tucson Medical Center offers interns opportunities to support patient care across inpatient pediatric units, pediatric intensive care beds, and outpatient areas serving pediatric patients. The program includes four rotations in Surgery, General Pediatrics and Pediatric Intensive Care, Radiology, and the Emergency Department. These rotations provide exposure to different aspects of pediatric care and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the field. The internship requires full-time participation, allowing you to complete approximately 600 hours of clinical experience.
15. ASU The Crossroads, Inc – Clinical Counseling Internship
Location: Phoenix, AZ (Multiple campuses)
Stipend: Paid weekly, amount not disclosed
Dates: Summer: Mid-May – Late July; Fall: Late August – Mid-December; Spring: Mid-January – Early May
Application Deadline: Varies by ASU Department
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors or seniors; minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA; completion of relevant "Breadth" courses; Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card and Background Check; pursuing a related degree (Psychology, Counseling, or Health Solutions)
In this internship, you immerse yourself in the realities of residential substance abuse recovery and behavioral health. It places you in a collaborative, interprofessional environment where you work alongside nursing and social work peers to provide holistic care for underserved populations. Throughout the program, you will shadow one-on-one therapy sessions, lead supervised group discussions, record client behavior, and participate in clinical staff meetings. By navigating these real-world scenarios, you will develop skills like assertive communication, clinical documentation, and real-time problem-solving. Ultimately, this hands-on experience teaches you the interpersonal effectiveness required to support vulnerable individuals navigating the complex overlap between addiction and mental health.
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