14 Psychology Internships for Undergraduates in Houston

If you are an undergraduate student interested in psychology, an internship can be a worthwhile way to explore this field in great detail. Internships are one of the most effective ways to translate coursework into practical skills and outcomes that employers and graduate programs can assess. After a semester of supporting clients, assisting with research, or contributing to health or community programs, your resume shifts from theoretical knowledge to evidence-based experience. Psychology career paths, such as clinical practice, counseling, research, public health, human factors, and nonprofit work, expect you to understand ethics, communication, and evidence-based practice. 

Why should I do a psychology internship as an undergraduate?

A psychology internship helps you develop skills that extend beyond classroom learning. These include professional interviewing and communication, documentation practices, collaboration within structured environments such as hospitals, agencies, and nonprofits, as well as adherence to confidentiality and ethical standards. You also get clarity about your career direction. After gaining practical exposure for a few weeks, you can assess whether to pursue clinical work, research, policy, or applied domains such as human factors or public health. In parallel, you start building professional relationships with supervisors and mentors who can provide recommendations about your professionalism, reliability, and readiness for advanced training. 

To help you get started, we’ve put together 15  psychology internships for undergraduates in Houston that are structured, skill-building, and aligned with professional psychology work. 

1. University of Houston Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

Location: University of Houston
Stipend: $4,000 as a scholarship 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 - August 7
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: University of Houston's (main campus only) rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with at least a GPA of 3.0 | previous participants are not eligible (check all requirements here)

SURF is a research-focused psychology internship for undergraduates in Houston, where your summer revolves around completing a mentored project with clear expectations and deliverables. You’ll work with a UH faculty mentor to shape a research plan, build research routines, and stay accountable through regular check-ins. Depending on your mentor, you could gain experience with study design, data management, qualitative coding, survey development, experimental procedures, or statistical analysis – skills that are directly relevant to psychology pathways. Weekly programming adds structure and gives you a consistent space to troubleshoot progress and refine your research communication. You’ll also practice presenting your work in a professional format, which becomes useful for interviews and graduate applications.

2. Ladder's University Internships

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies with program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary with the cohort – spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Eligibility: College students and young professionals who are working for 8 weeks, committing 5 - 10 hours/week 

This remote internship is designed for undergraduates seeking practical experience without requiring an in-person presence in Houston. You’ll be matched with a startup aligned to your interests, and contribute to defined projects that may span mental health, behavioral science, health tech, research, or community-focused initiatives, depending on the host company. Interns are assigned a ladder coach who provides guidance in tracking progress, managing timelines, and incorporating feedback – skills applicable to both future clinical and research pathways. The program also emphasizes professional writing and presentation ability through regular updates. The program concludes with a final project showcase to the host company, allowing you to build a work portfolio relevant to future career opportunities. Here is the application form.

3. Rice University Translating Research in the Psychological Sciences to the Real World

Location: Rice University
Stipend: $4,800 (also covers housing, supplement for meals, travel expenses, travel funds for one national conference, and REU Site final conference)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 8 students 
Dates: May 26 - July 17
Application Deadline: January 6 
Eligibility: Current undergraduates, including those from community colleges | must be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals or permanent residents of the U.S.

This psychology internship for undergraduates in Houston is focused on applying psychological science to real-world questions, with a strong emphasis on mentor-guided research and communication. You’ll join a faculty-led project and learn how to move from a research question to a concrete study plan, including measurement choices, data collection/handling, and interpretation. Past projects show the program’s range – from psychological measurement design to evaluating AI-enabled assessment tools – so you can pursue work that feels modern and impact-oriented. Alongside research, you’ll develop professional communication skills through writing and presentation practice, which helps when you’re preparing for grad school or competitive roles. You’ll also engage with faculty and graduate students through structured discussions and colloquia that connect theory to application. The experience concludes in a conference-style presentation, allowing you to explain your methods and findings clearly. 

4. Rice University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)

Location: Rice University
Stipend: $5,000 stipend (low-income students offered a partial subsidy for on-campus housing)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified 
Dates: May 26 - July 31
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Returning Rice undergraduates enrolled full-time during the fall semester in a degree-granting program | do not have prior undergraduate research experience (or limited to a semester or less) | hold an identity that is first-generation and limited-income international students, especially those on need-based financial aid, are eligible | check all criteria here

Rice SURF is a solid way to spend your summer doing supervised research with a faculty mentor, even if you’re newer to research. You’ll be guided through the research process: defining a question, choosing methods, staying organized, and producing results that can be shared. What sets this apart is the built-in training ecosystem: you’ll participate in workshops, meet with graduate-student advisors, and complete written assignments that strengthen your research thinking and communication. In psychological sciences-adjacent projects, you might work with cognitive methods, data-driven assessments, or contemporary topics like technology and behavior, depending on the mentor you select. You’ll also learn the rhythm of research life: literature review, iterative problem-solving, documentation, and professional feedback cycles. The psychology internship for undergraduates in Houston wraps with a symposium-style presentation. 

5. Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Internships

Location: Multiple (virtual, hybrid, and in-person internships available)
Stipend: A few paid internships are available, as determined by the host site
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Vary as decided by the intern and the host site
Application Deadline: Open for about 6 weeks before the semester starts 
Eligibility: Undergraduates and graduates of all majors | international students are eligible 

DSHS internships are built around real public health projects, which can be highly relevant to psychology students interested in behavior change, health communication, and population outcomes. You’ll select opportunities by semester based on what divisions are offering, so the work can range from data-heavy projects to communication and program operations. A notable feature is the structured add-on programming that includes seminars, tours/visits, leadership exposure, and a final presentation. Depending on placement, you may strengthen skills like applied research, analysis, writing for public audiences, or project coordination. You’ll also learn how agency expectations shape timelines, documentation, and communication norms.

6. Baylor College of Medicine – SMART Program (Summer Medical and Research Training)

Location: Baylor College of Medicine
Stipend: ~$5,400 plus housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 - July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Students who attend college in the U.S.

During this structured summer experience, you’ll spend your time immersed in a faculty-led research project while also engaging in a broader academic environment designed for undergraduates. You’ll work with a mentor on a defined research question, gaining exposure to how studies are designed, executed, and interpreted in biomedical settings. The program offers a strong balance of hands-on research and built-in seminars that help you understand how your work fits into larger scientific and clinical contexts. Alongside lab work, you’ll attend sessions focused on research communication, career pathways, and professional development, which help you translate your experience into future opportunities. Depending on your placement, you may explore areas connected to psychology, such as neuroscience, cognition, or behavior-focused research within medical settings. You’ll also engage with a cohort of peers, creating opportunities for collaboration and discussion beyond your assigned project. 

7. Texas Children’s Hospital Medical Center Campus Child Life Internship

Location: Texas Children's Hospital, Medical Center Campus, Houston, TX
Stipend: None 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified 
Dates: Varies (fall, winter, spring cohorts)
Application Deadline: January 9 (summer) | March 13 (fall) | September 5 (winter/spring)
Eligibility: Last semester college seniors | must have completed relevant coursework and experience | check all requirements here

In a pediatric hospital setting, this internship focuses on building practical, patient-facing skills at the intersection of child development, stress, coping, and family systems. The experience is structured around supervised clinical fieldwork, where you practice child life interventions with ongoing feedback and coaching. You rotate across multiple care environments, including inpatient, outpatient, and higher-acuity units, so you can learn how support strategies vary by clinical context.  A major focus is strengthening how you communicate with children, caregivers, and interdisciplinary teams, particularly in high-stress situations. You’ll also learn how to plan and adapt therapeutic play, preparation, and coping strategies based on children’s age and medical context. Because supervision is embedded throughout, you’ll regularly debrief cases and refine your approach using professional standards.

8. The Children's Assessment Center Volunteer Program for College Interns

Location: The Children's Assessment Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified 
Dates: Vary (summer, fall, and spring cohorts)
Application Deadline: April 1 (summer) | July 1 (fall) | December 1 (spring)
Eligibility: At least 18 years old | not in high school, and have a valid driver’s license or government-issued ID/social security card | must attend and complete a scheduled CAC & Child Advocates Inc. Volunteer Training

This placement gives you exposure to trauma-informed, child-centered support in a setting designed to keep children safe and comfortable while they access services. You’ll work alongside staff in an environment where patience, professionalism, and emotional steadiness matter every day. A core part of your role is building rapport with children in the activity center, helping create a calm atmosphere through varied activities and supportive interaction. Depending on departmental placement, you may also contribute to training and administrative functions that support CAC’s broader mission. You’ll learn how multidisciplinary services operate behind the scenes and what support looks like in real time for children and families. The work can be emotionally intense, so you’ll develop practical boundaries, appropriate communication, and situational awareness. 

9. Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) Social Work Internship

Location: Multiple locations, primarily in Houston
Stipend: Not specified 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified 
Dates: Vary (should not be less than 150 internship hours)
Application Deadline: May 1 (summer) | August 1 (fall) | December 1 (spring)
Eligibility: Undergraduates and graduates enrolled in an accredited university | must be 21 years of age by application deadline | check essential requirements here

This internship places you in a public service environment where youth, families, and systems intersect – useful if you’re interested in forensic psychology, community mental health, or youth intervention work. You’ll start with orientation and training so you understand policies, confidentiality expectations, and how services are delivered across sites. From there, your responsibilities depend on placement, but the experience is designed to help you connect classroom concepts to real operational work. You may support assessments, case management workflows, crisis-related processes, or program activities. The psychology internship for undergraduates in Houston also exposes you to multidisciplinary collaboration – how probation, social services, and community partners coordinate care and supervision. You’ll learn professional communication norms, documentation expectations, and how to function within an agency. A formal end-of-internship presentation adds a professional performance element. 

10. Encompass Health Hospice Internship

Location: Encompass Health Hospice
Stipend: Not specified 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified 
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Social Science majors

As a participant in this psychology internship for undergraduates in Houston, you'll be part of an interdisciplinary team and learn how different roles contribute to holistic patient support. You will gain exposure to psychosocial documentation, including noting emotional status and related observations in appropriate formats. The role also teaches you how care coordination works across settings, including home visits, and what professional boundaries look like in sensitive situations. You’ll see how teams discuss cases, align on care plans, and respond to changing needs over time. Because hospice work can be emotionally heavy, you’ll also learn self-regulation and reflective practice in a real setting.

11. Choice Hospice Volunteer-Internship

Location: Choice Hospice
Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Internships are available throughout the year
Application Deadline: To be announced 
Eligibility: Sociology, psychology, health & behavioral science, and political science students | must be at least 16 years of age | check all requirements here

This volunteer-internship is designed to expose you to hospice support work through shadowing and special projects, with options for both in-person and virtual involvement. You’ll go through orientation, then learn by observing how nurses, social workers, and chaplains support patients and families. The program’s special projects component gives you practical tasks beyond shadowing, such as supporting resource needs, assisting with community help processes, or contributing to presentations and research-style projects. If you choose the virtual route, you can help reduce isolation by checking in with patients who live alone – work that requires consistency and thoughtful communication. You’ll also see how interdisciplinary meetings function and how teams coordinate care goals. The experience can help you decide if you’re drawn to patient-support roles, social service navigation, or program/project work behind the scenes. Because hospice populations can include veterans and other specialized groups, you may also see how recognition and support practices are integrated into care culture.

12. Houston Health Department Internship Program

Location: Multiple host sites in Houston
Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Internships are available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students 

The Houston Health Department Internship Program places you in real community-facing public health work where behavioral insights matter, especially if you’re interested in health psychology, prevention, or occupational health psychology. You’ll work with a supervisor to shape duties around an area of interest, following which you may contribute to outreach and education work that requires clear messaging, audience awareness, and practical research skills. The training sessions built into the experience help you understand how public health organizations operate and how community programs are delivered. You’ll also see how services are coordinated across departments and sites, which is useful if you’re curious about systems-level mental health and wellness work. 

13. Phoenix House Texas Internship

Location: Phoenix House, Houston, TX
Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: To be announced
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Must be 18 years or older with a valid Texas Driver’s License | check all requirements here

This psychology internship for undergraduates in Houston is a direct way to explore substance use treatment and prevention work while building practical skills relevant to behavioral health careers. You can choose between two pathways: one closer to clinical service delivery and another centered on prevention and community education, depending on your goals. On the clinical side, you’ll learn how intake, assessment, and structured counseling workflows operate, and how evidence-based curricula are used in outpatient settings. Over time, responsibilities can increase as you become familiar with protocols and expectations. On the prevention side, you’ll support education delivery, logistics, and measurement tasks like scoring pre/post tests, which builds program evaluation instincts. You’ll also see how organizations coordinate services across schools, community settings, and clinical environments.

14. Houston Police Volunteer Initiatives Program (VIP) Student Internship Program (SIP)

Location: Houston Police Department Community Affairs - VIP Office
Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Vary (summer, fall, spring internships offered)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students from participating universities and colleges

This internship is designed to help you connect academic learning to real public service work inside a major city police department. You’ll be placed within a unit that aligns with your academic track and the participating institution’s framework. For psychology-adjacent interests, units such as victim services, family violence, planning or research, and related divisions can expose you to how agencies respond to crises, support survivors, and coordinate resources. You’ll also gain exposure to how large organizations manage cases, data, and community engagement across multiple divisions. This experience can be useful if you’re exploring forensic psychology, victim advocacy, trauma-focused support, or public sector behavioral work. 

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