15 Summer Public Health Internships for High School Students
Internships give high school students a way to explore how academic interests translate to professional work. By doing an internship, you’ll develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management. You will also build a stronger resume that shows initiative to college admission committees and future employers. Internships help you test whether a field genuinely interests you, giving you clearer direction before you choose a college major.
Why should I do a public health internship in high school?
If you are interested in public health, internships are a valuable way to understand which subfield you might want to work in, from science, policy, data, and community impact. Early exposure allows you to see how public health professionals address challenges like disease prevention, health equity, nutrition, and mental health. It helps you develop useful skills like collecting data, communicating with the public, and working on a team. It also gives you a much broader perspective on the world, showing you how things like where people live or what they eat can impact their overall well-being.
To help you find meaningful opportunities, we reviewed a wide range of programs and narrowed our selection to the 15 best summer public health internships for high schoolers.
1. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 24 students
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: High school juniors from Northern California who are low-income and first-generation college-bound students
This five-week residential program focuses on medicine, public health, and health equity, combining academic coursework with hands-on exposure through hospital-based internships and supervised clinical observations. You attend lectures and workshops covering topics such as human biology, public health systems, medical research, and health disparities. A central component of the program is a guided research project that examines a public health issue affecting communities, with an emphasis on analysis and communication. You also receive mentorship from Stanford faculty, medical students, and healthcare professionals throughout the program. Alongside academic work, the program provides structured college preparation, advising, and community-building activities designed to support long-term success in health-related pathways.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Roughly 10–25% acceptance; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week, for 8–12 weeks
In the Ladder Internship Program, you explore public health and innovation by working remotely with high-growth startups or nonprofits. You will explore topics like health equity and digital wellness while receiving guidance from both a startup manager and a Ladder Coach. During the eight-week session, you may conduct competitor analysis, design patient outreach strategies, or draft research whitepapers. This unique program stands out because it offers dual-layered mentorship and culminates in a final presentation to company leadership. By completing these projects, you will develop professional communication, data analysis, and project management while building an elite network. Apply now!
3. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Location: CDC Headquarters, Atlanta, Georgia
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 27 students per session
Dates: June 23 – 27; July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: High school students entering junior or senior year who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
This one-week, in-person camp focuses on epidemiology, public health practice, and outbreak investigation. It uses case studies, simulations, and data-driven activities to introduce how public health professionals track and respond to disease outbreaks. You will work with datasets to analyze patterns, identify sources of infection, and propose prevention strategies. CDC scientists lead sessions and cover topics such as infectious disease control, environmental health, emergency preparedness, and public health communication. The program emphasizes analytical thinking, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making rather than clinical exposure. By the end of the week, you will have gained a clearer understanding of public health careers and the role of epidemiology in protecting population health.
4. CDC Pathways Internship Program
Location: Nationwide
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size varies according to individual CDC offices
Dates: Year–round
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an accredited high school; age 16+; specific positions may require a minimum GPA (often 2.0 or higher); U.S. citizens/permanent residents who meet the minimum age required by federal, state, or local laws regarding the employment of minors
The CDC Pathways Internship Program for high school students allows you to explore the mechanics of public healthcare by working directly within a federal agency. You will explore topics like infectious disease surveillance, health policy, and community outreach while seeing how experts manage nationwide health threats. During the program, you’ll likely participate in mock outbreak investigations, analyze health data, and help create educational materials for the public. By the end, you’ll have developed skills in data literacy, collaborative problem-solving, and professional communication. This experience is a practical way to determine if a career in safeguarding community health is the right fit for your future.
5. Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
Stipend: $1,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; roughly 12 students annually
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors; over 16 years old; have permanent or primary residence in the southwest Pennsylvania region (Green, Fayette, Somerset, Westmoreland, Allegheny, Washington, Beaver, Lawrence, Mercer, Butler, Armstrong, Indiana, and Cambria counties)
In the Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) High School Summer Internship Program, you will spend eight weeks investigating critical topics like reproductive health, HIV prevention, and infant development. You'll conduct experiments in the lab, attend scientific seminars, and present your research findings to a professional audience. The program places specific emphasis on health issues that affect women and infants, providing you with a focused lens on health equity. Throughout the summer, you will learn how to navigate a professional medical research environment. This experience offers you a rare opportunity to contribute to public health solutions while being mentored by world-class investigators.
6. HHS Pathways Internship Program
Location: Nationwide
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies by each individual agency’s annual budget and office needs
Dates: Year–round
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents and are at least 16 by the end of the application period
In the HHS Pathways Internship Program, you will immerse yourself in the administrative and operational side of public healthcare, focusing on areas like health policy, community outreach, and program management. During your time there, you will assist with data entry and analysis, help coordinate community health events, and participate in staff meetings to see how federal health initiatives are developed. The program offers a direct career path, often allowing you to transition into a permanent federal role after you finish your education. You’ll walk away with a professional skillset that includes technical proficiency in government software, enhanced project coordination, and a deep understanding of federal health regulations.
7. University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual/University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Portland, OR
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; around 8 interns
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school students who live in Oregon and are 16 years or older
In the UCEDD Summer Internship Program, you will explore disability justice and public health, focusing on topics like health equity and neurodevelopmental disorders. Your daily work will involve activities such as interviewing families for research, creating accessible health flyers, and shadowing clinical evaluations. You receive one-on-one mentorship with OHSU professionals who help you navigate the disability field. Throughout the summer, you will sharpen essential skills like qualitative data analysis, professional networking, and public communication. This experience teaches you how to advocate for inclusive healthcare while providing a clear look into various medical careers. It is a perfect opportunity to see how community-centered service improves lives.
8. Kaiser Permanente Launch Summer Internship Program
Location: Northern California
Stipend: $24/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; between 40 and 50 students
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school students who live in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area; between the ages of 16 and 19 as of June 1; legal authorization to work in the US
In the KP Launch High School Program, you will explore the mechanics of public healthcare through topics like healthcare administration, community health, and health equity. You will help with daily administrative tasks, attend professional development workshops, and collaborate with mentors on a capstone project. The internship focuses on diversifying the healthcare workforce by providing paid opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds. This experience helps you build a professional foundation while discovering how various roles contribute to a community's overall well-being. By participating, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of hospital operations.
9. Mount Sinai CEH High School Summer Internship
Location: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Manhattan, NYC)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 15–20 students per track
Dates: 6 weeks between July and August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: NYC public or charter high school students; rising juniors or seniors; at least 16 years old.
In the Mount Sinai CEH internship, you'll see how air pollution and climate change directly affect people’s health through the study of exposomics. You will run toxicology tests, collect air quality data, and design advocacy projects for your community. The program focuses on environmental justice, showing how science can help fix health gaps in local neighborhoods. You will pick up essential skills in lab work, data analysis, and public speaking while being mentored by expert researchers. This experience connects laboratory research with real-world health improvements. It’s an ideal starting point for a career in public health.
10. University of California Health – Summer Researchers in Global Health (SRGH)
Location: UCSF Mission Bay Campus, San Francisco, California
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 50 students
Dates: June 9 – July 18
Application Deadline: April 20
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in Northern California located geographically approximately 1 hour away from UCSF, UCB, UCSC, and UCD campuses
In this internship, you spend six weeks working alongside UCSF researchers on active global health research projects. Your work may focus on areas such as HIV/AIDS, maternal health, climate change, or emerging infectious diseases. You will develop an independent or small-group research project with guidance from UCSF faculty and graduate instructors. Weekly seminars, case discussions, and lectures introduce you to epidemiology, research design, and global health systems. The program concludes with a formal presentation where you share your findings with peers and mentors. This internship emphasizes research skills, critical thinking, and exposure to careers in global and public health.
11. Children’s Hospital Colorado Child Health Research Internship
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Stipend: $4,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically small cohorts
Dates: June 2 – August 1
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: High school seniors who are Colorado residents and 18+
In the Children’s Hospital Colorado Child Health Research Internship, you will explore public healthcare through topics like epidemiology, health equity, and pediatric nutrition. You'll gain experience by collecting data, performing laboratory experiments, and conducting literature reviews to support research projects. The program pairs you with world-class faculty mentors to work on real-world medical challenges affecting entire populations of children. By presenting your findings at a final symposium, you will sharpen your scientific communication and analytical skills. This experience provides you with a direct look at how research influences hospital policy and improves community health outcomes.
12. Dartmouth Hitchcock High School Foundations Summer Internship Program
Location: Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically, small cohorts
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 11
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors; 16+ by June 22; live in Lebanon, NH
In the Dartmouth Hitchcock High School Foundations Summer Internship, you will explore the inner workings of public healthcare through topics like hospital operations, population health, and patient safety. You will shadow medical professionals, participate in simulation lab exercises, and attend workshops on health careers. A unique feature of this program is its emphasis on the "Foundations" of care, showing you how administrative and support roles are just as vital as clinical ones in keeping a community healthy. This experience provides a rare, holistic view of a massive healthcare system, helping you understand how various departments collaborate to improve public well-being.
13. The Workforce Development High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas, TX
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer, typically starting the second week of June and ending in the first week of August
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors in a public school in the Dallas-Fort Worth area; 16+; minimum 3.0 GPA
In the Workforce Development High School Summer Internship, you will explore the essential layers of public healthcare, including community health education, hospital administration, and health policy. During this eight-week program, you will rotate through different hospital departments, assist with patient outreach projects, and participate in professional development seminars. You receive direct mentorship from healthcare professionals who manage large-scale community wellness initiatives. By the end of the summer, you will have a clear understanding of how public health systems function to support the well-being of a diverse population.
14. Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Financial award upon successful completion, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; roughly 16 students per session
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; 16+; residents of Greater Seattle or surrounding areas
During the Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program, you will investigate critical public health topics like epidemiology, biostatistics, and cancer prevention. You will spend your summer conducting laboratory experiments, analyzing population-level data, attending scientific seminars, and presenting a final research poster to experts. The program’s specialized tracks allow you to focus on how social and biological factors drive health disparities. By the end of the eight weeks, you will have mastered professional research techniques, data software, and scientific writing while working under direct mentorship. This experience offers you a high-level preview of a career dedicated to protecting community health and advancing medical science.
15. UMass Chan High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP)
Location: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 20 students per session
Dates: June 28 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who reside in and attend school in Massachusetts; must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 16 years old by June 15
In this program, you explore a range of healthcare and biomedical science careers through hands-on activities and structured learning. The program introduces you to medicine, nursing, public health, and research through lab sessions, clinical exposure, and lectures. You will take part in projects and workshops that focus on health equity and healthcare disparities. Professional development sessions help you understand educational pathways and career options in health-related fields. The experience is designed to build early exposure to healthcare environments and strengthen your academic and career readiness.
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