15 Pediatric Internships for Undergraduates
For undergraduates interested in pediatrics or a medical career focused on children’s health, an internship is a practical way to explore this field. Internships hosted by universities, hospitals, clinics, and medical institutions introduce you to pediatric care, helping you decide if this is a career you want to pursue. You will learn about child development, common childhood conditions, and preventive care while gaining a clear picture of what work in pediatric settings looks like. Many programs are also available online, making them accessible options for students who may not be able to travel.
Why should I do a pediatric internship in college?
A pediatric internship in college offers concrete academic and career benefits. It helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and healthcare practice, builds clinical and professional skills, and strengthens medical school or graduate program applications. Beyond academics, this early exposure can boost your employment prospects after graduation, helping you qualify for roles in research, public health, clinical coordination, or healthcare administration.
Below, we have narrowed down our list to 15 pediatric internships for undergraduates. We assessed the prestige of the host institution, the rigor of professional experience, and the opportunities to network.
1. Weill Cornell Department of Pediatrics Summer Internship
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine / NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid; amount not disclosed
Dates: June 1 - August 7
Application deadline: January 5
Eligibility: Current university or college students
Weill Cornell’s Pediatrics Summer Internship allows you to explore medicine, public health, and pediatric research through direct experience. It’s open to high school and college students who want to understand how child health is shaped through clinical work, research, and policy. You’ll join faculty mentors on projects in areas like behavioral health, neonatal virus immunology, nephrology, and child health advocacy. Your work may include analyzing data, reviewing literature, supporting human subject research, shadowing pediatric clinicians, designing educational materials, or contributing to quality improvement initiatives.
2. Ladder University Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies by program type; financial aid available; no stipend
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Application deadline: Varies by cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduate or gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships connect students with startups and innovative companies, offering remote work experiences. As a Ladder Intern, you will work with a startup’s manager and a Ladder Coach who will offer you mentorship and guidance throughout the program. You will work on a real-world project that directly contributes to the assigned company’s goals, allowing you to develop tangible skills in areas like health research, data analysis, program management, or health communications. Startups have founders who have previously worked for Google, Microsoft, McKinsey, and Goldman Sachs. The virtual format makes the program one of the most flexible public health internships for undergraduates.
3. Indiana University Pediatric Research Summer Internship
Location: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Stipend: $4,000
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students age 18+ who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Indiana University School of Medicine’s Pediatric Research Summer Internship is an eight-week program that allows you to gain in-depth experience in pediatric research by working directly with scientists at the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research. You’ll take part in laboratory-based research projects focused on child health, develop practical research skills, attend seminars and workshops, and engage with faculty mentors and peers. The program concludes with a final presentation of your work, giving you a strong foundation in pediatric research and early exposure to careers in medicine and biomedical science.
4. Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Epilepsy Research Internship
Location: Boston, MA (remote options available)
Stipend: None
Dates: Fall/Spring: Part-time (8–10 hours/week); Summer: Full-time (30 hours/week)
Application deadline: Fall: Early August; Spring: Early December; Summer: February 9
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors or seniors at a four-year institution majoring in biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, health policy, management, or related fields
The Pediatric Epilepsy Research Internship at Boston Children’s Hospital gives you hands-on experience in healthcare research with a focus on pediatric neurology. You’ll assist with tasks such as data entry, database management, patient enrollment, and administrative support, while learning the fundamentals of seizures and epileptic encephalopathies. The program also helps you develop medical terminology, research skills, and expertise in clinical data management. Additionally, you’ll contribute to creating monitoring tools for clinical biomarkers and participate in collaborative research within epilepsy networks, making it an ideal opportunity if you’re interested in pediatric neurology or a future career in healthcare research.
5. Child Health Research Internship – Children’s Hospital Colorado
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Stipend: $4,400
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and first-year medical students age 18+
The Child Health Research Internship at Children’s Hospital Colorado allows you to gain hands-on experience in pediatric research over a nine-week summer program. You’ll work with faculty mentors and research teams on projects related to child health, participate in laboratory and clinical research activities, attend seminars and professional development workshops, and collaborate with other interns. The program also includes a final presentation where you share your findings, helping you build research skills, learn about pediatric medicine, and explore potential career paths in healthcare and biomedical science.
6. Pitt Pediatrics Summer Research Internship Program
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: $15/hour
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application deadline: January 11
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in a college or university who have completed at least two semesters before the internship or have secured admission to an advanced degree program after the internship, minimum 3.5 GPA, U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Summer Research Internship Program at the University of Pittsburgh/UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh gives you hands-on experience in pediatric research over an eight-week summer program. You’ll work with faculty mentors on research projects that explore various aspects of child health, including laboratory experiments, clinical studies, and data analysis. The internship also provides professional development through workshops, seminars, and opportunities to collaborate with other interns and researchers. By the end of the program, you’ll present your findings, gaining practical research skills, a deeper understanding of pediatrics, and exposure to potential careers in medicine and biomedical science.
7. Mayo Clinic Child Life Specialist Internship (Minnesota)
Location: Rochester, MN (Mayo Clinic facilities)
Stipend: None
Dates: 16 weeks during the winter–spring session
Application deadline: September 6
Eligibility: Undergraduate seniors or students who have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in child life, child development, child psychology, human growth and development, or related fields
Mayo Clinic’s Child Life Specialist Internship gives you a 16-week hands-on clinical training experience designed for students pursuing child life certification. You’ll work with Certified Child Life Specialists, gaining professional experience in pediatric care, therapeutic support, and developmental interventions following ACLP guidelines. During the internship, you’ll help children cope with medical procedures through therapeutic play, age-appropriate explanations, and family education, while also learning to assess patients’ emotional and developmental needs. In addition to your clinical work, you’ll attend seminars on child development and psychosocial care, allowing you to connect theory with real-world practice in a leading healthcare setting.
8. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Pediatric Oncology Education Program
Location: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital)
Stipend: $600/week
Dates: 10–11 weeks starting May 11, May 18, May 26, or June 1
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students who have completed at least sophomore year; U.S. citizens or permanent residents or hold a U.S. residency visa; medical, pharmacy, and graduate students need ≥3.4 GPA in science/math and overall
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Pediatric Oncology Education (POE) Program gives you a 10–11 week hands-on summer experience designed for undergraduate students interested in pediatric medicine and research. You’ll work with scientists and clinical mentors on ongoing research projects in areas like cancer biology, immunology, or clinical pediatrics, gaining practical laboratory and clinical skills. The program also offers educational seminars, professional development workshops, and networking opportunities with researchers and healthcare professionals. With a weekly stipend, group housing, and exposure to cutting-edge pediatric research, the POE program provides a strong foundation for students considering careers in medicine, biomedical research, or healthcare.
9. Cohen Children's Medical Center Summer Clinical Research Internship
Location: New Hyde Park, New York, USA (Cohen Children's Medical Center)
Stipend: None; $300/week housing stipend for qualified students
Dates: 8–12 weeks between June and August; flexible
Application deadline: March 1 (Nephrology: February 15)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed at least one year at a U.S. college or university
Cohen Children’s Medical Center offers you Research Internship Programs across nine pediatric subspecialties, including developmental and behavioral pediatrics, neurology, nephrology, pulmonology and cystic fibrosis, cardiology, emergency medicine, genetics and genomics, anesthesia, and otolaryngology (ENT). Each internship is tailored to its specialty, but all follow a similar structure. You’ll participate in clinical research and writing projects, attend educational lectures, and gain exposure to patient care by shadowing physicians in clinical settings. This program provides a strong introduction to pediatric medicine, builds research and professional skills, and helps you explore potential career paths in healthcare and biomedical science.
10. Children’s National Hospital Emergency Department Clinical Research Internship
Location: Washington, D.C., USA
Stipend: May be available
Dates: May 18 – August 14
Application deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students; at least 18 years old and sophomore at time of application
The Emergency Department Clinical Research Internship at Children’s National Hospital gives you comprehensive, hands-on experience in pediatric clinical research within a busy hospital setting. You’ll contribute to patient enrollment, data collection, and data analysis for ongoing studies while collaborating with doctors, nurses, and research staff. In addition to your research duties, the program includes workshops on professional development, scientific communication, and career exploration in healthcare, helping you build essential skills, deepen your understanding of pediatric medicine, and prepare for future opportunities in medical or research careers.
11. Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Department of Pediatrics Summer Student Research Program
Location: Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Stipend: Limited small stipends awarded to top applicants
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Undergraduate or medical students as of fall of application year; medically cleared by Occupational Health Services
Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Department of Pediatrics Summer Student Research Program gives you an eight-week, in-person research experience in Boston, where you work alongside pediatric faculty and research teams on real projects that advance child health science. You will engage in laboratory or clinical research, attend seminars and workshops to build scientific and professional skills, and interact with mentors. The program is designed to expand your research experience, help you explore academic medicine, and prepare you for future studies or careers in healthcare and biomedical science.
12. Yale Child Study Center Undergraduate Developmental Science Summer Internship
Location: New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Stipend: $4,000
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: U.S. and international undergraduates entering junior or senior year
The Yale Child Study Center (YCSC), in partnership with the Department of Pediatrics, offers an eight-week, full-time internship for rising juniors and seniors. This research-intensive program introduces to child health projects spanning neuroscience, developmental psychology, and clinical pediatrics. You will engage in hands-on research, including data analysis, wet lab techniques, and clinical observations. Weekly seminars and journal clubs expose participants to various aspects of child health beyond their assigned projects. At the program's conclusion, interns present their research findings in a formal poster session to YCSC and Pediatrics faculty, staff, and students.
13. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Summer Scholars Program (CRISSP)
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Stipend: $5,000
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors graduating in spring who are enrolled full-time in a four-year accredited college or university at time of application, minimum 3.3 GPA, U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
CRISSP at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is a 10-week paid summer program that gives you an in-depth introduction to pediatric biomedical and behavioral research. You’ll be matched with a CHOP faculty mentor and work on a research project in basic, clinical, or translational science. You’ll learn how studies are designed, data is collected, and results are analyzed. Alongside hands-on research, you take part in professional development sessions focused on scientific writing, research ethics, and preparing for graduate or medical school. You’ll also have opportunities for clinical shadowing and to attend interdisciplinary seminars that show how research connects to patient care. The program concludes with a poster symposium.
14. Stanford’s Clinical & Research Internship in Pediatrics
Location: Stanford University campus, Stanford, CA, USA
Stipend: $8,500
Dates: June 22 – August 28
Application deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Currently enrolled Stanford University undergraduate freshmen, sophomores, or juniors at time of application
Stanford’s Clinical & Research Internship in Pediatrics (CRISP) is a 10-week summer program that gives you hands-on exposure to pediatrics through a combination of clinical learning, mentored research, and structured educational sessions. You’ll spend time in clinical settings at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital observing pediatric care and learning how healthcare teams support children and families. Alongside this, you’ll work with faculty mentors on child health research projects, build research and analytical skills, receive career guidance, and present your work at the end of the program, helping you better understand what a future in pediatrics looks like.
15. USC-CHLA Preceptorship Program
Location: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
Stipend: None
Dates: May 18–22
Application deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Full-time USC pre-medical undergraduates with junior or senior standing (64+ units), not graduating in the spring of program year, with up-to-date immunizations (TB, MMR, COVID)
The USC-CHLA Medical Preceptorship is an intensive shadowing program designed to give you a firsthand look at the daily realities of pediatric medicine. During the week-long experience, you will explore topics ranging from specialized pediatric clinical care to the unique health issues facing underserved communities in Los Angeles. You will shadow physicians across five different departments, observe fast-paced environments like the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit or Emergency Department, and engage in clinical discussions with your faculty mentor. By the end, you will learn essential clinical observation skills, gain a deep understanding of pediatric care dynamics, and develop a stronger practical awareness of healthcare disparities.
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