Dermatology Internships for Undergraduates: A Comprehensive Guide

For undergraduates in biology, pre-med, or related fields, dermatology internships offer invaluable practical experience. These internships provide opportunities to observe dermatologists, study skin conditions at a molecular level, and determine whether to pursue medical school, lab research, or another health-related field. Most dermatology internships for undergraduates are short-term and take place in hospitals, medical schools, or research centers. Some internships involve shadowing doctors during patient consultations, while others focus on research tasks such as preparing samples, reviewing medical literature, or assisting with lab experiments.

The Value of Dermatology Internships

Dermatology internships serve as a gateway for undergraduates to explore the field and gain hands-on experience. By participating in these programs, students can:

Observe how doctors approach different skin conditions.
Learn about the collaborative efforts of healthcare professionals in patient care.
Develop skills in history taking, physical examinations, and documentation.
Assist in procedures such as biopsies, excisions, and cosmetic procedures.
Gain insight into the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of skin cancers.
Network with practicing dermatologists, medical students, and residents.
Strengthen resumes and professional portfolios.

Featured Dermatology Internships for Undergraduates

The following dermatology internships offer unique opportunities for undergraduates to gain experience in the field:

1. ECuRE: Early Cutaneous Research Experiences by the University of Pennsylvania

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free for selected fellows; scholarships available
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and medical students working with Penn Dermatology faculty
Deadline:April 25
Description: This program allows interns to explore research opportunities in the cutaneous sciences under the mentorship of Penn Dermatology faculty. Past programs have covered skin and hair disorders, stem cell regulation, and technological advances. Interns learn about research ethics and data management to support their projects.

2. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) - Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Eligibility: college students with a 3.0+ GPA, serious interest in a research career (PhD/M.D./PhD).
Description: This 10-week summer program allows undergraduates to work on a research project at a medical center under the guidance of a mentor. Students can explore various dermatology-related biomedical research areas, including biochemistry and molecular biology, immunology, molecular pharmacology and experimental therapeutics, as well as clinical and translational sciences.

3. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program type | Financial aid available
Eligibility: Students who can work for 5-10 hours/week, for 8 weeks | Open to high schoolers, undergraduates, and gap-year students
Deadline: Cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Description: This eight-week virtual internship program allows students to work on projects with start-ups and corporate businesses. The program focuses on applied learning through assignments guided by start-up founders and supervisors with experience at places like Harvard Business School, McKinsey, Google, and Microsoft.

4. UM-SMART Program at the University of Michigan

Eligibility: citizen/permanent resident.
Description: This program aims to provide undergraduate students with research opportunities in human health and disease. Students interested in dermatology may focus on research projects related to skin, hair, or nail health. Additionally, you can shadow physicians, participate in MCAT preparation, attend career seminars, conduct a mock interview, and network with MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) fellows.

5. Summer Internship Program by the University of Pennsylvania (Tara Miller Melanoma Center)

Location: Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Eligibility: Open to Randolph-Macon College undergraduates. Students from underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Description: This eight-week internship provides students with an opportunity to explore melanoma and other skin cancers. Interns gain insights into the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of melanoma, work in a research lab, shadow physicians, conduct research in human biobanking and clinical trials, and attend conferences and seminars.

6. Advancing Cornell Career Experiences for Science Students (ACCESS) Summer Internship Program

Eligibility: undergraduates who have completed at least two semesters and have at least one remaining before graduation
Description: This program gives students hands-on research experience in a lab at Weill Cornell Medicine or the Sloan Kettering Institute. Students work under a faculty mentor on a project in areas like biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, or molecular biology.

7. Galderma Research & Development Internship

Description: The program focuses on clinical dermatology research, sustainability in dermatology, and business and cost considerations in dermatology. You will work on mentored group research projects with your team, comprising fellow high school, college, and medical students.

8. Pathways Program by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)

Location: Chicago, IL
Cost: $150 application fee; financial aid may be available
Eligibility: Open to premedical and postbaccalaureate students, especially from underserved or under-resourced communities
Deadline: April 30
Description: This five-day summer program provides students with an introduction to careers in dermatology. Participants gain practical experience in dermatologic procedures and receive mentorship from board-certified dermatologists. The program instructors guide students in preparing for the MCAT and applying to medical school.

9. Mitchell Dermatology's MD Summer Internship

Location: Perrysburg and Fremont, OH
Cost: None
Eligibility: Open to college and medical students with a GPA ≥ 3.0 and strong communication and teamwork skills
Deadline: Rolling; early application encouraged
Description: This ten-week internship allows students to work closely with a dermatologist or physician assistant in a dynamic clinical setting. Interns observe daily responsibilities and learn about various dermatologic conditions and treatments.

10. CareYaya Health Technologies Internship

Description: This internship, organized in conjunction with dermatology and geriatric care clinics, helps pre-health students gain hands-on experience in dermatology. Interns assist clinicians with observing, tracking, and documenting dermatologic concerns in older patients during home or clinic visits.

11. DERM 499 Undergraduate Research at the University of Washington

Location: Seattle, WA
Eligibility: Open to UW undergraduates. Must secure a dermatology faculty mentor and register for course credit
Deadline: Apply at least two weeks before the quarter starts
Description: This course gives students the chance to apply what they’ve learned in class to research in a lab setting. Students work directly with UW faculty on a dermatology-related project, gaining experience in experimental design, data collection, and scientific analysis.

12. Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program (SHURP) at Harvard Medical School

Eligibility: undergraduates with a GPA ≥ 3.0, prior lab experience, and interest in biomedical PhD programs
Description: This ten-week research internship allows undergraduates interested in biomedical science, including dermatology, to be matched with a faculty mentor and placed in a lab based on their interests.

13. Joint Ludwig Princeton and Rutgers Cancer Institute Summer Internship Program

Location: Princeton, NJ or New Brunswick, NJ
Eligibility: Rising sophomores or juniors enrolled full-time at Princeton University or Rutgers University
Deadline: February 1
Description: This nine-week research experience is for undergraduates interested in cancer biology. Students work in a lab focused on the molecular causes of cancer development and progression, potentially studying skin cancer.

14. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) by Drexel University College of Medicine

Eligibility: undergraduates in good academic standing. Sophomores and juniors are prioritized; first-years may apply.
Description: This nine-week program helps undergraduates explore biomedical research. Students explore various disciplines, including the biochemistry of health and disease, molecular and cell biology and genetics, microbiology and immunology, and pharmacology and physiology, all of which are relevant to dermatology research.

15. Yale Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program

Eligibility: undergraduates in good academic standing with an interest in PhD-level research careers
Description: This program offers undergraduates the chance to conduct full-time research in Yale’s state-of-the-art labs. Students are matched with a faculty mentor, postdoctoral associate, or advanced graduate student based on their academic interests.

Additional Opportunities

Besides the internships listed above, several other programs and opportunities can help undergraduates gain experience in dermatology:

Lumiere Research Scholar Program: This selective online program allows students to pursue independent research with researchers at Harvard and Oxford.
AAD Medical Student Programs: The American Academy of Dermatology offers various programs for medical students, including hands-on exposure, mentorship, workshops, and research opportunities. These programs aim to remove barriers to learning about dermatology and preparing for residency.
Clear Dermatology Internship Program: This year-long, paid internship program is designed for recent college graduates and aspiring doctors. Interns work directly with physicians and learn how to take medical histories, document patient present illnesses, and assist in procedures.
Animal Dermatology Group (ADG) Internship: This dermatology-focused rotating internship is designed for new graduates and young veterinarians interested in a career in dermatology. The internship provides experience in dermatology and related disciplines such as internal medicine, ophthalmology, and oncology.

Skills and Knowledge Gained

Internships provide a wide range of skills and knowledge of dermatology. Interns will learn about:

Common skin conditions and diseases
Dermatological procedures and treatments
Medical histories and physical examinations
Research methodologies and data analysis
Medical ethics and patient care
The role of dermatology in overall health

Read also: Dermatology at UCLA Health Burbank

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