Pediatric Internships for Undergraduates: A Comprehensive Guide

For undergraduate students aspiring to a career in pediatrics or any field focused on children's health, a pediatric internship offers invaluable practical experience and insight. This article explores the benefits of such internships and provides a detailed overview of various programs available.

What is a Pediatric Internship?

A pediatric internship provides undergraduates with an introduction to the multifaceted world of pediatric care. Interns gain exposure to how pediatricians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals deliver care to children. This exposure is achieved through a combination of observation, clinical assistance, and participation in research projects. These internships offer a unique opportunity to learn about childhood diseases, growth patterns, and the critical role of preventive care.

Why Apply for a Pediatric Internship as an Undergraduate?

Undertaking a pediatric internship as an undergraduate offers numerous advantages:

Real-World Exposure: Internships provide a glimpse into the daily routines and challenges within a hospital, clinic, or research environment.
Career Path Clarification: These experiences can solidify your interest in pediatrics or help you explore other potential career paths within healthcare.
Skill Development: Interns develop essential skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Enhanced Medical School Applications: Pediatric internships demonstrate a commitment to child health, enhance clinical understanding, and showcase the ability to thrive in professional healthcare environments, all of which significantly strengthens medical school applications.
Networking Opportunities: Internships offer the chance to build connections with professionals in the field, opening doors to future mentorship and career opportunities.

Types of Pediatric Internships

Pediatric internships for undergraduates encompass a variety of programs, each with a unique focus:

Clinical Internships: These internships provide hands-on experience in a hospital or clinic setting, allowing interns to observe and assist with patient care.
Research Internships: These internships focus on pediatric research, offering opportunities to contribute to studies in areas such as genetics, immunology, or neuroscience.
Child Life Internships: These internships focus on the psychosocial care of children in healthcare settings, providing opportunities to support children and families through therapeutic play, education, and emotional support.

Featured Pediatric Internship Programs for Undergraduates

Here's a detailed look at several notable pediatric internship programs available to undergraduate students:

Mayo Clinic Child Life Specialist Internship (Minnesota)
- Location: Rochester, MN, at Mayo Clinic facilities.
- Cost: Free.
- Duration: 16 weeks (640 clinical hours).
- Application Deadline: September 6 (for the following year).
- Eligibility: Seniors or undergraduate students majoring in child life, child development, psychology, or related fields who have completed the required Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) coursework.
- Overview: This internship is a clinical training program designed for students pursuing child life certification. It focuses on building professional experience in pediatric care, developmental support, and therapeutic services, adhering to ACLP guidelines. Interns work with Certified Child Life Specialists, gaining practical experience in therapeutic play, patient assessment, and family education. They also learn to prepare children for medical procedures using age-appropriate explanations and activities to reduce stress. The program includes educational seminars on child development and psychosocial care, connecting theory with real-world healthcare practice.
The Child Center of NY Internship Program
- Location: New York City, NY.
- Cost: None.
- Duration: Varies by placement.
- Application Deadline: Rolling.
- Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students in social work, psychology, counseling, education, or related fields.
- Overview: This internship offers practical experience in youth development, behavioral health, and family support. Interns work with licensed professionals in community and clinical settings, assisting with case management, tutoring or mentoring programs, group or play-based therapeutic activities, and trauma-informed care. They also help families access resources and strengthen their home environments. The program includes supervision and mentorship, providing experience in communication, counseling, and teamwork while contributing to community well-being.
Weill Cornell Department of Pediatrics Summer Internship
- Location: New York, NY (Weill Cornell Medicine / NewYork-Presbyterian).
- Stipend / Cost: A modest stipend is offered upon completion; housing, food, and travel are not covered; visas are not sponsored.
- Duration: 6- or 10-week full-time summer programs (June 2 - August 8).
- Application Deadline: January 5 (applications open December 1).
- Eligibility: High school juniors/seniors, undergraduates, and medical students; applicants may apply to up to two pediatric projects.
- Overview: This internship allows students to explore medicine, public health, and pediatric research through direct experience. It's open to high school and college students interested in understanding how child health is shaped through clinical work, research, and policy. Interns join faculty mentors on projects in areas such as behavioral health, neonatal virus immunology, nephrology, and child health advocacy. Their work may involve analyzing data, reviewing literature, supporting human subject research, shadowing pediatric clinicians, designing educational materials, or contributing to quality improvement initiatives.
Child Life Clinical Internship - Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
- Location: St. Petersburg, FL (with hospital affiliations across the All Children’s network).
- Cost: None.
- Duration: 15 weeks, 600 hours (approx. 40 hours/week).
- Deadline: Not available.
- Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students nearing the end of their academic program in child life or related fields.
- Overview: This full-time internship is accredited by the ACLP and is designed for students preparing for Child Life certification. It provides structured clinical experience in pediatric psychosocial care. Interns rotate through hospital areas such as emergency, hematology/oncology, PICU, NICU, radiology, and outpatient clinics. Their daily work involves facilitating therapeutic play, supporting families, and helping children cope with hospitalization and treatment. Training includes seminars on child development and medical play, skills labs, reflective journals, and case studies.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Research Institute Summer Student Program (CRISSP)

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- Location: Philadelphia, PA.
- Stipend: Yes.
- Duration: 10 weeks.
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents interested in pediatric health research.
- Overview: The CRISSP program immerses students in pediatric biomedical research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Over ten weeks, interns work under the guidance of CHOP investigators, contributing to studies in areas such as genetics, immunology, or neuroscience. They receive training in laboratory methods, data analysis, and scientific communication while attending sessions on bioethics, research integrity, and graduate or medical school preparation. Interns are matched with a faculty researcher whose projects align with their academic focus. The experience concludes with a poster symposium, where interns present their findings to peers and mentors.
Wells Center Pediatric Research Summer Internship at Indiana University
- Location: Indianapolis, IN.
- Stipend: Yes.
- Duration: 8 weeks.
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; enrolled undergraduates at least 18 years old.
- Overview: This program is designed for students interested in lab-based biomedical and pediatric research. Interns focus on experimental design, data collection, and analysis while learning core lab techniques used in fields like immunology, endocrinology, and developmental biology. Alongside lab work, they complete a literature review, practice scientific writing, and present their findings to peers and mentors at the end of the program.
Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Anesthesia Clinical and Research Internship (PACaRI)
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts.
- Cost: None.
- Dates: May - August (Summer Track).
- Application Deadline: Not specified.
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Overview: The PACaRI program combines clinical shadowing and research over a 12-week summer term. Interns begin with a structured training phase before observing anesthesia technicians in operating rooms one day a week. Alongside this clinical exposure, they join a research project, exploring topics in anesthesiology and pediatric care. Weekly lectures and skill-building sessions cover literature review, professional development, and graduate school preparation. Interns conclude the program by presenting their research findings to faculty and peers.
University of Pittsburgh - Department of Pediatrics Summer Research Internship (SRIP)
- Location: Pitt / UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, John G. Rangos Sr. Research Center.
- Stipend: Paid at approximately $15/hour, 40 hours per week; housing provided for those who need it.
- Duration: 8 weeks (e.g., June 2 - July 25).
- Application Deadline: Typically in the winter (announced annually).
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in degree programs (science-based preferred); must have completed at least two semesters of college and plan to return or enter graduate work; minimum GPA ~3.2.
- Overview: The SRIP is a paid internship for undergraduates interested in pediatric medicine or biomedical science. It takes place at the John G. Rangos Sr. Research Center and provides a full-time research experience in pediatric health. Interns design and carry out a mentored project, spending about 40 hours a week in the lab while contributing to ongoing research. The program also includes seminars and career panels that help students understand different research and medical pathways. At the end of the internship, interns present their findings during Poster Day, which brings together mentors and researchers from across the center.
Cohen Children’s Medical Center Pediatric Research Internship
- Location: New Hyde Park, NY.
- Stipend: Not specified.
- Duration: Varies.
- Eligibility: Undergraduates who have completed at least one year of study, have a strong academic record, and an interest in pediatric research.
- Overview: This internship gives undergraduates hands-on experience in pediatric research, working across areas like neurology, cardiology, nephrology, genetics, and emergency medicine. Interns work with faculty mentors on clinical research, data analysis, and literature reviews, and may contribute to publications. They also shadow clinicians to understand patient care and attend seminars and professional development sessions to build their skills. By the end of the program, interns present their findings at a formal research forum that also helps them connect with professionals in the field.
Children’s Hospital Colorado Summer Child Health Research Internship

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- Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO.
- Stipend: $4,400 (to assist with travel and housing costs).
- Dates: June 2 - August 1.
- Application Deadline: February.
- Eligibility: High school seniors (18+), undergraduates, graduate students, and first-year medical students.
- Overview: This is a 9-week, full-time program for high school seniors (18+), college students, and early medical students. Interns gain hands-on experience in pediatric research through the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the Colorado Child Health Research Institute. They work on mentored research projects with faculty at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the Anschutz Medical Campus. Each week, they attend seminars on pediatric science, research ethics, and career development, and join community events with mentors and peers. Projects may focus on areas like pediatric immunology, childhood diabetes, clinical genetics, developmental lung biology, or critical care. The program ends with a research showcase where interns present their findings to faculty and fellow interns.
Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) Internship
- Location: New Haven, CT.
- Stipend: Yes.
- Duration: 8 weeks.
- Eligibility: U.S. and international undergraduates entering their junior or senior year; strong academic record and interest in child health research.
- Overview: 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 immerses students in child health projects spanning neuroscience, developmental psychology, and clinical pediatrics. Interns 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.
Children’s National Hospital Emergency Department Clinical Research Internship
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Cost: Free; housing stipend may be available.
- Duration: September 29 - May 8; 15 hours per week (up to four shifts per week, including nights and weekends).
- Application Deadline: Not specified; early application recommended.
- Eligibility: Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students; must be at least 18 years old and a sophomore at the time of application.
- Overview: This internship gives students hands-on experience in pediatric clinical research within the emergency department. Interns assist with patient enrollment, data collection, and data analysis for ongoing studies, working closely with doctors, nurses, and research staff. The program also includes workshops on professional development and career exploration in healthcare.
Children’s Health Dallas College Summer Internship
- Location: Dallas and Plano, Texas.
- Cost: Free; housing stipend may be available.
- Duration: 9 weeks.
- Application Deadline: Not specified; early application recommended.
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students entering their junior or senior year.
- Overview: This is a full-time, paid program for undergraduates interested in healthcare administration, clinical operations, or public health. Interns work with professionals in departments like patient services, operations, and administration, contributing to projects that improve patient care and hospital efficiency. They participate in process improvement initiatives, professional development seminars, and mentorship sessions, building practical skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Undergraduate Medical Internship Programs
- Location: Los Angeles, California.
- Cost: None.
- Duration: Varies by program (up to 3 weeks for Caltech program; small group shadowing for USC).
- Application Deadline: Coordinated through affiliated institutions.
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled at Caltech or USC; selection coordinated through academic advisors.
- Overview: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles offers two undergraduate medical internship programs through partnerships with Caltech and USC. Interns gain experience in pediatric medicine by shadowing physicians, joining hospital rounds, and observing both clinical and research activities. The program helps them understand how medical teams operate and how patient care and hospital systems function day to day.
Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Epilepsy Research Internship
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts (Remote options available).
- Cost: None.
- Duration: Fall/Spring: 8-10 hours/week; Summer: 30 hours/week.
- Application Deadline: Fall applications open on August 21, portal available by September 12.
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students (preferably juniors or seniors) majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Psychology, Health Policy Management, or related fields; must receive academic credit.
- Overview: This internship provides undergraduate students with research experience in the field of pediatric epilepsy. Interns will have the opportunity to work on research projects related to the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of epilepsy in children.

Additional Internship Opportunities and Considerations

Beyond the specific programs listed above, various other institutions and organizations offer pediatric internships for undergraduates. It's essential to research and identify programs that align with your interests and career goals.

Child Life Services Internship Program at Children's National Hospital

The Child Life Services Internship Program at Children's National Hospital is a clinically based program that meets the child life certification requirements regarding clinical experience. To apply, individuals must be affiliated with a college or university, and an affiliation agreement must be established between Children's National Hospital and the university/institution. Interns are responsible for their own housing, meals, transportation, parking, and other expenses. The program is offered twice a year (spring/fall).

Child Life Practicum and Internship at Nicklaus Children's Hospital

Nicklaus Children's Hospital offers both a Child Life Practicum Program and a Child Life Internship Program. The Practicum Program provides students with observation experience under the supervision of a Child Life Specialist. The Internship Program is an ACLP-accredited program that provides students with experience and practice in providing child life interventions.

To be considered for the Child Life Internship, students must be pursuing a bachelor's degree and have senior level status or be graduate students earning a degree in a child development related major. The selection process considers academics, previous experience working with children, references, and an interview. Accepted interns must comply with the hospital's dress code.

Levine Children's Hospital Child Life Internship Program

The Child Life Internship at Levine Children's Hospital provides a supervised learning experience with children. The internship lasts 15 weeks, with students working 40 hours per week. It is a full-time, unpaid position divided into two six-week rotations. Applicants must have varied experiences with children, including experience in a health care setting and outside of a health care setting. They must also have successfully completed an ACLP Eligibility Assessment showing all 10 required courses.

General Requirements and Considerations

Across various pediatric internship programs, certain common requirements and considerations often apply:

Affiliation Agreements: Many internships require an affiliation agreement between the student's college/university and the host institution.
Background Checks: A criminal conviction record search may be conducted on prospective students.
Professionalism: Interns are typically expected to maintain a professional appearance and adhere to the organization's dress code.
Immunizations: Providing immunization records may be required.
Coursework: Completion of specific coursework, particularly in child life or related fields, may be necessary.

How to Find and Apply for Pediatric Internships

Online Search: Utilize search engines and internship databases to identify potential programs.
University Resources: Consult with your academic advisor or career services department for information on internships and potential affiliations.
Professional Organizations: Explore the websites of professional organizations related to pediatrics, child life, and healthcare for internship listings.
Hospital and Clinic Websites: Directly check the websites of hospitals and clinics that interest you for internship opportunities.
Networking: Reach out to professionals in the field for insights and potential leads on internship programs.

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