Remote Public Health Internships for Students with Disabilities

Internships in public health offer college students a meaningful way to apply classroom learning to real issues affecting communities. Whether it’s working on disease prevention campaigns, analyzing health data, or assisting with policy research, these opportunities allow students to see how public health connects science, policy, and service. They also give students exposure to urgent issues such as healthcare access, health equity, and the role of technology in improving population health. For undergraduates, these internships are especially valuable because they help you build practical skills like research design, data analysis (often using tools like SPSS, R, or Excel), communication, and program evaluation. You’ll also gain an insider’s perspective on how public health professionals collaborate across government agencies, nonprofits, and healthcare organizations. Beyond skill-building, public health internships can strengthen graduate school applications or set you apart when applying for entry-level jobs. They connect you with mentors, expand your professional network, and give you a clearer sense of whether your future lies in epidemiology, global health, health education, or another area of the field.

This article focuses on remote public health internships, with a particular emphasis on opportunities suitable for students with disabilities. It highlights the unique benefits and considerations for disabled students seeking to gain experience in this vital field.

The Importance of Public Health Internships

Public health internships provide invaluable practical experience. They allow students to apply their academic knowledge to real-world scenarios, develop crucial skills, and explore potential career paths.

Skill Development

Undergraduates build practical skills like research design, data analysis (often using tools like SPSS, R, or Excel), communication, and program evaluation. These skills are highly sought after in the public health sector and provide a solid foundation for future careers or graduate studies.

Networking and Mentorship

Internships connect students with mentors, expand their professional network, and give them a clearer sense of whether their future lies in epidemiology, global health, health education, or another area of the field. These connections can be invaluable for career advancement and guidance.

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Exposure to Critical Issues

Internships provide exposure to urgent issues such as healthcare access, health equity, and the role of technology in improving population health. This exposure helps students understand the complexities of public health challenges and motivates them to contribute to solutions.

Remote Internships: A Gateway for Students with Disabilities

Remote internships offer a flexible and accessible alternative to traditional on-site positions. For students with disabilities, remote opportunities can remove many barriers to participation, such as transportation challenges, inaccessible work environments, and inflexible schedules.

Accessibility and Flexibility

Remote internships can be tailored to accommodate individual needs, allowing students to work from home or other comfortable environments. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial for students with mobility limitations, chronic illnesses, or other conditions that make it difficult to commute or work in a traditional office setting.

Expanded Opportunities

Remote internships open up opportunities with organizations and agencies located anywhere in the world. This expanded reach allows students to gain experience in diverse public health settings and work on projects that align with their specific interests.

Featured Remote Public Health Internships

Several organizations offer remote public health internships specifically designed for undergraduates. These programs provide valuable experience, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

Ladder University Internships

Ladder Internships offers flexible online programs for undergraduates wanting to apply their skills in an industry setting. Students are paired with a startup that matches their academic interests. For public health internships, options include health research, communications, and technology. Over 8 weeks, students work on projects to support the company's goals and growth. With guidance from a company coach, they co-design and complete various deliverables, culminating in a final project to present to the company's board.

American Public Health Association (APHA) Internships

The APHA offers several remote internship opportunities, including the Public Health Policy Internship and the Global Health Internship.

Public Health Policy Internship

The APHA Public Health Policy Internship blends research and professional experience, introducing undergraduate students to hands-on work in the public health field. Interns contribute to initiatives that work to improve public healthcare policy in both the government and private sectors, including enhancing healthcare infrastructure, promoting health equity, and preventing obesity. They learn and apply skills in policy research, data analysis, and professional and press communication by writing issue briefs, developing public health fact sheets, and creating educational materials for both professionals and the public.

Global Health Internship

The APHA’s Global Health Internship for undergraduates provides a tailored experience to students hoping to make a positive change in international health and development. In this role, interns write articles for APHA’s online platforms, help build relationships with other global health organizations, research and source funding for the Center, and perform other tasks developed based on their skills and interests. They take part in experiences like lunch seminars on global health concerns, attending conferences and seminars in D.C. as an APHA representative, and helping plan the Center’s Annual Meeting.

Health Career Connection (HCC) Internships

HCC’s summer health internships are designed for undergraduate students (4-year college or community college) and recent graduates (up to 3 years out of college) wishing to gain work experience in healthcare, public health, behavioral health, advocacy and biopharma-related settings. While the majority of HCC interns are college juniors, seniors, or recent graduates, they also consider sophomores and freshmen who demonstrate a commitment to community and interest in healthcare, public health, primary care, and/or behavioral health. International students are also able to apply; however, they must be attending school in the United States, and HCC and its sponsoring organizations cannot provide any documentation or support for immigration-related purposes (such as sponsorship or work visas).

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MDisability and Center for Disability Health & Wellness Summer Internship Program

The MDisability and Center for Disability Health & Wellness Summer Internship Program is dedicated to advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities across healthcare research, medical education, clinical practice, and community initiatives. The internship program will be a hybrid format, with in person opportunities prioritized. There will be a mixture of virtual and in person meetings, along with training with faculty and staff and in-person clinic and community experiences, as available.

Considerations for Students with Disabilities

When seeking remote public health internships, students with disabilities should consider the following factors:

Accessibility of Technology

Ensure that the internship utilizes accessible technology, including screen readers, captioning, and other assistive tools. Communicate your specific needs to the internship provider and inquire about available accommodations.

Communication and Support

Establish clear communication channels with supervisors and colleagues. Discuss your needs and preferences for communication, feedback, and support. A supportive and understanding work environment is crucial for a successful internship experience.

Project Alignment

Seek out projects that align with your skills and interests. Consider how your unique experiences and perspectives as a person with a disability can contribute to the project's success.

Additional Internship Opportunities

Beyond the featured programs, numerous other organizations offer remote public health internships. Some notable examples include:

World Health Organization (WHO): The WHO hosts public health summer internships for undergraduates across the world to gain experience in international health and policy. Internships can vary greatly due to the high number of potential placement sites, so it’s important to carefully examine open opportunities to choose ones that best suit your needs.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH): The Massachusetts DPH offers public health summer internships for undergraduates looking to apply their skills in a government administration setting. In this internship, you’ll complete hands-on work supporting Massachusetts' healthcare systems, with a focus on addressing disparities in health services and outcomes based on racial inequities, socioeconomic barriers to care, and other environmental factors.
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) Federal Internship Program: HACU’s Federal Internship Program places accepted students into internship positions at federal agencies for a policy-focused summer experience. While students may be placed in a variety of federal departments, students looking for a public health summer internship should target HHS or other health-focused agencies.

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