Exploring Internship Opportunities at UNC Health

UNC Health, a not-for-profit integrated healthcare system owned by the state of North Carolina and based in Chapel Hill, offers a variety of internship programs designed to provide students with invaluable experience in the healthcare field. These internships cater to a wide range of academic interests and career aspirations, from administrative roles to specialized areas like pharmacy and research. UNC Health includes UNC Hospitals, the clinical programs of the UNC School of Medicine, and 16 hospitals across 20 campuses throughout the state.

Administrative Internship Program (AIP)

The Administrative Internship Program (AIP) at UNC Health is a structured, paid internship designed for graduate students interested in exploring a career in healthcare administration. This program offers a 10 to 12-week full-time employment experience within UNC Health, typically beginning in May and ending in early August. The intent of the AIP is to provide meaningful project-based work to graduate students in preparation for their careers after graduation.

Program Structure and Objectives

The AIP provides interns with exposure to operations within a specific department aligned with their area of interest. Past majors represented in the program have included public health, business, the sciences, health administration, information technology, social work, statistics, and human resources. The program aims to attract motivated students seeking to gain practical experience in a nationally recognized healthcare system. Throughout the summer, Administrative Interns will gain familiarity with the operations of a nationally recognized healthcare system.

Application Information

Applications for the 2026 summer internships will be open from November 24, 2025 through January 6, 2026 at 5:00 pm ET. Candidates may apply to multiple postings in various areas of interest but must submit a separate cover letter with each individual application. When applying, candidates should provide an explanation of their interest in the particular internship and their related experience, along with their interest in UNC Health. UNC Health will make best efforts to align your interests with our opportunities.

Intern Testimonials

Previous interns have praised the program for its enriching environment and valuable learning opportunities. One intern shared, “My project and preceptor were amazing! UNCH has truly been an environment where I have been able to grow." Another intern highlighted the value of networking, stating, "I really enjoyed the Speaker Series and felt like meeting with all of the other interns really enhanced the internship experience."

Pharmacy Internship Program

The UNC Health Pharmacy Internship Program is tailored for students enrolled at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. This program aims to provide a comprehensive learning experience and exposure to hospital and health system pharmacy practice.

Eligibility and Structure

Eligible applicants must be enrolled and in good standing at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Positions are available for PY1 and/or PY2 students, depending on each individual program. Interns are hired at the health system as pharmacy technicians and are paid according to HR pay scales.

Internship Directors and Focus Areas

The program features specialized tracks with dedicated Internship Directors:

Theresa Kline (Cardiology)
Brian McKinzie (Critical Care)
Miranda Stratton and J. Internship Director: Robert P.

The internship is primarily project-based and allows students to explore various aspects of managed care pharmacy.

Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP) Opportunities

The Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP) offers students opportunities to engage with multidisciplinary prevention research and practice projects.

Read also: OHS Internship Requirements

Program Overview

While working or interning with HPDP, students will be supervised by an HPDP faculty or staff member. Specific responsibilities vary by project, yet all interns have the opportunity to participate in applied research or public health practice to address pressing health problems facing our society. A variety of types of opportunities may become available, including unpaid internships, practicum experiences, work study positions, and paid opportunities.

Featured Projects

Fuel U: A peer-led nutrition and culinary education curriculum being developed by the Carolina Hunger Initiative team.
The Carolina Hunger Initiative: Works to increase access to healthy food year-round for North Carolinians.

Other Internship and Experiential Learning Opportunities

UNC Health and its affiliates offer a variety of other internship and experiential learning opportunities.

UNC Asheville Internship Program

The UNC Asheville Internship Program offers structured, funded internships each fall, spring, and summer, providing students with real-world experience aligned with their academic and career goals. With support from the Career Center in internship matching opportunities, students with at least 60 completed credit hours are eligible to participate. Participants develop learning objectives tied to career readiness competencies and may earn academic credit.

UNC Health Appalachian

UNC Health Appalachian provides experiences to medical residents and students interested in a career in healthcare. An internship is an extended experience in practical applications and must be a requirement for class credit. Only students currently enrolled in a clinical program requiring completion of a clinical rotation will be eligible to shadow UNC Health Appalachian physicians or physician extenders. The MAHEC Boone Rural Family Medicine Residency Program is built to support the next generation of rural physicians. The MAHEC Boone Rural Family Medicine Residency Program, located at Watauga Medical Center, and AppFamily Medicine is a partnership between UNC Health Appalachian and Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) and will also serve as a clinical training site for medical students from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. The program was created to train full-scope family doctors to serve in rural and underserved communities. The career pathways department of UNC Health Appalachian seeks to engage professional students in activities within their scope to enhance their learning experience.

OneCarolina Summer Internship Program

Offered exclusively to UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduates, the OneCarolina Summer Internship Program will launch in May 2024. The program will provide a unique, ten-week internship opportunity to work alongside development professionals across our campus. Through the internship, students will acquire new skills and learn of the possibilities of a future career in philanthropy. The University Development Office (UDO) will serve as the official hosting organization. Beginning on May 20, 2024, interns will spend four days each week (8 hours per day, Monday - Thursday) working in a development-related position within a UNC Health Foundation Program Area. Projects should focus on a development program/activity, such as prospect and donor research and data mining, benchmarking, annual giving, communications, marketing, donor stewardship, and event planning. The fifth day (Friday) consists of a three-hour morning class hosted at UDO with guest lecturers, which may include UNC development professionals and faculty members. Students will be required to make a capstone presentation, details of the project along with a summary of deliverables, on the last day of the program, Friday, August 2.

Read also: Comprehensive Internship Guide

CHIP Practicum

Must be a current CHIP student (MPS BMHI or PhD) or an incoming student who has officially accepted an offer to the CHIP program. Students must have completed or be enrolled in Systems Analysis (CHIP 720 (preferred) OR INLS 582) to apply for the internship. Students may apply even if they are not seeking internship course credit. Applications are reviewed by CHIP program administrators, who conduct initial screenings. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis. On-site or hybrid, depending on the project. Students pursuing practicum credit through CHIP must complete a minimum of 300 hours. This structure is designed to meet that requirement over two consecutive terms (e.g., spring + summer, summer+ fall, fall + spring). Students may apply even if they are not seeking internship course credit. In general, students will work up to10 hours per week during fall and/or spring semesters. Students will work up to 20 hours per week during the summer term. Students will be hired as Graduate Research Assistants (GRA’s) and receive a monthly stipend. Tuition and student health insurance (GSHIP) is not included. Submit your application including a brief statement of interest and resume below. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis.

UNC Health Blue Ridge

UNC Health Blue Ridge is committed to the growth and development of our future healthcare workers and strives to provide a variety of educational opportunities for students to explore the world of healthcare. If you have a healthcare career interest and would like to spend time with professionals within the industry, UNC Health Blue Ridge offers shadowing experiences (for a limited amount of time). UNC Health Blue Ridge offers various learning programs throughout the school year and summer months for high school students. The Scholar program is open to juniors and seniors enrolled in the Burke County Public School System who are interested in a semester long unpaid internship in healthcare to assist in determining if this is a field of study that he/she would like to explore. The goal of the program is to provide a path for students to have an intimate view of the industry. Camp Med is a week-long program offered during the summer and is co-sponsored by Northwest Area Health Education Center of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Burke County Public School System and UNC Health Blue Ridge. During the program, students have the opportunity to observe healthcare professionals in action as well as develop an understanding of the health care delivery system.

General Internship Information

An internship is an experiential learning opportunity which provides a different experience as compared to a part time job or volunteer work. An internship or practicum is an educational experience with ongoing communication between the student, the student’s adviser and the employer’s preceptor. During the internship or practicum, the student should have the opportunity to link key academic knowledge to practical work experiences.

Career Guidance

I can attribute most of the professional decisions I’ve made to my experience as a student in the Department of [Health Sciences]. I think it is really important to get an understanding of all the types of jobs you may qualify for and where you would be productive but also be able to set healthy boundaries and know that work is not your life after graduating, it’s just one piece.

Internship Opportunities by Student Interest

Traditional Health Occupations

For students preparing for a graduate program in traditional health occupations, such as medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, dentistry, registered dietitian, pharmacy, physician assistant, nursing, as well as health occupations such as naturopathy, acupuncture/TCM, chiropractor, etc.

Fitness-Related Experiences

For students who wish to intern at a community or corporate site offering fitness-related experiences. These experiences may include conducting fitness assessments, coordinating incentive events, providing personal training, teaching fitness classes, etc.

Health Education and Wellness Coaching

For students interested in providing health education or wellness coaching to a specific population or on a specific topic in health and wellness, including corporate wellness and college health programs, among others.

Non-Profit Organizations

For students interested in working with and learning from interning in a non-profit organization. Examples of activities include fundraising, program/event planning, marketing, advocacy, policy development, and other duties related to the non-profit organization’s mission.

Fellowships

A fellowship can be awarded by an institution or organization for many reasons. They can be focused around research, teaching or training. Fellowships generally are designed to advance the applicant’s knowledge in a certain area or specialization. Fellowships can be obtained as many as five years after graduation from a master’s program and can be an alternative to a full time position. Because fellowships are sometimes based on merit, they can be a nice addition to your resume or curriculum vitae. Below is a partial list of fellowships; your employment search may generate a more comprehensive list particular to your area of interest.

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