Internship Program

UCF Department of Health Sciences

About the Program

The Department of Health Sciences offers students the opportunity to gain valuable experience and explore health-related career interests by participating in internships at one of more than 30 exciting locations across central Florida.

Internships are offered during the spring, summer and fall semester and are offered through the course HSC 4943 Health Sciences Internship. The program counts as a restrictive elective for students in both the pre-clinical and health promotion track (28 credits of restricted electives are required for graduation).

Students are required to complete at least 80 hours at the internship site as well as course assignments to earn 3 credit hours.

Internship sites include a wide variety of medical facilities, community organizations and research entities, including places like healthcare offices, clinical laboratories, and wellness non-profits. Internships involve shadowing healthcare providers, assisting with community service programs and helping with health and medical research

Students may also be able to obtain credit for internships they have found on their own, including paid internships (see more details below).

Applications are now open!

Summer 2026 applications are due by February 15th. Apply Today!

Apply for the Program

Host an Intern

Are you an employer interested in hosting a health sciences student? Students in this program have an interest in human health and plan to pursue careers in medicine, clinical or behavioral health research, health promotion, public health, and more. If you’re interested in offering an internship experience, complete the form and we’ll be in touch to discuss further.

Questions

Do you have questions or wish to schedule an appointment with the Internship Coordinator? Email: hsintern@ucf.edu.

HS internship student reviewing medical scans

HS internship student working with medical device

What to Expect

Students are required to complete at least 80 hours at the internship site and complete course assignments to earn 3 credit hours.

Three types of internships are available:

Shadowing in a health care setting – Students may observe health care professionals as they perform assessments and procedures, develop care plans, conduct patient care rounds and participate in interdisciplinary discussions.
Community service – Students may provide general health education to underserved populations; assist with healthcare screenings; assist in creating and providing community health/wellness programs for children or adults; teach life skills or assist with educational programs for children, youth or adults with special needs.
Research internships – Students may be involved in data collection, preparation for the start of a research study, data entry, writing about the research process or results, recruiting participants or other facets of the research process.

Benefits

Explore your field or profession

Extend your knowledge and understanding of healthcare settings

Learn more about medical/health-related research

Obtain valuable work experience, setting you apart from other candidates

Develop and refine your communication skills

Network with professionals in your field of study

Gain confidence

Acquire 3 credit hours toward your UCF degree

Process & Requirements

Prerequisites

Pathophysiology I (HSC 4555) and/or Pathophysiology II (HSC 4558)
Applied Health Research Methodology (HSC 4730) – required for research-focused internships only
Junior or senior standing
Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher

Application Details
Students must submit an application by the deadline to be considered for an internship assignment. Eligible students are matched with internship opportunities based on their professional interests, skills and course schedule. After the matching process, students may opt to accept or reject their internship placement. Most internship sites require an interview and background check prior to final acceptance. The Department of Health Sciences’ internship coordinator assists students with this process. If a clear internship match is not made, applicants are provided with a list of available opportunities from which to choose.

Application Deadlines

Semester	Deadline
Summer	February 15, 2026
Fall	May 15, 2026
Spring	October 15, 2026

Internship Credit

Credits for health sciences internships can be earned by completing internships coordinated by the Department of Health Sciences as well as by completing internships/shadowing opportunities that a student has secured themselves (including paid internships).

Students who have found their own internships can register it for credit by following these steps:

Ensure you meet the internship pre-requisites
Complete internship request form
Email the formal internship offer AND completed internship request form to the Internship Coordinator at hsintern@ucf.edu to set up an appointment to discuss the next steps.

Deadline: The internship must be registered prior to the first day of the semester. It is recommended that registration forms be submitted 2-3 weeks prior to the start of the semester to allow for coordination between all parties.

What Intern Alumni are saying

“My internship with Hebni Nutrition Consultants, Inc. taught me that communication is crucial in team efforts towards a cause. One instance of this is when my staff and I led a farm-to-table event for the underserved Orlando community in recognition of National Minority Health Month in April. The lines of communication were continuously maintained as staff members from multifaceted backgrounds, such as nutrition, research, volunteering, social work, and marketing, invested in the coordination and execution of this event. The event consisted of activities such as a garden tour, live cooking demonstrations, a smoothie bike, and yoga, and over 100 guests from all walks of life and backgrounds attended. The activism of our group efficiently working together on giving back to the community is what made the event a successful one, and I look forward to utilizing such skills with future teams I join.”

-Riley Shurack Class of 2021

“The Health Sciences internship provided me with so much growth and insight into the healthcare field. This internship was the first time where I felt like I could apply what I had been learning during my undergrad years. I learned to work as a team with my co-workers and how to work in a fast-paced environment. There are also many professional skills that I gained such as communication skills, taking vitals and performing in-office procedures. There are many skills and memories that I cherish and will carry with me in my future career field.”

–Daniella Velez Class of 2021