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.”
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 with 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).
Questions
Do you have questions or wish to schedule an appointment with the Internship Coordinator? Email: hsintern@ucf.edu.
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
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 |
Already Found an Internship?
You may be eligible to register your internship experience for credit (even if it is a paid internship).
- 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
-Riley Shurack Class of 2021
–Daniella Velez Class of 2021
