Internship Programs

Public Health Applications for Student Experience (PHASE) Internship

PHASE is a non-paid, course-based, for-credit internship program that offers opportunities for public health graduate students to apply academic knowledge and theory in real-world professional practice settings. The PHASE program began in 2003 and is offered in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health. All students currently enrolled in Bloomberg School graduate degree programs are eligible to apply. 

Placements are with local and state health departments and agencies and span three consecutive academic terms (October to May). Internship activities are supplemented by regular structured meetings with course faculty and other interns and culminate in an end-of-year symposium presentation. Applications for PHASE open in September. 

Benefits to Students 

Professional development opportunity that enriches the academic experience and fulfills public health foundational and core competencies via exposure to public health practice in a real-world setting. 

Students interested in learning more, please contact the Practice Office.

Benefits to the Hosting Agency

Opportunity to advance organizational priorities and improve capacity, build and strengthen partnerships, and help train the future public health workforce.

Organizations interested in hosting a student should review frequently asked questions.

"The PHASE internship program is a great way to get exposure to applied public health. The "real-world" work experience you get with the internship complements the JHSPH coursework really well. It was great to see how the health department works and learn about how public health is actually practiced outside of the academic/research setting." (Placement: Baltimore City Health Department)

Johns Hopkins Health Policy Institute (HPI)

The Johns Hopkins Health Policy Institute (HPI) is a non-paid, for-credit, course-based internship program that offers students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience and insight into the public health policy making process. All students currently enrolled in Bloomberg School graduate degree programs are eligible to apply. 

Placements are with local, state, and federal policymakers in Maryland, and take place from December to May. Selected interns are expected to spend a minimum of 10 hours per week on-site in the policymaker’s office while the legislative session is underway, though virtual internships may be considered. Fellows will provide either general or topic-specific legislative assistance to the policymaker throughout the legislative session, which may include conducting background policy research, developing policy briefs, engaging with stakeholders, contributing to written and/or oral testimony, or assisting with the development of bills and amendments.

Internship activities are supplemented by regular structured meetings with course faculty and other fellows and culminate in an end-of-year symposium presentation. Applications for HPI typically open in late October/early November. Students interested in learning more should contact the Practice Office. Policymakers interested in hosting a student should review frequently asked questions.

"I learned about the nuances of the legislative process. There are many players involved in every bill. The policymakers work hard to advocate for public health issues knowing some of their bills will receive strong opposition. There are great people in government that still can get things done within the confines of the system. It gives me hope and faith in our process. I hope to be involved in a government role one day and the HPI experience help me solidify my career goals." (Placement: Maryland General Assembly)