MS HSRPA Careers

The Internship Program

The MS program works with organizational sponsors in the community to develop internship opportunities for MS students that provide a transition into a career. With an internship, MS students commit to 12-20 hours per week to the organization on a specific project under the supervision of the sponsor as well as the academic adviser at the University. Sponsors commit to a student by providing a challenging but manageable project, a supervisor, and resources. An internship enriches the student’s experience and academic growth by providing an opportunity for experiential learning, and practical application of newly acquired skills and providing the final project for the student. An internship helps the sponsor accomplish a specific project and develop their capacity for information analysis. The project typically becomes the final project for the student as part of his/her MS program.

The MS program’s goal is to provide MS students with opportunities for internships for at least the full final year they are in the MS program (e.g., June 1 to May 31).  During the summer interns familiarize themselves with the information systems/data warehouse at their sponsor organization, familiarize themselves with potential projects, and develop projects in collaboration with their faculty and sponsor mentors. Ideally, one of these projects will be the foundation for the master’s project.

Organizations that have sponsored, are sponsoring, or are developing sponsor programs include the National Marrow Donor Program, the Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Stratis Health, Target, Allina Hospitals & Clinics, Fairview Health Services, Children’s Hospital and Clinics, UCare Minnesota, BlueCross and BlueShield of Minnesota, Medica, PreferredOne, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services, and the Hennepin County Health Department.

Paid internships provide an hourly salary. In addition, a paid internship also provides benefits for health insurance and tuition. The amount of tuition and health insurance coverage is based on the number of hours a student works. A student working 12 hours per week will have 60% of their tuition and health insurance covered. Working 20 hours per week provides 100% coverage of tuition and health insurance. 

Internship placements are competitive. Students with applicable skills will be better positioned for an internship placement. The following process is common for internships:

• Students acquire skills and demonstrate proficiency during the Fall semester, first year.
• Organizations meet students through a number of events in the Fall semester, first year.
• Organizations recruit interns during the Spring of the first year. Some of these projects may include an initial period without compensation to make sure the internship will be a good match for student and sponsor.
• Sponsors recruit student with a paid internship for a full calendar year (Summer, First year; Fall second year, Spring second year).