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Public Health Policy Internship: 2027 spring term

Washington, DC

SUMMARY

Public health policy interns work primarily with staff in the Center for Public Health Policy (Center) and receive hands-on experience and insight into the integration of science, policy and practice in public health. The Center aims to influence public policy at all levels of government and within the private sector, and to serve as a catalyst for positive change. The Center creates innovative, analytical and informative resources that cover a wide range of public health disciplines and topics, such as climate change, health reform, chemical exposures, food safety, health equity, built environment, obesity prevention, public health infrastructure, and more.

This is an US-based internship, and candidates must be able to work in the US during the internship. APHA internships are unpaid and located in Washington, D.C.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The public health policy internship offers students the opportunity to build and strengthen professional skills particularly in research, analysis, writing, organization, and interpersonal communications. Interns conduct research and analysis to develop factsheets, issue briefs and other educational resources on a variety of issue areas including public health infrastructure, health reform, obesity prevention, health equity, and workforce. Other responsibilities may include attending relevant briefing and seminars, providing support for webinars, and assisting with committee and partner meetings.

All APHA interns also work on the Association’s Get Ready campaign, writing blog posts and working on group projects each semester.

QUALIFICATIONS

Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for unpaid APHA internships. The internships at APHA are extremely beneficial to those seeking to acquire practical work experience in the above-mentioned areas. Candidates should be working toward a bachelors, graduate, or postgraduate degree, and all majors are welcome. Candidates should also have:

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills;
  • Research and analysis experience;
  • Strong interest in public health policy issues.

Applicants who meet the requirements and are interested in being considered for an internship position should upload the following information.

  • Cover letter;
  • Resume;
  • a writing sample, 1-2 pages each (published, from a website or from schoolwork); and
  • Unofficial transcript; and
  • List of two references (from two individuals who know you well enough to discuss your qualifications, e.g., an employer or professor).

This is an US-based internship, and candidates must be able to work in the US during the internship.  APHA internships are unpaid and located in Washington, D.C.  Hybrid or remote options are available.

Vaccination Policy: Interns must adhere to APHA COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate Policy.

Deadline date:  November 6, 2026 @5 pm EST (Eastern Standard Time)

EEO/AA/VETS/DISABILITY.  APHA is strongly and actively committed to diversity in its workplace.

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Writing sample 1*

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Unofficial transcript*

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List of references*

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Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in American Public Health Association’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

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Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

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