Public Health Internships

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is partnering with Missouri State University’s Master of Public Health Program to establish an internship program to match interested students with placements in public health agencies at the local and state level.

Funding from the CDC’s Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems, known as the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG), is supporting this statewide public health internship program.

Students from any university or recent graduate at any collegiate level who are interested in pursuing a career in public health are eligible. Students in high school are not considered. Students will receive a stipend of $20 per hour up to 320 hours (max $6,400) for completing an internship. Potential interns may work any amount of hours needed but the maximum per student can be paid out is $6,400. Students and recent graduates in nursing, environmental health, undergraduate or graduate public health programs, and other disciplines interested in pursuing a public health career are encouraged to apply.

The goal of the program is to provide internships in Missouri Local Public Health Agencies (LPHAs) and DHSS. See below for the deadlines to apply and the selection announcement dates.

This program aims to strengthen the public health workforce by creating a pipeline program that supports students’ interest in public health and provides a pathway to permanent positions.

Receiving an offer of a Pathways stipend does not ensure that an internship will be secured. The offer allows for payment of an internship at qualifying Missouri host sites if interviewed and accepted by a qualifying host site. All decisions regarding internship selection and placement are made exclusively by the host site in coordination with the intern and are not determined or guaranteed by Pathways. All details such as projects, tasks, and hours are determined by the host site.

Students are allowed and encouraged to arrange their own internships at any qualifying Missouri Local Public Health Agency (LPHA) or DHSS site. This flexibility empowers students to pursue placements that align with their interests, location needs, and professional goals. As long as the site meets program eligibility requirements, students are welcome to initiate contact and secure their own internship opportunities.

Pathways Process from Start to Finish:

Students are welcome to apply for any open semester. If a student’s details change students should submit a new application. The most recent application will be considered during selections. Each student is only represented in the selection pool once. Confirmation emails from the program are not automatically or manually sent. Please select the option at the end of the application to receive a copy of your answers.

Selections are made after each semester deadline and announced the following Monday via email. Please refer to the deadline and selection announcement dates for specifics. Selections are determined by modified random selection. Personal demographics are not collected in the application process. Names and resumes are not considered during the modified random selections. This is to reduce biases, promote equity, and fairness. Student potential placement is based on a variety of factors such as student location and availability of host site capacity.

Pathways can only pay for in-person or hybrid internships in qualifying Missouri host sites. Pathways cannot pay for a 100% remote internship. Work modality is determined by the host site. Details about hybrid schedules are determined by the host site and would be discussed during the interview.

Availability of internship slots vary per semester and capacity of the host sites.

First round selections are announced on the selection announcement date. Often second round selections are made later in the same week or the beginning of the next week. The first round selected students are offered a placement and have the flexibility to seek their own placement at qualifying host sites.

Second round selections are a different process. Host sites that have not received a potential intern are available for students to self-select. Selections for the second round are determined by modified random selection. Occasionally additional internship slots come available based on need. This is still not a guarantee of a placement, and students must interview and be offered an internship.

Just as host sites are not required to take on students as interns, students are not required to take on a site or internship that does not meet their needs.

Internships are handled between the intern and the host site. However, the Pathways Coordinator is always available for questions, concerns, or advice before and during the internship. The coordinator is available through email, in-person and zoom meetings.

Pathways does not allow the host site to pay for an internship. Pathways will pay the student directly after the internship. This disallows “double dipping” for payment. Reimbursement for mileage or other work needs are determined by the host site and do not count as payment.

Stipends are only issued after the intern has fully completed the required internship hours and all necessary documentation has been submitted. Payment cannot be processed until all materials are received and approved by the coordinator. Payment requests are submitted by the Pathways Coordinator internally at Missouri State University and are generally paid out via paper check sent via the United States Postal Service. This process can be rather long after submitting all documentation.

Please note that the first point of contact for Pathways issues and concerns is always the Pathways Coordinator. All matters about Pathways must be first directed to the coordinator. Current and former interns should not be consulted as many issues have unique situations, and the Pathways process is in continuous quality improvement.

While AI is a popular tool currently, the Pathways Coordinator discourages the use of AI summary for emails related to Pathways. These AI summaries have proven to lose details and create confusion. A common issue is a delay in receiving all documentation and in turn a delay in the payment process.

Agencies interested in hosting a student are encouraged to apply.

Please note: if a student has applied after the selection date for a semester they will not be contacted for any selection round for that semester. Students are welcome to apply for any current or future open semesters.

DEADLINES TO APPLY:

• Summer 2026 Semester: March 15, 2026
• Fall 2026 Semester: May 15, 2026
• Spring 2027 Semester: March 12, 2027
• Summer 2027 Semester: March 15, 2026
• Fall 2027 Semester: May 14, 2027

How do I apply?