Frequently Asked Questions

More than one!

If planning to do an internship during a particular semester, plan on applying to more than one with the understanding that not all interviews will result in an internship.

Similar to looking for a job, applying for multiple internships will increase your chances of being accepted to a great opportunity that's right for you.

Only one internship is required for graduation credit, but more than one is allowed and recommended.

The PUBH 498R course can be completed up to three times.

Completing more than one internship will result in:

• More experience hours to put on a resume
• Great opportunities to network with more public health professionals

You must complete the following courses before applying for an internship:

• PUBH 240 – Introduction to Public Health
• PUBH 320 – Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases
• PUBH 390 – Program Planning and Implementation
• PUBH 401 – Community Health Methods

View all requirements →

• Minimum hours: 200 hours
• Minimum duration: 7 weeks
• Credits: 2 credits

These are the minimum requirements. You are encouraged to do more hours to be more marketable when applying for employment.

Internships are typically completed within one semester. However, if your current situation requires you to complete your hours over a longer period, please contact:

• The Public Health Internship Coordinator
• The BYU-Idaho Internship Office

No. Watching and following someone else around will not count as an internship experience.

You can do shadowing on your own outside of the internship experience to gain perspective. While shadowing is important if you are going to graduate/professional school, you will have a more impactful resume with BOTH an internship in public health AND your shadowing hours.

No. The following will NOT count as an internship:

• Working as a CNA, health technician, or phlebotomist
• Admission clerk or administrative assistant work
• Front desk work or scheduling
• Medical scribe jobs

The bulk of your hours need to focus on needs assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, epidemiology, etc.

No. Internships need to be completed while registered for the Internship course.

Past experiences that would have counted as an internship cannot count as the PUBH 498R course retroactively.

Your internship should encompass responsibilities around:

• Health/wellness program planning, implementing, or evaluating
• Conducting a needs assessment
• Working with epidemiology, infection control, or healthcare analysis
• Environmental health work

This work can be done in schools, community-based organizations, worksites, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

Begin looking for an internship two semesters prior to the semester you are planning on completing it.

Plan on the application process through I-Plan one semester prior to completing the internship.

• Faculty Coordinator Review: Up to 2 weeks
• Employer Master Agreement: Up to 6 weeks

The entire approval process can take up to 8 weeks. Plan ahead!

Your start date cannot be before your application is approved by your internship coordinator.

Your end date must be on or before the last day of the semester you are registered for.

Internship credits are exempt from regular tuition charges.

However, an administrative fee equivalent to one credit hour at the current tuition rate will be assessed. This fee:

• Is charged separately from tuition
• Is NOT covered by the 12-credit tuition cap

The course involves regular assignments throughout the internship:

• Weekly hours reporting
• Initial report
• Intermediate experience summaries
• Final report
• Evaluations

Failure to complete assignments will result in a failing grade and the need to complete another internship.

This is up to your internship supervisor. Most internships will be volunteer/unpaid.

If you are paid, you will indicate your hourly rate on the I-Plan application.