Internship in Health Administration (HSA6855)

Purpose of the Internship

The Internship in Health Administration (HSA 6855) gives graduate students a unique opportunity to actively contribute to a healthcare organization during the summer between the first and second year of coursework. The 10- to 12-week full-time work experience allows students to apply management concepts in the world of practice.

Internship Settings and Past Placements

The Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy is interested in securing internship placements in a wide variety of organizations, including those involved in the delivery, organization, financing, evaluation, and monitoring of health services. Most students will be placed in organizations in the North Central Florida area, but some may prefer to work in other locations. Recent interns have served at:

• Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville, FL)
• Orlando Health (Orlando, FL)
• Tenet Healthcare (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 
• PriceWaterhouseCoopers (Tampa, FL)
• Sentara Healthcare (Norfolk, VA)
• UF Student Healthcare Center & UF Faculty Group Practice (Gainesville, FL)
• Duke University Medical Center (Durham, NC)
• Health Management Associates, Inc. (Naples, FL)
• Health First (Rockledge, FL)
• VA Medical Center (West Palm Beach, FL)
• Baylor Healthcare System (Dallas, TX) and other leading organizations.

The specific setting and expected content of the internship is less important than the active involvement of a well-qualified, highly motivated preceptor.

Intern Responsibilities

The internship is a 5-credit course offered in the “Summer C” term between the first and second academic year of the MHA program. Students are expected to work full-time for 10- to 12- weeks from approximately mid-May to early-August.

In order to successfully complete the course, students must complete two written requirements: 1) an internship plan  and 2) a project portfolio.

Compensation

Because students typically provide services that benefit the organization in which they serve, in most instances they are paid either a monthly stipend or an hourly wage.

Coursework and Preparation

Prior to beginning the internship, students will have successfully completed the first-year coursework as given in the table below. Click here for a full description of the HSA courses. Courses offered through the College of Public Health and Health Professions Public Health Program are indicated in orange italics.