Program Overview
The Tribal Health Experiential Student Internship Seminar program (THESIS) is a virtual 8-week paid internship for undergrad and recently graduated college students interested in Native American health. THESIS lets you experience tribal public health alongside mentors as you move your career forward and make a life-long impact.
Internship Dates
May 19th-July 11th, 2025
Internship Hours
20 hours/wk, Mon-Fri (paid)
Application Deadline
January 31st, 2025
The THESIS Program Consists of Three Main Components:
Application Overview
Eligibility
To be eligible for the internship, you must meet these criteria:
- Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or national, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident
- Undergraduate Sophomore, Junior, or Senior from 4-year college OR
recent college graduate (within 12 months) from 4-year or 2-year junior college
- Not already enrolled or accepted into graduate school
- Preference is given to American Indian/Alaskan Native applicants
- African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, people with disabilities, economically disadvantaged, and LGBTQ individuals are encouraged to apply
- No GPA requirement
How To Apply
Be prepared. You will need these documents for the application:
- Unofficial or Official Transcripts
- Updated Resume
- Cover Letter
- Personal Statement
Selection Process 2025
Candidates are selected based on their application and interview.
January 31, 2025
Applications due
February 3, 2025
Application reviews start
March 3, 2025
Top candidates selected; Virtual interviews begin
March 31, 2025
Accepted applicants receive notice
May 19, 2025
Internship starts
July 11, 2025
Internship ends
July 28 -30, 2025
Lewis Ferguson Showcase at the CDC
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
To be eligible for the internship, you must meet these criteria:
- Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or national, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident.
- Undergraduate Sophomore, Junior, or Senior from 4-year college OR
recent college graduate (within 12 months) from 4-year or 2-year junior college
- Not already enrolled or accepted into graduate school
- Preference is given to applicants that identify having culturally relevant life skills or immersion of any component, aspect, or lived experience related to being American Indian/Alaskan Native or a race or ethnicity that is a minority
- African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, people with disabilities, economically disadvantaged, and LGBTQ individuals are encouraged to apply
No. Eligibility requirements are non-negotiable.
A recent graduate is someone who has graduated within 12 months before the program start date. For example, 2023 summer applicants must have graduated in May 2022 or December 2022.
Yes. This internship is all virtual and part-time to allow applicants to complete their academic, professional, and familial obligations.
No. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or national, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident
Yes. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Public health is an interdisciplinary field.
No. You do not have to have health insurance to apply.
Yes, you may still apply. All applicants who identify as African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, people with disabilities, economically disadvantaged, and LGBTQ individuals are encouraged and eligible to apply.
Application
No. Currently, no credit hours are accrued during this internship.
Yes.
Yes. The internship program will cover the cost of the laptop rental, you will not need to pay for anything but you will need to return any equipment that was placed with you during the internship.
Program
No. In fact, you will be paid. Additionally, the internship covers travel costs associated with the CDC Showcase at the end of the internship.
Qualifying participants will participate in a 2.5-day research poster showcase at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Participants will have round-trip transportation, lodging, and other associated expenses covered.
This internship is all virtual and part-time to allow applicants to complete their academic, professional, and familial obligations. Note that the program will require you to devote 20 hours/week for the entire 8 weeks.
This internship is all virtual and part-time to allow applicants to complete their academic, professional, and familial obligations. Note that the program will require you to devote 20 hours/week for the entire 8 weeks.
