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FAQ: Internship Opportunities in the HA Program

This page is designed to provide basic information about administrative internships in the HA Program. First, it discusses "the basics" --what an internship is and why internships are useful. It also covers how to schedule internships and what is required of employers . For those interested in finding out more, directions are given for obtaining further information on internships.

The Basics

What is an internship?

An internship is an opportunity to work for one quarter in an administrative setting in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, managed care organization, health planning agency, or other health care setting. HA internships are an important component of the Health Services Administration major.

What is the value of an internship?

An internship provides an opportunity to link classroom learning with real-world administrative experience. For students not fully decided about their career patterns, the internship may be useful in helping to focus their plans for the future. Students wishing to seek employment after graduation will find good references from intern supervisors helpful, and some internships may bring them into contact with news of relevant job openings. Those planning to apply to graduate school will find the job experience obtained through an internship helps make them a "well-rounded" indvidual more attractive to many graduate programs.

Interns receive academic credit for their internship by enrolling in HADM 4920 (Internship; 6 hours).

What is required of students wishing to be HA interns?

Students wishing to intern must be seniors in Auburn's Health Administration Major with a GPA of at least 2.8 in HADM courses.

Planning Your Internship

Where can I do an internship?

Auburn HA students have served in internships in all of the major cities in Alabama as well as in a number of the state's smaller cities and rural areas. In addition, students have taken internships out of state in such locations as Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

Students are welcome to suggest new intern locations. In such cases, because of administrative limitations, they will be expected to make initial contact with the area health institutions(s) to determine whether their administrations are interested in developing internships.

When should I take my internship?

Internships may be taken no earlier than the junior year. However, because of administrative limitations, students are responsible for contacting Dr. McEldowney, Intern Director, at least one year before the actual internship (earlier if the student wishes a summer internship). Once this preliminary scheduling has taken place, the student works with Dr. McEldowney on details of planning and carrying out the internship.

For current information on the availability of intern positions for coming quarters, see the Intern Status Report.

Students who want maximum benefit from an internship generally should not let it wait until their last quarter of study, since one value of the experience is being able to return to the classroom and view "textbook" concepts in the light of "real world" knowledge.

What is required of organizations employing interns?

Institutions are asked

to describe in writing the duties which the intern will perform in order to demonstrate that they will comprise a meaningful educational experience,
to certify that they are an equal opportunity employer, and
to agree to evaluate the intern at the conclusion of his/her period of service. Within the scope of these requirements, specific duties of the intern are left to the discretion of the institution and the intern.

Institutions are not required to pay interns.

Obtaining More Information

To learn more about internships in HA, see the Intern Check List or puchase a copy of A Health Administration Internship Guide, available at the Auburn University bookstore. If you have further questions, contact Dr. McEldowney (Phone: 334-844-5370; or E-Mail: mceldrp@mail.auburn.edu).

All students planning internships must meet with Dr. McEldowney before registering for internship credit and register for the internship through her

Internship FAQ Page by MB (last updated 11/28/00)