HRTP: A Public Health Internship Program

The HRTP: A Public Health Internship Program, offered by the NYC Health Department, stands as one of the nation's longest-running and most extensive public health traineeships. For over six decades, the program has provided undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students with the invaluable opportunity to engage with the real-life challenges inherent in public health. Participants work on current and relevant public health issues, benefiting from close supervision and mentorship by experienced professionals. This practical experience allows students to apply their academic knowledge to tangible problems within a carefully matched practicum, fostering the development of critical skills essential for success in the public health field. The program aims to orient students to the foundational principles and practices of public health planning, research, administration, and evaluation. It also seeks to broaden their understanding of public health by increasing awareness of the field's needs, challenges, and diverse career opportunities, while assisting the Health Department in recruiting skilled and promising professional candidates. Beyond hands-on experience, particularly during the summer, interns participate in a rigorous curriculum of seminars, workshops, and other activities designed to deepen their comprehension of how public health initiatives promote the well-being of New Yorkers. The program operates in three sessions throughout the year: a full-time or part-time summer session (June–August), and part-time fall (September–December) and winter/spring (January–May) sessions. Financial support is typically available for students, though volunteering is an option. Eligibility requires applicants to be currently enrolled matriculated undergraduate, graduate, or professional students in good academic standing at an accredited U.S. college or university; recent graduates are not eligible. NYC residency is a requirement for the fall and winter/spring sessions but not for the summer session.