2017 Student Opportunities in Public Health

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CDC's Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) supports internship opportunities for qualified undergraduate and graduate students to gain meaningful experiences in public health settings. Learn about programs that provide valuable exposure to a wide range of public health opportunities.

CDC Undergraduate Public Health Scholars (CUPS) Program

What is CUPS?

OMHHE sponsors the CDC Undergraduate Public Health Scholars (CUPS) program, consisting of six internship opportunities taking place at four partner institutions that offer a public health workplace experience to increase student interest in minority health. CUPS enrolls a diverse and talented group of students and provides them with an opportunity to turn knowledge into real world application.

The CUPS Program offers many opportunities to gain meaningful experience in a public health setting.

Why Does CUPS Matter?

The CUPS program prepares a diverse body of students to ensure a more diverse workforce in the future. Minorities are projected to comprise 57% of the population in 2060. It will become increasingly important that the public health workforce reflect the population. Over 60% of CUPS students are accepted into public health schools or take positions in public health. During their internships, students are placed in a variety of public health settings including community organizations, health departments, university-based programs, and federal agencies. Students display a variety of skills and knowledge including focuses on epidemiology, fundamentals of public health, minority health and health disparities, working with special populations, and biostatistics and statistical software.

The following is a description of the opportunities at each institution:

Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP)
at Columbia University Medical Center
The Summer Public Health Scholars Program is a 10-week summer training program for undergraduates in their junior and senior year and recent baccalaureate degree students. At the conclusion of the program, interns deliver an oral presentation and submit a final paper on a public health challenge or intervention.
Maternal Child Health Careers / Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement-Undergraduate Program (MCHC/RISE-UP)
at Kennedy Krieger Institute
The MCHC/RISE-UP Program is a 10-week summer public health leadership program designed for undergraduates in their junior and senior year and recent baccalaureate degree students (within 12 months). MCHC/RISE-UP is a national consortium of institutions including the Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI), Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health, University of Southern California, California State University-LA, and University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine Center for Disabilities. Three tracks are offered: (1) clinical (KKI only), (2) research, and (3) community engagement and advocacy.
Dr. James A. Ferguson, Emerging Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program (Ferguson Fellows)
at Kennedy Krieger Institute
The Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Fellowship is a 9-week summer program for students currently enrolled full-time in a medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, or public health graduate program who are interested in participating in infectious diseases and health disparities research. Ferguson Fellows are encouraged and supported to submit their research to national meetings and for publication.
Public Health Leadership & Learning Undergraduate Student Success (PLLUSS) Program
at Kennedy Krieger Institute
The PLLUSS Program is a 10-week summer public health leadership and research program for undergraduate sophomore and junior students minoring or majoring in public health. PLLUSS Program students will participate in public health research, education on health disparities and urban health issues, professional development, and community health promotion activities. Students will receive mentorship with the goal of successful acceptance and completion of graduate or professional school in the public health area.
Project: IMHOTEP
at Morehouse College
Project: IMHOTEP is an 11-week summer program designed for undergraduates in their junior and senior year and recent baccalaureate degree students. Throughout the program, interns participate in a wide variety of seminars, workshops, and other educational opportunities and must complete a required number of community service hours.
Future Public Health Leaders Program (FPHLP)
at University of Michigan School of Public Health
The Future Public Health Leaders Program is a 10-week summer program designed for undergraduates in their junior and senior year and recent baccalaureate degree students. The participants explore public health through seminars, workshops, and engagement in a community-based research project.