West Virginia Bureau for Public Health Internship Program
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources' Bureau for Public Health provides programs and services related to local health departments, disease and conditions, vital statistics, licensing and certification, medical cannabis, environmental health, healthy living, life stages and populations, and emergency preparedness and response. The 12 offices within the bureau include:
•Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
•Office of Emergency Medical Services
•Office of Environmental Health Services
•Office of Laboratory Services
•Office of Nutrition Services
•Center for Threat Preparedness
•Office of Community Health Systems and Health Promotions
•Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services
•Health Statistics Center
•Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health
•Center for Local Health
•Office of Medical Cannabis
An internship with the bureau provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience and knowledge of the working public health world, and to meet their academic requirements. Though duration and number of hours may vary based on the needs of the office and of the student, internships are typically 6–8 weeks and part-time at 23–30 hours per week. However, interns may be full-time if it suits the needs of the student and office. Internships are currently in the summer but start and end dates are flexible. Internship options will range from fully remote to in-person, depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as student and office preferences.
Internships are project-based and will vary based on the needs of the office and interests of the student. The BPH Internship Program aims to benefit public health students with the following outcomes:
•Apply classroom learning through hands-on experience
•Develop professional connections
•Explore a career choice
•Gain exposure to program and policy analyses and methodologies
•Develop core public health competencies and marketable job skills
•Learn firsthand about governmental public health
In order to be eligible for the BPH internship program, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
•Currently enrolled in a graduate professional public health program (MPH, MSPH, Dr., PH,etc.)
•Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
•Receiving school credit or fulfilling an experiential learning/practicum requirement
Those interested in applying should call the Bureau for Public Health at 304-558-2971.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis between January 1 and April 30 for summer placements.