The Sexual and Reproductive Health internship is designed to apply the knowledge and skills that you have learned in the classroom and apply them to real world issues. Potential internship experiences may include program development, data analysis, professional writing, and applying for funding. Through these experiences you will build problem solving skills, critical thinking skills, and gain the importance of working with a team of professionals. Demonstrating effective written and verbal professional communication is also important.
Purpose of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Internship
Heather Eastman-Mueller
Department: Applied Health Science
Email: heastman@iu.edu
Internship Course: SPH-H 496: Internship in Sexual and Reproductive Health
Grading: S/F
Credits/Hours: 5 credits/250-hours minimum
What you'll get out of the experience
By the end of your internship, you should be able to:
- Participate in the daily operations of a public health or community-based organization
- Apply classroom knowledge to real-world sexual and reproductive health issues
- Assist with program planning, implementation, and evaluation
- Support initiatives related to topics such as sexual health education, STI prevention, pregnancy prevention, or sexual violence prevention
- Work independently and collaboratively in a professional environment
- Communicate effectively in written, oral, and interpersonal contexts
- Apply evidence-based approaches to health promotion and prevention
- Demonstrate professionalism, including integrity, accountability, and respect for diverse populations
- Engage with and support individuals and communities, including sexual and gender minority populations
- Explain how your internship experience prepares you for future career or graduate study
Commonly Asked Questions About the Community Health Internship
Start early! Attend the annual internship meeting or meet with Kathy Finley, the Community Health internship coordinator, at least 4 months before your internship semester. This gives you enough time to explore sites, ask questions, and complete required paperwork.
Use the Internship Portal to explore past internship placements. Since this is a new major, you won’t see H496 listed. Use the keyword feature to identify sexual and reproductive health leads and contact your coordinator for site ideas.
You can also look for new sites that support the 10 Essentials of Public Health.
As you search, think about:
- Location, transportation, and living costs
- Type of agency (nonprofit, NGO, health department, etc.)
- Whether you prefer direct community work or behind-the-scenes work
- The skills or experience you need for your future career
- You’ll also complete a required project at your site where you plan, implement, or evaluate a public health program.
- If you want to intern internationally, talk with your coordinator early.
- The internship is a 5 credit required course (aligned with tuition for 5 credits).
- You must be a senior, finished with all core/required coursework—the internship is your final course.
- You may take it alone or with one 3 credit elective.
- Students on scholarships that require full-time enrollment may take 9 internship credits (450 hours) plus one 3 credit class.
- Standard requirement: 250 hours for 5 credits, plus 50 hours per additional credit (up to 450 hours).
- The internship can be completed during fall, spring, or summer, must last at least 7 weeks, and all work must be completed by Monday of finals week.
Your supervisor must:
- Have a Bachelor's degree in a behavioral/health-related field + 3 years experience, OR 8 years of professional public health experience
- Be willing and able to mentor you
- Meet with you regularly
- Provide you a space to do your work
- Be someone you work well with and who has experience or connections relevant to your interests
Note: Family members cannot serve as supervisors.
You may ask whether the internship is paid, though many sites do not have funding. SPH Career Services can help you learn how to ask.
Before you can register, all required paperwork must be completed and approved by your site supervisor and internship coordinator.
Steps:
- Complete the online internship paperwork, including your competencies.
- Tell your site supervisor they’ll receive an approval email (they may need to create an IU login).
- After your supervisor approves, your faculty coordinator reviews it.
- Once approved, the SPH Records Office grants authorization for you to register.
- Register for the correct course number, section, and credits.
- Attend the required pre internship Zoom meeting.
You cannot count any internship hours until you are officially registered.
If your site requires a legal affiliation agreement with IU, know that this process can take 6–8 weeks or longer—start immediately.
While at your site, you must:
- Complete the tasks and responsibilities outlined by your site supervisor
- Dress professionally and follow all agency rules
- Notify your supervisor and coordinator immediately if you're sick or have an emergency
- Cover your own travel costs (IU does not reimburse travel)
- Never transport clients/patients in your personal vehicle
- Participate in daily operations, meetings, and trainings when possible
- Complete required evaluations at the end of the internship
- Understand that sites may dismiss interns who do not follow policies
You must:
- Attend the required pre internship meeting
- Submit weekly journals on time
- Communicate with your supervisor and coordinator about any absences
- Schedule midterm and final evaluation meetings with your supervisor
- Complete all Canvas assignments by Monday of finals week
- Submit your evaluations of the site, supervisor, and coordinator