SAMHSA Internship Program

Harness your passion for public health through a hands-on experience with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. If you have an interest in the fields of public health and behavioral health, the SAMHSA Internship Program could be a great fit for you.

Learn more about this internship program at samhsa.gov or register for one of our upcoming informational sessions.

Program Description

This full-time and fully funded internship program gives you meaningful work experience and a unique opportunity to chart your career path. SAMHSA headquarters is located in Rockville, MD and employs a wide array of public health, behavioral and social science professionals.

The SAMHSA Internship Program (SIP) introduces students to the important role SAMHSA plays in ensuring a productive life in the community for everyone. Interns gain practical experience through projects, special assignments, or research that supports federal, state, and community-based programs, policies, and best practices in the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and mental illness.

Students selected as SAMHSA interns will use their specific skills and knowledge while experiencing the value of their education. Interns will work under the guidance of a SAMHSA manager in one of the Offices and Centers that matches closely with their course of study and interests.

The SAMHSA Internship Program is specifically designed to equip college students and recent graduates to succeed in the public health field.

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate you must meet the following criteria:

Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident (I-151 or I-551). Individuals on temporary visas are not eligible. Additionally, individuals must be authorized or eligible to work in the United States by law.
Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program (AA/AS, BA/BS, Masters, JD, MD, or Ph.D.) at an accredited higher education institution during the internship OR be a recent graduate within 18 months of graduation. Students pursuing only a credential or certificate program will be considered ineligible.
Have completed freshman year of college before the internship begins.
Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Be able to work full-time (40 hours per week) for the duration of the internship.
Have a confirmed interest in working with SAMHSA.
Reside within the United States throughout the entire duration of the internship.
Have completed the following steps of a background check before the start of the internship:
- Security onboarding forms
- Cybersecurity Awareness Training
- Fingerprinting
- e-App (used to submit standard background investigative forms)

* Preference given to upperclassmen and graduate students and/or those with relevant experience.

Preferred majors include:

Public health
Public administration
Behavioral and social sciences
Public policy
Business communications
Business administration
Information technology

Please reach out to federal@twc.edu if you have any questions.

Program Components

During this full-time 10-week Summer and 15-week Fall and Spring program, you will intern five days per week. The SAMHSA Internship Program shows highly competent students how they can reduce the community impact of mental illness and substance abuse through a variety of fields:

Substance abuse and mental health prevention and treatment
Federal, state, and local government policies and regulations
Health IT
Program administration, operations, and management
Research and data analysis
Communications and social marketing
Grant management

Program Benefits

This is a fully funded program sponsored by SAMHSA. Sponsorship covers the cost of the program, housing (if needed) and roundtrip travel to and from the internship site city. You will be responsible for living expenses and local transportation. However, a stipend of $5,000-$8,100, depending on the length of the semester, will be provided to help alleviate these expenses.

In addition, various professional development sessions will be available to enhance students’ knowledge and marketability. The Washington Center organizes multiple hands-on experiences to prepare you for your career including Resume Review & Cover Letter Writing, LinkedIn Review, Interviewing & Pitching Yourself, etc. TWC also organizes networking opportunities during your internship and has highly active alumni networks of which you will be a part.

Housing and Program Travel

Fully furnished housing near the internship site is provided by TWC for interns who are selected. Housing accommodations can, and typically do, require shared-living arrangements with other interns. Every effort is made to arrange housing near essential amenities like grocery stores, public transit and medical facilities.

TWC housing is covered by a portion of the stipend. The cost is approximately $2,000. You can choose not to use the TWC provided housing. Instead, you may take the portion of the stipend reserved for housing and use that to acquire your own housing.

Academic Credit

You may be eligible to receive academic credit for your participation in this program. However, credits are determined and awarded by each university. You are responsible for arranging any academic credit through your college or university. TWC is also willing to work with those who may have practicum or fieldwork requirements. You should discuss arrangements with your institution, prior to starting the program and let TWC know the specific requirements of your university.

Dates and Deadlines

Summer 2025

Applications Accepted: November 14, 2024 – January 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET (priority deadline December 17, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET)
Decision Notification: Late April 2025 (Applicants are notified when they are selected for interviews until all positions are filled or until late April)  
Program Dates: May 20, 2025 - July 25, 2025 (subject to change)

Please reach out to federal@twc.edu if you have any questions.

How to Apply

Applications for Summer 2025 have closed. If you have any questions, please contact federal@twc.edu.

Interested in a future session? Want updates on webinars and application openings? Register your interest using the following form:

PROGRAM INTEREST FORM

Have further questions? Email federal@twc.edu

Application Documents

For your application, you will submit: a max two-page resume, a one-page Statement of Interest, and your transcripts (unofficial or official). If you are in a master’s program, please submit your undergraduate transcript as well.

Resume: Please submit a PDF of your resume with your contact information, education, GPA, relevant work experience, relevant classwork, volunteerism, and any important skills. Please ensure that your submission is no more than 2 pages. This is a resume and not a CV; therefore, it should be curated to be relevant for a position at SAMHSA.
Cover Letter: Submit a cover letter (one page maximum, single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, standard margins, PDF format) that addresses your specific interest in interning with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, along with what skills and experiences you have that make you a unique candidate. The statement should not reiterate your resume but can expand on your education, work experience, and/or other specific skills to promote your candidacy.
Transcript: Submit your most recent report reflecting your cumulative GPA. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. If you are in a master’s program, please submit your undergraduate transcript as well. Please ensure that your Social Security Number is crossed out on the submitted document.
Proof of Citizenship or Permanent Residency: Proof of Citizenship includes either a scan of your U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate or certificate of naturalization. Proof of permanent residency (I-151 or I-551) includes Permanent Resident Card (green card), form I-551 front and back, or foreign passport with I-551 stamp or MRIV.

FAQs

Can I apply if I am a U.S. citizen attending/graduating from a higher education institution not within the United States?

Yes, you can apply as long as it is accredited within that country’s official body.

My school does not use a traditional GPA system. What should I put for my GPA?

Please submit a letter of explanation from the Office of the Registrar. For your GPA, please give an estimation based on your university grading system.

How many hours will I work per week?

You should expect to work 40 hours per week. This is a full-time internship, not an hourly position, and you must be able to work full-time to participate and receive the full stipend amount. TWC is NOT able to negotiate any part-time internships.

I have conflicts with the first or last few days of the session due to academic or personal reasons - can I start late or end early?

The general answer is no. However, please reach out prior to application submission for clarification on your specific circumstance.

Can I complete my internship from another country? Can I work while traveling overseas?

The internship must be completed within the United States. Even if the internship is virtual, interns are not permitted to work while abroad.

Are recommendation letters or references required?

Letters of Recommendation and/or References are not required at this time. Please do not upload or send us any as they will not be considered as part of your application.

I am having issues submitting the interest form and/or Salesforce application. What should I do?

For the application we suggest using Google Chrome with JavaScript enabled and pop-up blockers turned off. If you are having issues applying, screenshot the issue/error and send it to federal@twc.edu with your question. We will try to respond within 1-2 business days.

Can I receive feedback from the application review process?

Unfortunately, due to the high number of applications, we cannot provide individualized feedback on your application.