Organizational Overview 

The Massachusetts Public Health Alliance (MPHA) is a champion for public health in the Commonwealth. We are a catalyst for change, eliminating health inequities and promoting healthy communities for all. As a statewide organization, MPHA engages local leaders, state organizations, public officials, and others to improve the health of all the Commonwealth’s residents. MPHA uses an effective combination of advocacy, education, community organizing, policy development, and coalition leadership to secure investments in public health, promote health equity, and bolster our public health infrastructure. In all our work, we seek to improve the social conditions in neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces that have an impact on health and to listen to the voices and priorities of communities most impacted by health inequities. 

Promoting racial justice is a core component of MPHA’s work and identity. As MPHA pursues policy changes to promote health equity, we strive to confront the history of systemic racism and other forms of oppression that have been embedded in public policy. MPHA’s Health Equity Policy Framework guides our external work and internal practices in addressing all forms of health inequities. The framework places special emphasis on racial inequities because we believe that this injustice needs explicit attention. 

MPHA online: 

• Website: www.mapublichealth.org 

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MAPublicHealth 

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/mapublichealth 

• Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/mapublichealth.org 

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mapublichealth

Student Intern Roles and Responsibilities 

Student intern will play an important role in coalition-building, capacity-building, policy analysis (including research and writing), and advocacy on key local public health priorities. Student intern may act as the lead on one or more projects over the course of the semester(s), to be determined based on matching student interest and skills with organizational need. In addition, the student intern will play a support role on other projects, working closely with MPHA staff and municipal leaders from Health & Human Service departments in large cities across the state 

Projects may include: 

• Support MPHA-led coalition efforts, including coordinating the Coalition for Local Public Health and the Massachusetts Large Cities Health Coalition, to drive coalition advocacy

• Support partnership development between local public health leadership and other relevant agencies to propel shared policy priorities and best practices forward

• Research and writing on policy priorities, including the drafting of policy papers, presentations, fact sheets, and press releases

• Supporting advocacy activities, which may include State House and field outreach, advocacy events, coordinating panels for public hearings, etc., as needed in support of coalition and/or MPHA priority campaigns

• Participating in MPHA state budget advocacy, including analyzing the state budget, drafting statements, filing budget amendments, and working with coalition allies to advocate for public health funding

• Designing new training and capacity-building activities to supportt he local public health workforce and increasing their capacity to engage with advocacy activities over time

• Supporting MPHA events, including the MPHA Annual Meeting, Public Health Excellence Day, MPHA Lobby Day, and Spring Awards Breakfast

• Supporting evaluation activities of MPHA’s advocacy and organizing, specifically around the impact of the organization’s longstanding local public health campaign 

• Execute other duties as assigned 

Desired Skills and Qualifications 

• Graduate student in public health, social work (macro), communications or related field (advanced undergraduate students with relevant work or volunteer experience may be considered) 

• Experience with community organizing or advocacy – either paid or volunteer 

• Excellent communications skills – writing and speaking 

• Commitment to public health, prevention, and health equity 

• Highly organized and motivated 

Commitment and Compensation 

• Minimum time commitment is two semesters across the academic year (September 2026 – May 2027) for 16-20 hours/week. MPHA will post separately for semester-long internships and summer internships as they are available.  

• We encourage all student interns to seek funding from their educational institutions or other sources. For student interns without outside funding, MPHA will pay a stipend of up to $5500 per semester at a rate of up to $22 per hour for graduate students (less if students have partial funding from other sources).  

• MPHA is not able to provide student interns with a computer. Student interns will be expected to use their own laptop.  
• Student interns must be based in Massachusetts for the duration of the internship and must be able to travel to Boston from time to time as needed. Currently, all MPHA staff and interns are working primarily remotely and travelling to the office two days per week. 

**Candidates must maintain active enrollment in a graduate program throughout the entire internship period. **

Application Process 

The application cycle for the 2026-27 academic year 8-month internship will open on May 20, 2026, and close at 5:00 PM on June 19, 2026. The application is for a two-semester long internship (fall and spring terms). We will post separately for shorter (semester and summer) internships as they become available. 

Application Deadlines 

• Applications will be accepted between May 20, 2026, and June 19, 2026

• Select candidates will be invited to interview between June 29, 2026, and July 10, 2026 

• We hope to make a final offer the week of July 31, 2026, or sooner

• The internship will begin mid-September 2026. The exact start date to be confirmed upon selection

How to Apply 

Using the application form link, send a cover letter, resume, and one writing sample (no more than 5 pages and related to advocacy work).  

If you are a BUSPH student seeking a practicum placement, please indicate that in your cover letter.  

Applications will only be accepted between May 20, 2026, and June 19, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the online form.