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Overview

The Master of Professional Science in Biomedical and Health Informatics internship is an individualized, mentored, experiential learning opportunity that serves as a bridge between a student’s academic training and non-academic practice. Required of all students in PSM programs, the internship provides special opportunities for learning that are different from, supplementary to, and supportive of the academic components of the BMHI program.

Students must complete nine credit hours in the program prior to starting their internship. The timing of the internship can vary from student to student; however, most full-time students will engage in the internship during the first summer of their program. Internship opportunities should be at least 400 hours long and should involve work that is of value to the organization. The sponsoring organization professional and at least one UNC-CH faculty member will provide mentoring throughout the internship.

 

Important Steps

Internship search
  1. Review internship documents in Sakai and contact CHIP program coordinator with any questions.
  2. Meet with faculty advisor to review internship process and discuss career objectives, internship goals, and internship opportunities.
  3. Identify sponsoring organizations of interest through networking events, program meetings, and personal research.
  4. Apply and interview for internships.
  5. Accept internship. Once you accept an internship, notify the CHIP program coordinator.
Before the internship
  1. Work with sponsoring organization, faculty advisor, and CHIP program coordinator to develop an internship proposal. The proposal should include the following:
    • An overview of the project(s) with which the student will engage
    • A list of student learning objectives
    • The rationale for the project(s)
    • The deliverables expected from the student by the sponsoring organization
    • Due dates for all deliverables
  2. Once all parties approve the internship proposal, collect the necessary signatures.
  3. Email signed internship proposal by the submission deadline to CHIP program coordinator.
  4. Confirm with CHIP program coordinator that you are enrolled in INLS 793.
During the internship
  1. Adhere to sponsoring organization standards, policies, and procedures, including dress, personal conduct, attendance, professionalism, and confidentiality.
  2. Meet regularly with sponsoring organization professional to discuss internship progress and receive support, guidance, and feedback.
  3. Maintain contact with faculty advisor and CHIP program coordinator regarding internship progress, including a written mid-point report.
  4. Submit mid-internship evaluation to be assessed as part of student’s INLS 793 grade.
  5. Satisfactorily complete activities and deliverables outlined in the internship proposal.
After the internship
  1. At end of internship, student and sponsoring organization professional will complete end-of-internship evaluations to be assessed as part of INLS 793 grade.
  2. Coordinate end-point check-in with sponsoring organization professional to share results and receive feedback. It is also expected that the student will make a final presentation at the internship site.
  3. Confirm completion of all activities and deliverables.
  4. Complete internship report that synthesizes relevance and experiences of internship.
  5. Make public presentation summarizing internship experiences.

International Students Only

The internship is considered a CPT. Questions on CPT can be answered here. Applications for CPT can be completed at ISSS. Students must apply for CPT at least two weeks prior to their start date. In order to apply you will need 1) a letter from the company/office with a start and an end date, the number of hours of work per week, the physical address of the company/office, and a brief description of your expected role/duties there, and 2) a letter from your advisor explaining the internship.

 

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