Applied Public Policy Graduate Intern - Boston

University of Massachusetts Medical School • Boston, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Executive Director, Workplace Equity & Inclusion or Designee, the Applied Public Policy Scholarly Project Graduate Internship Program is a collaboration between ForHealth Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School and Massachusetts’ Medicaid agency (MassHealth). The program offers a unique opportunity for currently enrolled master’s students or Doctoral students or candidates to participate in a scholarly project aligned with their academic calendar, program requirements, and the needs identified by MassHealth.
Under the direction of the assigned MassHealth manager, the Applied Public Policy Scholarly Project Graduate Intern (APP Graduate Intern) is responsible for project-based tasks to support a designated department under the on-going tutelage of a professional mentor. These tasks may be administrative or research oriented and require advanced analytical and communications skills. Primary communications will be in a team environment with a focus on collecting input for assigned projects. Specific job responsibilities will vary by department and include information gathering, analysis, writing, and editing.
This is a temporary, unbenefited position. Selected interns are compensated at a competitive rate and expected to work 15 to 18 hours each week of a traditional 14-week semester or up to 40 hours per week for 10 weeks over the summer. This is a hybrid position. Interns will be expected to work in the Boston office up to two days per week, and when working remotely, have access to a private, quiet space with reliable internet.
Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter in order to be fully considered.
3. MassHealth Strategy Team:The MassHealth Strategy Team serves as an internal consulting group that supports the executive team in leading initiatives to improve member health outcomes, enhance member experience, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the Medicaid program — driving tangible impact for communities across the Commonwealth. Strategy projects typically involve conducting qualitative and quantitative analyses to assess the current state, identify opportunities, solve problems, and develop strategic recommendations.
For Summer 2026, the Strategy Team is seeking an intern to contribute to one or two high-priority, fast-moving projects. Interns often have opportunities to present findings and recommendations directly to MassHealth executives. Because the team works on short-term engagements (typically 3-6 months), the specific project assignment will be determined closer to the start of the internship, with efforts made to align the work with the intern’s interests and strengths when possible.

Requirements

• Master’s degree candidate formally registered in final year of an academic program with 18 or more credits earned working towards the completion of a graduate degree, including but not limited to public health, public policy, health professions including nursing, medicine, and allied health, human services, economics or finance, health management or administration, law, statistics, informatics, or social and behavioral health.
• Advanced analytical and communication skills.
• Attention to detail with the ability to collect and record information from a wide variety of sources
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and standard office tools.
• Reliability and ability to set consistent work hours.

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate candidate formally registered in a program pursuing their terminal degree in certain fields, including but not limited to public health, public policy, health professions including nursing, medicine, and allied health, human services, economics or finance, health management or administration, law, statistics, informatics, or social and behavioral health.
• Experience working at the intersection of health care and social services.
• Familiarity with Massachusetts health care and/or social services sectors.
• Background in policy design, data analysis, or project implementation.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex and varied executive and administrative tasks that require a high degree of independent action and the setting of priorities and procedures.
• Conduct advanced research to assist other team members.
• Create reports and perform in-depth data analysis.
• Implement and manage tasks in accordance with departmental objectives.
• Create and deliver basic presentations highlighting policy choices, challenges, and decision options discovered during the course of the work performed.
• Perform assigned project tasks within specified timeframes.
• Meet and Report weekly to an assigned professional Mentor.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern