Summer Enrichment Program Intern Information
The Summer Enrichment Program serves as the premier internship program for academically strong, energetic and innovative graduate students from healthcare leadership programs. Since 1994, more than 1,600 interns seeking advanced degrees in healthcare or related field have successfully completed the program. Get an internship through ACHE’s Summer Enrichment Program for experiential learning, mentorship, and countless opportunities to connect, engage, and learn from current practitioners.
The Summer Enrichment Program pairs graduate students with leading organizations to strengthen the leadership pipeline and build the next generation of healthcare executives. As a participant, you get real-world experience, training and mentoring that leverage your education and professional strengths to help you grow as an effective leader in healthcare. Interns are paid a weekly stipend, assigned a special project, and get eight weeks of virtual education from ACHE faculty focusing on core leadership competencies.
If you are a graduate student with a demonstrated commitment to serving your community and you’re seeking an internship, we encourage and welcome your application. We look forward to participating in your professional development.
For more information, contact Scholarships@ache.org.
2026 Summer Enrichment Program Schedule
Summer Enrichment Program - Internship Handbook
Dates are subject to change
- February 15, 2026
Applications open for interns - March 23, 2026
Applications close - March 23—March 31, 2026
ACHE Virtual Interviews with intern candidates - April 30, 2026
ACHE finalizes matches of interns with host sites - May 2026
Onboarding - June–August 2026
10-week internship program at host sites, plus virtual ACHE curriculum - August–September 2026
Interns present capstone projects, host sites submit evaluations, ACHE hosts virtual recognition ceremony - October 2026
Students receive their evaluation and feedback from host site
ACHE Curriculum
To supplement the internship experience with the host site, interns will participate in a virtual learning curriculum led by ACHE, consisting of approximately 1.5 hours per week over eight weeks. The curriculum will cover core topics such as leadership, finance, policy, quality and change management, and will conclude with each intern presenting their capstone project to peers and program leaders.
- Week 1: Foundations
- Orientation
- Professionalism, networking and communication in healthcare leadership
- Week 2: Leadership and Team Dynamics
- Leadership styles in healthcare
- Building effective teams and using emotional intelligence
- Week 3: Healthcare Finance and Policy
- Fundamentals of healthcare finance
- Overview of U.S. healthcare policy, payors, regulatory frameworks
- Week 4: Quality, Safety and Patient Experience
- Principles of quality improvement and patient safety
- Strategies for improving patient experience
- Week 5: Data and Analytics in Healthcare
- Using data analytics to drive strategic decisions
- Using dashboard, KPIs and benchmarking
- Week 6: Change Management and Strategy
- Change management frameworks
- Strategic planning in healthcare systems
- Week 7: Career Development and Networking
- Career pathways in healthcare
- Week 8: Capstone
Frequently Asked Questions
All students who meet the Summer Enrichment Program eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen or a non-U.S. citizen who is authorized to work in the United States and, if hired, able to provide proof of employment authorization in the U.S. Limited opportunities are available to individuals authorized to work in Canada.
- Be currently enrolled in an MHA/MPH/MBA or comparable graduate degree program. (We currently cannot place undergraduates.)
- Have a minimum overall graduate GPA of 3.0.
- Have completed at least one semester of health-related graduate program.
- Be able to move to a different U.S. city during the 10-week program, June–August.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to improving community health and well-being.
- Demonstrate interest in self-development and making a contribution at leadership levels in hospitals and health systems.
If you’re ready to advance your leadership skills with an internship through the Summer Enrichment Program, apply to participate.
Applications open February 15, 2026.
Note: Please spell-check all of your materials. Applicants with materials containing syntax or spelling errors will not be accepted into the program.
To be considered for the internship, you must include all the following with your application:
- Current curriculum vitae or resume
- Academic letter of recommendation #1 (Faculty Member or Program Director)
- Letter of recommendation #2 (Professional/Character - Supervisor, Mentor, Community Leader, etc.)
The deadline to submit an application is March 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Central time.
There are two tracks this year for interns to gain valuable experience with employers.
- General Management, Operations and Innovation
Interns explore real-world applications of their MHA/MPH coursework, while supporting process improvements with data tools.
Host sites receive support for operations, planning and quality improvement initiatives. - Community, Population Health, & Quality
Interns learn about public health delivery & programming, along with quality programs.
Host sites receive support for outreach, equity and access projects; interns also contribute to program teams dealing with regulatory projects.
Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Center
Colorado West Healthcare System
Vituity
Surgical Institute of Reading
ApolloMD
UNC Health Lenoir
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
North Oaks Health System
Waterloo Regional Health Network
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals
Choice Physicians Network
Valley Medical Center
Kaiser Permanente of Georgia
Main Line Health
Calvary Hospital
Augusta Health
Advocate Health - Environmental Sustainability Team
Hospital Sisters Health System
University Hospitals
Advocate Health
Fred Hutch Cancer Center
Jackson Health System