Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

Experience that Counts

Interns will work 40 hours a week at SAMHSA headquarters in Rockville, MD under the guidance of a SAMHSA manager. SAMHSA recognizes the value of a workforce that is diverse and has a broad breadth of knowledge and experience. That's why each SAMHSA intern will be placed in a department whose function most closely matches his or her course of study.

Students accepted into the SAMHSA Internship Program will build new skills and gain practical experience. And they will see how their education in behavioral and public health, business, information technology, public administration, government and policy, communications, social marketing, and research and data analysis enables SAMHSA to make a real difference in the lives of people throughout America.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Internship, applicants must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident (I-151 or I-551)
• Be a current student in an accredited college (including 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges); professional, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate program from an accredited academic institution
• Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution may apply.
• Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have as much as six years after degree completion to apply.
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Stipend

Interns will be paid twice a month.

• 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges; professional, vocational, and trade school student stipend: $380
• Advanced degree programs student stipend: $480

Housing

SAMHSA will provide shared housing for non-local interns who live more than 50 miles from SAMHSA headquarters. Non-local interns who find and pay for their own housing will be reimbursed up to $600 each month for their housing costs.

Four or six interns will share either a two- or three-bedroom apartment, respectively. Apartments will be safe, clean, close to SAMHSA, and accessible to public transportation. Each apartment will include:

• Bedroom furniture
• Living and dining area furniture
• Fully equipped kitchen
• On-site washer and dryer
• Utilities: Local phone service, heat, and air conditioning

Travel

SAMHSA will handle all travel arrangements and pay for roundtrip fares and baggage fees for non-local interns traveling from their home to their temporary housing by plane, bus, or train.

Selection

A review panel will select applicants whose skills and course work are most aligned with SAMHSA's current workforce requirements. All applications are evaluated based on the strength of credentials, previous experience, and letters of recommendation. Applicants selected for a phone interview with a prospective SAMHSA manager will be notified by telephone. After the phone interviews are completed, the applicants' selected for the upcoming internship session will be notified by phone. Applicants who are not selected will be notified by email.

Application

Applicants must complete the online application for the upcoming session by the noted deadline. Please be aware that applications cannot be saved. Consequently, if information needs to be revised or added, applicants need to complete and submit a new application.

Please have the following information on hand before filling out the application:

• A resume
• Two names of individuals who can provide references (reference letters must be provided by professors, faculty advisors, or deans)
• The most recent unofficial transcript(s)

Last updated: 06/20/2012