Internship Pathway – HCIP 6400

Program Overview

The internship experience provides students with the opportunity to work in a healthcare industry or community setting, applying their data science and health analytics skills to real-world challenges. This 3-credit-hour capstone is ideal for students seeking to launch careers immediately after graduation.

Internship Requirements Summary:

Students must complete a formal internship experience (3 credit hours), usually in their last semester. Students must identify an appropriate project with an industry or community partner and work with a mentor to develop a formal proposal before receiving authorization to register for the course. Students should begin planning at least one full semester in advance due to site-specific administrative requirements.

Prerequisites & Registration Requirements

Before you can register for HCIP 6400, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Students must complete at least 12 credit hours of graduate coursework before enrolling in HCIP 6400, including HADM 6100 and HCIP 6380. It is strongly suggested that students complete 18–21 credit hours prior to beginning the internship.
  • Have an approved internship proposal on file before registration. Students cannot register for the course unless they have an approved proposal.

Internship Requirements

Before Registration

  • Identify an appropriate project with an industry or community partner
  • Identify a project mentor within the organization who will oversee your work
  • Develop a formal proposal in collaboration with your mentor that outlines your project scope, deliverables, and timeline
  • Submit the Internship Proposal through the required form for Faculty Supervisor approval

During the Internship

  • Complete a minimum of 160 contact hours at your internship organization
  • Work on your approved project under the guidance of your mentor
  • Document your work and learning throughout the internship
  • Maintain regular communication with your Faculty Supervisor to discuss progress and challenges

Upon Completion

  • Complete final project deliverables as outlined in your proposal
  • Submit project documentation for Faculty Supervisor review
  • Participate in program completion activities (presentations, reports, or reflections as required)
  • Receive final approval from both your mentor and Faculty Supervisor

Internship Timeline

One Month Before Semester Starts

  • Internship Proposal: Submit your completed Proposal through the designated form. This must be approved before you can register for HCIP 6400.
  • Letter of Agreement: A signed letter confirming the organization’s participation is required from the mentor/preceptor or responsible official. The letter is sent by program staff and must be returned directly to Program Administration for verification.
  • Initial Mentor Meeting: Within the first two weeks, students must meet with their mentor to refine objectives and tasks using the syllabus as a guide.
  • Project Plan Components: A Project Plan typically includes specific work tasks, timelines, and a Gantt chart with task numbering.

First Week of Semester

  • Attend any program orientation or kickoff meetings.

Throughout the Semester

  • Complete your 160+ contact hours of work, maintain project documentation, and communicate regularly with your Faculty Supervisor. Attend any required check-in meetings or reflective sessions.

End of Semester

  • Finalize all project deliverables, submit documentation, and complete any required presentations or reports. Participate in exit interviews or program evaluations.

Example HIAN Internship Projects

The HIAN internship must include a significant applied component using health informatics, data science, and analytics methods (e.g., database design, implementation, and analysis) that advances organizational systems or outcomes. Students gain hands-on experience with healthcare organizations, including their culture, operations, management, services, and markets. The internship serves as an “organizational laboratory” for professional skill development and lifelong learning.

Sample Project Areas

  • Predictive Modeling: Build interpretable models using internal and third-party data that outperform baseline approaches.
  • Data Integration & Analysis: Integrate data from multiple systems into a unified, real-time analytical view and generate actionable insights.
  • Text Analytics: Develop NLP tools to classify and analyze text data (e.g., incident themes) and support deployment planning.
  • Machine Learning Improvement: Improve existing ML models, document training methods, performance metrics, and health or healthcare impact.
  • Data Management: Curate and integrate data from diverse sources, including personal health monitoring devices.
  • Data Analysis & Visualization: Perform meaningful analyses, create clear visualizations, and interpret results effectively.
  • Technical Skills: Use both open-source and proprietary data analysis and AI tools.

Additional Requirements & Documentation

Depending on your internship or practicum placement, you may need to complete additional requirements. Below are standard requirements that apply across capstone pathways. Please consult with your organization’s HR department, your internship mentor, or the Graduate School to confirm which requirements apply to your specific placement.

Criminal Background Checks

Some organizations require that you submit a criminal background check through the University. UNC Charlotte has contracted with Certiphi Screening, Inc. to conduct background checks. No other agency will be accepted.

To secure a background check report, you will need to:

  • First and Last Name
  • The last 4 digits of your UNC Charlotte student ID
  • Birthdate (MM/DD/YYYY)
  • UNC Charlotte Email

Once the information has been provided, it will be submitted to Certiphi. They will contact you via email with a link to their Application Station website. The Director of Student Services will authorize registration for HIAN 6400 once the background check is complete and cleared.

Important Note: If you are an international student who has lived in the US for less than 3 years, you may need to pay an additional fee to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate. Please contact your consulate to get instructions on the process and fees. Note that this process should be initiated at least 3 months before your practicum/ internship.

Liability Insurance

Students with a clinical placement may be required to carry professional liability insurance. The companies below offer Liability Insurance to students:

  • NSO: 1-800-247-1500
  • HPSO: 1-800-982-9491
  • MARRH: 1-800-621-3008
  • Liberty Mutual: 1-800-837-5254

Drug Testing

Multiple organizations in the vicinity offer drug screening services. Most will require appointments. Contact your internship organization’s HR department for their specific requirements and approved vendors.

Vaccinations

Organizations may require documentation of immunizations (TB, Mumps, Rubella, Rubeola, HBV, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Flu, etc.) before the internship begins. Check with your specific placement organization for their vaccination requirements.