Internships, fellowships and legal externships

Applications for 2026 accepted in January 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) offers paid internship opportunities for college students to explore a rewarding career in public service. DHS, in collaboration with community and partners including Tribes, counties, non-profit and for-profit providers, supports people to thrive in community and live their healthiest and fullest lives.

The Executive Pathways Internship Program focuses on a diverse workforce by developing the talents of students as they prepare for professional employment. Graduate and undergraduate students majoring in public policy, statistics, psychology, social work, law, public health, sociology and other human services-related fields are encouraged to apply and have the opportunity to learn how public policy is developed and implemented in a large and complex government organization.

Through this internship program, students have the chance to be part of many well-publicized and highly visible policy decisions that impact Minnesotans' quality of life.

Each placement is designed to provide in-depth learning opportunities in a state government setting. The Executive Pathways Internship Program is a paid internship program and students will work 30 to 40 hours per week between June to August. Due to the pandemic, all internship positions will be remote. 

Read about the Summer 2025 internship opportunities and the application process.

The programs below are all program DHS participates in to host interns. These internships aim to connect DHS with the next generation of talented and diverse workers, and provide critical job training for students and hands-on experience for young people who are interested in pursuing an internship with DHS. Our past interns and fellows have made valuable contributions across different agency departments and were eager to bring their skills, ideas and energy to our workplace and they are always appreciative for the opportunity. 

Below you will find more information about each program we support interns through here at DHS:

• Step-Up Achieve is the city of Minneapolis’ summer program that serves youth ages 16 to 21 who are seeking challenging opportunities by training and placing young people in professional positions. The goal is to offer a variety of career-readiness opportunities that help interns connect their interest with post-secondary education and career planning.
  More information about the Step-Up Achieve program:
  https://youtu.be/d2yE9wUsJHw  AND  https://www.achievempls.org/become-step-intern
• Right Track is the city of Saint Paul’s summer career development initiative for youth providing motivated, low-income teenagers with work-readiness training and professional internship placements with St. Paul employers.
  More about the Right Track program:
  https://youtu.be/UfWM5-IjUGs  and  https://righttrack.stpaul.gov/ 
• Urban Scholars is a 12-week (summer) internship that includes formal leadership and professional development training. Urban Scholars are graduate- and undergraduate-level students. Urban Scholars spend four days a week working on meaningful projects and work assignments alongside organizational leaders. One day a week, scholars come together as a cohort to learn and practice skills in leadership, professional development, small groups and public speaking.
  More information about the Urban Scholars program:
  https://youtu.be/QPIQy35qK2Q  and  http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/civilrights/urbanscholars/index.htm  

If you have questions about these programs, contact Evelyn Witherspoon in the Human Resources Division at the following address:

Executive Pathways Internship Coordinator
Human Resources Division
Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64997
St. Paul, MN 55164-0997
Voice: 651-431-6579
Email: dhs.internships@state.mn.us

Program summary

DHS provides essential services to Minnesotans in all 87 counties and 11 Tribal Nations. In this dynamic and complex setting, the Externship Program provides challenging opportunities to law school students and an up-close view into law in the public sector, in a professional and supportive environment. Gain real-world legal experience practicing your writing, analytical thinking and advocacy skills in state government, with a focus on human services delivery, public benefits and healthcare, while earning law school credit! Note: This is an unpaid internship.

Participant eligibility and requirements

• Enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school. 
• Completed 1L year by start date.
• Earning minimum of two academic credits through a law school externship class. 
• Can commit at least 10 hours/week, aligned with school calendar.
• Hybrid work in Saint Paul, as specified by the supervisor.

Practice areas available

DHS has a wide variety of legal practice areas. Our goal is to offer our externs meaningful opportunities to practice and enhance their writing, analytical thinking, and advocacy skills. Available experiences are subject to change, but generally include:

• Operations. Includes communications, compliance, fraud prevention, equal opportunity and access, records management and litigation support.
• Health Care. Medicaid law, litigation support and healthcare services law.
• Privacy Office. Data privacy advising, and privacy and security incident analysis.
• Public Benefits. Issues related to public assistance, eligibility, appeal hearings, data privacy.

How to apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Send the following application materials to: dhs.internships@state.mn.us.

• Cover letter 
• Resume 
• Writing sample 
• Academic transcript 

Program support

This program is endorsed by the Commissioner of Human Services and is typically supervised by DHS attorneys, with some learning opportunities from non-attorney staff.

Externs may have the opportunity to attend trainings and/or speaker series functions. Externs may also have the opportunity to be cross-trained in other areas, as schedules permit. Externs may apply for a subsequent externship with placement in a different division or business area, subject to law school approval.