Center for Clinical Ethics Internship

Program Components

The Internship Program is designed to meet the strengths, needs and academic requirements of each intern. Interns are expected to develop a personal learning plan incorporating opportunities from the following four components:

1. Clinical Ethics

Attend Ethics Case Consultations.
Round with the Clinical Ethicists in the Intensive Care Units and with other clinical services.
Attend educational sessions sponsored by the Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care.
Round and shadow diverse members of the multi-disciplinary treatment teams and ethics faculty
Attend quarterly meetings of the Clinical Ethics Consultation Committee and other pertinent meetings of section.
Record clinical experiences and discuss them at regularly scheduled meetings with the Clinical Ethicists.

2. Research Ethics

Attend at least one meeting each of the IRB/Surveillance Committee, the Clinical Research Committee, and the Psychosocial, Behavioral & Health Services Research Committee, with the permission of the chairs of those committees.
Select a research project compatible with the intern's interests, academic requirements and the needs of the Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care.
Meet regularly with the Clinical Ethicists to report on the progress of the research project and receive feedback and guidance.
Formulate and complete approved research paper.
Formally present the results of the research project.

3. Academic Ethics

Participate in a directed-reading program with the Clinical Ethicists. The readings selected for discussion can be related to the intern's research project or academic requirements.
Attend lectures and presentations at MD Anderson and other institutions related to clinical, organizational and research ethics.

2025 Summer Program

Applications open Nov. 18

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Goals

The goals of the Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care Internship Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center are:

To provide an introduction to clinical, research and/or organizational ethics for qualified individuals with a particular interest in health care ethics.
To provide qualified individuals with the opportunity to contribute to activities and projects of the Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care.

Evaluation

The intern will receive supervision, mentoring, and feedback from the Clinical Ethicists throughout the internship. At the completion of the internship, the intern will receive feedback to assess whether the intern has met the objectives of the personalized learning plan.

Application Deadlines

Applications Open: November 18

Applications Close: January 15th; 11:59pm CST

The following information is required on the SLATE application:

Application (biographical information and school information)
Curriculum Vitae or Resume
Official Transcript (reiterating that this individual is in good standing and is currently enrolled in XYZ program related to this educational experience.
Letters of Recommendation – Integrated Ethics required three letters of recommendation, with at least one letter from a professor or academic advisor. The letters should detail length of time and capacity in which the individual has known the applicant, and why the internship is important to the applicant's career goals.
Letter of intent stating:Why the applicant is interested in the internship, including academic interests and/or personal experiencesGoals and objectives for the internshipAcademic and professional trainingPersonal traits that make you well-suited for the internship.

If accepted: Required immunizations include Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR), Varicella (Chicken Pox), TB Skin Test, Tetanus, and Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap)
Criminal Background Check Form (legally required for all trainees)
Credential Evaluation – only required if the applicable degree was not obtained in the US.
Proof of Selective Service Registration

Eligibility

Candidates must be senior undergraduate students, graduate students, or have completed an undergraduate degree in an academic or professional discipline. Candidates must also have strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as competence in research and writing.

Considerations for the selection process will include:
- Compatibility of the candidate's interests with the capabilities of MD Anderson's Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care
- The candidate's academic training and/or experience related to ethics
- The quality of the candidate's letter of intent
- The candidate's letters of recommendationInterns are accepted for the academic year's Summer Semester.
- This 40 hour per week full-time Internship stretches over 11 weeks.
- Telephone interviews with the Internship Coordinator is a requirement for appointment.
Health Screening
- In accordance with institutional standards, upon selection and notification by the Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care, the intern will be required to submit a physician’s certification of general health, immunization record and TB test result prior to appointment.

Stipend, Housing, Expenses

On site participants receive a stipend of up to $6,800 for the 10-week program.
This stipend amount includes allowances for housing, living, and travel expenses - no additional allowances are available.
Paychecks and stipend are based on actual days worked and will be issued on the 5th and the 20th of each month, deducting the required federal tax.