Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health are committed to establishing and maintaining high-quality medical education training programs.
Our institution provides the diverse patient population, dedicated faculty, excellent clinical and basic science departments, and nationally recognized research programs required to create an environment optimal for learning and for the development of future leaders in the art and science of medicine.
Details on the residencies, fellowships and clerkships offered by various departments across the institution are available below. Information on our MD and Physician Assistant (PA) degree programs is also provided.
Programs and rotations for students from outside colleges are available in different disciplines including nursing, advanced practice providers, therapy, social work, child life, medical assistant and many others. See the links below for more information and application.
Advanced Practice Providers
Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine provides clinical placement for students in a variety of clinical disciplines and specialties.
College of Medicine, Graduate Training and Undergraduate Programs
College of Medicine
Penn State College of Medicine (and its academic partners, Penn State Health and Milton S. Hershey Medical Center) are committed to enhancing the quality of life through improved health, the professional preparation of those who will serve the health needs of others and the discovery of knowledge that will benefit all.
Read more about College of Medicine
Graduate Training Programs
Penn State College of Medicine offers a number of master’s, doctoral degrees and graduate certificates in biomedical and public health sciences for those interested in pursuing careers in research, teaching and public health.
MD Program
The mission of the Penn State College of Medicine MD program is to enhance the quality of life through improved health, the professional preparation of those who will serve the health needs of others, and the discovery of knowledge that will benefit all.
The innovative systems-based curriculum is designed to give students a global perspective of the healthcare system, and beginning in the first year, students serve as patient navigators, guiding patients through the often-complicated process of getting the care they need.
Penn State College of Medicine also offers accelerated “3+” programs in family medicine, orthopaedics, emergency medicine, internal medicine, neurology, neurosurgery and more. In addition, students have the option to study in Hershey, Pa., or in the parallel University Park Curriculum in State College, Pa., and can pursue a number of dual or joint degrees, such as MD/PhD, MD/MBA and MD/MPH.
Read more about the MD program offerings
Explore clerkships, acting internships and electives for medical students
Physician Assistant (PA) Program
The physician assistant program at Penn State College of Medicine is a 24-month, 101-credit full-time graduate program that enrolls 30 students each May.
Students graduating from the PA Program will be awarded a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree. Our first class graduated in May 2016.
The mission of the Penn State College of Medicine physician assistant (PA) program is to develop students who will:
- be academically, clinically, professionally, and culturally prepared to deliver health care services;
- develop critical thinking and application skills; and
- be ready to provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients.
Our graduates will improve the health of their patients and the populations they serve in an efficient and cost-conscious manner.
Read more about the PA program
Undergraduate Student Programs
Penn State College of Medicine offers 10-week summer research programs for undergraduate college students interested in pursuing careers in biomedical sciences research.
College of Medicine Resources for Current Students
Continuing Education for Professionals
Continuing Education at Penn State Health provides continuing professional education for physicians, nurses, and allied health personnel.
GROW Career Pathways
GROW your future with new career opportunities for aspiring and current health care professionals seeking clinical roles.
High School Student Programs
Thank you for reaching out about shadowing experiences at Penn State Health. Currently, our shadowing for high school students is very limited; however, we have a variety of opportunities available to explore your interest in healthcare.
- The Volunteer Office is a great way to experience the healthcare field and volunteer
- Patients R Waiting, "Pipeline Dreams High School" -12-week program for high school students in the spring semester, a combo of virtual and in-person sessions. https://www.patientsrwaiting.com/pdhs
- Penn State Health Nursing half day interactive program
- The College of Medicine has programs available for observation and “mini-medical school”:
- Penn State Health GROW program (to engage in post-high school graduation)
- Penn State Health job openings for high school students
- Search these job titles:
- Food Service Associate/Food Service Worker
- Café Site Attendant/Cook/Cashier
- Environmental Health Service
- Dietary Aid
- Search these job titles:
- Penn State Health event opportunities
- Virtual Shadowing through MedSchoolCoach
Hospital Tours and Interviews
Once a month, our team provides “Walk-In Wednesdays” hiring event to talk to staff, tour the hospital and interview
Lab Research Internships
Medical Group (APP, Medical Assistant Externship, Shadowing)
Penn State Health Medical Group
- Advanced Practice Providers
- Medical Assistant Externship
- Visiting Medical Students
- Any other request for Penn State Health Medical Group placements, please email [email protected]
Nursing Programs
At Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, our Nursing Education and Professional Development, Undergraduate Nursing and Graduate Nursing programs helps nurses at every level grow and flourish in their profession.
Penn State University Student Shadowing- State College Locations Only
If you are a current Penn State University student in State College and looking for a local shadowing experience, please fill out this form. If you are open to other Penn State Health locations outside of State College, please scroll down and fill out the form under All Other Student Requests.
Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute (PPI) (Nursing and Psychology/Therapy/Social Services)
At Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute (PPI), there are opportunities for nursing students as well as behavioral health, social work, social services, psychology, and expressive therapies. Please click the appropriate link below to explore and apply for placement for shadowing or clinicals
Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Clinical Counseling
Residencies and Fellowships
Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine offer residency and fellowship training in more than 70 ACGME-accredited specialties and subspecialties, and numerous other specialized training programs are available.
- Anesthesiology
- Dermatology
- Emergency Medicine
- Family and Community Medicine
- Medicine
- Medicine/Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation
- Otolaryngology
- Pathology
- Pediatrics
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Plastic Surgery
- Psychiatry
- Radiology
- Surgery
- Urology
- Vascular Surgery
- Non-Physician Programs
Learn more about residency and fellowship programs
Physician-Scientist Training Program
The Physician-Scientist Training Program is tailored for residents and fellows who are interested in making research a significant part of their career, and also includes MD students, MD/PhD students, research staff and junior faculty. Its mission is to break down departmental/divisional silos and create an institution-wide program for physician-scientists that starts at the trainee level.
The program is part of State College of Medicine and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center's commitment to becoming a destination for physician-scientists at all career stages by creating a nurturing community and infrastructure that fosters collaborations across all disciplines, prepares our trainees for a sustainable research career, and forges a sustainable physician-scientist career development pipeline.
Therapy Programs and Child Life
Penn State Health accepts students in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Pathology. Schools should contact staff directly for inquires and openings.
Child Life Program
At Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, our Child Life Program offers shadowing experiences, summer Practicum experience and internships in the Fall and Spring semesters.
Read more about Child Life Program
Music Therapy
The Music Therapy Program uses music and music activities to promote healing and help our patients adjust to being in the hospital.
Volunteering
Volunteers at Penn State Health help to provide services to patients and caregivers with passion and kindness. We strive to make sure all our volunteers have a meaningful experience while being of service to others through our programs.