DBH Student Programs - Unpaid Internship Opportunities - General Application - Fall 2026

Please note, this is a general application for unpaid internship opportunities. Your application will be made available to multiple hiring managers who have open positions compatible with your stated areas of interest.

Unpaid internship positions can be used for credit toward a university practicum requirement.

What you'll do at DBH:

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) offers a dynamic Student Internship Program designed to provide undergraduate and graduate students with meaningful, hands‑on experience across a broad range of professional fields. This program is ideal for students pursuing careers in behavioral health, human services, public administration, law, data and technology, communications, and other related disciplines. It is also well‑suited for students interested in the operational, clinical, and administrative functions that support a statewide behavioral health system.

Internships are based at DBH's central office at 30 E Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215, where students gain exposure to the inner workings of Ohio's behavioral health infrastructure. Opportunities vary by semester and may include placements in areas such as:

Behavioral Health & Clinical Services

• Medical Director's Office- Support initiatives related to clinical standards, medical policy, and quality of care.
• Forensic Services- Learn about the intersection of behavioral health and the criminal justice system.
• Hospital Services- Assist with projects that support state psychiatric hospital operations and patient care.
• Crisis Services- Contribute to statewide crisis response initiatives and system coordination.
• Treatment Services & Integrated Care- Explore programs focused on mental health, substance use treatment, and whole‑person care.

Community, Recovery & Justice-Involved Services

• Office of Community Services- Support community‑based behavioral health initiatives.
• Bureau of Recovery Support- Assist with programs that promote long‑term recovery and peer support.
• Bureau of Workforce Sustainability- Work on strategies to strengthen Ohio's behavioral health workforce.
• Criminal Justice & Recovery Services- Engage with programs serving justice‑involved individuals.
• Bureau of Criminal Justice / Bureau of Correctional Recovery Services- Learn how behavioral health services are delivered within correctional settings.
• Community & Family Resiliency- Support initiatives that strengthen families and communities across Ohio.

Administrative, Policy & Regulatory Functions

• Director's Office & External Affairs- Gain experience in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and government relations.
• Behavioral Health Policy- Assist with research, policy development, and legislative analysis.
• Licensure & Certification- Learn about regulatory oversight of behavioral health providers.
• Legal Services- Support legal research, compliance, and administrative processes.
• Financial Management & Capital Planning- Explore budgeting, fiscal analysis, and capital project planning.

Technology, Data & Operations

• Information Technology- Gain experience in IT support, cybersecurity, systems management, and digital transformation.
• Health Information Systems- Support projects related to electronic health records and clinical data systems.
• Data Analytics- Assist with data collection, analysis, visualization, and reporting to inform statewide decision‑making.
• Hospital & Administrative Operations- Contribute to process improvement and operational efficiency projects.

Communications & Human Resources

• Communications & Marketing- Assist with public relations, content creation, social media, and outreach campaigns.
• Human Resources- Learn about talent acquisition, employee relations, training, and workforce planning.

Through this program, students apply classroom knowledge in a real‑world environment, explore potential career paths, and develop critical professional skills. Interns collaborate with experienced professionals, contribute to meaningful statewide initiatives, and gain insight into how Ohio supports mental health and addiction recovery across diverse communities.

Internships are unpaid and tailored to align with each student's academic focus and career goals. Schedules are flexible and can be adjusted to accommodate academic commitments.

Position Qualifications

Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program related to the desired internship field.

Must be able to provide your own transportation to/from work location.

Primary Job Skill: Internship

Technical Skills: Human Resources, Information Technology, Administrative Support/Services, Behavioral Health, Communications, Mental Health, Nursing, Data Analytics, Database Administration

Professional Skills: Active Learning, Attention to Detail, Listening, Goal Setting, Teamwork