Internships

Innovative MFA Pathways internship program provides paid opportunities for college students

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, invites college and university students to participate in the life of the Museum through the MFA Pathways internship program. Through semester-long undergraduate-level paid internships in departments across the institution, MFA Pathways interns gain hands-on training in specific museum roles, participate in professional development to learn about a range of museum careers and practices, and build professional networks on which to draw in advancing career aspirations. With a paid program in place, the MFA no longer offers unpaid internships or student volunteer opportunities.

As we amplify our efforts toward becoming a truly inclusive institution, ensuring that diversity and equity are lived values, the MFA actively encourages students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to apply to the program. All participants receive mentoring from staff in their assigned departments and opportunities to engage with informal mentors throughout the Museum.

Review available internships and apply during the application periods on the Museum's job portal. Link will be activated during open application period.

View Internships

Program Dates

Summer 2024 Internships

June 17–August 23, 2024
Rolling* application period: February 9–March 15, 2024

Fall 2024 Internships

September 13–December13, 2024
Rolling* application period: July 19–August 16, 2024

Spring 2025 Internships

January 24–April 25, 2025
Rolling* application period: October 25–December 3, 2024

* Applications are reviewed and interviews are scheduled and conducted at any time once the application period begins, so early submissions are strongly encouraged. (Positions will be removed once they are filled.)

Required hours and specific eligibility qualifications are included in each individual description; read each description carefully.

Candidates may apply to up to two internships per semester, submitting a separate application for each position.

For information regarding the MFA’s paid experiential learning opportunities for high school students, visit Teen Programs.

Pay Rates

All undergraduate interns are paid $16 per hour; all graduate interns are paid $19 per hour.

Application Procedures

Please read this section carefully as some procedures have recently changed.

To view all open internships, go to our hiring portal. You must apply through this portal and follow all posted directions below; no direct e-mails will be accepted.

How to Apply

Combine your cover letter and resume into a single PDF or Microsoft Word document. No other format will be accepted.
- If including letters of recommendation, they must be combined into your single document unless otherwise specified in the internship description.
Upload the single document as your resume through the hiring portal.

Failure to follow these directions exactly as listed will disqualify your application.

Important Information

Applicants may apply for up to two internships per season; a separate cover letter/resume document is required for each position.
All properly formatted applications will be acknowledged as received within three business days of receipt. Thereafter, only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Application Content

The cover letter portion must include the following:
- the title of the internship for which you are applying
- why your specific skills/experience/interests qualify you for the internship
- how the named internship fits into your academic and/or career goals
- any periods when you are not available for an in-person interview
- your contact information including e-mail and daytime phone
The resume portion should be current and include your contact information.
Letters of recommendation are optional unless otherwise specified in the internship description.
- Only submit documentation requested in the description.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who may apply for an internship?

MFA Pathways internships are available for undergraduate students who have completed their first year of college, and will be enrolled in undergraduate study during the internship period. Some internships may carry additional qualifying criteria: read each description carefully. At this time, we offer only a limited number of graduate level internships that are identified as such in their titles.

May I do an internship for course credit?

Yes. Before applying, you must (1) provide a copy of the internship description to your advisor for approval, and; (2) make all appropriate arrangements with your school to receive credit.

Once offered the internship, the candidate must immediately provide any agreement documentation required by the school to the MFA for appropriate approval and signatures.

Do you accept international students?

Yes, international students who are eligible/approved for CPT/OPT work for pay in the United States are eligible for the MFA Pathways internships. Applicants should submit a copy of the published description to their visa administrators for approval before applying.

Once offered an internship, candidates must immediately provide the MFA with any agreement documentation required by the CPT/OPT sponsor. Candidates must also present proof of work eligibility, as directed by Human Resources, at the time of orientation. (Note: the MFA does not sponsor visas for internships.)

Is there a deadline for internship applications?

Applications are reviewed—and hiring decisions are made—on a rolling basis each period. Please see Program Dates for all application periods.

Will I receive a confirmation of receipt of my application materials?

All properly formatted applications are acknowledged by e-mail within three business days of receipt by the MFA. Improperly formatted materials are not considered and cannot be corrected or re-submitted.

How will I know if I am selected for an interview?

Candidates selected for an interview will be contacted by the host department—initially by e-mail, and if necessary, followed up by phone. (Be sure to include your preferred e-mail address and daytime phone number in your cover letter and resume.) Applicants not selected for an interview will be notified by e-mail as soon as possible once the host department makes that decision.

How do I know if an internship is still available?

Internships remain posted until they are filled. However, apply as early as possible for full consideration, as interviews may begin as soon as applications are received.

Are internships at the MFA paid?

Yes, all internships are paid. Please see Pay Rates for more information.

How many hours per week do I need to commit to an internship?

MFA Pathways internships require between 10 and 22 hours per week during fall and spring, and up to 35 hours during summer. (These hours include two required hours per week for the Museum Pathways and Practices professional development course). Review each description to determine its required time commitment.

Are interns required to attend an orientation?

All selected interns must attend an orientation session before beginning their internship. Orientation dates and times are included in each description; during your interview, you must confirm your availability to attend the orientation. Interns are also required to offer a final presentation at the end of the semester, summarizing their experience. This date is announced during orientation.

Is there a professional development component to internships at the MFA?

The MFA Pathways internship program requires each intern to participate in the Museum Pathways and Practices course, a series of 8 or 9 seminar sessions, each two hours long, comprised of informal networking and cohort building among interns and a presentation/conversation led by Museum professionals from across the MFA, focusing on their work and the collaborative nature of museum work, regardless of discipline or specialty. Interns are also required to prepare and present a three-minute summary of their internship experience at the end of the semester.

When do internships start?

Internship periods are listed in Program Dates. Individual schedules must be confirmed with mentors when accepting the internship offer. Applicants should note in their cover letter and during their interviews any special circumstances that could affect their start or end dates, as well as participation in the Museum Pathways and Practices course.