The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is delighted to announce our fall 2026 cohort of MFA Pathways interns. As you may be aware, since 2021 our program has offered paid, hands on, pre-professional experiences through which undergraduate - and limited graduate - students explore career options in departments and disciplines across the museum. A critical component of our internship program is our professional development course, Museum Pathways & Practices where interns spend two hours per week engaging in cohort building, developing their networking skills, and meeting and learning from museum professionals about the practices and challenges of museum work.
We will publish our fall 2026 descriptions on the Handshake platform, as well as on our own website, Internships | Museum of Fine Arts Boston (mfa.org) on Tuesday, July 14.
We will host a virtual Information Session on Tuesday, July 14, 6-7pm Eastern Standard Time. Feel free to share this link with your students to pre-register: MFA Pathways Internship Information Session | Museum of Fine Arts Boston. (Unfortunately, Handshake will not allow us to create an event that is visible to multiple colleges.)
Application Procedures (Please read this section carefully as some procedures have recently changed.) All open internship descriptions are accessed on our website. You must apply via this portal and follow all posted directions; no direct emails will be accepted.
How to Apply
DO NOT INCLUDE any document (e.g., recommendations, transcripts, writing samples, etc.), that is not specifically requested within this description.
- Combine your cover letter and resume into a single document, (PDF or Word only) Address cover letter to “MFA Pathways Team.” The cover letter must include all of the following:
- the title of the internship for which you are applying (one internship per application)
- how the named internship aligns with your academic and/or career goals.
- how your specific skills/experience/interests qualify you for the internship.
- any periods when you are not available for an interview, (in-person or virtual).
- your contact information including e-mail and daytime phone.
- Save your document file as (LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_POSITIONTITLE_Fall2026)
- Upload the single document as your resume via the hiring portal Internships | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston ASAP before August 15, 2026.
- Candidates may apply for no more than two internships per season and must submit a separate cover letter/resume document for each position.
- Direct any/all questions to: [email protected] before submitting your application.
*Applications that do not follow published instructions cannot be corrected/resubmitted and will not be considered.
Important Information
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.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Are internships at the MFA paid?
A. Undergraduate interns are paid $16.80 per hour; graduate interns are paid $19.95 per hour. Interns also receive a $90 per month taxable transportation subsidy.
Q. Who may apply for an internship?
A. MFA Pathways internships are available for both undergraduate and graduate students who have completed their first year of college, including community college, and will be enrolled in a corresponding degree program during the internship period. A limited number of internships may be available to recent graduates. Read each description carefully for specific eligibility criteria.
Requirements vary by department. Please read each internship description thoroughly before applying. Available internships may change every semester based on each department's current needs.
Q. Do you accept international students?
A. Yes, international students who are eligible and approved for CPT/OPT work for pay in the United States are eligible for the MFA Pathways internships. Applicants must submit a copy of the published description to their visa administrators for approval before applying. During the interview, international students must indicate that they will be applying to receive CPT/OPT credit. Once offered an internship, international candidates must immediately provide the MFA with all agreement documentation required by the CPT/OPT sponsor. All CPT/OPT approvals must be completed before orientation during which candidates must present proof of work eligibility. (Note: the MFA does not sponsor visas for internships.)
Q. May I do an internship for course credit?
A. 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. During your interview, indicate that you will be applying to receive credit from your institution. Once offered the internship, candidate must immediately provide any agreement documentation required by the school to the MFA for appropriate approval and signatures.
Q. How long do internships last?
Undergraduate-level internships run for one semester unless identified differently in the description. Graduate-level internships may run for two semesters. Each description includes detailed information on length; read each description carefully.
Q. Is there a deadline for fall internship applications?
A. Please see our Program Dates for all application periods. Applications are reviewed - and hiring decisions made - on a rolling basis for each period. Apply early. (Check “listings “daily for updated status.)
Q. How will I know that my application has been received?
A. All properly formatted applications are acknowledged by e-mail within three business days of receipt by the MFA. Improperly formatted materials cannot be corrected or re-submitted and will not be considered.
Q. How will I know if I am selected for an interview?
A. Candidates selected for an interview will be contacted by the host department - initially by e-mail (and if necessary, followed up by phone.) Please include your preferred e-mail address and daytime phone number in your cover letter. Applicants not selected for an interview will be notified by e-mail as soon as possible once the host department makes that decision.
Q. How do I know if an internship is still available?
A. Internships remain posted until filled unless the position is filled or depending on the overall volume of applications.
Q. How many hours per week do I need to commit to an internship?
A. Fall, and spring internships require between 15 and 20 hours per week; summer internships may require between 20 to 35 hours. Review each description carefully to determine the time commitment that the specific internship requires. These required hours include two hours per week for the Museum Pathways and Practices professional development course which meets on Fridays during fall and spring semesters, (and on Thursdays during the summer semester), from 12:30-2:30pm.
Q. Is there a professional development component to MFA Pathways internships?
A. Undergraduate interns are required to participate in the Museum Pathways & Practices course, a series of 8–11 two-hour-long seminar sessions held on Fridays during the fall and spring, and on Thursdays during the summer. Each session is comprised of (a) informal networking and cohort building among interns, and (b) a presentation by Museum professionals from across the MFA. At the end of the semester, all interns are also required to prepare a short presentation highlighting their internship experience. Graduate interns are expected to participate in at least five sessions over the semester. Dates for all sessions are announced at the orientation.
Q. What are the dates of the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development sessions?
A. All undergraduate interns are required to attend the professional development sessions called Museum Pathways & Practices on the following Fridays: Sept 18, Sept 25, Oct 2, Oct 9, Oct 16, Oct 23, Oct 30, Nov 6, Nov 13, Nov 20, and Dec 4.
Q. Are interns required to attend an orientation?
A. All selected interns must attend an orientation session before beginning their internship. Orientation dates and times are included in each description and offer letter. During your interview, you must confirm your availability to attend the orientation.
Q. When do fall internships start?
A. Internship periods are listed in our 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.
Q. Does the MFA provide transportation for interns?
A. MFA interns receive a monthly transportation subsidy equal to the cost of a monthly public transit MBTA Link Pass, currently $90, subject to taxes.
No applications will be accepted after Saturday, July 15.
