Human Service Internships in the United States: A Scoping Review

This scoping review examines the state of the literature on human service internships in the United States by mapping the volume, nature, and key characteristics of the existing scholarship in this area. It aims to clarify central concepts and terminology related to human service internships and to identify gaps in current research that can guide future empirical and theoretical work. In addition, the review serves as a precursor to a potential full systematic review by assessing whether such a review is feasible, necessary, and methodologically appropriate. Finally, it explores contextual evidence—such as institutional settings, geographic locations, and program structures—to better understand how research on human service internships is conducted and how these internships are implemented across the United States.