11 Online Psychology Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in understanding how people think, feel, and behave, online psychology programs can be a structured way to explore the field in greater depth. These programs introduce topics such as cognitive science, neuroscience, mental health, and behavioral research through lectures, discussions, and guided assignments. You may also engage with case studies, analyze psychological concepts, and develop a clearer sense of how the subject is studied in academic and professional settings.
What are the benefits of a psychology program?
Psychology programs help you build skills in critical thinking, analysis, and evidence-based reasoning by examining human behavior through scientific frameworks. You may participate in discussions, complete written assignments, and explore research methods that are commonly used in university-level psychology courses. These experiences can also strengthen your academic profile by demonstrating sustained interest in the humanities and social sciences while helping you evaluate whether psychology is a field you want to pursue further.
To help you find strong options, we’ve narrowed our list to 11 online psychology programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. American Psychological Association (APA) Internships
Stipend: Paid and unpaid (academic credit) options available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Offered year-round (summer, fall, and spring cycles)
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: High school students eligible to work in the U.S.; requirements vary by role and department
The American Psychological Association offers a range of internships that allow high school students to work on projects related to psychology, research, communications, and organizational operations. Many roles can be completed remotely, where students contribute to tasks such as research support, writing, data organization, and content development. Interns may also participate in workshops, team meetings, and professional development sessions, depending on the role. The experience provides exposure to how psychology is applied in research, policy, and real-world professional settings.
2. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate / Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Vary by cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students passionate about AI with a supportive environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI Scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. You can find examples of previous projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes — Topics in Psychology
Cost: $3,200; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate / Cohort Size: Selective; limited enrollment with small class sizes
Dates: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-11 at the time of application
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offers a focused online course that introduces students to core theories and research methods in psychology. The curriculum explores cognitive development, perception, memory, social psychology, and psychological disorders. Students engage in small research-based projects that introduce real-world psychological inquiry and data analysis. Live online classes run for two hours each weekday, with independent project work. Through discussions and collaborative assignments, participants build analytical thinking and research literacy.
4. Immerse Education’s Online Research Programme
Cost: Varies by program type
Acceptance Rate / Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: Flexible; multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; multiple dates throughout the year
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 (accredited options require age 14+)
The Online Research Program offers high school students the opportunity to conduct rigorous research under the guidance of tutors from Oxford, Cambridge, and Ivy League universities. You will work with your tutor to explore a subject of your choice in depth and write an academic research paper. The program is offered in 1:1 and small-group formats, and you can choose to earn college credit from universities in the US and the UK. The virtual research program is offered in over 20 subjects, including artificial intelligence, chemistry, psychology, economics, computer science, creative writing, philosophy, and more. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a written evaluation from your tutor, an opportunity to publish your research, and an invitation to present at the Immerse Online Symposium. You can find examples of papers Immerse students have worked on here. You can find more details about the application here.
5. MIT OpenCourseWare — Introduction to Psychology
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate / Cohort Size: Open access
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to all learners, including high school students
MIT OpenCourseWare’s Introduction to Psychology provides free access to undergraduate-level course materials taught at MIT. The curriculum covers perception, cognition, memory, learning, emotion, personality, development, and psychopathology. Students can watch lecture videos, review lecture notes, and review exam solutions. Although there is no instructor feedback or certification, the academic content matches that of a real MIT classroom. The course is best suited for self-motivated students seeking deep academic exposure. It serves as a strong supplement for independent study or college preparation.
6. Introduction to Neuroscience: Understanding the Brain – Columbia University Pre-College Program
Cost: ~$4,018 (tuition + program fees; subject to change)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Session A: July 6–July 17 | Session B: July 20–July 31
Application Deadline: Early: February 2 | Regular: April 2
Eligibility: High school students who have taken one year of high school biology
This online course from Columbia’s Pre-College Program introduces high school students to the structure and function of the human brain through a virtual classroom format. Students attend live online lectures and participate in guided discussions that cover topics such as neural signaling, brain organization, and the biological basis of behavior. The course uses case studies and applied examples to connect neuroscience concepts to real-world medical and psychological questions. Students complete assignments and engage in discussions throughout the program, gaining exposure to how neuroscience is studied in academic and research settings.
7. Harvard Secondary School Program — Psychology & Neuroscience
Cost: $4,180 (4 credits) or $8,160 (8 credits); financial aid available
Acceptance Rate / Cohort Size: Selective; college-level enrollment standards
Dates: June 20 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 11 (Regular) | April 1 (Late)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors ages 16-18
Harvard’s Secondary School Program allows high school students to enroll in college-level psychology and neuroscience courses. Students may choose two courses exploring topics such as brain science, social psychology, cognition, and the relationship between psychology and law and logic. The program focuses on academic writing, discussion-driven learning, and analytical thinking. Participants work on practical psychological applications via assignments and case studies. Graduates of the program can request an official transcript showing the college credits they have earned.
8. UT Southwestern Medical Center — Mental Health High School Internship
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate / Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 2 weeks in the summer; typically in June
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders and rising college first-years
This two-week virtual internship introduces students to careers in mental health and psychiatry. Participants learn from clinician-scientists, including psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and social workers. Students complete readings and participate in interactive sessions exploring psychotherapy, neuroscience, and community psychiatry. The program emphasizes career exploration rather than research production. Mentorship often extends beyond the internship period.
9. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) – Virtual Session
Cost: $1,725
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~12%
Dates: Session 1: June 8 – June 19 | Session 2: June 22 – July 3, 20
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students, 14-18 years of age
The virtual track of the Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) is a two-week online program that introduces high school students to neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology through a structured digital format. Participants attend live online seminars led by Stanford faculty and researchers that cover topics across brain science and mental health. Students also work in small groups on a collaborative capstone project, applying concepts discussed in sessions to a focused research or case-based topic. The program is designed to provide an overview of clinical neuroscience while allowing students to engage with academic content and peer discussions in a fully virtual environment.
10. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth — The Mystery of Memory
Cost: $1,365
Acceptance Rate / Cohort Size: Selective; designed for academically advanced students
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – July 21 | Session 2: July 13 – August 17
Application Deadline: Session 1: May 11 | Session 2: June 8
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-11 who have CTY-Level scores in quantitative and verbal
This CTY course investigates the functioning of memory from cognitive and neurological viewpoints. Students explore various memory types, the processes of recall and forgetting, and disorders like amnesia. The curriculum also covers false memories and scientific methods for measuring memory. Learning is supported by structured assignments and readings, with students dedicating a few hours each week to the coursework.
11. Yale University — Introduction to Psychology (Coursera)
Cost: Free to enroll; certificate optional for a fee (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate / Cohort Size: Open enrollment
Dates: Year-round; flexible start dates
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: High school students; no prior experience required
Yale’s Introduction to Psychology, taught by Professor Paul Bloom, offers a comprehensive overview of the scientific study of the mind and behavior. The self-paced course covers topics including perception, memory, decision-making, emotions, mental illness, and social behavior. Students learn how psychological processes develop across the lifespan and differ between individuals. Short video lectures, quizzes, and assignments keep the course engaging, while the flexible structure enables students to learn at their own pace. This course is an excellent foundational resource for students new to psychology.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
With Veritas AI, which was founded by Harvard graduate students, you can work 1-on-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we have had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. Check out a past student’s experience in the program here. You can apply here!
Image source - MIT