11 Psychology Internships for High School Students in NYC
If you are a high school student interested in psychology, internships can be a great option for you to explore. Internships are a fantastic and cost-effective way to gain exposure to psychology, develop practical skills, and build valuable connections in the field. They also help you build communication and problem-solving skills while showing you how psychology applies in clinics, labs, and organizations. These early experiences can shape your academic interests and give you a head start as you prepare for college or future careers in the field.
Institutions across New York City offer psychology internships, where you can explore topics such as clinical neuropsychology, mental health research, and organizational behavior without the high price tag typically associated with collegiate opportunities. You might study mental health in a clinical setting, assist with neuropsychology projects, or learn about organizational behavior in action. Being in NYC also gives you access to professionals and mentors who are actively shaping the field, making it an especially valuable place to explore your interest in psychology.
We’ve carefully compiled a list of 11 psychology internships for high school students in NYC, including a few adjacent opportunities such as academic research programs and academies that provide similar hands-on experience and mentorship.
1. Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP)
Location: Rockefeller University, Manhattan, NYC
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; small cohort of NYC public high school students
Dates: August 4 – 15
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: NYC public high school students, age 16+ by program start date
Cost: Free
The Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP) is a two-week, fully funded course for NYC public high school students interested in exploring the brain and behavior. Led by Rockefeller University graduate students, you will participate in interactive lectures, journal clubs, and lab tours. You will design and present your neuroscience experiments, read and analyze scientific papers, and gain hands-on experience by dissecting a sheep brain and a cow eye. The program also includes facility tours and mentorship from professional scientists.
2. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohorts matched with start-ups
Dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Veritas AI offers high school students passionate about artificial intelligence the chance to explore the field through collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Over 15 weeks, students pursue independent research projects that can combine AI with any area of interest—including psychology—making it a great option for those curious about AI applications in mental health, cognition, or behavior. The fellowship emphasizes both learning and doing, allowing students to treat the experience as a work-learn program where they develop practical skills while producing meaningful research. Participants also gain the chance to publish and showcase their projects, building a strong academic profile for college and beyond.
3. BrainSTORwM – Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY, offered virtually and in hybrid formats.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; ~25 students matched with mentors per year
Dates: Monthly seminar series (September – May); Mentorship program (June – May, with final symposium in May)
Application Deadline: Typically opens in winter
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) with a demonstrated interest in neuroscience, psychology, or brain research
Cost: Free
The BrainSTORM program combines a monthly neuroscience seminar series with a year-long mentorship opportunity for high school students. Through monthly lectures, you’ll explore topics such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, sports-related concussions, and cognitive experiment design, gaining exposure to experts in neuropsychology, neuroimaging, and neurology. You will be accepted into the mentorship program are paired with Columbia University faculty and researchers to design and conduct a guided research project, which culminates in a poster session at a year-end symposium.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohorts matched with start-ups
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter; each 8–12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (Spring: January; Summer: May; Fall: September; Winter: November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours/week
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Ladder Internships provides high school students with the chance to explore psychology and related fields through hands-on work with health tech, behavioral science, and start-up environments. You will contribute to real-world projects, collaborate closely with your start-up manager, and receive personalized mentorship from a Ladder Coach. The psychology track may involve tasks in cognitive research applications, behavioral data analysis, or wellness-focused innovation projects. At the end of the program, you will present your work to your start-up team, gaining both professional skills and project experience.
5. BRAINYAC (Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; limited to students in partner programs
Dates: January to August, starting with weekend training sessions in the winter and spring, then shifting to a full-time internship from June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th-grade students who reside in NYC and are enrolled in partner programs (S-PREP, Lang Youth Medical, Double Discovery Center, Columbia Secondary School, or BioBus). Preference for students from Upper Manhattan and the Bronx.
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided to participants
Columbia’s BRAINYAC program at the Zuckerman Institute begins with weekend training sessions during winter and spring, followed by a full-time summer internship. The program provides practical experience and an opportunity to explore academic research in areas such as neuroscience, psychology, molecular biology, computational neuroscience, and biochemistry. Each participant will be paired with a PhD student, postdoc, or faculty mentor to develop and carry out a neuroscience research project. The program focuses on developing professional lab skills, fostering scientific inquiry, and providing exposure to the latest brain science. Additionally, students will join Columbia’s scientific community through enrichment activities and networking opportunities with researchers.
6. Columbia University Summer Immersion: Psychology and Social Behavior
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; varies by session
Dates: Multiple 3-week summer sessions available
Application Deadline: March 3 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $2,810 – $12,449 depending on program length; financial aid available
Columbia University’s Summer Immersion program allows high school students to explore psychology through its Psychology and Social Behavior course. Over the course of three weeks, you will examine topics such as group dynamics, persuasion, interpersonal relationships, and the cultural influences on behavior. The course combines lectures, collaborative discussions, and project-based assignments, helping you apply psychological theories to real-world contexts. You’ll also build skills in critical thinking, teamwork, and communication while working with peers from diverse backgrounds.
8. Youth Mental Health Academy (YMHA)
Location: Virtual with some in-person sessions at the Mental Health Academy in California
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; focused on students from structurally marginalized communities
Dates: First Summer: June 23 – July 24 (5-week academy), Academic Year: August – May (monthly workshops & mentorship), Second Summer: July – August (internship; ~6 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students in California with GPA ≥ 2.5; must commit to full 14-month program and provide proof of health insurance
Cost/Stipend: Free; participants receive stipends up to $2,000 for the academy and internship
The Youth Mental Health Academy (YMHA) is a comprehensive 14-month career development program designed for high school students interested in mental health. During the first summer, you’ll take part in a 5-week paid academy that combines interactive lessons with professionals, discussions on mental health disorders and inequities, and a capstone project focused on a topic of your choice. Throughout the academic year, you’ll attend monthly workshops, mentorship sessions, and “Psych Talks” that strengthen college readiness and professional skills. The second summer features a paid internship, lasting about 100 hours, at a community-based or research organization, providing hands-on experience in mental health science, advocacy, and intervention.
9. American Psychological Association Internships
Location: Remote
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by department and session
Dates: Year-round cohorts (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution; applicants under 18 must submit a D.C. Work Permit; must be U.S. residents in eligible states
Cost/Stipend: Paid and unpaid (academic credit) positions available
The American Psychological Association (APA) offers a diverse range of internships that allow students to explore non-traditional career paths in psychology. As an intern, you may be placed in areas such as research, policy, publishing, communications, or education, depending on your interests and department fit. The program focuses on professional development, applying theoretical psychological knowledge in real-world contexts, and exposing students to the workings of a significant non-profit association with over 157,000 members. Interns also have the opportunity to attend professional workshops, network with APA staff, and participate in group projects.
10. Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Summer Internship for High School Students
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohort of rising 10th–12th graders and rising college first-years
Dates: June 2 – 6 and June 9 – 13
Application Deadline: Early February, application opens again in late September
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, plus rising college first-years; must submit application, essay, and counselor recommendation
Cost/Stipend: Free
This two-week summer internship introduces high school students to the wide range of careers available in mental health. Led by licensed clinical social workers, neuropsychologists, physician assistants, and psychiatrists, the program combines preparatory readings with interactive online sessions. You’ll explore topics such as psychotherapy, neuropsychological testing, neuroscience, interventional psychiatry, and community psychiatry. Each day includes discussions with clinician-scientists who share their professional journeys, answer questions, and demonstrate aspects of their work.
11. John Hopkins University – Psychology and Brain Sciences Summer Programs
Location: Online
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open-enrollment; class sizes vary
Dates: Self-paced and summer session options available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in psychology or neuroscience
Cost: Varies by course; typically $1,000 – $3,000
Johns Hopkins University, home to the first psychological laboratory in the U.S., offers multiple summer courses in psychology and brain sciences. You can choose from topics such as abnormal psychology, neurobiology, and introductory psychology, all taught at a college level. A standout option is the Psychological Profiling course, where you’ll study the forensic applications of psychology, analyze cases involving offenders, and explore the legal and ethical issues related to profiling. Courses are delivered online, making them accessible from anywhere while still providing exposure to Hopkins faculty and resources.
12. Critical Thinking Summer Institute
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; rolling admission until program fills
Dates: July 7 – July 25
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th grade students; GPA of 3.2+; must be at least 15 years old by June
Cost: $3,007; financial aid is available.
UCLA’s Critical Thinking Summer Institute is a three-week, interactive program that introduces high school students to the psychology of reasoning, logic, and argument construction. Through lectures and informal discussion sections led by UCLA faculty, you’ll explore deductive and inductive reasoning, how to frame focused research questions, and how to evaluate arguments. The program also features a media literacy and publishing workshop, where students prepare and refine an article for publication. Alongside peers, you’ll work on short problem sets and complete a final research article that applies critical thinking concepts to real-world issues.
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