15 Psychology Programs for High School Students

If you are a high school student interested in understanding how the mind works, psychology programs are a great way to get started! 

These programs offer opportunities to dive into topics like memory, behavior, emotions, and mental health while also building research and critical thinking skills. Many programs take place on university campuses, offering a glimpse into college life and academics. You will also find virtual opportunities that help you explore psychology from the comfort of your home. 

As a participant, you may get to work with and learn from professors, researchers, or mental health professionals and gain insights into pursuing a career in psychology. These programs offer access to advanced coursework as well as activities, group projects, and workshops that help you see how psychology connects to real life. 

In this blog, we have come up with 15 psychology programs designed for high school students.

1. Child Mind Institute’s Youth Mental Health Academy

Location: Child Mind Institute, San Mateo, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $2,000 stipend available
Program dates: 14-month program—Onsite Mental Health Academy: June 23 – July 24; monthly workshops and mentor support: August – May; internship: July and August
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from structurally marginalized communities who attend a public or private school in California and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher

The Youth Mental Health Academy is a 14-month program that offers high school students opportunities to explore mental health science and practice through various projects. In the first summer, you will join a five-week academy, attending sessions on mental health disorders, health inequities, career paths, and academic skills. During the school year, you will receive mentorship from a health professional. In the second summer, you will gain 100 hours of paid internship experience at a community or research organization. You will find opportunities to build skills in data analysis, boost career readiness, and contribute to mental health projects. You will also complete a capstone project, which will include developing a research paper, a creative presentation, and a display.

2. Veritas AI’s AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase 

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort; multiple 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including in spring, summer, winter, and fall
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; January (for spring) | May (summer) | November (winter) | September (fall)
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior experience in Python

Veritas AI offers various learning experiences to high school students interested in the field of AI. The programs provide you with a collaborative learning environment to explore your interests through projects and 1-on-1 mentorship. The AI Fellowship program is an opportunity to explore the basics and applications of AI and pursue an independent interdisciplinary AI project. For the final project, you can choose to focus on the current or future role of AI in the field of mental health, neuroscience, and psychology. You will present your work at the end of the program. You can find a few examples of previous Veritas AI projects here. 

3. NIH Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research

Location: various National Institutes of Health (NIH) campuses, including Bethesda, MD

Cost: Free; stipend provided (amount varies based on location and education level)

Program Dates: 8-10 weeks, typically starting in June

Application Deadline: March 1

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (ages 16–18)

The NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) offers high school students an eight-week opportunity to explore neuroscience and biomedical research with leading scientists. Working on projects supported by institutes like the NIMH, participants gain lab experience while studying connections between brain function and mental health. The program emphasizes mentorship, skill-building, and data analysis, helping students sharpen research techniques and communicate findings effectively. By the end, participants not only develop professional connections but also build a strong foundation for future studies in psychology, medicine, or biomedical sciences.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered

Program dates: Multiple sessions, including summer, spring, fall, and winter cohorts, are scheduled each year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort/multiple cohorts run each year, including in the spring, winter, fall, and summer

Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0

This is a rigorous research program designed for high school students who wish to explore a specific area and topic of interest in depth. Here, you will get to work one-on-one with a Ph. D.-level mentor on an independent research project. You can choose research topics from a wide range of subjects, including psychology and mental health. You will finalize a research question with support from your mentor and also work with a writing coach to present your findings. At the end of the program, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can find more details about the application and available program formats here.

5. Barrow Neurological Institute Summer High School Internship Program

Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 5 – July 9
Application deadline: February 10
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older at the start of the program.

Barrow Neurological Institute’s Department of Translational Neuroscience offers summer internships to high school students interested in neuroscience. In this program, you will work with scientists and clinicians on projects in areas like brain cancer, psychology, blood vessel research, and spine studies. You will build research and professional skills while working in a lab, studying scientific papers, and using research methods. The program also offers insights into biological principles and mechanisms that contribute to the development of diseases and their treatment. You will have access to the guidance of Barrow researchers throughout the program. 

6. University of Texas Southwestern Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Program dates: Two weeks in June

Application deadline: Early February; applications open in late September

Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors + graduating seniors

Offered by UT Southwestern Medical Center, the Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship is a virtual program designed for high schoolers interested in exploring careers in mental health. Here, you will learn from and interact with mental health professionals, including licensed social workers, psychiatrists, physician assistants, and neuropsychologists. Through online sessions, professionals will share their experiences in psychology, offering you insights into pursuing a career in the field. Additionally, you will learn about fields like psychotherapy, interventional psychiatry, neuroscience, community psychiatry, and neuropsychological testing.

7. Psychology Institute @ Wake Forest University

Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $3,400; financial aid available
Program dates: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current 9th – 12th grade students

At the Psychology Institute at Wake Forest University, you will spend a week learning about psychology and building skills to pursue a career in the field. You will explore topics like how people control emotions, how the brain works, addiction, and mental health problems. You will engage in activities such as observing behavior and dissecting a sheep's brain to gain a deeper understanding of the brain. You will also conduct observational research. At the end of the week, you will present your research project and earn a Certificate of Completion from Wake Forest University. 

8. USC Pre-College Program’s Psychological Science & Society Course 

Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $11,347 (residential) | $7,812 (commuter) | $11,949 + $185 visa application fee +  $350 government fee and (international student fee) 
Program dates: June 15 – July 12
Application deadline: March 14 (international students) | May 2 (domestic students)
Eligibility: High school students

The Psychological Science and Society program at the University of Southern California is a four-week course for high school students. Here, you will learn the basics of psychological science and engage in activities like mindfulness exercises, games, and psychological tests. You will explore topics like psychology research methods, cognitive psychology, addiction, social media, and relationships. Additionally, you will design and complete your own research project. The program can offer insights into human behavior as well as possible careers in psychology.

9. University of Chicago Summer Immersion: Psychology Courses

Location: Remote or in-person at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $2,500–$14,490, depending on the format and session length; financial aid available
Program dates: Vary by course; summer sessions and courses of varying lengths available
Application deadline: Priority: January 22; Regular: March 5; Extended: April 15; Rolling: April 15 – May 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11

The University of Chicago Summer Immersion Program offers high school students a chance to study psychology in a college setting through various courses in the field. You can choose a course that aligns with your interests. In the Developmental Psychology course, you will learn how the brain and behavior change from infancy to adolescence and will explore theories of emotional, moral, and cognitive development. In the Fundamentals of Psychology course, you will study memory, perception, mental health, and other parts of human behavior through reading, lectures, labs, and fieldwork. In each course, you will find opportunities to engage in research, lab work, and group projects. You will also learn how to apply psychology concepts in real situations.

10. Harvard Secondary School Program: Psychology Courses

Location: Virtual or in-person at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $4,050–$14,950 + $75 application fee
Program dates: Four-week program: July 12 – August 8 | Seven-week program: June 20 – August 8
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students who will turn 16 before the program starts and will not turn 19 before July 31

Harvard’s Secondary School Program is an opportunity to enroll in college-level courses, earn credit, and experience campus life. You can choose courses in psychology to explore topics such as the brain and behavior, thinking and memory, and social interactions. You will build academic skills by completing college-level coursework and joining workshops that help you with college preparation. You will also connect with students from many backgrounds through activities and events. At the end of the program, you will earn official college credit and a transcript. You can join either a four-week residential program or a seven-week program, offering online, commuting, and on-campus participation.

11. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Topics in Psychology Course

Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080; need-based financial aid is available.
Program dates: July 7 – 18
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11

The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes allows high schoolers to explore areas of interest through online courses, which span various disciplines, including psychology. The Topics in Psychology course covers concepts like social psychology, cognitive development, memory, perception, and mental health. It will also introduce you to the work of important psychologists. You will build technical and academic skills by engaging in small research projects, collecting and analyzing data, and learning the limits of different research methods. The program will help you refine critical thinking skills and learn how to apply psychology in real situations.

12. Brown University’s Pre-College Program: Psychology Courses

Location: Virtual or in-person at Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: $2,816–$9,870 depending on the course duration and format; need-based financial aid available
Program dates: Vary according to course; typically between June and July
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14–18

Brown University offers high school students college-level courses through its various pre-college programs. You can choose from over 45+ non-credit psychology courses, which are conducted either in person or online. The course topics range from abnormal adolescent psychology, addiction, and personality disorders to human behavior, neuroscience, and health psychology. For instance, in the Psychology of Willpower and Motivation course, you will explore scientific literature on self-control. The Introduction to Clinical Psychology course covers topics like psychoanalysis and behavior therapy. On completing your chosen course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion.

13. Gettysburg College’s  Camp Psych

Location: Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA
Cost: $1,395
Program dates: July 13 – 18
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

Camp Psych at Gettysburg College is a one-week program that introduces high school students to the field of psychology. At camp, you will learn from college professors, explore topics in psychology, and engage in research. In the process, you will gain insights into real psychology research and topics like helping behavior. You will also build college readiness while living on campus, touring the campus, and connecting with current and former psychology majors. 

14. NSLC’s Psychology and Neuroscience High School Summer Program

Location: Multiple university campuses
Cost: $4,295
Dates: Multiple 9-day sessions between June 12 and August 2
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Students, ages 14–18, who have finished at least one year of high school

This NSLC program is designed to introduce high school students to psychology and neuroscience. As a participant, you will study brain scans, learn about cranial anatomy, and explore how mental health disorders are diagnosed and treated. You will also have access to workshops, where you will explore treatment methods, patient care, and diagnosis of complex mental health issues. You will participate in field trips and tours to university psychology departments and organizations operating in the field that give you real-world exposure to psychology and neuroscience.

15. Columbia University Pre-College Program’s Social Psychology: Understanding Human Behavior Course

Location: Virtual format available for NJ students
Cost: Varies by session length and format
Program dates: Multiple sessions in summer, fall, and spring
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 

Columbia University offers various pre-college courses to high schoolers. Its Social Psychology course covers the key theories in psychology and research regarding human social behavior. As a participant, you will explore topics like helping, compliance, empathy, prejudice, bullying, conformity, and the development of personality. The course can help you develop a clearer understanding of why humans help and hurt each other. Additionally, you will learn about the psychological methods used to predict and prevent anti-social behavior. Additionally, the course offers insight into scientific principles and methodology.

If you are looking to develop 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. Last year, over 1,000 students explored AI & ML with us. You can apply here!

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