14 Psychology Programs for High School Students in New York State
If you’re a high school student curious about human behavior, psychology programs can be a great way to explore it in detail. Psychology programs often combine lectures, experiments, case studies, and mentorship to help you build critical thinking, research, and communication skills. Whether you’re interested in clinical psychology, neuroscience, or social behavior, these programs give you a chance to ask big questions about the mind and learn how psychologists uncover answers.
New York State is home to world-class universities, medical centers, and research institutes that offer summer and year-round opportunities for motivated high school students. From cognitive science labs to behavioral research initiatives, you can access mentored learning, work with real data, and gain exposure to professionals in the field. These experiences can strengthen your academic profile while helping you discover which areas of psychology you may want to pursue in the future.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled 14 psychology programs for high school students in New York State.
If you're looking for more programs in New York State, check our blogs here and here.
1. The Rockefeller University’s Summer Neuroscience Program
Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 18–24 students
Dates: August 4 – 15
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: New York City public high school students who are at least 16 years of age
The Rockefeller University Summer Neuroscience Program is a free, two-week immersive course that gives you hands-on exposure to brain science. You’ll attend lectures, meet working scientists, explore topics like memory, emotion, consciousness, development, and mental illness, visit research labs, design a mini experiment, and even participate in a brain dissection. You will visit research facilities and meet scientists and learn about the latest research going on in the field. While not strictly a psychology program, this neuroscience experience explores brain mechanisms that underpin thought and behavior, offering a valuable bridge between biology and psychology. You can check the sample schedule here.
2. Veritas AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI gives high school students passionate about artificial intelligence the chance to work on independent projects with mentorship and guided learning. Over the course of the program, you will work on independent research projects that can integrate AI with any subject area, including psychology, making it an excellent choice for those interested in exploring AI’s role in cognition, behavior, or mental health. The fellowship emphasizes hands-on skill-building and research experience, with opportunities to publish or showcase your work, making it a strong option for students interested in AI’s real-world applications.
3. College Now at CCNY
Location: The City College of New York, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Public high school students who have attended at least 3 semesters of high school, a minimum major course average of 80, and a score of at least 75 on the English Language Arts.
CCNY’s College Now program lets high school students earn college credit by taking real university classes. One course they offer is Applications of Psychology in the Modern World, which is a 3-credit course that examines psychological theories and how they shape human behavior and society. Topics include personality, motivation, aggression, attraction, abnormal behavior, and treatment approaches. The emphasis is on how psychological theory and research are applied to individual and social problems. During the course, you will write and submit a research paper as part of the coursework.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Psychology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4. No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs high school students with PhD mentors for a 12-week online research experience. You will meet your mentor weekly, complete assignments, and produce an independent research paper by the end of the program. You can choose between the standard 12-week option or the 15-week Premium Program, which offers additional support and a longer paper. Psychology is one of the many available research areas, with past projects covering topics such as ADHD, autism, cognitive development, and behavioral neuroscience. You can submit their work to journals, enter competitions, or use it to enhance college applications. Financial aid is available, and the program welcomes students from around the world. You can find more details about the application here.
5. College Now at Hunter College
Location: Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: January 26 – May 26
Application Deadline: December 5
Eligibility: Current 10th, 11th and 12th grade students
College Now is a free dual-enrollment program offered by City University of New York (CUNY) and the NYC Department of Education, allowing high school students to earn college credits and take real university courses. One option is Psychology 101, which introduces core concepts such as perception, memory, learning, motivation, intelligence, personality, and behavioral disorders. You’ll also study psychology’s history, research methods, and treatments, including group behavior. Students who complete the course earn 3 college credits.
6. Brain Research Apprenticeship in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Stipend: Stipend is provided, but the amount is not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who live in New York City and are enrolled in one of the Zuckerman Institute’s New York City-based partner programs (S-PREP, BioBus, Lang Youth Medical, Columbia Secondary School, or Double Discovery Center)
The Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC) is a hands-on summer research experience in Columbia University labs. The program begins with spring training, where you learn lab skills such as coding, pipetting, microscope use, dissection, and data handling. In the summer, you complete a paid research placement with a neuroscientist, working on projects that may explore topics like stress, addiction, decision-making, or animal behavior. The program concludes with a research poster and oral presentation at a final symposium.
7. Fordham University’s Psychology Summer Course
Location: Fordham University, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Varies with each course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies with each course
Application Deadline: Varies with each course
Eligibility: All high school students
Fordham University’s pre-college program offers a range of psychology programs for high school students. You can find topics such as foundations of psychology, psychopathology, social psychology, cognition, behavior modification, and urban psychology. The program offers the chance to earn 3–4 college credits. Participants will engage in lectures, research, and demonstrations to delve deeply into each topic.
8. Fashion Institute of Technology’s Fashion, Consumers, and Psychology Course
Location: The Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY
Cost: $430
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: November 1 – 22
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12
Fashion Institute of Technology’s pre-college program offers a course that explores the relationship between psychology and fashion. You’ll learn how trends spread, how colors and design influence mood, and how style communicates identity and culture. The course includes creating a portfolio of consumer insights and forecasts, as well as analyzing famous figures — from celebrities to political leaders — to understand buyer behavior and motivation.
9. Manhattan University’s Psychology Pre-College Camp
Location: Manhattan University, Bronx, NY
Cost: TBD plus $100 non-refundable registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students who are currently in 10th – 12th grade
Manhattan University’s Psychology Pre-College Camp introduces students to how the mind works and what psychologists study. You’ll explore major branches of the field such as clinical, developmental, social, forensic, and sports psychology as well as topics like brain science and animal behavior. The program features lectures, interactive activities, and optional outings like a trip to the Empire State Building or a Broadway show.
10. NYU SPS High School Academy – Psychology and the Workplace
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $2,579 + $50 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 23 – 27 | Session 2: July 14 – 18 | Session 3: July 21 – 25 | Session 7: August 4 – 8
Application Deadline: May 15 (Residential) | June 13 (Commuter)
Eligibility: High school students who have completed grades 9, 10, or 11
The one-week summer course, "Psychology and the Workplace: Social Functions of Emotions," is part of NYU's Career Edge program for high school students. This course allows students to investigate the impact of emotions on professional interactions, behavior, and decision-making. Students will participate in reflective writing, hands-on activities, and attend guest lectures to understand how emotional awareness contributes to both personal growth and success in the workplace.
11. Columbia University’s Pre-College Programs
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $12,750 (Residential) | $6,310 (Commuter) | $2,815 (Online)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Varies with each course
Application Deadline: Varies with each course
Eligibility: Rising high school students
Columbia’s Pre-College Program offers multiple psychology-related courses. Beginners can start with The Science of Psychology, which covers memory, perception, and cognitive development. Additional options include Psycholinguistics, focusing on language and the mind, and Social Psychology, which explores topics such as empathy, conformity, prejudice, and group behavior. Other available subjects include animal behavior and child development. Courses are offered online and in person, with some sessions during fall and spring as well.
12. Adelphi University’s Pre-College Program – Psychology and Pop Culture
Location: Adelphi University, Garden City, NY
Cost/Stipend: $4,540 (Residential) | $3,190 (Commuter)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 12 – August 1
Application Deadline: June 12
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Adelphi University’s pre-college program lets you dive into advanced subjects while preparing for college. In the Psychology and Pop Culture course, you’ll explore how psychological concepts surface in music, film, advertising, social media, and everyday life. The course examines themes like identity, creativity, mental health, cross-cultural communication, and social behavior. There will also be discussions about various mental health disorders and how they impact individuals. You can also earn college credit through the program.
13. Summer Springboard’s Psychology & Neuroscience Program
Location: Barnard College, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $3,298 (Commuter) | $5,898 (Residential)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session 1: July 6 – 18 | Session 2: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
Summer Springboard’s psychology and neuroscience program introduces students to how the brain drives thoughts, behavior, and emotion. You’ll take part in simulations, neurology workshops, lab visits, and hands-on activities while learning from psychologists, neurologists, and researchers. Topics include personality, emotion, and mental illness. For your capstone, you’ll design a small psychological theory, conduct experiments, and present your results. Some sessions also feature activities like brain dissections and demonstrations of tools such as fMRI technology.
14. American Psychological Association Internships
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid and unpaid (academic credit) positions available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by department and session
Dates: Year-round cohorts (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: 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
The American Psychological Association offers a variety of internships that introduce students to psychology-related careers beyond traditional clinical work. Depending on your interests, you may be placed in departments such asa research, policy, publishing, communications, or education. You will gain professional experience by applying psychological concepts in real-world settings and learning how a major nonprofit organization operates. The program also provides networking opportunities, workshops, and collaborative projects with APA staff.
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