12 Psychology Summer Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts

If you are a high school student eager to learn about human behavior, mental health, cognition, and social interactions, psychology summer programs can be a strong option. In these programs, you often gain early exposure to academic psychology through structured coursework, research activities, and discussions led by faculty, clinicians, or graduate students. Many also help you build practical skills such as critical thinking, data interpretation, and scientific writing, which are valuable if you plan to pursue psychology or related fields.

Why should you attend a program in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is home to various research universities, teaching hospitals, and academic institutions with strengths in psychology, neuroscience, and mental health. These programs often provide access to experienced faculty, clinical perspectives, and interdisciplinary approaches that combine psychology with neuroscience, education, or public health. These programs may appeal to students who live in or study in Massachusetts, as well as to out-of-state students seeking academically rigorous summer programs in the region. 

To help you navigate your options, we’ve narrowed down a list of the 12 psychology summer programs for high school students in Massachusetts.

If you’re looking for free programs in Massachusetts, check out our blog here.

1. Youth Neurology Education and Research Program 

Location: Massachusetts General Hospital and affiliated research sites in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates who are living or studying in Massachusetts, legally authorized to work in the U.S., and able to commit full-time (40 hours per week)

The Youth Neurology Education and Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital offers a full-time, paid summer research experience focused on neurology and neuroscience. You will be paired with a faculty mentor and assigned to an active neurology research lab, where you work on ongoing research projects under close supervision. The program begins with a structured onboarding bootcamp covering research training, professional expectations, and laboratory skills. You will also participate in weekly didactic sessions led by neurologists and neuroscientists, providing exposure to clinical and research career pathways. Throughout the summer, you collaborate with peers, attend networking events, and receive mentorship from lab staff and faculty. The program concludes with formal research presentations to mentors, peers, and the MGH Neurology Department, and participants receive continued career support after completion.

2. Veritas AI

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available.
Program Dates: Vary by cohort.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions with priority deadlines in January (Spring), May (Summer), September (Fall), and November (Winter). 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 a supportive environment for high school students passionate about AI 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. Harvard University Pre-College Summer School Program

Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $6,100 program fee + $75 application fee (financial aid available)
Program Dates: June 21 – July 2 | July 5 – July 17 | July 19 – July 31
Application Deadline: Early deadline: January 7 | Regular deadline: February 11| Late deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who will graduate and are at least 16 years old by June 20

Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School Program offers an intensive, residential experience for high-achieving high school students. Participants live on campus and take a non-credit, college-level course taught by Harvard-affiliated instructors. Courses span a wide range of disciplines, including psychology, medicine, public health, social science, biology, ethics, and interdisciplinary STEM fields. The program emphasizes academic rigor through small class sizes and focused subject exploration without the pressure of graded coursework. In addition to classes, students participate in co-curricular and social activities that introduce elements of college life and peer collaboration.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Program Dates: Varies by cohort; options available in summer, fall, winter, and spring (program length ranges from 12 weeks to 1 year)
Application Deadline: Rolling; deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance and demonstrated interest in research

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a structured, mentor-led research program designed for high school students seeking in-depth academic research experience. You are paired one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor to develop and execute an independent research project in a chosen field. Research areas include psychology, cognitive science, data science, computer science, economics, engineering, and other interdisciplinary subjects. The program emphasizes research design, literature review, analysis, and academic writing. Over the course of the program, students work toward producing a formal research paper. 

5. UMass Amherst Pre-College: The Psychology of Wellbeing

Location: UMass Amherst Mount Ida Campus, Newton, MA
Cost/Stipend: $3,907 (residential) or $2,262 (commuter) + $45 application fee
Program Dates: June 29 – July 12
Application Deadline: Rolling until capacity is reached
Eligibility: High school students interested in psychology, wellbeing, and mental health

The Psychology of Wellbeing is a two-week, academically rigorous pre-college program that introduces high school students to the science of happiness and emotional health. You will explore psychological research related to well-being, motivation, and emotional resilience through college-level coursework. The program focuses on evidence-based mental health strategies and encourages students to implement research findings in practical settings. By the end, participants create a personalized action plan based on psychological research. Students can choose either residential or commuter options for campus facilities, dining, and co-curricular activities.

6. Clinical Psychology – One-Week Summer Science Program

Location: Olin College (Wellesley, MA), The Newman School (Boston, MA), or Gann/Bentley (Waltham, MA)
Cost/Stipend: $699 tuition (one-week program); $200 deposit required
Program Dates: June 22 – June 26 | July 20 – July 24 | July 27–July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling until sessions are full
Eligibility: High school students interested in psychology, mental health, or neuroscience

The Clinical Psychology One-Week Summer Science Program introduces high school students to the study of mental illness, including its origins, symptoms, and treatment approaches. You will explore major psychological disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, depression, eating disorders, and ADHD through lectures and interactive discussions. The program also covers common therapeutic interventions and treatment models used in clinical practice. Past sessions have involved visits to psychiatric facilities and academic research labs to give students exposure to real-world clinical and research environments. Experienced clinicians and researchers with backgrounds in psychology and mental health lead instruction. 

7. Criminal Minds – One-Week Summer Science Program

Location: Greater Wellesley, MA
Cost/Stipend: $699 tuition (one-week program); $200 deposit required
Program Dates: June 15 – June 19 | August 3–August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling until sessions are full
Eligibility: High school students interested in psychology, criminology, or behavioral science

This one-week summer program introduces high school students to forensic psychology and the psychological foundations of criminal behavior. You will study how abnormal psychology, trauma, personality disorders, and social influences contribute to both violent and nonviolent crime. The program uses lectures, case studies, and investigative simulations to explore real-world criminal cases and behavioral evidence. You will learn how psychologists and investigators analyze offender behavior, crime scenes, and decision-making patterns to support criminal profiling and investigations. Experienced clinicians and researchers with backgrounds in psychology and mental health lead instruction. 

8. Tufts University Introduction to Psychology (PSY 0001)

Location: Online (synchronous) or in-person at Tufts University, Medford/Somerville, MA
Cost/Stipend: $3,420 (undergraduate credit) | $1,300 (audit option)
Program Dates: May 20 – July 2 (online section) | July 6 – August 12 (evening section)
Application Deadline: Rolling until sections are full
Eligibility: 11th and 12th-grade high school students; transcript, teacher recommendation, parental permission, and additional consent forms required

Introduction to Psychology (PSY 0001) is a college-level summer course that provides a comprehensive overview of the field of psychology. You will study core topics such as perception, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, intelligence, personality, and social behavior. The course emphasizes scientific reasoning by examining how psychologists use research methods and statistics to study human behavior and mental processes. You will explore connections between psychology, neuroscience, biology, and philosophy while developing critical thinking skills. High school students attend class alongside college students and may enroll for academic credit or as non-credit auditors. 

9. Discover Psychology: Summer Academy – Clark University

Location: Clark University, Worcester, MA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified (lunch provided)
Program Dates: July 6 – July 10 (one-week academy); July 6 – July 17 (optional in-residence research-intensive program)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade high school students; no prior psychology experience required

Discover Psychology: Summer Academy is a one-week immersive program designed to introduce high school students to the field of psychology. You will explore core areas such as clinical, cognitive, developmental, and social psychology through faculty-led talks and interactive discussions. The program focuses on experiential learning, giving students hands-on activities that show how psychology applies to real-world issues. Students will design an independent research project and may present their work at Clark’s Research Festival. The academy also offers college-preparation elements, including workshops on writing personal statements and faculty evaluation letters. 

10. Psychology and Neuroscience – Harvard Summer School Secondary School Program (SSP)

Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (online/commuting option available)
Cost/Stipend: $15,735 (7-week residential, 8 credits) | $4,180 – $8,160 (online/commuting, 4–8 credits) + $75 application fee
Program Dates: 7-week summer session (exact dates vary by year)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students accepted into the Harvard Secondary School Program

The Psychology and Neuroscience track within Harvard’s Secondary School Program allows high school students to take college-level courses for credit during a seven-week summer session. You will study topics related to brain science, neurobiology, learning, decision-making, and human behavior through courses taught by Harvard-affiliated instructors. You may select two 4-credit courses or one 8-credit course, allowing for focused or interdisciplinary exploration of psychology and neuroscience. Coursework emphasizes lectures, discussion-based learning, and academic assessments consistent with undergraduate standards. You will earn official Harvard Summer School credit, which may be transferable depending on your future institution's policies. 

11. American Psychological Association (APA) Internship Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Both paid and unpaid positions available
Program Dates: Offered during Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter terms
Application Deadline: Rolling; deadlines vary by department
Eligibility: Students enrolled part-time or full-time in an academic institution; applicants under 18 must submit a D.C. Work Permit; U.S. residents only (state restrictions apply)

The APA Internship Program offers students the opportunity to work with one of the leading professional organizations in psychology. Interns are placed across departments such as research, education, communications, policy, publishing, and digital media. Depending on the role, you may assist with literature reviews, data organization, writing and editing projects, content development, or advocacy-related materials. The program provides exposure to how psychological science informs public policy, education, and public-facing initiatives. You will also participate in professional development activities, including workshops and virtual seminars. 

12. Media and Mental Health – Summer@Brown 

Location: Virtual (online, mostly asynchronous)
Cost: $3,364 (2-week online course; cost varies by program length)
Program Dates: July 14 – July 25
Application Deadline: Rolling until courses are full
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in psychology, mental health, public health, or media studies; no prior coursework required

Media and Mental Health is a two-week online psychology course offered through Brown University’s Summer@Brown program that examines how media influences mental health and public well-being. You will explore how social media, film, television, news, and online communities shape perceptions of mental illness, psychological treatment, and help-seeking behavior. The course covers topics related to abnormal psychology, media literacy, and public health, including the accuracy and ethics of mental health portrayals in popular media. Students engage with recorded lectures, guest speakers, independent research projects, and small-group online activities.