10 Summer Programs for High School Students Interested in Psychology
Summer internships are a great way to explore your areas of interest in a holistic manner. They offer valuable insights into both the theoretical and practical dimensions of a subject, allowing you to engage with its core methodologies, concepts, and applications. For students interested in psychology, summer programs provide an opportunity to gain experience, deepen subject matter knowledge, and build a strong academic and professional foundation.
Here are 10 summer programs for high school students interested in psychology!
1. Stanford University - Topics in Psychology
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate/ Cohort Size: 5% - 10%.
Dates: July 7 - 18.
Application Deadline: March 20.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11 at the time of application are eligible to apply.
Cost: $3,080. Need-based financial aid is available.
This summer program offers a comprehensive overview of key theoretical and methodological foundations in psychology. You will explore works that have influenced the field's evolution, alongside contemporary research areas and techniques.
Through practical activities, including small-scale research projects, you will gain experience with the tools commonly used in social science research. Topics may cover social and cognitive development, perception, memory, psychological disorders, major psychological theories and contributors, research methods and their limitations, and real-world applications of psychological insights.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including Summer.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. May.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars.
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI offers specialized online programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence and data science. The AI Scholars program introduces you to foundational concepts over ten sessions, combining theory with hands-on projects.
For more advanced learners, the AI Fellowship offers 1:1 mentorship with researchers from top universities, culminating in an independent research project. You will also receive guidance on publishing your work in high school research journals. These programs aim to provide rigorous academic exposure while supporting students in exploring potential research or career interests in AI and data science. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. University of Southern California - Psychological Science and Society
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective.
Dates: June 15- July 12.
Application Deadline: Domestic Students: May 2 | International Students: March 14. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least the 9th grade by June 15 are eligible to apply.
Cost: Residential: $11,347 | Commuter: $7,812.
This summer program offers a focused study of classic and contemporary psychological theories with real-world applications. Through interactive activities and an independent research project, you will enhance critical thinking, deepen your understanding of human behavior, and explore psychology’s role in addressing societal issues.
You will engage with core psychological concepts through daily exercises and explore diverse career paths in psychology, from clinical practice to social sciences. Topics covered include the history of psychology, research methods, cognition, intelligence, learning, personality, motivation, values, leadership, the mind-body connection, substance use, social media and mental health, therapeutic games, happiness, and relationships.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Psychology Track
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Varies by cohort. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Eligibility: Current high school students who have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement are eligible to apply.
Cost: Individual Research Program (12 weeks): $2,990 | Premium Research & Publication Program (16-20 weeks): $5,900 | Research Fellowship (6-12 months): $8,900. Need-based financial aid is available.
The Lumiere Program offers one-on-one mentorship with Ph.D. researchers, enabling you to undertake independent research projects over a 12-week period. This experience provides both a broad and focused understanding of research in psychology.
You can choose from subject areas including psychology, neuroscience, and consumer behavior. You will produce a full-length research paper demonstrating both technical rigor and original analysis. The program is designed to strengthen your research abilities and prepare you for future academic endeavors. You can find more information here.
5. Harvard University - Introduction to Psychology
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
Acceptance Rate/ Cohort Size: Highly selective; 12-18 students.
Dates: June 23 – August 8.
Application Deadline: June 17.
Eligibility: High school students who will turn 16 before the program starts and will not turn 19 before July 31 are eligible to apply.
Cost: $3850. Need-based financial aid is available.
This summer program offers a comprehensive overview of the theoretical foundations of psychology. Key areas of focus include learning and motivation, personality, and clinical psychology. You will also explore major questions addressed in psychological research, including the complex interplay between nature and nurture.
In addition to academic coursework, the program features workshops and social events that provide opportunities to engage with peers from diverse backgrounds, fostering both intellectual exchange and community building.
6. Brown University - Psychology of Willpower and Motivation
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective.
Dates: July 14 - 25.
Application Deadline: January 15 - May 9. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school students completing grades 9-12, aged 14 -18 years by June 15, are eligible to apply.
Cost: Residential: $5,534 | Commuter: $4,286. Need-based financial aid is available.
This summer program offers an introduction to the science of willpower, examining how it functions and why it often fails. Drawing on psychological research, it explores the influence of internal, social, and environmental factors on self-control and motivation.
You will apply these insights by selecting a personal willpower challenge and conducting real-life experiments to test evidence-based strategies for improving self-control. By the end of the course, you will be equipped to explain key concepts related to willpower and apply practical techniques to enhance motivation and achieve personal goals.
7. Wake Forest University - Psychology Institute
Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective.
Dates: June 1–6 or June 8–13.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Current 9th – 12th grade high school students are eligible to apply.
Cost: $3,400. Need-based financial aid is available.
This immersive summer program allows high school students to explore neuroscience and psychology through interactive and practical experiences. Activities include brain structure analysis through sheep brain dissections, studying sensory perception, and conducting observational research.
Topics such as neuroplasticity, illusions, emotions, and cognitive biases are also covered. You are expected to present your findings at the end of the program. The daily schedule runs from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and includes academic sessions and evening group activities led by expert faculty.
8. New York University - Psychology and the Workplace: Social Functions of Emotions
Location: NYU School of Professional Studies, New York, NY.
Acceptance Rate: 8%.
Dates: Session 1: June 23 - 27 | Session II: July 14 - 18 | Session III: July 21 - 25 | Session IV: August 4 - 8.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed grades 9-11 are eligible to apply.
Cost: Application fee $50 and tuition $2,579 | Housing & Dining Fees (optional add on): $640.
This summer program explores the biological foundations of behavior, the influence of emotions, and strategies to develop resilience and motivation. Through reflective writing, experiential learning, and guest lectures, you will connect psychological theories to real-life contexts and career paths, with a focus on current research and practical application.
You will gain insight into how psychology informs human behavior and workplace dynamics, and will receive an NYU transcript upon successful completion, with assignments designed to build college-level academic readiness.
9. Johns Hopkins University - Psychological Profiling
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Session I: June 23 – July 4 | Session II: July 7 – 18 | Session III: July 21 – August 1.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply.
Cost: $1,950.
This summer program offers the opportunity to examine the strengths and limitations of psychological methods used by forensic professionals who assist law enforcement in criminal investigations. You will also explore critical legal and ethical issues, such as racial profiling and the methodological analysis of violent behavior.
The program requires you to meet daily and weekly deadlines for class assignments. With a diverse cohort of students from around the world, the program provides valuable exposure to different perspectives and fosters meaningful peer-to-peer connections.
10. National Student Leadership Conference - Psychology and Neuroscience
Location: Multiple locations across the United States.
Cohort Size: 12-16 students.
Dates: Multiple 9-day sessions between June 12 - August 2.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years who have completed at least one year in high school are eligible to apply.
Cost: $4,295. Need-based scholarships are available.
The National Student Leadership Conference high school summer program integrates three key components: hands-on research experience, expert instruction, and immersive fieldwork. It includes laboratory sessions, expert talks, and interactive workshops.
You will engage with topics such as patient care, mental health challenges, and treatment strategies. A unique feature is the opportunity to analyze brain scans and explore how neurological functions influence human behavior.
Image source - harvard University