If you’re a high school student interested in law or legal research, online law summer programs give you the chance to explore this field in an affordable and accessible manner! As a participant, you will learn the technical skills that top lawyers, judges, and professionals use every day, and work on your critical thinking and problem solving abilities. You’ll explore areas like constitutional law, criminal law, human rights, and environmental law, all from home.
These programs help you build skills in legal writing, case analysis, and research. You’ll take part in mock trials, collaborate with peers, and get feedback from professors, offering you a real look at the legal field. Plus, the skills you’ll gain aren’t just for law. They’ll help you excel in any field where critical thinking, research, and clear communication are key – business, journalism, politics, or even entrepreneurship.
If you’re ready to get started, check out our list of 14 online law/legal research summer programs, from top-tier institutions like Stanford, Georgetown, Harvard, and more!
14 Online Law/Legal Research Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) — Law Track
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects like data science, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and more. It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
Once you select your subject and research type, you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a top university who will mentor you through the process. In the law-related tracks, you can explore topics like how jurors’ demographics affect verdicts or how psychological theory can improve plea negotiations. These areas examine the intersection of law and psychology, focusing on fairness and decision-making in the justice system.
Through the program, you’ll work on a university-level research paper that can be submitted to journals for publication. You’ll also receive a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Application Deadlines: Vary as per cohorts. The summer cohort regular admission deadline is April 20!
Program Dates: The summer cohort starts June 16. Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply at least four weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program — Law Track
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a structured research opportunity for high school students, offering personalized 1-on-1 mentorship. You’ll work with a Ph.D. mentor on an independent research project in a subject of your choice. The program lasts 12 weeks, and by the end, you’ll have developed your research paper.
If you’re interested in law, you can select the program’s law track or explore topics in economics, environmental studies, or international relations. This allows you to focus on specific areas of interest while gaining hands-on research experience. Apply here.
Location: Remote — You can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I application deadline is April 13!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
3. Georgetown University’s Law Pre-College Online Program
Georgetown University’s Pre-College Online Law Program gives you a solid introduction to the legal system while focusing on core skills every lawyer needs. You’ll learn how to build fact-based arguments, analyze evidence, and make decisions grounded in logic.
The program includes real and fictional cases, helping you understand what qualifies as a crime. You’ll also dive into the psychology and sociology behind criminal behavior and explore how personal values shape society’s view of crime.
Cost: $1,795
Application Deadline: Varies according to the course. Deadlines are usually one week before the start date. See deadlines here.
Program Dates: Multiple 1-week, 2-week, and 4-week sessions.
Eligibility: For students ages 13 and up
4. Stanford’s Pre-College Legal Studies: Critical Thinking Skills
Stanford’s Pre-College Legal Studies program helps you sharpen your critical thinking and argumentation skills, which are essential for anyone interested in law. You’ll learn to spot flaws in reasoning, analyze complex facts, weigh evidence, and consider different perspectives.
A key part of the program is a mock trial where you’ll take on the role of an attorney or witness and apply what you’ve learned. You’ll also explore global human rights issues and engage in discussions with peers who share your interests.
Cost: $3,080. Financial aid is available
Application Deadline: March 20
Program Dates: June 16— 27 | July 7–18
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11 at the time of applying are eligible.
5. William and Mary’s Pre-College Online Constitutional Law Course
For anyone interested in law, understanding the U.S. Constitution is essential. This course lets you explore how lawyers and judges use the Constitution to build and defend their cases. You’ll examine the judiciary’s role in interpreting constitutional rights and look at the different views on how the Constitution should be understood.
You’ll learn from constitutional scholars and law professors as you study the history of the Constitution, including its creation and approval. The course also covers the Bill of Rights and the ongoing conflicts between state and federal governments.
Cost: $1,495
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines based on the session
Program Dates: Multiple year-round sessions
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up can apply
6. Harvard Secondary School — Legal Studies
Harvard is one of the most prestigious names in law, with its law school consistently ranked among the top in the world. Through its Summer School’s Secondary School Program, you can experience this legacy firsthand. The program offers a 7-week option to take college-level courses online for academic credit.
You can choose from courses that match your interests, like global justice, human rights, and ethics. For example, the “Global Justice” course lets you explore international legal systems and how justice is served across different countries. Each 4-credit course meets for 3 hours, twice a week, or you can opt for a more intensive 8-credit course that meets five days a week.
Cost: $4,050 (4-credits online) or $7,900 (8-credits online)
Application Deadline: February 12
Program Dates: June 21 — August 9
Eligibility: Students must be 16 by June 21 and not turn 19 before July 31 this year.
7. Rice University’s Law: Shaping a Just and Equitable World
Rice University’s Pre-College program offers a virtual law course that covers the basic principles of law and its impact on society. You’ll explore how laws influence fairness and opportunity, with a focus on legal issues related to property, employment, and education.
The course also encourages you to consider the ethical implications of these laws. It wraps up with a Capstone Project, where you’ll work with a legal task force to identify three interconnected societal issues and propose legal solutions.
Cost: $1,495
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines. April 27 for courses starting on May 4.
Program Dates: Multi-length 2 or 4-week courses are available throughout the year. Upcoming dates include May 4- June 1 | May 18- June 1 | June 1-29
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and up
8. Notre Dame’s Online Pre-Law Program
In Notre Dame’s Law: Thinking Like a Lawyer course, you’ll learn to apply legal rules using the IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application, and Conclusion) method, which will help you analyze legal problems effectively. You’ll explore topics like international law and sports law, focusing on how legal principles affect athletes, teams, and organizations. The course also covers intellectual property law, showing you how it protects brands, inventions, and creative works.
Cost: $1,495
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines based on the session; April 6 for the upcoming session.
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions and 4-week sessions throughout the year. The next starting date is April 13.
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and up can apply.
9. World Scholars Academy’s World Lawyer’s Academy
The World Lawyers Academy offers a two-week course that introduces advanced legal concepts and practices. Led by a Ph.D. candidate in law from Oxford, the program covers topics such as legal ethics, human rights, commercial law, and the history of law. Oxford has produced some of the most influential legal minds, including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and current Supreme Court Justices, all of whom have shaped legal systems worldwide.
With a small class size of six students, you’ll engage in in-depth discussions and receive personalized guidance. The course concludes with a mock trial, where you’ll apply what you’ve learned. Upon completion, you’ll receive a certificate and a letter of recommendation.
Cost: $2,795
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: July 28 — August 8
Eligibility: Students aged 15–18 can apply.
10. Wake Forest University — Criminal Law Online Immersion
Wake Forest University’s online immersion in Criminal Law provides a hands-on exploration of the criminal justice system. You’ll know about the key procedures law enforcement follows for search and arrest and understand how evidence is used in criminal cases.
In this course, you’ll develop analytical skills similar to those of prosecutors and defense attorneys while also examining the judge’s role in criminal convictions, sentencing, and appeals. You’ll learn from Professor Eileen Prescott, project director for the Accountable Prosecutor Project at Wake Forest University Law School, who brings real-world experience and extensive knowledge to the material.
Cost: $1495
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Eligibility: For students above the age of 13.
11. Columbia University Summer Online — ‘Legal Reasoning: Thinking like a Lawyer’
Columbia University’s online pre-college course, Legal Reasoning: Thinking Like a Lawyer, introduces you to the fundamentals of legal practice. You’ll learn how to read case law, conduct legal research, and write persuasive arguments.
The course focuses on legal reasoning methods, helping you craft strong, well-supported arguments. You’ll also explore various areas of law through guest speakers and field trips to law firms, giving you real-world insight into the legal profession. The course also includes legal drafting and public speaking exercises to sharpen your argumentation skills.
Cost: $3,960 (for 2-week online sessions)
Application Deadline: April 2
Program Dates: July 7 — 18 | July 21 — August 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students
12. Cornell SCE Online: GOVT 3141 Prisons
Cornell SCE’s online course dives into the unique elements of the U.S. criminal justice system, including the high incarceration rates, long sentences, and the death penalty. You’ll explore “American exceptionalism” in mass incarceration and how the gap between “outlaws” and “law-abiding” people has influenced policy. The course also touches on how personal responsibility, racial assumptions, and human rights play a role in shaping these issues.
Cost: $1,840/credit hour
Application Deadline: May 19
Program Dates: June 2–20
Eligibility: Students must be 15 years of age or older and have completed their sophomore year before they start.
13. Northwestern University’s “Law: From Interview to Argument” Course
This online course by Northwestern University gives high school students an introduction to the legal process. You’ll learn how to conduct client interviews, research statutes, analyze case law, and predict case outcomes. The course also teaches you how to write legal memos and briefs while developing persuasive courtroom arguments. It wraps up with a capstone project, where you’ll prepare an oral argument using the CRAC method (Conclusion, Rule, Analysis/Application, Conclusion).
Cost: $1795
Application Deadline: Varies according to the course. Deadlines are usually one week before the start date. The next deadline is April 6 for the course starting April 13.
Program Dates: The Next start date is April 13. Multiple 2 and 4-week sessions to choose from.
Eligibility: For students ages 13 and up
14. Summer@Brown Online: Comparative Legal Systems & International Criminal Justice: A Global Perspective
Brown University’s online course explores legal systems from around the world, using the U.S. as a reference point. You’ll compare legal traditions in countries like England, France, Germany, China, Saudi Arabia, and Japan, focusing on how each system handles crime, punishment, and justice.
Key topics include the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the history of legal systems, and the differences between inquisitorial and adversarial justice. Through readings, video lectures, and discussions, you’ll analyze these global legal traditions and complete a final project where you’ll design your ideal justice system.
Cost: $3,218 (for 2-week online courses)
Application Deadline: May 9
Program Dates: July 14–25
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Image source – Northwestern University