If you're in high school and curious about medicine, free online programs from top universities offer a unique chance to explore the field. These programs cover topics like public health, cancer research, neuroscience, and patient care, providing a foundational understanding of healthcare and medical science. They also address healthcare ethics and introduce you to the complexities of medical research.
With no cost involved, these courses are designed to help students like you explore careers in healthcare or deepen your knowledge of the subject.
Here is a list of 10 free online medical programs for high school students to get you started.
The Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) offers a rigorous, online research experience designed for high school students passionate about medicine. Through this trimester-long program, you work under the mentorship of a professor from a top university to produce a high-quality research project that demonstrates a college-level understanding of your chosen medical topic.
During the program, you identify a specific research area within medicine, collaborate with your mentor to craft a research question, and develop your project through a combination of small group classes, one-on-one office hours, and writing clinics. The program culminates in a 20-25 page research paper, which builds essential skills in research methodology, critical thinking, and academic writing, preparing you for future professional pursuits in medicine.
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.67 or higher, typically in 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks may have specific prerequisites.
Program Dates:
- Summer Seminar: June 24 – September 2, 2024
- Fall Seminar: October 23, 2024 – February 19, 2025
- Lab dates are flexible; applications should be submitted at least four weeks in advance.
Location: Virtual
Subject Areas: Medicine, with opportunities to explore related fields such as biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology.
Cost: Program fees are available upon inquiry; financial aid options may be available.
Application Deadlines: The Spring Cohort deadline is February 16, 2025. Deadlines vary by cohort.
2. Deep Dive: AI + Medicine by Veritas AI
The Deep Dive: AI + Medicine program by Veritas AI offers high school students an in-depth exploration of how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the healthcare industry. This 10-week program allows you to engage with AI applications in medicine, working collaboratively on real-world projects. Through this program, you gain practical skills in data analysis, machine learning, and neural networks, specifically applied to medical challenges.
Over the course of 25 hours, you attend lectures and group sessions led by mentors experienced in AI and medicine. The program covers essential topics, including medical data preparation, image segmentation, convolutional neural networks, and clinical evaluation techniques.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 8–12 with a background in coding or completion of the AI Scholars program
Program Dates: 25-hour program conducted over 10 weekends
Location: Virtual
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Machine Learning
Cost: $2290; financial aid available
Application Deadline: December 1, 2024
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship offers high school students an immersive, two-week experience in the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Designed for students interested in the intersection of technology and medicine, this virtual program provides a foundational understanding of AI’s role in medical imaging and healthcare. You engage in hands-on research, guided by Stanford faculty and student mentors, and gain experience in the techniques and tools used in AI-driven medical applications.
Throughout the program, you attend lectures covering AI fundamentals, technical skills, and healthcare-specific applications. The program also includes “Lunch and Learn” sessions with guest speakers from academia, industry, and government, offering insights into various career paths in AI and healthcare.
Eligibility: High school students entering 9th–12th grade in Fall 2025, aged 14 or older; U.S. residents with a strong background in math or programming are preferred
Program Dates: June 16–27, 2025
Location: Virtual
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Medical Imaging
Cost: $40 application fee; $850 program fee upon acceptance; financial aid available
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
4. Sleep: Neurobiology, Medicine, and Society
The Sleep: Neurobiology, Medicine, and Society course, offered by the University of Michigan on Coursera, provides an in-depth understanding of sleep from neurobiological, medical, and societal perspectives. Designed for students interested in sleep science, this self-paced course covers the mechanisms of sleep, the effects of sleep deprivation, and the broader impact of sleep on health and safety.
The program is structured into three main sections: the neurobiological basis of sleep, sleep-related physiology and disorders, and the societal relevance of sleep. Through these modules, you explore topics such as how the brain controls sleep, how substances like caffeine and alcohol impact sleep, and how sleep disorders affect health. The course also highlights the role of sleep in public health, examining the impact of fatigue on areas like medical practice and transportation safety. This course is specially designed for those students looking for a deeper understanding in neurobiology while further building their career in medicine.
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Program Dates: Self-paced; approximately 21 hours total
Location: Virtual
Subject Areas: Neurobiology, Medicine, Sleep Science
Cost: Free to audit; optional certificate available for $49
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
5. Summer of Neurosciences Program at Stanford University
The Summer of Neurosciences program, hosted by Stanford University and VA Palo Alto, is a virtual summer program offering high school students a foundational introduction to neuroscience. Designed for students with an interest in neuroscience, the program includes interactive sessions focused on scientific exploration and career insights, providing you with a comprehensive view of neuroscience research and professional pathways.
The program features weekly Journal Club sessions where you discuss scientific literature, analyze research topics, and work in small groups to prepare presentations. Additionally, the program includes Career Insights sessions, offering you the opportunity to engage with neuroscience professionals, learn about their career journeys, and gain inspiration for future studies in the field.
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Program Dates: July 9 – August 8, 2024
Location: Virtual
Subject Areas: Neuroscience, Neurology, Research
Cost: Please visit the website for the most accurate information
Application Deadline: May 6, 2024
6. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a virtual 5-week summer research program designed to introduce high school juniors and seniors to neuroscience and behavioral sciences. This program provides you with exposure to brain science, mentorship from Johns Hopkins faculty, and professional development training, preparing you for future studies and careers in neuroscience!
Throughout the program, you get the opportunity to attend educational presentations on neuroscience topics, learn basic laboratory techniques, and engage in experiments relevant to brain science. Professional development sessions help you build essential academic and career skills, while one-on-one mentorship from Johns Hopkins researchers offers guidance and support.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds with a strong academic record in STEM courses
Program Dates: July – August 2025; specific dates to be announced
Location: Virtual
Subject Areas: Neuroscience, Behavioral Sciences, Research
Cost: Free; participants receive a $500 scholarship upon program completion
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
The Introduction to the Biology of Cancer course, offered by Johns Hopkins University on Coursera, provides a comprehensive overview of cancer biology. This self-paced online program covers essential topics such as the molecular and cellular basis of cancer, cancer genetics, and the impact of cancer on society. The course is ideal for students interested in medicine or biomedical science, offering foundational knowledge that supports future studies in these fields.
You engage with video lectures, readings, and quizzes, all designed to deepen your understanding of cancer biology. The course structure allows you to explore how cancers develop, spread, and how they are treated, providing insights into both biological mechanisms and clinical approaches.
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Program Dates: Self-paced; approximately 15 hours total
Location: Virtual
Subject Areas: Cancer Biology, Medicine, Biomedical Science
Cost: Free to audit; optional certificate available for a fee
Application Deadline: Open enrollement
The Improving Global Health: Focusing on Quality and Safety course, offered by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is an 8-week online program designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of healthcare quality and safety within global health systems. This self-paced course explores the relationship between quality, safety, and population health, offering frameworks and tools to assess and enhance healthcare quality worldwide.
Through interactive sessions, you learn about quality measurement, the role of information technology in healthcare, and effective strategies for quality improvement. The program includes lectures from Harvard faculty and guest speakers with experience in healthcare organizations and ministries of health.
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Program Dates: Self-paced; approximately 2–4 hours per week over 8 weeks
Location: Virtual
Subject Areas: Global Health, Healthcare Quality, Patient Safety
Cost: Free to audit; optional verified certificate available for $149
Application Deadline: Open enrollement
The Fundamentals of Immunology: Inflammation, Tolerance, and Autoimmunity course by Rice University on Coursera introduces you to the immune system, covering topics like antibody functions, immune tolerance, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders. This self-paced program helps you understand immune responses and related diseases.
Through engaging lectures, animations, and practical examples, you explore the cells, tissues, and organs involved in immunity and learn how the immune system protects against pathogens while maintaining tolerance to prevent autoimmune reactions. This course is particularly beneficial for students who have an interest in biology or medicine, and want to expand their knowledge in immunology!
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Program Dates: Self-paced; approximately 51 hours total
Location: Virtual
Subject Areas: Immunology, Biology, Medicine
Cost: Free to audit; optional certificate available for a fee
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
10. Introduction to Breast Cancer by Yale University on Coursera
The Yale University course "Introduction to Breast Cancer" offers a structured, in-depth exploration of breast cancer, one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. This online course covers essential topics such as breast cancer biology, risk factors, preventive measures, diagnostics, treatment options, and the complexities of survivorship. Guided by Yale faculty and cancer specialists, you gain valuable insights into how the disease develops and is managed, while learning about major research breakthroughs and advancements in oncology.
You engage in a mix of lectures, case studies, and interactive discussions that encourage collaborative learning and application of knowledge. With a focus on both scientific understanding and practical considerations in patient care, the course bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world applications. By the program's end, you will possess a foundational understanding of breast cancer's biology, management strategies, and the ongoing developments that continue to shape care and survivorship practices in the field.
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Program Dates: Available year-round on Coursera.
Location: Virtual
Duration: 7 weeks (approximately 13 hours)
Subject Areas: Breast cancer biology, risk assessment, prevention, treatment, and survivorship
Cost: Free to enroll; Optional Coursera Certificate available for a fee
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.