For high school students interested in anthropology, there are plenty of specialized programs that offer hands-on experience and foundational knowledge in the field. From archaeological field schools to pre-college courses on cultural theory, these opportunities can help you develop research skills, work with specialized tools, and gain insights into how anthropologists interpret humanity’s past and present.
Below, you’ll find 10 anthropology programs tailored for high schoolers, including pre-college programs, research programs, and internships in the field!
1. Horizon Academic Research Program – Anthro/Sociology Track
Subject Areas: Data science, biology, chemistry, political theory, psychology, behavioral economics
Location: Virtual
Program Dates:
- Summer: June 16 – July 25
- Fall: March 3 – June 16
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Application Deadline: May 21 (Summer), September 25 (Fall)
Eligibility: High school students, typically in 10th or 11th grade, with a 3.67+ GPA. Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Cost: $5,950 (financial aid available)
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, public health and safety, social psychology, and medicine. It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research! In the business track, you can explore topics such as behavioral economics and market trends. Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
The program includes a letter of recommendation for every student, plus comprehensive feedback on projects that can assist with future work and college applications. Apply here!
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Anthro/Sociology Track
Subject Areas: STEM, humanities, and social sciences
Location: Remote
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
Application Deadline: The Spring Cohort application deadline is February 9. Summer deadlines are usually in March, April, and May.
Program Dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers, offers high school students the opportunity to work one-on-one with PhD mentors to develop an independent research project in their subject area. If selected, you’ll work closely with mentors to create a college-level research paper based on your project, with additional support from writing coaches.
During this period, you’ll engage in thorough research, participate in workshops, and gradually refine your work. By the end of the program, you will have completed your research paper and gained experience in research methods, critical thinking, and academic writing. More details about the application are here! You can choose your subject track in the application form, such as business, as well as a specific area of focus, such as entrepreneurship, throughout your research experience!
3. Penn Summer Prep: Thinking Like an Anthropologist
Subject Areas: Anthropology, Philosophy and Society, Science
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th grade students (International students welcome)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until capacity is reached
Program Dates: July 5–19
Cost: $5,949 (includes tuition, program fees, and residential costs; scholarships available for select Philadelphia public and charter school students)
In “Thinking Like an Anthropologist,” you’ll delve into the core methods and concepts of anthropology to explore what it means to be human. This module introduces you to topics like cultural, genetic, and linguistic variation while encouraging you to critically analyze both unfamiliar and familiar perspectives. You’ll learn hands-on research techniques, such as participant observation, interviews, and discourse analysis, as well as how to interpret material culture. Case studies show how anthropology is applied to fields like history, public policy, and even forensic science. With opportunities to conduct your own ethnographic research, this program helps you examine diverse worldviews while reflecting on your own.
4. Virtual High School Internship
Subject Areas: Anthropological Research, Public Education, Accessibility
Location: Virtual (hosted by the American Anthropological Association)
Eligibility: High school students interested in anthropology
Application Deadline: TBA 2025
Program Dates: Typically May – June
Cost: Free
The American Anthropological Association’s Virtual High School Internship offers high school students an opportunity to explore how anthropology connects with education and public outreach. Over four weeks, you’ll work on two projects: a primary project focused on adapting contemporary anthropological research for middle and high school audiences, and a secondary project that changes annually, often involving accessibility or public education. You’ll sharpen skills in research, communication, and project management while diving into contemporary issues in anthropology. This virtual format allows you to collaborate with mentors and peers, contributing to projects like “Understanding Migration,” which highlights the social dimensions of human movement. It will help you learn how anthropology engages with the public and communicates complex ideas in accessible ways.
5. Harvard University Pre-College Program in Anthropology
Subject Areas: Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Sociology
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (must be 16 years old by June 21, and under 19 by July 31)
Application Deadlines:
- Early Deadline: January 8
- Regular Deadline: February 12
- Late Deadline: April 9 (if space is available)
Program Dates:
- Session I: June 22 – July 3
- Session II: July 6 – July 18
- Session III: July 20 – August 1
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee
Harvard’s Pre-College Program offers high school students a two-week experience in college-level anthropology courses, such as Money and Power: Cultural Approaches to Economic Life or The Overdose Epidemic. These courses delve into the social, cultural, and historical factors that shape human behavior, using case studies and theoretical frameworks to explore topics like economic systems and public health. With small classes of around 15 students, you’ll engage in discussions led by Harvard instructors, honing skills in critical analysis, academic writing, and group collaboration.
6. MIT Introduction to Anthropology OpenCourseWare
Subject Areas: Cultural Anthropology, Comparative Cultures, Social Institutions
Location: Online (self-paced via MIT OpenCourseWare)
Eligibility: Open to all learners (no prerequisites; recommended for high school or higher-level students)
Application Deadline: None (freely available year-round)
Program Dates: Self-paced (no set start or end dates)
Cost: Free
MIT’s Introduction to Anthropology course provides high school students an opportunity to explore how culture shapes societies, institutions, and individual identities. Taught by Professor Graham Jones, this undergraduate-level course uses comparative case studies to examine topics like expressive culture, systems of power, globalization, and social structures. You’ll have access to a variety of resources, including assigned readings, written assignments, and exam prompts that encourage independent critical thinking. Case studies such as the Afro-Brazilian martial art capoeira are used to illustrate cultural identity and tradition. While the course doesn’t offer credit or instructor interaction, it’s a flexible and accessible way to delve into anthropology and sharpen your skills in cross-cultural analysis, research, and academic writing.
7. American Museum of Natural History Science Research Mentoring Program
Subject Areas: Anthropology, STEM Research, Machine Learning, Public Science Communication
Location: American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), New York City, USA
Eligibility: NYC high school students currently in 10th or 11th grade; applicants must have completed or be enrolled in specific AMNH programs (e.g., AIS, SNP) or attend a partner school
Application Deadline: March 8
Program Dates: August – June (of the next year)
Cost: Free (includes a $2,500 stipend upon program completion)
The Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) at AMNH offers NYC high school students the chance to work on scientific research projects alongside museum-affiliated scientists. The program begins with a Summer Institute in August, where students learn foundational skills like coding in Python and R, data analysis, and research methodologies. During the school year, participants meet twice weekly after school to collaborate on projects ranging from cultural anthropology to machine learning applications in science. Workshops on topics like equity in STEM and career exploration, combined with hands-on mentorship, provide an introduction to research and professional skills. With a focus on teamwork, critical thinking, and scientific communication, SRMP is well-suited for students looking for a long-term opportunity in the field.
8. UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program – Anthropology Track
Subject Areas: Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Social Science Research
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, USA (in-person, with a virtual component)
Eligibility: High school students in 10th or 11th grade (exceptional 9th graders considered); minimum weighted GPA of 3.80
Application Deadline: March 17 (rolling admissions begin December 15)
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1 (mandatory attendance for the full program)
Cost:
- Commuter Option: $5,175
- Residential Option: $12,474 (includes housing and meals)
- Scholarships available (priority for California residents)
UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program (RMP) provides high school students the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers on interdisciplinary projects, including a focus on anthropology. You’ll explore topics like human culture, evolution, and societal structures, using methods such as fieldwork, data analysis, and academic research. Over the intensive six-week program, you’ll dedicate 35–50 hours per week to your project, gaining hands-on experience with advanced research techniques. The program includes two courses: “Introduction to Research” and “Presentation Techniques,” and culminates in a formal research paper and symposium presentation. With mentorship from graduate students and faculty, RMP offers an introduction to university-level research and helps you develop skills for future academic and professional success.
9. Yale Summer Session in Anthropology
Subject Areas: Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Social Science Research
Location: Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA (in-person or online)
Eligibility: High school juniors (rising seniors) and seniors (entering college); must be 16 years or older by the program’s start date
Application Deadlines:
- Session A: March 31 (in-person) / May 2 (online)
- Session B: May 5 (in-person) / June 6 (online)
Program Dates:
- Session A: May 26 – June 27
- Session B: June 30 – August
Cost:
- $5,270 per course credit (two credits required for full-time study)
- $4,230 room & board (per session, if residential)
- $80 application fee
Yale Summer Session’s anthropology courses offer high school students a chance to delve into cultural and societal studies, engaging with topics such as global health ethnography, societal collapse and resilience, and the anthropology of “possible worlds.” Taught by Yale faculty, these courses include in-person and online options. For example, Global Health Ethnography (Session B) focuses on the health challenges of resource-poor societies, while Climate Change, Societal Collapse, and Resilience (Session A, online) examines historical collapses through archaeological and paleoclimatic data. You will participate alongside college students, gaining experience in critical analysis, research methods, and academic writing.
10. Brown University Leadership Institute
Subject Areas: Leadership Development, Social Justice, Intercultural Communication, Social Change
Location: Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA (on-campus and online options)
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9–12, ages 14–18 by June 15
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until programs are filled
Program Dates:
- On-Campus:
- Session 1: June 29 – July 11
- Session 2: July 13 – July 25
- Online: June 23 – July 18
Cost:
- On-Campus: $5,350 (includes tuition, room, and meals)
- Online: $3,050
The Brown Leadership Institute is a two-week on-campus or four-week online program designed to help students develop their leadership skills and understanding of social justice. Through courses like Women and Leadership, Leadership and Social Justice, and Leadership in Changing Business, you’ll explore interdisciplinary topics while honing skills in public speaking, teamwork, and critical thinking. You will, along with your peers, work on an Action Plan to address a social issue in their school or community, combining theoretical learning with practical application.
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