Sociology programs for high school students offer an opportunity to study society, social structures, and human behavior. These programs often include specialized coursework and projects that introduce sociological concepts like inequality, culture, and social change.
By participating, you can develop an understanding of societal issues and examine the world from different viewpoints. This experience provides insights into how social factors influence individual and group dynamics, which can support future academic and career paths such as research projects and social work.
Here are 10 free sociology programs for high school students!
1. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP)
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and more! Horizon’s sociology-related courses explore societal issues through an in-depth, analytical lens.
The Political Theory and Philosophy course explores foundational questions about state authority, justice, and pressing societal challenges such as implicit bias, privilege, and systemic inequality. The Medical Sociology course, on the other hand, examines evolving views on mental illness and psychotherapy, focusing on the roles of both therapists and patients within today’s “therapeutic society.”
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. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid available
Application Date: May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024, for the fall cohort
Program Dates:
- Summer seminar — June 24, 2024 — September 2, 2024
- Fall seminar — October 23, 2024 — February 19, 2025
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program — Sociology Track
Lumiere provides high school students with the chance to collaborate on research projects alongside seasoned mentors from prestigious institutions like Harvard and Oxford. As part of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, you’ll be paired with a PhD mentor who will guide you through the process of developing a university-level research paper. These virtual programs are flexible, offering both short-term and more extensive research opportunities tailored to your interests.
Previous sociology topics have explored areas such as the influence of social movements on political shifts and public opinion, urban disaster response strategies, and the dynamics of Mumbai’s informal economy. You may access the application form here. Also, check out the Lumiere Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid available
Application deadline: There are four cohorts throughout the year. Applications are due in February, May, September, and December, respectively. Apply here!
Program dates: There are four cohorts throughout the year spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: All high school students may apply.
3. Telluride Association Summer Seminar
TASS’s Critical Black Studies program provides an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the experiences and cultures of people of African descent. By blending historical analysis with literature, politics, and art, the program explores the interconnectedness of African diasporic communities’ experiences.
Through thoughtful discussions and research, you’ll gain an understanding of the historical narratives that influence art and society. This program can be useful for students who want to examine the social issues and experiences of people of African descent through a broader cultural and historical perspective.
Location: Cornell University, and University of Maryland
Cost: Fully funded
Application deadline: Currently open for 2025! No deadline has been specified. You can apply here.
Program dates: June 22 — July 26, 2025
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders, usually for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
4. University of Southern California’s Annenberg Youth Academy (AYA) for Media and Civic Engagement
The Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement (AYA) at the University of Southern California offers a four-week summer program for students interested in sociology, media, and civic participation. This experience allows you to examine the impact of media and journalism on society while honing practical skills in writing, critical thinking, public speaking, multimedia production, interviewing, and ethnography.
During the program, you’ll explore USC Annenberg’s undergraduate opportunities and potential career paths in media and journalism while engaging with experts on subjects like race, gender, and ethnicity in communication. AYA aims to help you develop media literacy to engage with social issues impacting your community.
Location: University of Southern California Campus, CA.
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: March 31, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: June 17 — July 19, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Students must reside and attend a high school in Los Angeles County to be eligible to apply.
5. Data Science Institute (DSI) Summer Lab at the University of Chicago
The Data Science Institute Summer Lab program at the University of Chicago offers an 8-week, paid research opportunity for high school students interested in sociology. By partnering with a mentor in fields like data science, public policy, and social science, you’ll explore how data science can be applied to understand and examine social issues.
As a research assistant, you’ll gain hands-on experience with data science methodologies and develop skills to analyze complex social patterns and trends. The program includes a weekly speaker series, where experts will share insights into using data science for research in areas like social behavior, policy development, and societal challenges. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research in a final video at the summer symposium.
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend of $4,800 provided
Application Deadline: January 12, 2025
Program Dates: June 16 — August 8, 2025
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school students based in the Chicago area or undergraduate students enrolled in college. International students can also apply but must provide documentation for work authorization in the U.S.
6. Youth and Government Program by the YMCA
The YMCA’s Youth and Government program provides high school students an opportunity to learn about public policy, social issues, and the government. This program brings together thousands of teens nationwide in state-run model government programs.
It explores social issues in a civic context and includes leadership training, public speaking, and advocacy — skills relavant to sociology. You’ll engage in civic activities, debate important issues, and propose legislation. The program ends with you serving as a delegate at your state conference, where you’ll debate bills in the legislature!
Location: Various locations throughout the U.S.
Cost: No cost
Application Deadline: Varied based on location. Reach out to your local YMCA Community to learn more.
Program Dates: Varied based on location. Reach out to your local YMCA Community to learn more.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
7. The Smithsonian Institution’s Young Ambassadors Program
The Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) offers graduating high school seniors an opportunity to explore academic and career paths in the arts, sciences, and humanities, with a focus on the Latino experience. If you’re interested in sociology, this program provides exposure to Latino history, culture, and identity through a one-week seminar at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
The seminar includes visits to the Smithsonian’s Latino collections and opportunities to engage with experts in various fields. Following the seminar, you’ll participate in a four-week internship at museums and cultural institutions across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, applying the skills learned during the seminar to real-world assignments. This program offers a chance to gain practical experience while learning about sociological topics related to Latino communities and cultures.
Location: Various locations across the U.S. More information here.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A stipend of $2350 is provided at the end of the program.
Application Deadline: April 22, 2024. TBA for 2025.
Program Dates: Typically between June — August. TBA for 2025.
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, graduating high school in 2024 with a minimum 3.25 GPA, fluent in English, enrolled full-time in a college or university for fall 2024, and able to commit to a one-week Smithsonian seminar and a four-week paid internship.
8. Sadie Nash Summer Institute
The Sadie Nash Summer Institute offers a program focused on leadership, critical thinking, and activism, relevant to students interested in sociology. Held in New York and Newark, the program allows you to explore social justice issues and develop skills in addressing inequality.
Through seminars, discussions, and workshops, you’ll examine topics such as the role of art in social change, the politics of education, and how societal beliefs shape gender. The program also includes mentorship and opportunities to meet leaders from various fields making it suitable for students who wish to engage with sociological issues and contribute to their communities.
Location: New York City, NY, and Newark, NJ
Cost: Free, stipend provided.
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 will open in the spring.
Program Dates: Typically 5 weeks in the summer. TBA for 2025.
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive youth who are enrolled in high school and live in New York City or Newark.
9. Stanford Online’s ‘America’s Poverty and Inequality Course
Stanford Online’s America’s Poverty and Inequality Course is a relevant resource for sociology students interested in understanding the root causes and potential solutions to inequality and poverty. With short, jargon-free videos and accompanying readings, this free course offers an accessible and up-to-date overview of the social structures that contribute to poverty and inequality.
Led by David B. Grusky, a professor of sociology at Stanford, and Lindsay Owens, an economic policy advisor, the course provides insights from top scholars in the field. The course is structured into 8 modules, each focusing on key research findings that inform U.S. policy on these issues.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free without certification
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: High school students can apply.
10. Harvardx’s CitiesX: The Past, Present and Future of Urban Life
Harvard University’s CitiesX: The Past, Present, and Future of Urban Life course offers an overview of urban development, making it relevant for sociology students. The course explores the historical evolution of cities, the social issues they face, and urban planning topics like public health, transportation, and gentrification.
By examining cities around the world and incorporating insights from sociology, urban planning, and other fields, the course examines various aspects of the social dynamics of urban life. This program is an opportunity to understand how cities function, grow, and impact the lives of their residents.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free without certification
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: High school students can apply.
