Exploring philosophy as a high school student can be an opportunity to engage with complex ideas, critical thinking, and the art of questioning. Online philosophy programs provide flexibility and allow you to dive into this thought-provoking field without the logistical challenges of attending in-person sessions.
These programs allow students to study philosophical concepts, sharpen their analytical and reasoning skills, and examine questions about ethics, existence, and knowledge—all from the comfort of their homes. Beyond enhancing intellectual curiosity, such programs can develop critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and structured argumentation – skills that can support academic and personal growth.
Here is a list of 10 online philosophy programs for high school students!
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)-Philosophy Track
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
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.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program-Philosophy Track
Subject Areas: Philosophy
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility:
- You must be currently enrolled in high school
- Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
- No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
3. Brown Pre-College Programs—Philosophy
Subject Areas: Philosophy, Ethics
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI, or Online
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 9–12
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: Various sessions, typically running between June and August
Cost: $3,218 to $6,238 depending on course length. Financial aid is available.
Brown University’s Pre-College Program provides high school students with a range of philosophy courses that encourage critical thinking and introduce key philosophical ideas. Offerings include courses on topics such as happiness, logic and paradoxes, metaphysics, and ethical questions in modern society. For instance, the course “Equity and Justice: The Meaning of Equality in a Time of Systemic Oppression” examines the philosophical foundations of egalitarianism and its historical development. In this class, you’ll assess the strength of these ideas in the face of criticism and discuss how they influence today’s urgent debates on equity and justice.
4. Portland State University Philosophy Summer Camp
Subject Areas: Political Philosophy, Environmental Ethics, Philosophy of Science, Indigenous Philosophy, Philosophy of Art, History of Philosophy
Location: Online
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Application Deadline: July 25
Program Dates: July 27 – August 9
Cost: $220 (scholarships available)
The Portland State University Philosophy Summer Camp offers an immersive, discussion-based learning experience where high school students dive into topics like political philosophy, environmental ethics, and the philosophy of science. Under the guidance of PSU faculty, you’ll collaborate on a major project, the details of which will be provided during the camp. Additionally, you will earn 4 college credits for the Introduction to Philosophy course, transferable to many colleges and universities.
5. PLATO – Online Philosophy Classes
Subject Areas: Philosophy of Love, Existentialism
Location: Online
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Winter Class: January 17 Spring Class: April 11
Program Dates: Varies based on cohort
Cost: $100 for non-members, $75 for PLATO members
PLATO’s online philosophy classes invite high school students from around the globe to engage in thought-provoking discussions and explore complex philosophical ideas. Each course runs for six weeks, meeting weekly on Zoom, providing an interactive and flexible learning experience. Those who complete the program receive a Certificate of Achievement. You will be taught by Dr. Jordan Sherry-Wagner, a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Washington, who holds a Certificate of Mastery in K-12 philosophy education and has experience teaching philosophy in diverse settings. This expertise will help create an engaging learning environment and can aid your understanding of philosophical concepts.
6. Buddhism Through Its Scriptures @Harvard University
Subject Areas: Buddhism
Location: Online
Eligibility: Anyone
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free to audit. $149 to add a verified certificate
This course, offered by the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, is designed for anyone interested in Buddhism—whether you are new to the subject or have been studying or practicing it for years. It provides an opportunity to explore a wide range of Buddhist teachings while encouraging critical reflection. Through curated readings, including scriptural texts and informational resources, as well as exposure to various forms of Buddhist practice such as art, devotional acts, and literary works, you will develop the skills to interpret, reflect upon, and engage with Buddha’s teachings in an academic, historical and personal context.
7. Immerse Education’s Online Philosophy Course
Subject Areas: Philosophy
Location: Online
Eligibility: 13-18
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: N/A
Cost: N/A
This program offers engaging online philosophy courses for students aged 13–18, combining thought-provoking theory with hands-on project work. Taught by accomplished tutors from Oxbridge, the Ivy League, or experts in philosophy, you can develop academic skills such as analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and structured argumentation- skills that support your higher education. You will receive guidance and constructive feedback from tutors throughout the program to refine your academic skills.
8. Uni of Edinburgh’s School of Philosophy Online Classes
Subject Areas: Philosophy, Ethics, Morality
Location: Online
Eligibility: All learners
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free
The University of Edinburgh offers a series of free online philosophy courses, providing accessible education to learners worldwide. Key courses include “Introduction to Philosophy,” “Philosophy and the Sciences,” and “Know Thyself: The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge.” These courses explore foundational topics in philosophy, from moral questions to the relationship between science and religion. The MOOCs aim to engage students globally, encouraging critical thinking and philosophical inquiry regardless of academic background. Learn more on their website: Edinburgh Philosophy MOOCs.
9. Philosophy for Teens
Subject Areas: Philosophy, Ethics, Morality
Location: Online
Eligibility: Ages 12-18
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free
Philosophy for Teens offers introductory courses for secondary school and college-age students, allowing them to explore key philosophical questions through structured discussions. You will engage with arguments from famous philosophers, including the Ancient Greeks. The courses, typically six one-hour sessions, are available online via Zoom or in person, with bespoke options available. These courses provide an opportunity for high school students to develop critical thinking skills in a supportive, discussion-based setting.
10. Course on Morals, Metaphysics, Knowledge, Mind, AI, Critical Thinking
Subject Areas: Philosophy, Metaphysics, AI
Location: Online
Eligibility: Ages 12-17
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: Self-paced
Cost: $20, weekly
The “Philosophy Semester: Morals, Metaphysics, Knowledge, Mind, AI, Critical Thinking” course on Outschool offers students the chance to explore key philosophical topics through interactive discussions. This semester-long program covers subjects such as Ethics, Metaphysics, Epistemology, Artificial Intelligence, and Critical Thinking, helping students develop deep reasoning and analytical skills. You will engage with questions related to the meaning of life, evolution, and psychology, learning how to think critically and reflect on major philosophical debates. This course is designed for students looking to explore foundational and contemporary philosophical issues.
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