If you’re interested in making a difference in your community’s health and making a good career in it, these public health programs and internships should be on your radar! As a high school student, you can explore this field and learn how to prevent diseases, promote healthy living, and much more.
You’ll have the chance to focus on areas like data analysis, epidemiology, and how public health systems function. This hands-on experience will help you develop in-depth knowledge and practical skills that are valuable for future careers in health and science.
Here are 10 public health programs and internships for high school students in 2025.
10 Public Health Programs + Internships for High School Students
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) – Public Health Track
Subject Areas: Biophysics, Behavioral Economics, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Environmental Health And Engineering, History, Neuroscience, Psychology, and more!
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort; February 16, 2025, for the spring cohort and May 18, 2025, for the summer cohort
Program Dates: Spring 2025: March 3, 2025; Summer 2025: June 16, 2025! Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of at least 3.67 on a 4.0 scale are eligible to apply. Most accepted students are in 10th or 11th grade. Certain tracks have specific prerequisites, which can be reviewed here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects like physics, data science, chemistry, political theory, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and psychology. You can focus on qualitative or quantitative research methods and take public health courses on topics like digital epidemiology, neurodegenerative diseases, and drug discovery, with case studies on cancer and COVID-19.
After selecting a subject and method, you will be matched with a professor or PhD scholar from a recognized university who will mentor you throughout the program. By the end of the program, you will complete a 20-page university-level research paper, which may be submitted to academic journals for possible publication.
The program provides an opportunity to conduct research in specialized fields with expert guidance. You will also receive a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on your work to support future research projects and college applications. You can apply here!
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Public Health Track
Subject Areas: Gender Studies, Psychology, Data Science, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Business, Engineering, and more!
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Application deadlines vary by cohort. The deadline for the upcoming winter cohort is December 29, 2024
Program Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the fall from September to December, the winter from December to February, and the spring from March to June
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week opportunity for high school students to conduct independent research. During the program, you will be matched with a Ph.D. mentor who will provide personalized guidance throughout the program.
You will work with your mentor and a writing coach to choose and refine a research topic. The program includes workshops on research methods and support to help you complete an independent research paper. Available fields include economics, data science, history, physics, engineering, anthropology, sociology, chemistry, and more. If your interests are not covered by the listed options, you can customize your research topic. Additional details about the application process are available here.
3. Young Global Leaders Program
Subject Areas: Public Health, Health Sciences, Research, Climate
Location: University of Arizona Health Sciences Campus, Tucson, AZ
Cost: $350/person; scholarships are available
Application Deadline: May 5, 2025 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Dates: May 28 – June 7, 2025 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Eligibility: Current high school students
The Young Global Leaders Program, hosted by the GHI in partnership with ESRAC, is a summer program for high school students interested in public health and health sciences, with a focus on climate change’s impact on health. You will attend lectures from experts in public health and health sciences, exploring emerging trends and global initiatives in climate and health. The program includes hands-on experiments and projects in advanced laboratories, providing insights into scientific methods driving progress in health sciences.
You will tour labs and research facilities on the University of Arizona campus and interact with faculty and researchers. The program also offers a chance to explore academic opportunities and degree programs within public health and health sciences, helping you understand potential career paths.
4. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Subject Areas: Medicine, Public Health, Science, College Preparation, Research Methodology
Location: Stanford University campus, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: March 17, 2025
Dates: June 23 – July 25, 2025
Eligibility: Current high school juniors residing in Northern California
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a five-week program that focuses on science and medicine. It is open to low-income, first-generation high school juniors living in Northern California.
During the program, you will attend faculty lectures, professional development workshops, networking events with Stanford Medicine, and work on a public health disparities research project. In small groups, you will write a college-level research paper, prepare a presentation, and create an academic poster. You will participate in hospital internships at Stanford Hospital, where you can learn about different health and medical professions through hands-on activities, shadowing, and discussions.
5. CDC Museum’s Disease Detective Camp
Subject Areas: Data Analysis, Public Health, Injury Prevention, Disease Surveillance, Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Scientific Communication, Laboratory Technology, Global Health, Emergency Preparedness, Violence Prevention, Outbreaks, Public Health Law.
Location: David J. Sencer CDC Museum, CDC headquarters, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: March 7, 2025
Dates: June 23 – June 27, 2025 | July 21 – July 25, 2025
Eligibility: Current sophomores or juniors at least 16 years old on the first day of the camp
The Disease Detective Camp, hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), offers high school students the chance to learn the basics of public health and epidemiology. Topics covered include environmental health, global health, public health law, data analysis, emergency preparedness, scientific communication, and more.
The curriculum may vary based on CDC facility availability, so each camp may offer different experiences. You will participate in activities such as mock press conferences, simulated outbreaks, global and environmental health tasks, and laboratory sessions. You will be introduced to public health law and chronic disease surveillance. You will also attend short lectures from CDC scientists and participate in hands-on activities based on current events. The camp hosts only 27 students per session, with an acceptance rate of 7–8%, making it highly competitive.
6. Young Scholars Summer Program in Biostatistics and Clinical Research
Subject Areas: Data Science, Clinical Research, Biostatistics, Statistical Programming (R)
Location: Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
Dates: July 17 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Connecticut residents entering grades 11 and 12 with strong math skills and academic records are eligible to apply. Rising seniors are given preference.
The Young Scholars Summer Program in Biostatistics and Clinical Research is a great opportunity for high school students interested in biostatistics and public health. In partnership with the Yale Center for Analytical Sciences (YCAS), you’ll learn to use statistical methods to tackle health challenges, analyze data, and work on research projects using the R programming language.
The program covers basic statistical methods and study design, allowing you to apply your skills to real-world health issues in small groups. You’ll also present your findings in a final project. While programming can be challenging, prior experience with languages like Java, C++, R, or Python is helpful, along with a required 6-8 hour introduction to R.
7. Johns Hopkins University’s Global Health Leaders Conference (GHLC)
Subject Areas: Medicine, Public Health, Global Health, Policy, Social Justice.
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Cost: The registration fee for the 2025 conference is $99, and there are no application fees.
Application Deadline: Early application deadline: February 20, 2025; Final application deadline: March 31, 2025
Dates: Programming usually starts in July and concludes by mid-August, with 1-2 virtual events each week. For 2025, most of the programming will take place between July 13 and July 21.
Eligibility: High school and secondary school students from any country
The Global Health Leaders Conference at Johns Hopkins University is a virtual program designed to introduce high school students to important global health issues. Through lectures and panel discussions, you’ll learn from experts about a wide range of topics in global health, public health, and medicine.
The program includes a Student Speaker Series, where you can present your work on global health topics to top research institutions and connect with the Johns Hopkins University community. Presentations cover issues like pandemic preparedness, antibiotic resistance, child poverty, food insecurity, climate change, period poverty, mental health, and more. You’ll also have the chance to connect with other students interested in health sciences from around the world while gaining valuable tips on interviews, application essays, and resumes.
8. Drexel University’s Public Health Summer Institute
Subject Areas: Health Advocacy, Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Environmental Health.
Location: Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $400; financial assistance is available
Application Deadline: The application for the 2025 Public Health Summer Institute will open in January 2025.
Dates: July 22 – July 26, 2025 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Eligibility: Philadelphia-area rising high school juniors and seniors
The Summer Public Health Leadership Institute at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health is a one-week program for high school students interested in learning about public health. Led by Drexel faculty and public health professionals, the program provides an overview of health disparities, disease prevention, and the role of public health in society.
You will explore various aspects of public health, including advocacy, policy-making, health administration, preventive health, the environment’s impact on health outcomes, and the work of epidemiologists. The program includes opportunities to develop solutions to public health challenges and learn about how local health departments protect the public. You will also participate in day trips and site visits in Philadelphia, including a tour of City Hall, and engage in discussions with public health experts and professors.
9. CDC Museum Public Health Academy Online Summer Course
Subject Areas: Epidemiology, Laboratory Science, Health Disparities, Public Health Law, Global Health, Chronic Diseases, Oral Health, Public Health Communication
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: March 7, 2025
Dates: June 9 – June 13, 2025
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who are at least 16 years old on the first day of the course session.
If you want to learn more about public health and its impact on communities, the CDC Museum’s Public Health Academy Online Summer Course is a great way to get started. Epidemiology, the study of how diseases spread and affect populations, is a key focus of this course. You’ll explore factors that influence health, how to track and prevent diseases, and ways to improve community health.
The course includes both independent and live lessons. You’ll work through readings, videos, and quizzes on your own, while also taking part in live discussions with a museum educator, a CDC expert, and other students. Over five days, you’ll complete assignments and case studies, spending 4-5 hours a day on the course. There are 75 spots available for the 2025 session.
10. NSLC’s Medicine & Health Care Program
Subject Areas: Public Health, Healthcare, Emergency Medicine, Internal Anatomy, Clinical Diagnostics, Medicine
Location: Multiple locations
Cost: The cost ranges from $4,095 to $4,395, depending on the location (Residential Program)
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.
Dates: Multiple 9-day sessions will be available from June 12 to August 3, 2025
Eligibility: Students must be aged 14 to 18 and have completed at least one year of high school. They can also attend NSLC during the summer after graduating high school.
NSLC’s High School Summer Medical Program allows high school students to experience what it’s like to be a physician. You’ll practice surgical skills, work with medical teams to diagnose patients, and discuss public health issues. Through hands-on simulations, you will gain practical knowledge and insights from medical professionals.
The program includes workshops on advanced treatments, medical ethics, and compassionate patient care. You will participate in activities such as suturing, surgical knot tying, and studying internal anatomy. You will also explore clinical diagnostics and emergency medicine through multi-day simulations. The program also features anatomy workshops, where you will study bodily structures, create a public service announcement, and design a public health intervention.
