If you are a high school student who is curious about how people think, feel, and behave, a psychology summer camp can be an amazing way to explore the field. Most of the opportunities available are not camps in the traditional sense. Instead, they are short pre-college programs that usually last around two weeks, though some run a little longer. Think of them as focused learning experiences where you get to dive into psychology in a structured and supportive setting.
Why should you join a psychology camp in high school?
These programs do more than give you lectures. You actually get to try out the work psychologists do. You might design simple experiments, observe behavior, run surveys, or learn how researchers analyze data. Some programs also introduce you to topics from neuroscience, social psychology, or clinical psychology. You could see demonstrations using EEG equipment, learn the basics of statistical tools like SPSS or R, or create your own surveys to test a hypothesis.
In just a short period of time, you build real skills in thinking critically, asking better questions, and understanding how psychological research works. You also get to meet other students who share your interest in the mind and human behavior, making the experience feel a lot like a small college class or research group.
In this list, we’ve gathered 14 of the best psychology summer camps.
14 Psychology Camps for High School Students
1. Harvard Pre-College Program
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $6,100 + $75 application fee; Limited financial aid available
Dates: 2-week sessions (Session I: June 21 – July 2; Session II: July 5 – 17; Session III: July 19 – 31)
Application Deadline: Early: January 7; Regular: February 11; Late: April 1 (or earlier if full)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (16+)
Harvard’s Pre-College Program gives you an immersive two-week college experience that blends rigorous academics with structured residential life. You will take one intensive, non-credit Harvard course in a small class of about 15 students, allowing you to explore a subject deeply without the pressure of letter grades. Courses span fields from psychology and public health to philosophy and more; some psychology courses include Psychology in the News, The Philosophy of Psychology, Language in the Brain, and more. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a written instructor evaluation and a Harvard transcript noting your completion of program requirements.
2. Psychological Profiling – Johns Hopkins University Pre-College Program
Location: Online
Cost: $1,950; Financial aid available
Dates: June 23 – July 4; July 7 – 18; July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: High school students
This two-week online course introduces forensic psychology through the lens of behavioral profiling and investigative analysis. You’ll study pathway-to-violence assessment, behavioral pattern recognition, and profiling ethics, using real-world case studies of serial and spree offenders. The coursework integrates psychological theory with applied criminology and law enforcement methodology. You’ll also attend sessions that include asynchronous lectures and optional live discussions focused on the intersection of psychology, criminal justice, and data-driven behavioral science.
3. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA (virtual options available)
Cost: $1,595 (virtual); $2,895 (in-person); Scholarships available
Dates: Virtual: June 16 – 27; In-person Session 1: July 7 – 18; Session 2: July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 1 (rolling)
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders
CNI-X provides an advanced overview of neuroscience, psychiatry, and clinical psychology through faculty-led seminars and project-based learning. You’ll spend ten days analyzing research in topics like neuroimaging, brain stimulation, sleep regulation, and behavioral neuroscience, using real-world clinical frameworks to interpret data. A highlight is the capstone project, where you’ll form teams to design and present proposals addressing mental health or neurological challenges. The curriculum emphasizes scientific reasoning, critical analysis, and translational research.
4. Columbia University Pre-College Programs: NYC Residential Summer
Location: Columbia University, New York, New York (Residential)
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid offered
Program Dates: Session A: June 29 – July 17; Session B: July 21 – August 7
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students ages 15+
Columbia’s NYC Residential Summer Program offers you a fully immersive college experience on the university’s Morningside Heights campus. You will choose from more than 70 courses across multiple subjects, including psychology; some courses include True Crime: Introduction to Forensic Psychology, Inside the Animal Mind: What Animals Think and Feel, and more. Outside of the classroom, you’ll participate in co-curricular activities such as college prep workshops, lectures, community events, and wellness programs that help you build essential personal and academic skills. Resident Advisors support your residential experience, ensuring a safe and structured environment during the three-week session. Upon completion, you will receive a Columbia University Certification of Participation and an evaluation letter that can strengthen your future college applications.
5. Psychology of Willpower and Motivation – Summer@Brown
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: $4,286 (commuter); $5,534 (residential); Scholarships available
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: January 15 – May 9
Eligibility: High school students with an interest or background in psychology
This two-week program examines the cognitive and behavioral mechanisms of willpower and motivation through empirical research and self-assessment projects. As a participant, you’ll analyze studies on self-regulation, decision fatigue, and environmental influences on motivation, using behavioral data to test real-world applications. A core component is a personal “willpower experiment,” where you design, implement, and evaluate an intervention based on psychological theory.
Location: Online
Cost: $1,795
Program Dates: 2- and 4-week options offered year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
In Psychology in Our Everyday Lives, you will explore major subfields such as cognitive, health, human factors, and organizational psychology, learning how each applies to everyday decision-making and social issues. Throughout the program, you’ll analyze how psychologists design studies, interpret data, and use evidence-based reasoning to address real-world problems. You will also review emerging topics, including AI and mental health, social media, and workplace wellbeing, to understand how the field continues to evolve. A mentor will guide you through assignments and support the development of your capstone project, where you will create a short news-style video linking psychological concepts to a real issue you care about. By the end, you’ll gain a clearer sense of potential psychology careers and earn a Certificate of Completion from Rice University.
7. Duke Pre-College Summer Programs
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost: Varies by course length and format; Scholarships and financial aid available
Dates: Varies by program type
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: On-campus: 6th-11th graders; Online: Rising 9th-11th graders
Duke’s Pre-College Program offers interdisciplinary psychology courses exploring topics such as cognitive processes, behavioral development, and experimental design. You’ll analyze data from psychological studies, participate in group research, and discuss theories related to learning, emotion, and personality. Courses emphasize empirical reasoning and analytical writing, helping you practice how psychologists interpret behavior through evidence-based frameworks.
8. Northwestern University’s Pre-College Online Program: Psychology: Inside Diagnosis and Treatment
Location: Online
Cost: $1,895; Need-based scholarships available
Dates: Multiple 2- and 4-week sessions throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students ages 13+
Psychology: Inside Diagnosis and Treatment introduces you to the diagnostic and therapeutic frameworks used in clinical psychology. You’ll analyze case studies involving disorders such as OCD, schizophrenia, and anxiety, learning how clinicians apply structured assessments and evidence-based interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Coursework emphasizes clinical reasoning, ethical decision-making, and psychological formulation. In the final capstone project, you’ll develop a mock treatment plan based on a patient scenario, synthesizing research and practice under the guidance of Northwestern faculty mentors.
9. Emory Pre-College Program: Adult Psychopathology
Location: Emory College, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Varies by program type; Financial aid offered
Program Dates: 2 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current 10th-11th graders (15+) with a minimum GPA of 3.0
During this course, you will examine conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, and chronic stress, with an emphasis on how sociocultural factors shape diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Through discussions and instructor-led lessons, you’ll learn how clinicians evaluate symptoms, understand contributing biological and environmental factors, and apply evidence-based interventions. The course encourages you to think critically about how mental health trends intersect with media, culture, and public perception. As part of Emory’s Pre-College Program, you will experience a college-style classroom while building foundational knowledge for future studies in psychology, social work, or mental health fields.
10. Psychology Summer Camp – Messiah University
Location: Messiah University, Mechanicsburg, PA
Cost: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – 27
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th-grade students
Messiah University’s Psychology Summer Camp provides an intensive introduction to the science of human behavior, integrating theory with research-based practice. You’ll study biopsychology, stress and coping, and cognitive processes through faculty-led seminars and experiments. Sessions cover sensation, perception, decision-making, and developmental psychology, combining lectures with experiential labs and service-learning activities. You will interact with university faculty—many of whom are published researchers or practicing clinical psychologists—and participate in team-based exercises that strengthen analytical reasoning and communication skills.
11. Camp Psych – Gettysburg College
Location: Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA
Cost: $1,395; Limited financial aid available
Dates: July 13 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Camp Psych offers a structured, research-oriented introduction to psychological science through lectures, experiments, and data collection projects. You’ll study topics such as helping behavior, altruism, and cognitive bias, working directly with Gettysburg College psychology faculty and undergraduate research assistants. The program emphasizes the scientific method in psychology, such as developing hypotheses, conducting controlled studies, and interpreting data using behavioral research tools. You will also gain a clear sense of how psychological questions are investigated in lab and field settings, bridging theory with real-world applications in social and cognitive psychology.
12. Psychology Institute – Wake Forest University Summer Immersion Program
Location: Wake Forest University (Reynolda Campus), Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $3,500; Limited need-based scholarships available
Dates: July 12 – 17; July 19 – 24
Application Deadline: Opens November 1; Rolling until full
Eligibility: Current 9th-12th graders in good academic standing
Wake Forest’s Psychology Institute immerses you in the scientific study of the mind and behavior through experimental and neurobiological approaches. You’ll engage in sheep brain dissections, design observational studies, and analyze sensory perception and emotional processing in controlled settings. Core topics include neuroplasticity, cognitive bias, and the psychology of addiction. Guided by university faculty, you’ll develop hypotheses, test them using real data, and present your findings as part of a research team.
13. Psychology & Neuroscience – National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC)
Location: Multiple university campuses across the U.S.
Cost: $4,295; Scholarships available
Dates: Varies by location
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students interested in psychology or neuroscience
During this program, you’ll study cranial anatomy, neurophysiology, and diagnostic psychology, applying clinical frameworks to simulated patient cases. You’ll also attend workshops that focus on EEG and fMRI interpretation, experimental design, and behavioral assessment methods. In addition to this, you will attend faculty lectures and hear from guest speakers who will discuss applications in neuropsychology and cognitive science. The program also offers the chance to go on field visits to psychology labs and hospitals, providing an applied understanding of how research informs modern mental health practice.
14. Summer Discovery at the University of Michigan
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $3,999 – $9,499; Limited scholarships available
Dates: Multiple 2- or 3-week sessions (June – August)
Application Deadline: August 26 – February 1
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders
Summer Discovery at the University of Michigan offers short, college-level courses in psychology and behavioral science, emphasizing the empirical and theoretical foundations of human behavior. You’ll study social, cognitive, and developmental psychology, examining experimental design and behavioral data interpretation. The flexible structure allows you to rotate across subjects such as decision science or personality theory, strengthening both analytical and collaborative skills. Each course culminates in a certificate of completion and faculty evaluation.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like cognitive science, behavior, mental health, or social psychology, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – University of Michigan