If you’re a high school in Arizona considering a future in medicine, medical summer programs in the state can be a great first step beyond the classroom. These programs provide more than academic exposure; they also allow you to build practical skills, delve into specialized medical areas such as neuroscience, cardiology, or public health, and participate in mentored projects that showcase the critical thinking essential in medical careers.
Whether you’re learning to perform a basic patient interview, delving into ethical issues in clinical care, or developing a mentored research paper, the opportunities in the list below are some options you can consider.
In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of 15 medical summer programs for high school students in Arizona.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can find the exact cost by submitting an interest form. Full financial aid is available.
Program dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
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 Academic offers a trimester-long research experience where you can focus on medicine-related topics through either a quantitative or qualitative lens, depending on your interests. Once you choose a specific area of study within the medical field (like public health, neuroscience, or biomedical science), you will be paired with a professor or doctoral researcher from a top university.
Your mentor will provide one-on-one guidance as you develop a comprehensive academic research paper. Over the course of the term, you’ll explore advanced medical concepts, build your research and analytical skills, and produce a 20-page paper suitable for submission to academic journals. The program also includes detailed project feedback and a letter of recommendation. Apply here!
2. College of Medicine’s Summer Scrub Sessions – Explore Medicine Program
Location: College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ
Cost: Residential: $500 | Day: $300 (need-based scholarships are available)
Program dates: Residential: June 1 – 7 | Day: June 9 – 13
Application deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
If you’re a current 11th grader in Arizona interested in becoming a physician, the Explore Medicine Program through the College of Medicine’s Summer Scrubs Sessions offers an in-depth look into the medical field. In this program, you’ll dive into practical lab experiences, attend professional lectures, and take part in field trips focused on health-related topics. You’ll also have the chance to learn directly from physicians across various specialties. This medical summer program for high school students in Arizona is selective and admits a small cohort of just 24 students.
3. Mayo Clinic CARES Program
Location: Mayo Clinic campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, AZ
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 3 – 26
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Arizona high school students in grades 9-11
In the Mayo Clinic CARES Program, participants explore a wide range of healthcare careers through hands-on activities, virtual simulations, and presentations by professionals from Mayo Clinic’s clinical, educational, and research areas. Over the summer, you’ll gain exposure to fields like surgery, nursing, radiology, biomedical research, public health, and clinical genomics.
The program also includes mentorship during the academic year, pairing you with a healthcare professional aligned with your interests to help guide your next steps. Each day combines skill-building in areas like interviewing, resume writing, and personal wellness with interactive learning and reflective journaling.
4. BIO5 Institute’s Keep Engaging Youth in Science (KEYS) Research Internship
Location: BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 2 – July 18
Application deadline: December 13
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years old by June 2 and U.S. citizens or legal residents with a minimum of one year of Arizona residency
As a KEYS Research Internship participant at the University of Arizona’s BIO5 Institute, you’ll begin with online assignments in science literacy, biotechnology, and data science before the summer starts. After arriving on campus, you’ll spend the initial week in intensive training, then engage in six weeks of hands-on research with university faculty and lab teams in areas like molecular biology, genetics, or biomedical engineering.
You will also be expected to participate in a formal presentation at a research showcase, where you’ll share your findings with peers, mentors, and family. In addition, you’ll earn college credit, receive assured admission to the W.A. Franke Honors College, and join a network of KEYS alumni across Arizona’s research communit.
5. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost:
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
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!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is designed to support high school students in conducting individualized research under the mentorship of a Ph.D. researcher. Over the course of 12 weeks, you’ll collaborate closely with your mentor to develop an independent research project in a subject area of your choice, including medicine and healthcare.
The program emphasizes original inquiry and academic rigor, guiding you through each stage of the research process — from defining a question to producing a full-length research paper. This experience offers both a structured academic framework and the flexibility to explore complex topics that align with your interests. You can find more details about the application here.
6. TGen’s Helios Scholars
Location: TGen headquarters in Phoenix, Translational Drug Development (TD2) on the Mayo Clinic campus in Scottsdale, Pathogen Genomics Division in Flagstaff
Cost: No cost; interns are paid a stipend of $14.70 per hour
Program dates: June 9 – August 1
Application deadline: February 5
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and a graduate of an Arizona high school by June 9, and be eligible to work in the U.S.
The Helios Scholars at TGen program engages participants in an immersive eight-week experience focused on biomedical research under the guidance of expert scientists. You may be placed at TGen’s Phoenix campus to study the genetic basis of diseases like cancer or neurological disorders, or at TGen North in Flagstaff, where the emphasis is on public health topics such as infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance. Besides research, this medical summer program for high school students in Arizona also expects participants to engage in seminars on scientific communication, explore bioscience careers, and prepare a formal poster for the program’s closing symposium.
7. The Burton Family Foundation Summer Health Institute Summer Camp
Location: ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus
Cost: Free
Program dates: Camp 1: June 15 – 21 | Camp 2: June 22 – 28
Application deadline: April 6
Eligibility: High school juniors
The Burton Family Foundation Summer Health Institute at ASU’s College of Health Solutions allows students to participate in a week-long residential experience exploring diverse healthcare careers. During your time on the Downtown Phoenix campus, you will engage daily with healthcare professionals and enhance your clinical skills through simulation labs at Creighton University School of Medicine. Activities involve suturing, IV administration, intubation, and injection procedures. The program also incorporates tours of medical facilities and opportunities to speak with practicing providers from fields like medicine, dentistry, optometry, and rehabilitation.
8. Mayo Clinic’s High School Student Summer Volunteer Program
Location: Mayo Clinic campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, AZ
Cost: Free
Program dates: 8 weeks in the summer, starting from June
Application deadline: January 17 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students over 15 years of age
Mayo Clinic’s High School Student Summer Volunteer Program places you in a non-clinical support role across its Phoenix and Scottsdale campuses, exposing you to a hospital environment without engaging in direct patient care. As a volunteer, you may assist with tasks like patient preparation, wayfinding, clerical duties, or operational support — your assignment is based on your availability, skills, and interests. The medical summer program for high school students in Arizona includes required steps such as an interview, health clearance, general orientation, and hands-on training in your designated area.
9. ASU Summer Programs – Healthcare Discovery Camp
Location: SU’s College of Integrative Sciences and Arts at the Polytechnic campus, Mesa, AZ
Cost: $250
Program dates: June 16 – 19
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high schoolers in grades 8-9
ASU’s Healthcare Discovery Camp introduces participants to a range of health and wellness fields, including pre-med, veterinary medicine, dentistry, counseling, and nutrition, through labs, interactive workshops, and faculty-led sessions. The program includes opportunities to explore ASU’s Dreamscape Learn Lab and attend panels featuring healthcare professionals who share insights about their careers. Additionally, you can enhance your soft skills such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking within a university setting.
10. ASU Summer Programs – Future Doctors Institute
Location: ASU Downtown Phoenix campus, AZ
Cost: $434
Program dates: June 9 – 12
Application deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Open to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
ASU’s Future Doctors Institute supports high school students from sophomores to seniors who are exploring medical school. It provides opportunities to delve into essential subjects such as biology, chemistry, and healthcare innovation, all within a college-like learning atmosphere.
This summer medical program for high school students in Arizona offers practical lab activities and workshops, alongside the development of communication and persuasive speaking skills. The curriculum emphasizes both scientific knowledge and professional development, with opportunities to connect with instructors and peers who share your interest in the field.
11. University of Arizona Health Sciences – Med-Start Health Careers Program
Location: University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Approximately $6,000 (scholarships and tuition waivers available)
Program dates: 6 weeks from June to mid-July
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Arizona high school students in the 11th grade interested in pursuing a career in the health sciences.
If you’re a rising senior looking to explore healthcare careers while earning college credit, the University of Arizona’s Med-Start Health Careers Program offers an immersive, six-week residential experience. You’ll live on campus and complete college-level coursework in English, math, and chemistry, while also participating in lab activities, professional lectures, and healthcare facility tours.
Beyond academics, the program emphasizes college readiness through workshops on personal statements, resume writing, time management, and financial literacy. You’ll be expected to fully engage in all required classes, research projects, field trips, and community service events as part of the program schedule.
12. Johns Hopkins Global Health Leaders Conference
Location: Virtual
Cost: $99
Program dates: July 13 – 21
Application deadline: Typically in late March
Eligibility: High school students worldwide in grades 9–12
The Global Health Leaders Conference at Johns Hopkins brings together high school students from around the world to discuss pressing topics in public and global health. Held virtually, the program features live lectures from leading experts in medicine, policy, and global health systems, allowing you to deepen your understanding of real-world healthcare challenges.
As a participant in this virtual medical summer program, you can also apply to present in the Student Speaker Series, where chosen students share research or ideas concerning global health. The conference emphasizes academic exploration and collaboration, creating a space for you to connect with peers engaged in the future of health and medicine.
13. CDC Museum Public Health Academy Online Summer Course
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 9 – 13
Application deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors who are at least 16 years old
The CDC Museum Public Health Academy Online Summer Course is a one-week, fast-paced academic program designed for high school students entering their junior or senior year. You’ll engage with a wide range of public health topics through a mix of independent lessons and daily live sessions, including epidemiology, global health, health disparities, environmental health, and public health law. The course requires full participation, with assignments due each day and attendance at synchronous sessions where you’ll join discussions, hear from CDC professionals, and connect with peers. Completing all requirements on time earns you a certificate of completion and a bonus program shirt.
14. Summer@Brown Online – Medicine in Action: A View into the Life of a Medical Student
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,218
Program dates: June 30 – July 11
Application deadline: April 6 (program cost increases after deadline)
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 to 12, ages 14 to 18 by June 15, who have a strong foundation in biology, are eligible to apply.
In Medicine in Action: A View into the Life of a Medical Student, part of Summer@Brown Online, you’ll explore medicine through an interdisciplinary lens guided by current students from Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School. Over two weeks, you’ll study the structure and function of the human heart, conduct a simulated cardiopulmonary physical exam, and practice interviewing a patient presenting with chest pain.
While not a full-on program, the course also introduces you to ethical questions surrounding heart transplants and provides a space to reflect on the human side of healthcare. Alongside the academic material, you’ll get to interact with medical students and gain insights into different career paths in medicine.
15. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, East Baltimore Campus, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Free; in-person interns are paid an hourly stipend, and virtual interns are provided a $500 stipend
Program dates: The in-person program lasts 8 weeks, while the virtual program runs for 5 weeks from June to August.
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (in the U.S. for the virtual program and in Baltimore City, MD, for the in-person program)
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS) offers a research-focused introduction to the brain sciences through a virtual, five-week summer experience tailored for high school juniors and seniors. You’ll join a national cohort to explore neuroscience topics through guided lab technique sessions, discussions on professional pathways, and mentored project work. The curriculum combines research with real-world applications, aiming to build your scientific knowledge early on. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings and receive a certificate recognizing your completion.
Image source – The University of Arizona