When most people think of research, they picture lab experiments or computer code—not essays, archives, or philosophy. But research is just as central to the humanities as it is to science. In fields like history, literature, philosophy, sociology, or cultural studies, research helps you dig beneath the surface of texts, societies, and ideas to understand how the world works and why people think the way they do.
If you’re curious about the humanities and want to explore your interests more deeply, an online research program is a flexible, focused way to get started!
Participating in a research program can help you figure out your academic and career interests while gaining hands-on experience. The skills you develop in humanities research programs will open up many career paths. Whether you’re drawn to law, education, journalism, or social work, the knowledge and experience you gain can strengthen your college applications and set you up for success in various fields.
In this blog, you’ll find a list of 15 online humanities research programs for high school students!
15 Online Humanities Research Programs for High School Students
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Cost: You can find the exact cost by submitting an interest form. Full financial aid is available.
Application deadline: 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 – Humanities Track
Cost: Individual Research Program – $2,600 | Premium Research & Publication Program – $4,800 | Research Fellowship program – $8,400
Application Deadlines: Vary by cohort, for summer: Priority – March 23, Regular I – April 20, Regular II – May 18.
Program Dates: The summer cohort starts June 16. Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply at least four weeks in advance.
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in high school, have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher, and no prior knowledge of the field is required.
The Lumiere Research Scholars Program offers high school students the opportunity to work directly with a PhD mentor to develop an independent research paper. This program is ideal if you’re interested in exploring fields like history, education, sociology, or law.
You will gain hands-on experience in academic research, learning how to formulate research questions, conduct thorough literature reviews, and develop well-supported arguments. This program not only deepens your understanding of your chosen discipline but also equips you with solid research skills. By the end, you’ll have an independent research paper. Apply here.
3. Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internships
Cost: None
Program Dates: Internships are offered all year round, from six weeks to one year, full- or part-time.
Application Deadline: March 1 (for summer internships)
Eligibility: Open to all high school students (both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens).
If you’re interested in culture, heritage, and the humanities, the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internship could be a great fit for you. You’ll contribute to projects like the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Folkways Recordings, or the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives.
Your tasks may include research, production, or archival work, depending on your interests. You’ll work alongside Smithsonian staff in areas like cultural anthropology, ethnomusicology, linguistics, or arts administration, helping with cultural documentation, education, and public outreach.
4. American Psychological Association (APA) – Remote Internship Program
Cost: No cost
Program dates: Internships are offered all year round
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all high school students eligible to work in the U.S. (as verified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s eVerify service) and residing in one of the states where APA is already registered as an employer.
The American Psychological Association (APA) Remote Internship Program lets you work online with professionals in fields like research, education, communications, and policy. You’re placed in a department within APA and assigned a supervisor who guides your tasks.
Depending on your placement, you might help with literature reviews, organize data, or work on public education materials that connect psychology with social issues. You also attend presentations by APA staff and may take part in group projects. The internship is available for pay or academic credit, and you work remotely throughout the program.
5. Purdue University Summer College for High School Students
Cost: $347.85 – $1,108.30 per credit hour (varies by in-state, out-of-state, or international status)
Program Dates: May 13 to August 2. Multiple modules run including full summer, 8-week, 4-week, and Maymester sessions.
Application Deadline: Rolling (applications open on December 1)
Eligibility: Students who are of age 15 or older, have completed their freshman year of high school, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher are eligible to apply.
Purdue University’s Summer College for High School Students lets you take 100-level online college courses alongside Purdue undergraduates. You earn 3 college credits per course, which can transfer to other universities depending on their policies. Courses are typically six to eight weeks long, with weekly lectures, reading assignments, quizzes, and graded discussion boards.
You can choose from subjects like communication (COM 114), sociology (SOC 100), history (HIST 104), or philosophy (PHIL 110), depending on what’s offered that term. All work is asynchronous, so you complete assignments on your own schedule, but you are expected to meet all deadlines without reminders.
6. Columbia’s Pre-College Summer Sessions
Cost: $2,815 (one-week); $3,965 (two-week). Find more details here.
Program Dates: Session A – July 7–18; Session B – July 21–August 1; Session C – August 11– 15
Application Deadline: April 20
Eligibility: Domestic and international students who will be in grades 9–12 in the fall and students currently enrolled in grade 12 are eligible to apply.
Columbia’s Pre-College Summer Sessions offer high school students the chance to explore humanities topics through online courses. You’ll work on research-based assignments like essays, writing portfolios, and presentations. Topics include ethics, literature, philosophy, creative writing, and journalism.
The two-week program focuses on developing research skills, with group work and discussions that mimic college-level study. You’ll also get the chance to engage in activities related to student life. Specialized courses in subjects like marketing, journalism, and art are available, helping you build research and academic skills in different fields.
7. Summer@Brown Online
Cost: 2 weeks: $3,218; 3 weeks: $4,454; 4 weeks: $5,314; 6 weeks: $6,238
Program Dates: Multiple sessions offered in June – July
Application Deadline: May 9 (rolling)
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9-12 between ages 14-18 by June 15 are eligible to apply.
Summer@Brown Online offers high school students the opportunity to take college-level humanities courses in subjects like philosophy, political science, literature, writing, and social sciences. You can choose from over 50 courses with flexible formats: fully asynchronous, mostly asynchronous with optional live sessions, or blended with some required live meetings.
You’ll complete assignments such as essays, critical analyses, or research projects while engaging with instructors and peers online. After finishing a 3-week or longer course, you’ll receive a Course Performance Report and a digital certificate of completion. Optional enrichment workshops and virtual office hours are also available to support your learning.
8. American Psychological Association (APA) Internal Internship Program
Cost: Free (internships are either paid or offer academic credit)
Program Dates: Opportunities are available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Open all year
Eligibility: High school students eligible to work in the U.S. and residing in one of the states where APA is registered as an employer.are eligible to apply.
The American Psychological Association’s Internal Internship Program allows high school students to explore how psychology applies in real-world settings. As a remote intern, you’ll work with professionals in areas like policy, research, communications, education, or publishing.
Your tasks might include synthesizing research, supporting education initiatives, or contributing to psychology-based outreach. You’ll work under the guidance of a supervisor, participate in department-specific projects, and join workshops or group activities.
9. Dartmouth Precollege Online Program
Cost: $1,795 (need-based scholarships available)
Program Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 13 and above
The Dartmouth Pre College Online Program gives high school students a chance to approach academic topics from an interdisciplinary perspective, much like the college’s liberal arts framework. If you’re interested in topics like psychology or finance, you’ll engage in coursework such as analyzing mental wellness through a psychological lens or examining investment strategies and market behavior.
Each course in this online humanities research program for high school students includes guided lessons, assignments, and access to mentorship, helping you build critical thinking skills while navigating subject matter that mirrors a college learning experience.
10. William & Mary Pre-College Online Program
Cost: $1495 (need-based scholarships available)
Program Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on course
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 13 and above
The William & Mary Pre-College Online Program allows high school students to study humanities subjects like Constitutional Law and Cognitive Psychology through video-based coursework created by university faculty. Each course takes about 20-30 hours and includes simulations, assignments, and a final project where you can showcase your learning through writing, slides, or video.
You’ll work with a mentor who provides feedback and helps refine your ideas throughout the course. The flexible, self-paced structure lets you focus on specific academic interests, and you’ll earn a certificate of completion for your work.
11. Notre Dame Pre-College Online Program
Cost: $1,495 (need-based scholarships available)
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week and 4-week sessions available
Application Deadline: Varies depending on course
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 13 and above
Notre Dame’s Pre-College Online Program offers high school students the chance to study humanities subjects like psychology or law through self-paced, structured coursework. Each course includes about 20-30 hours of instruction and culminates in a capstone project, where you apply what you’ve learned, such as analyzing legal arguments or exploring psychology topics.
You can choose to present your project in the format of video, essay, or presentation. Throughout the course, you’ll receive feedback from mentors who are experts in the field. The assignments are designed to meet college-level expectations, helping you build research and analytical skills.
12. Cornell University Summer Session Online
Cost: $1,840 per credit, $1,500 non-refundable deposit is applicable (will be applied toward the total program charge)
Program Dates: Session 1: June 2–20, Session 2: June 23–July 11, Session 3: July 14–August 1, Six-week session: June 23–August 1
Application Deadline: Session 1: May 5,Session 2 and Six-week: May 19, Session 3: June 16.
Eligibility: Students who have their sophomore year of high school and are between 15 and 19 years of age by the program start date are eligible to apply.
Cornell University’s Summer Session Online gives you the chance to take real college courses in humanities subjects like history, anthropology, English, and music, all from home. The courses are designed to give you an in-depth understanding of these fields, with a focus on developing research skills.
You’ll engage in both live and self-paced learning, complete assignments, and take part in discussions with peers and instructors. The program helps you build critical research abilities by analyzing and discussing complex topics. At the end of the course, you’ll earn college credits and receive an official Cornell transcript.
13. Boston University’s High School Honors Online
Cost: $6,520 for 8 credits. Find more details here.
Program Dates: Summer 1: May 13-June 27; Summer 2: June 30-August 15
Application Deadline: May 23
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors can apply.
Boston University’s High School Honors Online program lets you take real college courses and earn credit while studying from home. You choose one or two courses from subjects like psychology, philosophy, sociology, or anthropology. Each course is six weeks long and includes weekly lectures, readings, discussions, and graded assignments.
BU faculty teach the courses, and you’re expected to meet deadlines and complete all coursework independently. You also get access to BU’s online academic support and can reach out to instructors during virtual office hours.
14. Rice University Summer Scholars
Cost: $1,200 per credit hour + $75 application fee
Program Dates: May–August, with 6 summer blocks to fit different schedules.
Application Deadline: Rolling. A1, B1: May 5; C1: May 12; D1: May 27; E1: June 9; B2: June 23; C2: June 30.
Eligibility: Open to rising 11th and 12th graders
In Rice University’s Summer Scholars program, you can take for-credit virtual courses in humanities subjects like the cultural analysis of classical Chinese novels or the study of language and identity. Led by Rice faculty, these courses include structured readings, written projects, and critical discussions to help you examine how narratives and societies shape the world.
15. The School of The New York Times Online Summer Academy
Cost: Approximately $3,000–$4,500 per course (scholarships available)
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions, June–August
Application Deadline: Early April (rolling, confirm on official site).
Eligibility: Students aged 15–18, no specific GPA requirement, open to domestic and international students.
The School of The New York Times offers online journalism courses for high school students, like “Writing for Publication” and “Investigative Reporting.” You’ll get to work on real-world projects such as articles and multimedia content, all under the guidance of NYT journalists.
You’ll pick up key skills along the way, like learning how to conduct thorough research, verify facts, and write with more clarity. You’ll also improve your ability to analyze information critically, helping you build strong, well-supported arguments.
Image source – Rice University