If you’re a high school student interested in exploring psychology over the summer, you should consider participating in a research program in the field! These programs let you conduct research, analyze data, and develop critical thinking skills while exploring topics like clinical psychology, cognitive science, and behavioral research.
By working with expert mentors, you’ll gain hands-on experience in experimental design, statistical analysis, and psychological theory. These skills are important for careers in mental health, neuroscience, education, and social sciences. Plus, online programs offer flexibility and eliminate the cost of travel, making high-quality research experiences more accessible.
To make your search easier, here’s our curated list of 15 online psychology research summer programs for high school students that you can consider!
15 Online Psychology Research Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Horizons Academic Research Program (HARP) — Psychology Track
Horizon’s Research Program offers a trimester-long opportunity to dive into psychology research with expert mentorship. You’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a top university who will guide you through the research process.
If you choose psychology, you’ll have 72 subtopics to explore, including clinical, social, developmental, and cognitive psychology. You’ll examine key psychological questions, analyze existing research, and develop original insights. By the end of the program, you’ll produce a 20-page research paper following university-level standards. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,950 for a Labs course and $5,950 for a seminar course. You can get the exact cost by raising an interest form here.
Application Deadlines: 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: 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.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides high school students with the opportunity to work closely with Ph.D. mentors on research projects in fields like psychology, physics, economics, data science, and others. You’ll start by choosing a research topic and receive guidance from both your mentor and a writing coach throughout the process.
Over 12 weeks, you’ll conduct your research, participate in workshops, and refine your work. By the end of the program, you will have completed a research paper and developed skills in critical thinking, writing, and research techniques. Find more details about the application here!
Location: Remote — You can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Starts at $2,800. Full Financial aid is available!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I application deadline is April 13!
Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: Students must have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
3. Bethel College Summer Science Institute (Psychology Focus)
The Bethel College Summer Science Institute (BCSSI) offers both in-person and online participation, making it accessible to students anywhere. If you’re interested in psychology, you can join the “Psychology of Film” group, led by Assistant Professor Navanté Peacock. This group focuses on analyzing movies through a psychological lens, helping you explore key psychological concepts in storytelling and media.
By the end of the week, you’ll have hands-on research experience, a certificate of completion, and the chance to earn one hour of college credit. This is a great option for students looking to combine their interest in psychology with media studies while gaining critical analysis and research skills.
Location: Bethel College, North Newton, KS (in-person and online options available).
Cost: $60 registration fee. Fee waivers are available for students who need financial assistance.
Application deadline: April 15
Dates: July 13 — 18
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 10–12 and recent high school graduates.
4. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) gives you hands-on experience in neuroscience research within the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery. You can choose between an 8-week in-person internship or a 5-week virtual program, making it flexible for students who prefer an online option.
In both formats, you’ll work on a research project, attend brain science seminars, and receive mentorship from experts in the field. The program also includes career development workshops, college prep sessions, and networking opportunities. Through JHIBS, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the brain’s role in behavior, cognition, and mental health, preparing you for future studies in neuroscience and psychology.
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, East Baltimore Campus, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Free. The virtual program provides a $500 education scholarship.
Application deadline: March 1
Program dates: The in-person program lasts 8 weeks, while the virtual program runs for 5 weeks from June–August.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (in the US for the virtual program) from underrepresented backgrounds can apply.
5. Mary S. Easton Center at UCLA – Neuroscience High School Scholars Program
The UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program gives you the chance to explore neuroscience research and public health from anywhere. If you’re a high school junior or senior, you can choose between an in-person or virtual experience. In the 6-week virtual program, you’ll dive into research on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) while learning about health disparities and cultural factors in brain science.
You’ll also work with mentors, take part in community outreach, and work on research projects. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to start an Alzheimer’s Awareness Club at your school, applying what you learn beyond the program.
Location: UCLA campus, Los Angeles, CA (in-person) or virtually
Cost: None
Application deadline: March 3
Program dates: June 16 – July 24
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16–18 years old), particularly from underrepresented communities or those interested in working with underrepresented populations.
6. Columbia University’s Pre-College Programs — The Science of Psychology
Columbia University’s Pre-College Program lets you explore psychology research through 1- to 3-week courses, available both online and in-person. You can choose from topics like memory, perception, cognitive development, psycholinguistics, and speech-language therapy.
In the Science of Psychology course, you’ll explore the biological bases of behavior, learning, and memory. You’ll also explore language acquisition, personality, and social influences on behavior. This program gives you a strong foundation in psychological research and helps you develop skills in critical thinking, data analysis, and experimental design.
Location: In person or virtual
Cost: $3,960
Application Deadline: April 2
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions in the summer. July 7–18 | July 21–August 1 | August 11–15
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
7. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University
The Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University is a two-week program designed for high school students after their sophomore, junior, or senior year. You’ll get an introduction to neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology, working alongside Stanford faculty and researchers.
Through seminars and discussions, you’ll explore topics like clinical neuropsychiatry, psychiatric epidemiology, and behavioral sciences. You’ll also learn about career paths in medicine and science and develop self-care strategies for adulthood. The program includes a collaborative capstone project, where you’ll work in teams to tackle real-world issues in psychiatry or neuroscience.
Location: In person or virtual
Cost: $1,595 (for the virtual program)
Application Deadline: By early March
Program Dates: June 16 —27 (for the virtual program)
Eligibility: Open to high school students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year.
8. John Hopkins University — Psychology and Brain Sciences Pre-College Programs
Johns Hopkins University’s online Pre-College Programs let you explore psychology at your own pace. You can choose from courses like Psychological Profiling, where you’ll analyze clinical cases involving serial offenders, spree killers, and terrorists while considering ethical and legal issues in profiling.
In Psychopathology and Its Development, you’ll explore abnormal psychology, learning about the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders. These courses help you build a strong foundation in psychology and explore different areas of the field. The self-paced online format makes it easy to fit learning into your schedule.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,950 per credit plus a nonrefundable $85 application fee. Some financial assistance is available.
Application Deadline: No information available. You can check here for updates on Summer 2025 programs.
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions between June and August. Self-paced, with a 15-hour commitment per week.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
9. UC Berkeley’s Pre-College Scholars Summer Program: Psychology
UC Berkeley’s Pre-College Scholars Summer Program in Psychology gives you a three-week deep dive into the field. You will explore developmental, cognitive, and social psychology through lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities.
If you choose a research-focused course, you will gain practical experience in designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting statistical results, and presenting findings. You will also develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific writing skills.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Per unit charge of $615 + $550 registration + $71 document management fee.
Application Deadline: June 2
Program Dates: Variable based on course selected. 6 weeks in the summer.
Eligibility: Must have completed 10th or 11th grade by the start of summer classes, plan to continue their high school studies in the fall, maintain a B average (3.0, weighted or unweighted), be 16 years old by June 22, 2025, and be in good academic standing at their current school.
10. University of Texas Southwestern Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship
The University of Texas Southwestern Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship is a two-week virtual program for rising 10th–12th graders and incoming college freshmen. You will connect with professionals like social workers, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and physician assistants.
Over two weeks, you will take part in interactive discussions, analyze case studies, and explore topics like psychotherapy, neuroscience, and community psychiatry. You will also learn how research informs mental health practices by examining data, evaluating treatment approaches, and understanding clinical studies.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application deadline: Typically close in early February
Program Dates: Typically 2 weeks in June
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors can apply.
11. William & Mary’s Pre-college Online Program — Cognitive Psychology: How the Brain Works
William & Mary’s Pre-College Online Program offers a course in Cognitive Psychology that explores how the brain processes information, from perception to decision-making. You will trace the field’s development from its philosophical origins to modern applications, including its role in robotics and artificial intelligence.
Throughout the course, you will examine how positive thinking affects performance and analyze the brain regions responsible for speech, attention, perception, and facial recognition. You will also create a brain diagram highlighting areas linked to memory and reasoning, deepening your understanding of cognitive functions.
With 20–30 hours of instruction, multimedia content, and guided assignments, the course provides hands-on learning. You will work through simulations, receive mentorship, and complete a final project. By the end, you will earn a Certificate of Completion from William & Mary, adding a strong academic credential to your portfolio.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,495
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Multi-length courses are available throughout the year.
Eligibility: Students aged 13 years and above can apply.
12. Stanford University’s SHTEM Summer Internship
The Stanford SHTEM Summer Internship gives high school and early community college students the chance to conduct research under experts from the Stanford Compression Forum. Working remotely, you’ll explore human behavior, cognition, and brain function while developing skills in research methodology, statistical analysis, coding, data visualization, critical thinking, and scientific communication. You’ll work 30–40 hours per week, gaining hands-on experience in designing experiments, analyzing complex datasets, and presenting research findings.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None. This is an unpaid internship, but need-based financial assistance may be available in some cases.
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: June 17–August 9
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are at least 14 years old and community college students who are aged less than 21 can apply.
13. Northwestern University Online Pre-College Program: Psychology
Northwestern University’s Pre-College Online program offers “Psychology: Inside Diagnosis and Treatment,” a course designed to introduce you to clinical psychology. You’ll learn how mental health professionals assess and diagnose disorders, exploring treatment methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other therapeutic approaches.
A key feature of the course is the capstone research project, where you’ll analyze a patient case study. You’ll go through the process of identifying symptoms, making a diagnosis, and developing a treatment plan based on research-backed strategies. This program helps you develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills while gaining insight into how psychologists work with patients.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $1,795
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Multiple 2 or 4-week sessions to choose from.
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up can apply.
14. Summer@Brown Online: Psychology Courses
Brown University’s Pre-College Programs offer high school students the chance to take college-level courses in various subjects, including psychology. One option is the “Psychopathology: Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness” course, which explores the connection between biology, genetics, and psychology in shaping behavior and mental health.
Over two weeks, you’ll examine the brain’s biological components and how they regulate cognition, emotions, and behavior. The second week focuses on counseling interventions and the treatment of mental health disorders, using real-life case studies to illustrate the concepts. Lectures and multimedia resources will support your learning as you gain a deeper understanding of how psychology and biology work together in mental health.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,218 — $6,238
Application Deadline: May 9
Program Dates: June 16 — July 25. More information here.
Eligibility: Open to students completing grades 9 to 12, ages 14 to 18 by June 15, 2025.
15. UCLA’s Critical Thinking Summer Institute Program
UCLA’s Critical Thinking Summer Institute helps you build essential reasoning skills for research, especially in psychology. You’ll explore logic, probability, and how media influences perception, strengthening your ability to analyze complex arguments.
The program includes lectures, discussions, and workshops with UCLA faculty. A media literacy and journalism workshop will introduce you to the psychology of reasoning, showing you how to assess news and information critically. You’ll complete problem sets and a final research article, applying critical thinking techniques to real-world issues.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,007. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: June 13
Dates: July 7 — July 25
Eligibility: Open to students in 9th — 12th grade in Spring 2025.
Image source – University of California, Los Angeles