Psychology programs for high school students provide a unique opportunity to explore advanced concepts in the field while still in school. Whether you are interested in understanding human behavior, social interaction, or cognition, these programs can help you build advanced skills that will serve you well in future academic endeavors. From hands-on research experiences to learning specialized software, these psychology programs let you dive deep into topics such as neuropsychology, organizational behavior, and child development.
Here’s a list of 15 prestigious psychology programs for high schoolers to help you get started.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas. It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. If you’re interested in psychology, Horizon offers a range of 72 subtopics in psychology, spanning key questions in clinical, social, developmental, and cognitive psychology. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level 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, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and on college applications. Apply here!
Subject Areas: Psychology, Medical Sociology, Behavioral Economics, Organizational Behavior, and Psychology and Emotion Regulation (only available during spring and summer terms)
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can request for information on cost here
Program Dates:
- Winter seminar: December 2, 2024 onwards
- Spring seminar: March 3, 2025 onwards
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance
Application Deadline: November 10, 2024 for the winter cohort, and February 9, 2025 for the spring cohort
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) are eligible to apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a few tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers an exclusive online research opportunity for high school students eager to engage in original research. Through this flagship program, students are matched with top-tier PhD mentors for individualized, 1-on-1 mentorship. Participants work closely with their mentor to develop an independent research project, gaining a chance to contribute to advanced scholarship while still in high school.
Through this program, you will acquire a deep understanding of research methodologies, enhance your critical thinking abilities, and explore complex topics with expert support. If you’re interested in psychology, you can choose the program’s dedicated psychology track. Apply now!
Subject Areas: Psychology
Location: Virtual
Cost: Some need-based scholarships are available
- Individual Research Program: $2,990
- Premium Research and Publication Program: $5,900
- Research Fellowship: $8,900
- Professor Premium Publication Program: $8,900
Program Dates: Each program has a Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter session
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. The Winter cohort deadline is November 24, 2024
Eligibility: High school students
The National Institutes of Health offers a highly competitive summer internship program with an acceptance rate of 7%. For students interested in psychology, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), or National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) are ideal options. You will work within a research group under the supervision of a Principal Investigator, conducting basic, translational, or clinical research. In addition to hands-on lab work, you’ll engage in professional development sessions and receive career guidance. The program wraps up with a presentation of your research at the Summer Poster Day.
Subject Areas: Psychology, Drug Abuse, Alcoholism, and Mental Health
Location: NIH campuses across the U.S.
Cost / Stipend: There is no cost. Interns receive a stipend of $2,300–$2,530 if they are currently in high school or $2,570–$2,840 if they have graduated
Program Dates: The internship program typically runs for 8 weeks between May/June and August
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years old, live within 40 miles of their nearest NIH campus, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Stanford’s Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (SHTEM) Summer Internship encourages students to engage in collaborative research projects. Students focus on various topics, including psychology and neuroscience, and work in groups under the guidance of Stanford students, faculty, and staff. This is a selective program, with approximately 60 students accepted each year. The internship program allows for interdisciplinary approaches by blending psychology with various subject areas like biology, computer science, philosophy, and linguistics. At the end of the program, you present your findings as part of a group.
Subject Areas: Psychology, Biology, Neuroscience
Location: Virtual
Cost / Stipend: $50 application fee, need-based stipends available
Program Dates: June 17 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program). You can register here to find out when Summer 2025 applications open
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are at least 14 years old
The Department of Translational Neuroscience at Barrow Neurological Institute offers high school students a chance to conduct scientific research in a lab. You’ll have the opportunity to work on projects in fields like neuro-oncology, neuropsychology, cerebrovascular research, and spine biomechanics. This program provides access to cutting-edge technology, as well as mentorship from researchers. Throughout your internship, you’ll learn to evaluate scientific literature, apply advanced research techniques, and share your findings.
Subject Areas: Neurology, Neuropsychology, and Neuroscience
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Cost: Free
Program Dates: May 30 – July 3, 2025
Application Deadline: February 14, 2025
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
Wake Forest University’s Psychology Institute Summer Immersion Program gives you the chance to explore brain structure through hands-on activities while diving into topics such as illusions, sensations, perceptions, biases, and emotions. Key activities include sheep brain dissection, brain training exercises to understand neuroplasticity, and sensory perception labs. During the program, you'll also be introduced to psychology research design, hypothesis testing, and the psychology of marketing. By working in teams, you'll develop and execute an observational research project and share your findings.
Subject Areas: Neuroscience, Psychology (Emotions, Brain Disorders, Sensation and Perception, Addiction)
Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: T$3,000. Need-based scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
- June 9 – 14, 2024
- June 16 – 21, 2024
Application Deadline: Applications open on November 1, 2024 and are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students
Camp Psych is a week-long residential program that focuses on psychological science. You will learn about experimental research methods and conduct your own research on the psychology of helping behaviors. In addition to research projects, you’ll attend lectures, discussions, guest speaker sessions, and presentations. The classes are small, typically consisting of 20–25 students, giving you a personalized learning environment. This camp provides a valuable glimpse into the field of psychology and offers preparation for college.
Subject Areas: Psychological Science
Location: Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA
Cost: $1,395. Full-tuition waivers available
Program Dates: July 14 – 19, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and 2025 applications will open in late 2024
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The University of Chicago’s Summer Immersion Program offers students the chance to take undergraduate-level courses taught by university faculty, researchers, and professionals. You’ll participate in lectures, workshops, and seminars while working on research projects and engaging in hands-on activities. For students interested in psychology, the university offers two courses.
Developmental Psychology (Theories and Techniques) explores developmental psychology theories, mental changes, and the influence of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. You’ll work with primary empirical sources and work in small groups to design and execute research projects. Fundamentals of Psychology (Theory & Research) covers essential psychology concepts like emotions, memory, sensation, perception, development, and psychological disorders. This course also involves small-group experimental research projects and lab demonstrations.
Subject Areas: Developmental Psychology, Human Behavior, Neuroscience, and Psychological Disorders
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $8,600. Some need-based financial aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
- Developmental Psychology: June 17 – July 5, 2025
- Fundamentals of Psychology: July 10 – 26, 2024
Application Deadline: March 5, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program). You can register here to receive notifications when Summer 2025 applications open
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are at least 14 years old
Johns Hopkins University’s online Pre-College Programs provide flexible, self-paced courses for high school students across various fields, including psychology. Those interested in psychology can explore courses like Neuroscience and Human Behavior, where you’ll study how brain cells and chemicals lead to complex behavior. Psychological Profiling will allow you to examine clinical cases of serial offenders, spree killers, and terrorists while also addressing the ethical and legal implications of profiling. In Psychopathology and Its Development, you’ll dive into abnormal psychology, learning about the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of common mental disorders while also examining approaches to managing these conditions.
Subject Areas: Psychology, Human Behavior, Brain Sciences, Neuroscience, Psychological Profiling, and Psychopathology
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,950 per credit plus a nonrefundable $85 application fee. Some financial assistance is available
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions between June and August. Courses are self-paced, and students are expected to dedicate around 15 hours per week
Application Deadline: No information available. You can check here for updates on Summer 2025 programs
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Columbia University’s Pre-College Program offers multiple psychology courses, both in-person and online, ranging from one to three weeks. The Science of Psychology course introduces you to the basic concepts of psychology, including the biological roots of human behavior, learning processes, sensory perception and cognition, and human personality. You’ll also delve into behavioral science, exploring how social factors can influence human behavior.
In Psycholinguistics: Understanding Language & the Mind, you will explore how humans learn, understand, and produce language. This course deals with the flexibility of language, its influence on reading and writing, and its role in social interactions. In Introduction to Neuroscience: Understanding the Brain, you will study the brain’s structure, from individual neurons to the entire nervous system, and explore its role in generating behavior. The course covers the brain's history of evolution to modern research methods like imaging, computational neuroscience, and neuropharmacology.
Subject Areas: Psychology, Human Behavior, Cognitive Development, Neuroscience, and Psycholinguistics
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY or virtual
Cost: $2,700 – $12,154, depending on the course duration and format. Some need-based financial aid is available for New York City residents
Program Dates: Multiple three-week sessions between June and August, exact dates vary by course
Application Deadline: Varies by course. You can check here for updates on Summer 2025 programs
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12, including international students. Students must be at least 16 years old for residential programs
Brown University offers high school students a chance to experience college-level courses through their Pre-College Programs. Those interested in psychology can opt for over 40 non-credit courses available either in-person or online. The topics range from Abnormal Adolescent Psychology and Personality Disorders to Human Behavior, Addiction, Neuroscience, Health Psychology, and more! In ‘Psychology of Willpower and Motivation,’ you’ll read scientific literature on self-control. The ‘Introduction to Clinical Psychology’ course will give you the chance to learn about psychoanalysis and behavior therapy. Students who successfully complete the course receive a Certificate of Completion.
Subject Areas: Psychology, Psychology of Willpower and Motivation, Abnormal Adolescent Psychology, Personality Disorders, Human Behavior, Clinical Psychology, Mood Disorders, Psychoactive Drugs, Psychology of Stress and Trauma, Addiction, Neuroscience, Health Psychology
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI or virtual
Cost: $2,816–$9,870 depending on the course duration and format. Some need-based scholarships are available
Program Dates: Vary according to course, typically one to six weeks between June and July
Application Deadline: May 10, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18
The Youth Mental Health Academy is a 14-month program that offers hands-on learning in mental health science, practice, and communications through project-based learning. In your first summer, you'll participate in a 5-week academy where you'll engage in interactive lessons covering mental health disorders, health inequities, career options, and academic enrichment.
You’ll receive mentorship from a health professional throughout the school year. During your second summer, you'll gain practical experience through a paid internship, gaining 100 hours of experience at a community or research organization. You'll develop career skills, analyze data, and contribute to meaningful mental health initiatives. You'll also work on a capstone project consisting of a research paper, creative presentation, and display.
Subject Areas: Psychology, Mental Health
Location: Child Mind Institute, San Mateo, CA and virtual
Cost / Stipend: There is no cost. Interns receive a stipend of up to $2,000 for the first summer and an unspecific stipend for the second summer
Program Dates: The program runs for 14 months:
- Onsite Mental Health Academy: June 23 – July 24, 2025
- Monthly workshops & mentor support: August 2025 – May 2026
- Internship in mental health-related field: July & August 2026
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who:
- Are from structurally marginalized communities
- Are enrolled in private or public school in California
- Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
The Introduction to Experimental Psychology immersion is a three-week program for high school students where you will learn about psychology and gain experience in designing and conducting research projects. Throughout the program, you will participate in seminars, engage in observational and experimental research, and explore potential career paths in psychology-related fields. With a class size of approximately 50 students, you will have the chance to collaborate with peers to create and execute your own experiments under the guidance of BU instructors. You will gather and evaluate data, and at the conclusion of the program, you will present your research findings to the BU community.
Subject Areas: Psychology, Experimental Psychology
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $6,985 (residential) or $5,522.50 (commuter). The cost for the Summer 2025 program will be updated here on December 15, 2024
Program Dates: The residential program will run from June 29 to July 18, 2025, while the commuter program will run from June 30 to July 18, 2025.
Application Deadline: Rolling. Summer 2025 applications will open on December 15, 2024. You can sign up here for updates
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The University of Southern California’s four-week summer program offers high school students the chance to gain college-level experience in a subject area of their choosing. For students interested in healthcare, psychology, or the study of the human brain, the course The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience allows you to delve into both the normal and abnormal aspects of brain function.
You will have the chance to explore brain development, neurological disorders, and their impact on human behavior over a lifetime. The program includes hands-on labs to deepen understanding of how we think and learn. You will also gain proficiency in MS Excel for data analysis and produce a final project.
Subject Areas: Spectrum of Neuroscience, Memory and Learning, Normal and Abnormal Function, Lifespan Development and Aging, Brain Structure and Function, Neurologic Dysfunction, Neuroethics, Psychology, Behavioural Science
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $10,480 (residential), $7,482 (commuter), or $11,085 (international)
Program Dates: June 16 – July 13, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: May 3, 2025 for domestic students and March 29, 2025 for international students (tentative, based on the 2024 program). Summer 2025 applications will open in November 2024
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least the 9th grade. International students must meet additional requirements listed here
For students interested in psychology, the NYU School of Professional Studies High School Academy offers a weekend workshop called Exploring Psychology. Through the program, you will delve into three fundamental psychological principles, beginning with the biological foundation of behavior. By engaging in problem-based learning, hands-on activities, and guest lectures, you will witness the application of psychology in real-life scenarios. The course focuses on current research and its significance in various professions, helping you develop problem-solving, teamwork, and socio-emotional skills crucial for future leadership positions.
Subject Areas: Theoretical Principles of Psychology, Human Behavior
Location: New York University, Washington Square, New York, NY
Cost: $850
Program Dates: The program will run on Saturdays, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., between November 16 to December 14, 2024
Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until November 1, 2024
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10, 11, and 12
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.