If you’re a high school student in Arizona interested in psychology, summer programs in the state can help you explore the field in depth, in an accessible way! These programs cover clinical psychology, cognitive behavior, social psychology, neuroscience, and more. You’ll dive into how people think, make decisions, and interact with others, and get to build an advanced skillset in the field.
As a participant, you’ll develop valuable skills such as research methods, data analysis, and critical thinking. Many programs also allow you to explore hands-on projects in areas like therapy, mental health, and brain disorders. You may even learn about the connections between psychology and fields like healthcare, education, and social services.
To get started, here are 15 psychology summer programs for high school students in Arizona!
15 Psychology Summer Programs for High School Students in Arizona
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) — Psychology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,950. Need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)
Dates: The summer cohort starts on June 16. Lab schedules are flexible, but you’ll need to apply at least four weeks before the date you want to start.
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.67 or higher can apply. Most students are in 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks have specific prerequisites, which you can check here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs in a wide range of subjects, including psychology, machine learning, physics, philosophy, chemistry, data science, and other related fields. With over 600 topics to choose from, you can focus on either qualitative or quantitative research methods.
If you’re interested in psychology, options include Cognitive Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Psychology and Emotion Regulation, Neuroscience, and Organizational Behavior. In the program, you’ll pick your research topic and method, then work one-on-one with a mentor, usually a professor or a PhD scholar.
You’ll write a 20-page research paper that you can submit to academic journals. Along the way, you’ll get personalized feedback, professional support, and a recommendation letter that could help with college applications or future research. You can apply here.
2. Barrow Neurological Institute’s Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 14
Dates: May 30 – July 3
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and older can apply. If you’re interested in lab research, you can check out the lab descriptions to find one that fits your interests.
The Barrow Neurological Institute’s Summer High School Internship Program allows students to work in areas like neuropsychology, stroke studies, neuro-oncology, and neurosurgery devices. You’ll use advanced technology and work on real research projects.
You’ll learn research methods, how to analyze scientific papers, and improve your writing and presentation skills. By the end, you’ll complete a research project that could be presented at competitions or published. You’ll also see how other departments, outside the lab, contribute to research.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program — Psychology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $2,990. Financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Application deadlines vary by cohort. The next one, for the summer cohort, is scheduled for May 11.
Dates: The program offers four cohorts: Summer (June–August), Fall (September–December), Winter (December–February), and Spring (March–June).
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) are encouraged to apply.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week opportunity for high school students to work on an independent research project with guidance from a Ph.D. mentor. You’ll have the chance to explore topics in STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences, with workshops to help develop your research skills.
If you’re interested in psychology, you can explore subjects like the psychology of organizations. You can also customize your project if none of the listed topics fit your interests. Apply here.
You’ll work with your mentor and a writing coach to refine your topic and strengthen your research methods. Topics include psychology, linguistics, engineering, anthropology, history, gender studies, data science, and international relations.
4. The Burton Family Foundation’s Summer Health Institute
Location: ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus, AZ
Cost: It’s free to attend, but you will need to cover your travel expenses to and from the camp.
Application Deadline: April 6
Dates: June 15 – June 21 | June 22 – June 28
Eligibility: Students who have finished their junior year of high school
The Burton Family Foundation Summer Health Institute at ASU’s College of Health Solutions lets high school students explore various health careers. You’ll learn about being a doctor, physical therapist, occupational therapist, dentist, optometrist, physician assistant, and more while experiencing college life.
If you’re interested in psychology, this program offers insight into occupational and physical therapy, showing how physical, mental, and social health are connected. You’ll spend about three hours each day in hands-on simulations at Creighton University School of Medicine, practicing skills like suturing, intubation, IVs, and injections.
You’ll also meet healthcare professionals and tour medical facilities in Arizona’s health corridor. You can review the sample schedule here.
5. Arizona State University’s Barrett Summer Scholars (BSS)
Location: The program is offered at different ASU campuses depending on your grade: Tempe for rising 9th graders, Downtown Phoenix for rising 10th graders, West Valley for rising 11th graders, and Polytechnic for rising 12th graders.
Cost: The program costs $800, which includes a $50 non-refundable registration fee. Need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: April 1
Dates: Tempe campus: June 1 – June 4; Downtown Phoenix campus: June 8 – June 11; West Valley campus: June 15 – June 18; Polytechnic campus: June 22 – June 25
Eligibility: Rising 9th and 10th graders with at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA and rising 11th and 12th graders with at least a 3.25 unweighted GPA
The Barrett Summer Scholars (BSS) program gives high school students a chance to experience college life at Arizona State University and Barrett, the Honors College. You’ll take college-level courses and connect with motivated peers from across Arizona.
You’ll join a T.R.A.C.K., an elective pathway to explore college and career options. After you’re accepted, you’ll rank your preferred T.R.A.C.K.s. Options include Research and Sciences, Technology and Engineering, Commerce and Business, Arts and Humanities, and Kinetics and Health. This program helps you learn more about different fields and get ready for college.
6. Internships at the American Psychological Association
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: It’s free to apply, and there are both paid and unpaid internships available, including options for academic credit.
Application Deadline: Varies based on the internship opportunity.
Dates: APA offers internships year-round, in spring, summer, fall, and winter, with dates that vary depending on the specific opportunity.
Eligibility: To qualify for an APA internship, you need to be allowed to work in the U.S. (verified through E-Verify), live in a state where APA is registered as an employer, and be enrolled in school at least part-time. If you’re under 18, you’ll also need to include a D.C. Work Permit with your application.
The American Psychological Association (APA) offers remote internships for students interested in psychology. These internships give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned in real-world projects. You can choose from roles in research, policy, publishing, education, communications, and operations.
Your tasks will depend on the department you’re placed in. You may work on research, create content, assist with web projects, or help with administrative tasks. This is an opportunity to explore different psychology career paths and start building your professional network.
7. Arizona State University’s Healthcare Discovery Camp
Location: ASU’s Polytechnic campus, Mesa, AZ
Cost: $250; need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: June 16 – June 19
Eligibility: Rising high schoolers in 8th or 9th grade
The Healthcare Discovery Camp is for rising 8th and 9th graders interested in exploring health and wellness careers. You’ll work alongside faculty and students from ASU’s College of Integrative Sciences and Arts at the Polytechnic campus in Mesa.
You’ll explore fields like counseling, psychology, veterinary medicine, dentistry, nutrition, and pre-med through hands-on activities, lab explorations, and workshops. You’ll also take part in panel discussions with healthcare professionals. One highlight is visiting ASU’s Dreamscape Learn Lab.
8. Summer Institute on Medical Ignorance (SIMI) – High School Student Research Program
Location: The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Participation is free. Students who face financial, educational, or social disadvantages will be paid the federal minimum wage for 40 hours a week during the program.
Application Deadline: January 17
Dates: June 2 – July 18
Eligibility: High school students with at least a 3.0 GPA can apply, especially juniors. Priority is given to those who are socially, educationally, or financially disadvantaged.
The Summer Institute on Medical Ignorance (SIMI) gives high school students the chance to work in clinical and research labs at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. You will work with faculty and medical students on projects in areas like neuroscience, genetics, heart disease, cancer, and preventive medicine.
Around 20–25 students are selected for this full-time, 40-hour-per-week program. You’ll attend bi-weekly research seminars and gain insight from guest professors. By the end, you’ll present your findings in an oral presentation and write a 3–4 page report.
9. Midwestern University’s Health Careers Institute for High School Students
Location: Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: April 1
Dates: July 10 – July 19
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Midwestern University’s Health Careers Institute is a free program for high school students interested in healthcare. You’ll learn from faculty and students and participate in workshops covering topics like Human and Animal Anatomy, Dental Simulation, Osteopathic Medicine skills, and more.
The program includes hands-on activities like suturing, venipuncture, and intubation. You’ll explore a variety of healthcare fields, including Clinical Psychology, Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Optometry.
10. Arizona State University’s Future Doctors Institute
Location: Arizona State University West Valley campus, Glendale, AZ
Cost: $434
Application Deadline: April 14
Dates: June 9 – June 12
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Arizona State University’s Future Doctors Institute is for high school students interested in medicine. You’ll study subjects like biology, chemistry, healthcare innovation, and persuasive speaking. Throughout the program, you’ll work with expert instructors and participate in hands-on activities.
You’ll explore various areas of medicine, including psychology, and improve both your scientific knowledge and communication skills. This program helps you get a head start on a medical career and connect with other aspiring healthcare professionals. Each year, 24 to 32 students are accepted into the program.
11. TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy
Location: Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Phoenix, AZ
Cost: There’s no cost to join the program, but students need to arrange their housing and transportation. All participants who complete the program will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Application Deadline: February 5
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors in Arizona who will be at least 16 years old by the program’s start
The TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy is a two-week summer program for high school students interested in biosciences and precision medicine. You’ll learn from TGen scientists about clinical trials, lab techniques, experimental design, bioethics, and genomic medicine.
The program covers neurological diseases, cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases, offering insight into the connection between mental health and neurological disorders. You’ll shadow professionals, participate in journal clubs, and tour labs and facilities. You’ll also build leadership, teamwork, and science communication skills. The program accepts 20 students.
12. University of Arizona Summer Scrubs Explore Medicine Program
Location: College of Medicine-Phoenix, University of Arizona, AZ
Cost: $500 (residential camp) | $300 (day camp); full & partial needs-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: March 2
Dates: June 1 – June 7 (residential camp) | June 9 – June 13 (day camp)
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade students (rising seniors)
Summer Scrubs is a health career exploration program for high school students. You’ll attend professional lectures from healthcare professionals, go on field trips to medical facilities, and gain hands-on lab experience. Skills you’ll develop include medical research techniques, lab safety protocols, clinical observation, and communication with healthcare teams.
You’ll explore specific specialties like child psychiatry, anesthesiology, dermatology, orthopedics, and more. You’ll practice skills such as patient interviewing, diagnostic reasoning, and medical decision-making. Each camp accepts 24 students.
13. Arizona State University’s Forensic Science Institute
Location: Arizona State University West Valley campus, Glendale, AZ
Cost: $235
Application Deadline: April 18
Dates: June 2 – June 5
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Arizona State University’s Forensic Science Institute is a 4-day camp for high school students interested in forensic science. You’ll explore crime scene investigation, forensic techniques, criminal behavior, and evidence analysis.
During the camp, you’ll engage in hands-on activities, work on real-life case studies, and meet professionals from various forensic fields. You’ll also dive into forensic psychology, exploring how psychological concepts are applied within the legal system.
14. Helios Scholars at TGen
Location: Some students may be placed at the Pathogen Genomics Division in Flagstaff, AZ, though most work at TGen’s main headquarters in downtown Phoenix, AZ.
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free; high school students will be paid $14.70 per hour.
Application Deadline: February 5
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old, with U.S. work authorization, and are set to graduate from an Arizona high school by June 9
Helios Scholars at TGen is an eight-week summer internship for students interested in biomedical research. You’ll work with a TGen scientist on a research project focused on diseases like neurological disorders, diabetes, cancer, and public health issues like antibiotic-resistant bacteria and Valley Fever.
If you’re into psychology, this program will give you insight into how neurological disorders impact mental health, including cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes. You can choose from areas like lab research, computational biology, bioinformatics, math, statistics, or research administration.
The program also includes professional development seminars, career exploration, scientific writing practice, and networking opportunities. You’ll present your findings at a research symposium and create a scientific poster to showcase your work.
15. Dartmouth Pre-College Online Program – Psychology: Explore the Mind & Mental Wellness
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795; need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Courses of varying lengths are offered year-round, with the next session starting on June 8.
Eligibility: Students aged 13–19
The Dartmouth Pre-College Online Program allows you to take college-level courses from home. Designed by Dartmouth instructors, the program offers flexible, self-paced courses in topics like psychology, finance, regenerative medicine, and biology.
In the Psychology: Explore the Mind & Mental Wellness course, you’ll explore clinical psychology, learning how therapists use various techniques to address mental health challenges. You’ll also hear from professionals in the field and explore mental health treatment strategies.
You’ll complete lessons, activities, and assignments on your schedule, with support from a mentor through discussion boards, email, and assignment feedback. Each course includes 20 to 30 hours of lessons, featuring simulations, multimedia content, and curated assignments.
Image source – Dartmouth College