If you’re a high school student in New Jersey considering majoring in psychology, joining a summer psychology program in the state could be a way for you to start. Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior, covering everything from brain function to human interaction. It is a broad field, with many focus areas like clinical, developmental, counseling, cognitive, forensic, social, and industrial-organizational psychology.
Many universities and institutes in New Jersey offer summer programs where you can work on projects with professionals, learn from psychologists, and explore different areas of the field. These experiences can strengthen your academic profile and enhance your college applications. You’ll also get a better understanding of yourself and others while exploring possible careers in fields like social sciences, law, education, healthcare, and business.
Here’s a list of 15 psychology summer programs in New Jersey for high school students you can explore:
1. Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program — Exploring Motor Skill Learning from Another Angle: How Different Cognitive Strategies are Leveraged for Improving Motor Performance (PSY-01)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Participation is free, but you are responsible for your transportation and housing.
Application Deadline: March 15
Dates: June 16 – August 15
Eligibility: Local high school students who are enrolled in a U.S. high school and will be at least 16 years old by June 15
Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program offers a free, full-time research experience for high school students interested in science or engineering. You’ll join ongoing research projects under the supervision of Princeton faculty and staff. The program’s schedule varies based on the research team’s availability and the project’s needs, so the number of weeks may differ for each opportunity.
In the “Exploring Motor Skill Learning” project, you’ll study how different cognitive strategies improve motor performance and help maintain existing skills. You’ll use experimental methods to understand how the brain adjusts movements and represents these skills. Your tasks will include helping design and conduct experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and working with computer programming, video games, and computational modeling.
2. The Governor’s School of New Jersey Program in the Sciences (GSNJS)
Location: Drew University, Madison, NJ
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: January 10
Dates: July 6 – July 26
Eligibility: High school juniors living in New Jersey need to be nominated by their schools. Applications are submitted in the fall of the junior year for the program that takes place the following summer.
The Governor’s School of New Jersey in the Sciences (GSNJS) is a three-week residential program at Drew University, where high school students can work on college-level science research. You’ll be taught by professors from Drew, other local colleges and high schools, and professionals from industry and government labs. You’ll take three core courses, offered four times a week, in subjects like biology, chemistry, psychology, physics, anthropology, and math.
You will select one lab course, held twice a week in the afternoons. Past labs included Forensic Anthropology, Organic Chemistry, Computer Science, and Biochemistry. Three afternoons a week are for team projects, where you’ll work in small groups with faculty on research. A past psychology project explored how thinking ability relates to being influenced by cognitive illusions. The program also includes special events like guest speakers, a Career Day, a Talent Show, and the closing banquet for all scholars, staff, and guests.
3. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) — Psychology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,950. Need-based financial aid is available for Seminar courses and can cover up to 90% of the cost.
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 are eligible to apply. Most are in 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks have specific prerequisites—check the details here.
Horizon runs trimester-long research programs in a variety of subjects like psychology, data science, philosophy, machine learning, physics, chemistry, and more. With over 600 topics available, you can choose to focus on either qualitative or quantitative research methods. If psychology is your interest, there are options like Psychology and Emotion Regulation, Clinical Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Psychology, and Organizational Behavior.
In this program, you’ll choose your topic and research method, then work one-on-one with a mentor, usually a professor or PhD scholar. You’ll write a 20-page research paper that you can submit to academic journals. Throughout the program, you’ll get personalized feedback, expert support, and a recommendation letter that could be useful for college applications or future research. You can apply here.
4. Rutgers University’s Pre-College Summer Scholars Program — Logic, Reasoning, And Persuasion
Location: Offered virtually or in person at Rutgers University, New Brunswick campus, NJ
Cost: The cost ranges from $459 to $1,096, plus a $162 Summer Session student fee.
Application Deadline: May 18 (Session I) | June 28 (Session II)
Dates: Session I begins on May 27, and Session II starts on July 7.
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who are 16 or older and have at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA.
Rutgers University’s Pre-College Summer Scholars Program gives high school students the chance to experience college-level academics at a top research university. The program includes both online and in-person options, and you can take two approved courses for credit. These are actual university courses taught by Rutgers–New Brunswick instructors, and you’ll be in class with undergraduate students.
If you’re interested in psychology, the Logic, Reasoning, and Persuasion course can help you build strong reasoning skills. You’ll learn what makes an argument valid, what causes arguments to fail, and how to break down and build arguments effectively. The course also covers how to clarify meaning and apply reasoning techniques. In the end, you’ll understand how logic, reasoning, and persuasion all connect—especially in psychology, where reasoning links logical thinking with persuasive communication.
5. Seton Hall University’s Pre-College Summer Courses — Topics in Women’s Healthcare
Location: Seton Hall University, South Orange campus, NJ
Cost: $250–$2,000; Need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Courses of different lengths run between July 7 and July 17.
Eligibility: High school students
Seton Hall University offers high school students the chance to take college-prep courses, with both credit and non-credit options. Topics include Accounting, Psychology, Cybersecurity, Baseball Analytics, Health Sciences and Careers, Robotics, Mechanics, Weather and Climate Sustainability, Investing, SAT/ACT and College Prep, Sports Media, Business, Entrepreneurship, Women’s Healthcare, and Video Game Programming. If you’re interested in psychology, the Topics in Women’s Healthcare course covers current issues and specialties in women’s health.
Through workshops, hands-on activities, and expert-led discussions, you’ll learn about mental health, reproductive care, pregnancy, migraines, nutrition, oncology, and fitness. You’ll also get guidance from medical professionals and faculty, and explore how emerging research is shaping the future of women’s healthcare. The program aims to help you build confidence and knowledge in health and wellness.
6. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
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 explore a topic of interest by conducting an independent research project under the guidance of a Ph.D. mentor. The program covers a wide range of subjects in STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences, and includes workshops to help you build strong research skills. By the end, you’ll complete a full research paper.
You’ll work one-on-one with your mentor and also get help from a writing coach to shape and refine your topic. If you’re interested in psychology, you can focus on something like organizational psychology. If the available topics don’t quite match what you want to study, you can also customize your project. For more information on how to apply, please visit this link.
7. Rowan University’s STEAM Academy — Pathfinders
Location: Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
Cost: $4,200 (Pathfinders)
Application Deadline: May 1
Dates: July 6 – July 18
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
Rowan University’s STEAM Academy lets students explore college-level academics over the summer and earn credits, with courses led by Rowan faculty in STEM and the arts. You will be placed into one of three groups—Voyagers, Navigators, or Pathfinders—based on grade and skill level.
You’ll take a Rowan University course in the mornings and spend afternoons on scholar-leader development with faculty support. The two-week program includes weekend stays on campus. If you’re interested in psychology, the Leading Among Diverse Perspectives course looks at what good leadership means in the workplace. You’ll learn about the experiences and contributions of different social groups, both past and present, and explore inclusive, team-focused leadership styles. The course also covers the psychology behind leadership, like emotional intelligence, communication, and adaptability, so you can better support and lead others.
8. Montclair State University’s Pre-College Summer Program — EcoMind Explorers: Discovering Conservation Psychology
Location: Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Cost: The program costs $1,800, which covers tuition, housing, meals, co-curricular activities, and field trips
Application Deadline: June 13
Dates: July 13 – July 19 | July 20 – July 26
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11 at the time of application
Montclair State University’s Pre-College Summer Program offers high school students the opportunity to explore college life through two sessions of hands-on programs. In the EcoMind Explorers: Discovering Conservation Psychology program, you’ll explore how people interact with nature and how to encourage conservation. As an interdisciplinary field, Conservation Psychology includes topics from health, social, consumer, and experimental psychology, along with environmental justice and communication.
You’ll learn about the benefits of connecting with nature through outdoor activities, conduct an observational study during a field trip to a zoo or science center, hear from guest speakers, and look into careers in the field. Topics include how individuals and groups value nature, ways to promote conservation behavior, the effectiveness of environmental messaging in ads and PSAs, and how research in this field is applied in various settings, such as hotels, zoos, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
9. NJIT’s Academy College Credit Courses for High School Students — Industrial Organization and Management
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Cost: Tuition costs $563 per credit, with a non-refundable application fee of $60.
Application Deadline: May 13
Dates: July 8 – August 11
Eligibility: Students in grades 11 and 12
The Academy College Credit Courses at NJIT allow talented 11th and 12th-graders to earn college credits while still in high school. You’ll take small, customized classes taught by NJIT faculty. Classes are on Saturdays in the Fall and Spring, and Monday through Thursday in the Summer. At the end of the program, your grades will be recorded on an NJIT transcript, which you can send to any university you choose. Credits can count toward a degree at NJIT and most other colleges.
If you’re interested in psychology, the Industrial Organization and Management course introduces you to business topics such as organizational structure, authority, financial systems, marketing, and the relationship between government and business. You’ll also explore how psychological principles can improve workplace behavior, boost employee well-being and productivity, and enhance overall organizational effectiveness.
10. Internships at the American Psychological Association
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: The application process is free, and both paid and unpaid internships are available, including options that offer academic credit
Application Deadline: Varies based on the internship opportunity
Dates: Internships are available throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Eligibility: To qualify for an APA internship, you must be eligible to work in the U.S. (verified through E-Verify), live in a state where APA is registered, and be enrolled in school at least part-time.
The American Psychological Association (APA) offers remote internships year-round for students interested in pursuing a career in psychology. These internships let you apply what you’ve learned in real-world projects across various fields like research, policy, publishing, education, communications, and operations.
Your role will depend on the department, the office’s needs, and your skills and interests. You might work on research, create content, assist with web projects, or handle administrative tasks. These internships are an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge, explore different psychology careers, and start building your professional network. You’ll be guided by a supervisor, participate in team projects, and have the chance to join workshops and other activities. The program also offers optional events for students interested in exploring early career topics in psychology.
11. Seton Hall University’s Pre-College Summer Courses — Introduction to Health Sciences and Health Careers
Location: Seton Hall University, Interprofessional Health Sciences Campus in Nutley, NJ
Cost: $250–$2,000; need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Courses of different lengths run between July 7 and July 17.
Eligibility: High school students
Seton Hall University gives high school students a chance to take challenging college-prep courses, with both credit and non-credit options. You can pick from a wide variety of subjects that include Health Sciences and Careers, Robotics, Mechanics, Weather and Climate Sustainability, Investing, Entrepreneurship, and Women’s Healthcare.
If you’re interested in psychology, the Introduction to Health Sciences and Health Careers course gives an overview of healthcare careers, including psychology. You’ll learn about the skills needed in different health professions and the importance of teamwork in healthcare settings. The course includes assignments, guest speakers, interviews, and observation activities to help you explore different roles in the field.
12. Rutgers University’s Pre-College Physical Therapy Summer Academy
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick campus, NJ
Cost: $3,549.50–$4,343 (residential) | $2,749.50–$3,705 (commuter)
Application Deadline: May 16
Dates: July 13 – July 19 (residential) | August 4 – August 8 (commuter)
Eligibility: High school students who are finishing their sophomore or junior year and are between 16 and 18 years old
Rutgers University’s Pre-College Summer Academies offer one-week programs for high school students, with both residential and commuter options. In the Physical Therapy Summer Academy, you’ll explore the field of physical therapy and the Exercise Science major through a mix of classes and hands-on activities. You’ll get advice from academic advisors and professionals, visit the Functional Human Anatomy Labs, and tour the Rutgers DPT Graduate Program Campus. You’ll also meet current DPT students and professionals to learn more about the different career paths in physical therapy and what the undergraduate journey looks like.
The course isn’t centered on psychology, but it’s still relevant—physical therapy and psychology are connected because both deal with how physical and mental health affect overall well-being. Physical therapy works on physical function and pain relief, while psychology helps with the emotional and mental side of those challenges. After finishing the program, both residential and commuter students will earn 1.5 college credits through the course “Foundations of Kinesiology and Health.”
13. New Jersey Institute of Technology’s FSI JumpStart
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Cost: The registration fee is $50, and tuition is $1,525. Some scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are pre-enrolled in a forensic science course for their senior year, like NJIT FRSC 201 for dual credit, and have earned at least a C in biology, chemistry, and trigonometry
NJIT’s FSI JumpStart program gives high school students a hands-on introduction to forensic science as a pathway into STEM studies and careers. Over five weeks on campus, you’ll explore topics like Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Law, Forensic Biology and Chemistry, and do field research at sites around the Greater NYC area. You may also learn about forensic psychology, which applies psychological principles to the legal system.
You’ll work in NJIT’s Forensics and Crime Scene Labs, visit places like the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and U.S. District Court, and participate in a mock trial as an expert witness at Rutgers Law School. The program also includes college prep—choosing schools, writing personal statements, applying for scholarships and financial aid, and learning about opportunity programs. You will continue to receive college application support throughout your senior year and beyond. The program accepts up to 24 students.
14. Georgetown University’s Pre-College Online Programs — Psychology: How the Brain Influences Behavior
Location: Virtual
Cost: Enrichment courses cost $1,795, while college credit courses are $3,995. Need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Courses of different lengths run year-round.
Eligibility: Students aged 13 or older
Georgetown University’s Pre-College Online Programs let high school students explore subjects before college through flexible, self-paced courses. You can choose shorter enrichment courses (20–30 hours) or more in-depth college credit courses (about 130 hours), or do both. Courses include multimedia content, simulations, and assignments with support from mentors or TAs. Topics range from Psychology and Cybersecurity to Journalism, Surgery, and Law. Each course ends with a Final Capstone Project and feedback.
If you’re interested in psychology, the Psychology: How the Brain Influences Behavior course covers topics like how social media can cause stress, what leads to anxiety and depression, how popular culture might influence you, and how drugs affect the brain. It also explores brain injuries, learning disabilities, the psychology behind product and web design, and how we take in and respond to our media environment.
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 are available throughout the year in different lengths, with the next session starting on June 8.
Eligibility: Students aged 13–19
The Dartmouth Pre-College Online Program lets you take college-level courses from home. Created by Dartmouth instructors, these flexible, self-paced courses cover subjects like psychology, regenerative medicine, finance, and biology. You’ll go through pre-recorded videos, activities, and assignments at your own pace, with support from a mentor through discussion boards, email, and feedback on your work. Each course includes 20 to 30 hours of content, including simulations, multimedia, and curated assignments. When you finish, you’ll get a Dartmouth Certificate of Completion.
In the Psychology: Explore the Mind & Mental Wellness course, you’ll dive into clinical psychology and learn how therapists use different approaches to treat mental health issues. You’ll hear from professionals, see how mental health is diagnosed and treated, and practice analyzing cases and creating treatment plans.
Image source – Princeton University