If you’re a high school student living in or around Pennsylvania looking to engage with psychology outside the classroom, you’re in luck!
Pennsylvania is home to many universities (such as UPenn) and organizations that offer competitive summer programs in psychology each year.
These programs often combine lectures, group activities, and hands-on projects, helping you build practical knowledge and apply what you learn in real-world contexts. Whether you’re interested in clinical work, neuroscience, or social psychology, these programs can give you a clearer picture of the field and what it’s like to study psychology at a higher level.
Choosing a local program can also come with many financial benefits. Staying closer to home often means lower costs for housing and travel, and some local programs may even offer scholarships or reduced fees for residents. Choosing psychology summer programs for high school students in Pennsylvania can be advantageous for you — there are many universities, hospitals, and nonprofits in the state that offer psychology-related summer programs or internships for high school students.
Taking advantage of a nearby opportunity not only helps manage expenses but also lets you connect with local professionals and institutions that could be useful in the future.
Here are 15 psychology summer programs for high school students in Pennsylvania. We’ve also included a few virtual programs in psychology that allow students in Pennsylvania to apply.
1. Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Summer Sessions- Psychology
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Residential (2 Courses)— $13,792 | Commuter (1 Course) — $6,957 | Commuter (2 Courses) — $10,618 + $50 application fee + $800 Enrollment deposit
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: Six weeks in the summer between June 21 and August 2. Dates vary based on courses selected
Eligibility: At least 16 years old by June 21, 2025 | Entering 11th or 12th grade in summer 2025
The Pre-College Summer Session at Carnegie Mellon University offers high school students the chance to take college-level courses for credit. Among the options available are two psychology courses: Introduction to Psychology and Social Psychology. The first course covers developing basic models of our behavior and thoughts that explain wide areas of our functioning. The second course teaches how the social environment influences people’s feelings, behaviors, and thoughts. It involves lectures, readings, and delving into established findings and methodologies of past psychological studies. If you complete a course successfully, you’ll earn Carnegie Mellon credit, which may be transferable to other institutions that accept CMU coursework.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program — Psychology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,950 (Financial aid available)
Application Date: 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) | Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders | Only a few tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs where you can explore academic topics in depth, including a range of options within psychology. One of the unique aspects of the program is the ability to choose between a quantitative or qualitative research focus, depending on your interests and goals. After selecting your subject area and research method, you’re paired with a mentor — typically a professor or PhD-level researcher — who helps guide you through each step of the research process.
If you’re interested in psychology, you can choose from more than 70 topics spanning areas like clinical, cognitive, developmental, and social psychology. You can pursue a specific niche in depth within psychology that interests you, rather than being confined to a few general areas. Throughout the program, you work one-on-one with your mentor, receive detailed feedback and a personalized letter of recommendation.
10. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starting at $2,490. Financial aid available.
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. The upcoming deadline for the summer cohort is June 23
Program dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students who can work for 10–20 hours per week, for 8–12 weeks. The internships are also open to undergraduates and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a virtual program that connects high school students with internships at startups and nonprofits worldwide. You can choose a field that matches your interests — students interested in psychology can select the Mental Health track when applying. Host organizations range from mental health services to life coaching, corporate training, and research on emotional disorders. You’ll work on a project relevant to your host organization and present your work at the end of the internship. Alongside your internship supervisor, you’ll also be paired with a Ladder Coach for additional support. The program includes one-on-one skills training and group sessions with other interns.
3. Community College of Philadelphia Advance College Experience (ACE)
Location: Community College of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA (in-person, hybrid, and online options)
Cost: $250 per course (excluding books)
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: July 8 — August 6
Eligibility: Highly motivated students entering grades 9–12 | Students up to age 21 | Minimum 2.5 GPA
The ACE program offers summer courses for high school students interested in taking on college-level work. You can earn college credit while exploring different academic and career paths. Courses are available in a range of subjects, including Psychology, Sociology, Public Health, Music, Computer Programming, and Leadership. The Psychology course provides a broad survey of major theories of human behavior and development, which acts as valuable initial exposure to social, cognitive, clinical, and developmental psychology. Over five weeks, you’ll attend classes, complete assignments, and have the chance to connect with instructors and other students who share your interests.
4. Neuroscience Research Academy at UPenn
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,949
Application deadline: Typically around mid-February
Program Dates: July 5 — 26
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade students | One year of high school biology and chemistry completed
This program offers high school students an opportunity to study the structure and function of the brain, beginning with neurons and extending to complex processes like memory, emotion, and decision-making. The program is taught by instructors from Penn’s undergraduate program and connects neuroscience concepts to current research and clinical applications. This program can help you understand the biological basis of behavior and mental processes, which are central to many areas within the field. It also provides a foundation for exploring how brain function relates to psychological health and disorders.
5. Penn Arts and Sciences Pre-College Programs
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $14,311 (for 1 course). Cost breakdown here.
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: July 1 — August 9
Eligibility: Current 10th-11th grade students
This program gives high school students the chance to take undergraduate courses for credit while living on campus. It offers the Introduction to Experimental Psychology (PSYC 0001 920) course that focuses on the methods used to study behavior and mental processes. It focuses on three major areas: the biological, cognitive, and individual and group bases of behavior. Topics include neuropsychology, learning, cognition, development, disorder, personality, and social psychology. You’ll attend classes with Penn students, receive guidance from university faculty, staff, and visiting scholars, and explore how psychological research is designed and conducted, which is foundational for further study in the field.
6. Penn State Pre College Programs
Location: Penn State Schuylkill, Schuylkill Haven, PA | Online
Cost: Variable based on courses. More information here
Application deadline: Variable according to course
Program Dates: Offered throughout the year
Eligibility: Students between 9-12 grades | Strong academic record
Penn State’s pre-college programs include week-long Career Exploration Academies, which are virtual and focus on fields like psychology, criminology, cybersecurity, and coding. Through interactive sessions, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of how these areas connect to real-world careers — how psychology and criminology intersect in fields such as criminal justice or behavioral analysis. In addition to short-term programs, Penn State also offers dual enrollment options. This allows you to take college courses for credit while still in high school. Courses such as Criminology are available and can provide valuable context for students interested in psychology, especially if you’re curious about behavior in legal or social settings.
7. Gettysburg College Camp Psych
Location: Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA
Cost: $1,395 (One or two full tuition waivers available)
Application deadline: Applications will be accepted until the camp is full and will be considered on a rolling basis
Program Dates: July 13–18
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
This camp is designed to introduce high school students to the methods and questions that shape psychological research. During the program, you’ll explore how psychologists study behavior and mental processes by participating in hands-on activities, discussion groups, and research projects. You’ll actively take part in the research process — from forming questions and collecting and analyzing data to presenting research on cutting-edge topics and learning about real-world applications and issues. This experience is particularly relevant if you’re considering studying psychology in college, as it gives you a practical introduction to how the field operates and what academic work the field involves.
8. Messiah University’s Psychology Camp
Location: Messiah University, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Cost: $699 for residential campers | $599 for commuting campers
Application deadline: June 1 or when the camp is full
Program Dates: June 22–27
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering 10th through 12th grade in Fall 2025
This summer camp offers high school students the chance to explore key areas within psychology through a week-long program. It runs from Sunday afternoon through Friday where you’ll learn from published researchers and practicing clinical psychologists about topics such as stress, health, clinical psychology, abnormal psychology, and biopsychology. The camp is structured to help you think about questions related to human behavior and mental processes, sensation and perception, coping, cognition and memory. It’s a useful opportunity if you’re considering psychology as a college major or career path, offering exposure to both theoretical concepts and practical applications.
9. Penn Arts and Sciences Young Scholars High School Program
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $4,542 (for one course unit) | $9,084 (for 2 course units)
Application deadline: August 1 for the fall semester | December 1 for the spring semester
Program Dates: Fall semester generally in late August or early September | Spring semester generally in mid-January
Eligibility: Open to 11th graders during the 2025–2026 academic year.
This program gives high school students the opportunity to take undergraduate courses during the fall and spring semesters. If you’re interested in psychology or related fields, this program allows you to explore topics beyond what’s typically available in high school and experience a college learning environment firsthand. All courses are taught by Penn faculty, staff, or visiting scholars and are held on campus in person. Classes usually happen multiple times every week and include assignments such as readings, papers, and exams. This program is a good option if you want to deepen your understanding of psychology or explore how it connects with other disciplines.
11. Indiana University of Pennsylvania Summer Sessions
Location: Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
Cost: Variable. Cost breakdown for dual enrollment here.
Application deadline: May 21 (for summer) | August 11 (for fall)
Program Dates: Follows the academic year of the university.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors and seniors | Must have a CGPA of at least 3.0 | School counsellor approval
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) offers a dual enrollment program that allows high school students to take college courses — on campus or online. Summer courses are five weeks long, making them easier to fit into your schedule. If you’re interested in psychology, this program provides a chance to explore the subject in a college setting while earning credit that may count toward future studies. A variety of psychology courses such as PSYC 101 – General Psychology are available, giving you the opportunity to build a foundation in topics such as human behavior, development, and mental health. If you have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, you can enroll in IUP courses at a 75% tuition discount.
12. Johns Hopkins University’s Summer Online Pre-College Programs — Psychology and Brain Sciences
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,950 per credit + $85 application fee. Financial assistance is available
Application Deadline: Unspecified. More details here
Dates: Session One: June 23–July 4 | Session Two: July 7–July 18 | Session Three: July 21–August 1
Eligibility: GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale | Successful completion of 9th grade
Johns Hopkins University offers self-paced and asynchronous courses, enabling you to work on your own schedule while setting aside around 15 hours per week. Some classes may also include optional live sessions with instructors. There are several course options which are currently open:
- Neuroscience and Human Behavior explores how the brain and nervous system affect behavior, including topics like brain chemistry and whether the mind functions like a computer.
- Psychological Profiling looks at how psychological profiles are developed for individuals involved in serious crimes, while also addressing ethical questions such as the risks of racial profiling.
- Psychopathology and Its Development introduces key ideas in abnormal psychology, covering how psychological disorders are identified and treated using research-based methods.
13. The Introduction to Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University’s Open Learning Initiative (OLI)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: No specific requirements
Available through the Open Learning Initiative, this course offered by Carnegie Mellon University is a self-paced online option for high school students that covers core topics such as brains, bodies and behavior, sensing and perception, learning, memory, language, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders, emotion, cognition, motivation, wellness, consciousness, and mental health. It’s organized into 16 units and includes videos, interactive exercises, and self-checks to help you review and apply what you learn. You’ll also study research methods and how psychological findings are developed through scientific inquiry.
14. NAMI Chester County Pennsylvania — Volunteer
Location: NAMI, Chester County, PA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Open throughout the year
Program Dates: Depends on the volunteer role selected.
Eligibility: Open to students
NAMI Pennsylvania is a grassroots organization that supports individuals and families affected by mental illness through education, advocacy, and community-based programs. As a high school student interested in psychology, volunteering with a local NAMI affiliate can give you firsthand experience with how mental health services and support networks are organized at the community level. Volunteer roles vary and may include helping with administrative tasks, assisting with events, or supporting public education efforts. You can also take part in NAMIWalks, a statewide event focused on mental health awareness. This experience can help you understand the role of community support in mental health and introduce you to the challenges and needs faced by individuals living with mental health conditions.
15. PennWest University’s Dual Enrollment
Location: Any of the three PennWest campuses in California, Clarion, or Edinboro across PA.
Cost: $75 per credit for Pennsylvania residents | $87 for non-Pennsylvania residents.
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Variable based on course selected. More information here.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors | 3.0 high school CGPA
Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) offers a dual enrollment program that allows high school students to take college courses while being in high school. The program is available during the fall, spring, and summer terms, with no limit on the number of courses you can take each term, each taught by PennWest faculty. This program gives you the opportunity to begin exploring psychology through college-level coursework. The credits gained may also count toward your high school graduation requirements and will appear on your college transcript. You can also take courses online at your own pace through asynchronous learning.
Image source – PennWest University