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! You will have the chance to build skills like designing experiments, using research tools like SPSS and Qualtrics, and analyzing human behavior.
Picking a local program can save you money on travel and housing. If you live in Texas, you’re in luck. The state has many universities, hospitals, and research centers that run summer programs for high school students interested in psychology. These programs often connect you with real mentors and give you a close-up look at careers in mental health, neuroscience, or behavioral science.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 15 psychology summer programs for high school students in Texas!
15 Psychology Summer Programs for High School Students in Texas
1. Inspiring Careers in Mental Health
Location: Online (Hosted from Dallas, TX)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 17–June 28
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students and rising college first-years
This two-week virtual internship gives you a look into careers in mental health through live sessions with professionals like psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, physician assistants, and clinical social workers. Topics include interventional psychiatry, psychotherapy, and neuropsychological testing, along with practical advice on education paths and financial planning.
Before each session, you’ll read assigned articles and research papers to prepare for discussion. The program focuses on how psychological concepts are used in real-world mental health careers.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program – Psych Track
Location: Remote
Cost: $2,790. Financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; summer cohort typically runs June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling, with priority deadlines for each cohort. The summer cohort application deadline is May 18
Eligibility: High school students, grades 9–12
Horizon’s Psychology Research Track pairs you with a PhD mentor for a one-on-one research project in areas like behavioral science, neuroscience, or social psychology. You’ll choose a research question, review academic literature, and use tools like R or Python to analyze data.
Projects often focus on topics such as decision-making, emotion regulation, or resilience. You’ll meet weekly with your mentor, complete assignments on your own schedule, and learn how to write and structure a research paper. The program also covers ethics in psychological research and may offer chances to publish or present your work.
3. Psychology Academy
Location: UT Austin, TX
Cost: Free tuition for Texas residents; supplemental $95 fee for Mental Health First Aid certification
Program Dates: June 15–June 27
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students, grades 9–12
This two-week academy introduces you to human behavior, cognitive processes, and psychological theory through hands-on learning. You’ll study key frameworks and models, take part in activities like gratitude journaling, and hear from guest speakers working in different areas of psychology.
The course is led by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and includes a field research project that helps you apply what you learn in real settings. You’ll also complete Mental Health First Aid training and a certification module. After finishing the program, you’ll get a certificate and a recognition letter highlighting your academic work.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Psychology Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Starting from $2,990. Financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts are available year-round; Summer Cohort I runs June 2–August 25
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; April 13 for Summer Cohort I
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic records (3.3+ GPA recommended)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers a psychology track where you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor on an independent research project. You can explore topics like cognitive psychology, behavioral science, developmental disorders, or social neuroscience.
You’ll strengthen skills in reviewing research, planning methods, and analyzing data with tools like JASP or Python. The program includes regular feedback and ends with a full-length research paper. It’s a good option if you’re looking for a flexible, project-based research experience.
5. APA Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Both paid and unpaid options available
Program Dates: Offered year-round on a rolling basis
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: High school students enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution, eligible to work in the U.S., and residing in a state where APA is registered as an employer
The American Psychological Association offers a remote internship where you can explore psychology, research, and how large organizations work. You’ll help with projects in areas like policy, communications, and research, while also handling writing and administrative tasks.
You’ll get access to professional databases like PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES and receive a one-year APA student affiliate membership. You’ll join workshops and group discussions that show what careers in psychology can look like.
6. Psychology – Rice University Pre College Program
Location: Houston, TX or Remote
Cost: Tuition-based, but need-based scholarships available
Program Dates: Multiple dates announced every month.
Application Deadline: Deadline differ for each session as announced every month
Eligibility: High school students, grades 9–12
This precollege course at Rice University introduces you to key areas of psychology, including cognition, perception, emotion, and development. You’ll study case studies, review behavioral research, and explore topics like abnormal psychology and neuroscience.
The course helps you build skills in reading research papers, writing in a scientific format, and understanding ethical issues in psychology. If you join online, you’ll take part in discussion-based asynchronous learning. If you attend on campus, you’ll join seminars and hands-on labs.
7. Foundations of Psychology
Location: UT Austin, TX
Cost: Tuition-based; scholarships available for eligible students
Program Dates: June 29–July 18
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students, grades 9–12
This three-week course introduces you to human behavior, cognition, and emotion through psychological theory and research. You’ll explore classic theories and recent studies to understand how the mind influences behavior, and apply mind-body principles in hands-on classroom experiments and observations.
You’ll learn to analyze psychological studies, explore the cognitive and social self, and pick up key vocabulary used in the field. The course includes readings, discussions, and experiments to help you better understand how psychological mechanisms work in real life. You’ll receive a certificate and letter of recognition upon completion.
8. Persuasive Communication & Public Speaking
Location: UT Austin, TX
Cost: Tuition-based; scholarships available for eligible students
Program Dates: June 29–July 18
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students, grades 9–12
The three-week Persuasive Communication & Public Speaking course focuses on the psychology behind persuasion and effective public speaking. You’ll explore how influence works, learn to engage audiences, and understand the power of storytelling in communication.
Coursework includes live presentations, group critiques, and exercises designed to boost your speaking confidence and rhetorical skills. You’ll also practice structuring arguments and adjusting your delivery to different audiences.
9. Neuroscience: Unlocking the Brain’s Secrets
Location: UT Austin, TX
Cost: Tuition-based; scholarships available for eligible students
Program Dates: June 29–July 18
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students, grades 9–12
The Neuroscience: Unlocking the Brain’s Secrets course explores the neural foundations of human cognition, behavior, and disease through anatomical study, data analysis, and research. You’ll examine brain structure using virtual tools and learn how neurological circuits support learning, memory, and sensory processing.
Led by Dr. Lisa Griffin, a neuromuscular rehabilitation researcher, the course includes case studies on neurodegenerative disorders and trauma-related impairments. You’ll also analyze cellular behavior and neurological systems, connecting lab concepts to real-world clinical challenges. By the end, you’ll receive a certificate and recognition letter for your portfolio.
10. Positive Psychology and Mental Wellness
Location: Austin, TX
Cost: Tuition-based; supplemental $95 fee for Mental Health First Aid certification; scholarships available
Program Dates: June 29–July 18
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students, grades 9–12
The Positive Psychology and Mental Wellness three-week course introduces you to developmental and positive psychology through research-focused activities. You’ll explore the psychological mechanisms behind well-being, curiosity, resilience, and personal growth, and analyze the research methods used in positive psychology.
The course includes scientific readings, case studies, and hands-on activities like maintaining a well-being journal. Taught by a doctoral candidate in counseling psychology, the course also offers training for Teen Mental Health First Aid certification.
11. High School Research Academy (HSRA) – Neuroscience Track
Location: UT Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 9–July 16
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: High school students interested in STEM research; typically rising juniors and seniors
The High School Research Academy (HSRA) at UT Austin offers a five-week lab-based summer research experience with interdisciplinary tracks, including neuroscience. You’ll work in a College of Natural Sciences lab alongside undergraduates and faculty on real research projects. In the neuroscience track, topics may include sensory circuits, cognitive modeling, or neural data analysis.
You’ll learn techniques like brain tissue imaging, gene expression mapping, and basic computational analysis. The program includes weekly seminars, mentorship, and ends with a research symposium where you’ll present your work. You’ll also earn UT extension credit for your participation.
12. Psychology: How the Brain Influences Behavior
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795 (enrichment course); $3,995 (college credit course)
Program Dates: 1–12 weeks depending on course type; offered year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling; typically closes one week before course start
Eligibility: High school students aged 13 and older
Psychology: How the Brain Influences Behavior is an asynchronous online course from Georgetown that explores neuroscience and psychology through a flexible, mentor-supported format. You’ll study how the brain affects behavior by looking at topics like learning, memory, emotion, and sleep, with real-world applications to things like social media and product design.
You’ll complete a capstone project using the scientific method to analyze a real-life routine. The course features video lessons, reading assignments, and 1:1 guidance from a mentor, making it ideal for self-paced academic exploration.
13. Psychology: Explore the Mind & Mental Wellness
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795
Program Dates: 1-, 2-, or 4-week sessions available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 13 and older
This flexible online course from Dartmouth offers an introduction to clinical psychology, focusing on mental wellness, diagnosis, and therapeutic practice. You’ll learn how psychologists assess cases, develop treatment plans, and work with patients, while exploring how the field addresses stigma and promotes emotional health.
The curriculum includes pre-recorded lectures, discussion prompts, and mentorship from experts. You’ll engage with case-based learning to analyze real-world scenarios and complete a capstone project to demonstrate your understanding. Upon completion, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion.
14. Psychology: Inside Diagnosis and Treatment
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795
Program Dates: 2–4 week sessions available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 13 and older
Northwestern’s online psychology course introduces you to clinical psychology, focusing on diagnosing mental health issues and therapy techniques. You’ll learn about mental health disorders, treatment methods, and psychological assessments. The course includes video lessons and assignments, with support from mentors.
You’ll also complete a capstone project applying what you’ve learned to a real-life case or personal analysis. The program helps you understand clinical psychology and improve your ability to analyze and communicate behavioral insights. You’ll receive a Certificate of Completion at the end.
15. Psychology & Brain Sciences Summer Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,950
Program Dates: 2-week sessions available during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Johns Hopkins offers four asynchronous pre-college courses in psychology and neuroscience: Neurobiology: Cellular and Systems, Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Psychological Profiling, and Psychopathology and Its Development. You’ll explore topics like brain-behavior relationships, criminal psychology, and mental illness through multimedia content, guided assignments, and optional live discussions.
The courses include research findings and case-based analysis, with opportunities to join co-curricular clubs or attend expert-led talks. Each course awards one college credit upon completion, and you’ll receive mentoring and support from university instructors.
Image source – UT Southwestern