If you’re interested in how people interact and how society works, a sociology summer program could be a great fit. These programs cover topics like social change, inequality, cultural diversity and more. High school students can gain hands-on experience through workshops, fieldwork, and group projects.
In addition to learning about sociology, these programs help students develop important skills in analysis, problem-solving, and teamwork. These skills are useful in careers like politics, education, and advocacy.
To help you get started, here we have listed 15 sociology programs for high school students in 2025.
15 Sociology Programs for High School Students
1. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP) – Sociology Track
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and more! It offers sociology courses that focus on important social issues and encourage critical thinking.
The Medical Sociology course examines the evolving views on mental illness, psychotherapy, and the roles of both therapists and patients within a modern “therapeutic society.” The Political Theory and Philosophy course tackles fundamental questions about state authority, justice, and societal challenges like implicit bias, privilege, and systemic inequality.
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. 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. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Spring 2025: February 16, 2025; Summer 2025: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)!
Program Dates: Spring 2025: March 3, 2025; Summer 2025: June 16, 2025! Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Sociology Track
Lumiere offers an opportunity for high school students interested in sociology to engage in research alongside experienced mentors from top universities like Harvard and Oxford. Through the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, you’ll be paired with a PhD mentor and work closely with them to develop a research paper at a university level. The programs are virtual and can be tailored to your preferences, with options for both short-term and more in-depth research projects.
Past sociology research topics have included the impact of social movements on political change and public attitudes, urban disaster management, and Mumbai’s informal economy. Find the application form here..
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Winter Cohort II application deadline is December 29, 2024!
Program dates: Summer: June – August, Fall: September – December, Winter: December – February, Spring: March – June.
Eligibility: All high school students may apply.
3. Telluride Association Summer Seminar
TASS’s Critical Black Studies program offers an interdisciplinary approach to studying the experiences and cultures of people of African descent. The program combines historical analysis with literature, politics, and art to explore how African diasporic communities’ experiences are interconnected.
Through discussions and research, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the historical narratives that shape art and society. This program is ideal for students who want to explore social issues from a cultural and historical perspective, focusing on the experiences of African-descended peoples.
Location: Cornell University, and University of Maryland
Cost: Fully funded
Application deadline: Currently open for 2025! No deadline has been specified. You can apply here.
Program dates: June 22 – July 26, 2025
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders, usually for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
4. Stanford Summer Humanities Institute
The Stanford Summer Humanities Institute allows you to explore history and related fields in a three-week program. You can choose from a range of courses, including topics like revolutionary movements, race and identity in American culture, and debates surrounding museum collections in the Bay Area.
In the final week, you’ll work closely with Stanford faculty and graduate students to develop an independent research project. While the program doesn’t provide academic credit, it offers an opportunity to explore complex ideas and work with others who share an interest in the humanities.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $8,250. Need-based financial aid is available.
Application deadline: TBA for 2025. Typically in Feb as per previous years.
Program dates: TBA for 2025. Multiple sessions from June to July.
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 at the time of application submission.
5. Penn Arts and Sciences Social Justice Research Academy
The Penn Arts Social Justice Research Academy offers a program focused on the sociological, historical, and political dimensions of inequality and resistance. Through a liberal arts-style curriculum, you will participate in lectures and workshops designed to build skills in leadership, research, and analysis.
Past projects have covered topics like AAPI representation in Hollywood, redlining, gun violence among Black men, and the impact of COVID-19 on minority communities. During the program, you can work on a capstone project that explores a research question related to the themes studied, with options for both traditional academic papers and more creative approaches.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, PA
Cost: $9,949 program fee + $75 application fee
Application Deadline: April 27, 2025
Program Dates: July 5 – July 26, 2025
Eligibility: Current 9th – 11th grade students are eligible to apply! Applicants should have a minimum 3.5 GPA, strong writing skills, positive recommendations, and diverse extracurricular involvement.
6. NYU Precollege Program: Humanities & Social Sciences Track
New York University’s Pre College Program gives high school students a six-week chance to experience college courses and prepare for university. You can choose from a range of courses, earn credits, and learn from NYU professors while using campus resources.
In the Humanities & Social Sciences track, you can take an Introduction to Sociology course, which covers key concepts in the field. Another option is “Politics, Power, and Society,” which looks at the relationship between social and political structures. The program also includes workshops and information sessions on college preparation, helping you understand the application process and what university life is like.
Location: New York University Brooklyn and Washington Square campuses, New York, NY
Cost: The cost varies according to the number of course credits. Find the entire cost breakdown here.
Application deadline: June 16, 2025
Program dates: July 2–August 13, 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors can apply.
7. UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program – Sociology Track
The Research Mentorship Program at UC Santa Barbara gives high school students the chance to work on university-level research. If you’re interested in sociology, you can focus on topics like social inequality, culture, or political systems. You’ll be paired with a mentor – a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty member, who will guide you through your project.
You’ll gain hands-on experience in sociological research, including techniques for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. You’ll also learn how to write clear and well-supported research papers. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings at an academic symposium.
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $12,474 (residential), $5,175 (commuter)
Application deadline: March 17, 2025
Program dates: June 16 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school students in 10th or 11th grade (with exceptional 9th graders considered), have a minimum 3.80 weighted GPA, and be able to commit fully to the program without concurrent enrollment in other courses or activities.
8. University of Southern California’s Annenberg Youth Academy (AYA) for Media and Civic Engagement
The Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement (AYA) at the University of Southern California is a four-week summer program for students interested in sociology, media, and civic engagement. You’ll learn how media and journalism shape society while developing skills in writing, critical thinking, public speaking, multimedia production, interviewing, and ethnography.
The program also gives you a glimpse into USC Annenberg’s undergraduate programs and media-related career paths. You’ll engage with experts on topics like race, gender, and ethnicity in communication. AYA prepares you to address social issues and make an impact in your community as a media-savvy individual.
Location: University of Southern California Campus, CA.
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: March 31, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: June 17 — July 19, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Students must reside and attend a high school in Los Angeles County to be eligible to apply.
9. Summer@Brown - Sociology courses
Summer@Brown allows high school students to explore college-level sociology courses in a relaxed, non-credit setting. You can choose from a range of courses, such as Questioning & Crafting Citizenship: Critical and Holistic Political Engagement, which looks at the connections between society and the state through the lens of citizenship.
Courses include three hours of daily class time, along with independent or group work. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a certificate, and longer courses include a performance report.
Location: Brown University campus, Providence, RI; Virtual; or Hybrid.
Cost: Ranges from $2,960 to $10,386 depending on the format and duration of the course. Some financial aid is offered.
Application Deadline: May 10, 2024; TBA for 2025
Program Dates: 1 – 5 week sessions are available between June and July; TBA for 2025. More details can be found here.
10. Harvard’s Secondary School Program: Sociology Track
Harvard University’s Secondary School Program offers high school students the chance to study at an Ivy League institution for four or seven weeks during the summer. You can choose from over 200 college-credit courses here, including options like “Introduction to Sociology,” which covers foundational sociological concepts.This course also covers schools of thought, societal dynamics, and the individual’s role in society.
Another course, “Popular Culture and Social Theory,” examines contemporary sociological theories and their application to current social issues, with a focus on popular culture. The four-week option allows you to take one course, while the seven-week program offers the flexibility to take up to two courses.
Location: Online, commuter, and residential formats for the seven-week session. The four-week session is in person at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
Cost: $4,050–$14,950 + $75 application fee | Financial aid is available.
Application deadline:Early application: January 8, 2025; Regular: February 12, 2025; Late: April 9, 2025.
Program dates: Four-week session: July 13–August 8, 2025; Seven-week session: June 21–August 9, 2025
Eligibility: High school students who are 16–18 years old (will not be 19 by the end of July 2025) and are going to graduate in 2025, 2026, or 2027.
11. UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Program: Sociology courses
The University of California, Berkeley offers multiple pre-college summer sessions in various formats, including Virtual, Residential, and Commuter options. You will take college-level courses alongside UC Berkeley students and earn credits. If you’re interested in sociology, you can choose the Sociology of Culture course, which explores how cultural symbols, narratives, and concepts of selfhood shape society.
Also, the Sociology of the Family course examines the role of power dynamics and social factors in influencing the American family structure. The program offers more than academics. You can join field trips, attend college prep workshops, and access mentorship opportunities.
Location: In-person at UC Berkeley, with virtual and commuter options.
Cost: Program application fee: $25 | 8-week session: $15,800 | 6-week session: $14,500. Financial aid is offered for on-campus program participants. $1236 per unit for the virtual program.
Application deadline: Applications open on February 3, 2025, and the deadline is March 10, 2025.
Program dates: The course length determines the duration. The summer residential track has two sessions: Jun 22–Aug 15, 2025 (8 weeks) and/or Jul 3–Aug 15, 2025 (6 weeks).
Eligibility: High school students who are 16–17 years old. Note that all applicants must be 16 years old before the program begins.
12. Northwestern University College Preparation Program
Northwestern University’s College Preparation Program offers high school students the chance to take credit or non-credit university-level courses. If you’re interested in sociology, you can enroll in the Law and Society course, which explores the sociology of law and its role in American society. Topics include law and social control, the relationship between law and social change, and how law affects social institutions and organizational structures. All courses are taught by Northwestern faculty or university-affiliated instructors.
Location: Online and in-person formats are available. The in-person session is conducted at Northwestern University Evanston and Chicago campuses, IL.
Cost: Starts at $1,795
Application deadline: April 1, 2025. The course list will be updated in January 2025.
Program dates: The 2–10-week program (based on the format you choose) typically runs in June and August.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors can apply. The exact requirements can vary for each format.
13. Summer Session Pre-College at Fordham University: Sociology Track
This five-week program is designed for rising high school seniors, offering the opportunity to enroll in a university-level course. If you’re interested in sociology, you can choose the Introduction to Sociology course, which covers fundamental concepts, theories, and methods in the field. This course earns you three college credits that can be transferred to your university after high school.
Another option is the Art Worlds: Anthropology and Sociology Perspectives course, which examines art through sociological and anthropological lenses, exploring its social, political, and institutional roles. The program also offers other interdisciplinary courses that apply sociological concepts to both contemporary and historical events.
Location: Fordham University at Lincoln Center (Manhattan), New York, NY. This is a commuter-only program.
Cost: $3,150 for a three-credit class and $4,200 for a four-credit class. Note that tuition rates for 2025 are still being finalized.
Application deadline: May 31, 2025
Program dates: July 1–August 5, 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors are eligible to apply.
14. Columbia University Pre-College Summer Program
Columbia University’s Pre-College Summer Program offers a three-week opportunity for high school students to study sociology with university professors. You can take the course “Exploring Sociology: How Human Interaction Shapes Our World,” where you’ll explore topics like socialization, culture, urbanization, social inequality, and institutions. Throughout the program, you’ll engage in discussions, case studies, simulations, and group projects, and hear from guest speakers to deepen your understanding of sociology.
Location: Columbia University Morningside Campus, New York, NY
Cost: $12,750 per session | Limited need-based scholarships are available to residents of New York City.
Application deadline: Varies by program. Here are all the deadlines for 2025.
Program dates: Session A: June 30 - July 18, 2025 | Session B: July 22 – August 8, 2025 | Session AB: June 30 – August 8, 2025
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old can apply.
15. Stanford University’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Stanford University’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offers a two-week virtual program with 60 courses, including options in political science and sociology. In 2025, the Media and Politics course will focus on how media shapes social and political phenomena, especially the role of social media in news. You will explore how media influences behavior, perceptions, cultural norms, and power structures through debates, simulations, and presentations.
Throughout the program, you will attend online classes, complete assignments, and take part in seminars and workshops, all designed to deepen your understanding of sociology and social issues.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080. Any additional study materials will not exceed $100. Financial aid is available.
Application deadline: March 20, 2025
Program Dates: Session 1: June 16 - Friday, June 27, 2025 | Session 2: July 7 - July 18, 2025
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–11 can apply.
