If you’re considering a career in sociology or want to build strong research skills, a summer research program can be a solid first step. These programs teach you how to design research studies, collect and analyze data, and interpret social trends using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
What will I do in a sociology research summer program as a high school student?
- You’ll explore real-world issues like social inequality, political systems, and cultural dynamics while gaining tools that sociologists use to understand and address complex societal challenges.
- You’ll also learn how to conduct interviews and surveys, work with statistical tools, and present your findings through clear, well-structured academic writing.
To make it easier for you to get started, we’ve compiled a list of 15 sociology research summer programs for high school students!
15 Sociology Research Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Horizon Academic Research Program – Sociology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can get the exact cost by raising an interest form here.
Application Deadlines: Priority: March 23; Regular I: April 20; Regular II: May 18
Program Dates: The cohort starts June 16. Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply at least 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.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
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.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. Apply here!
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Sociology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Individual Research Program (12 weeks): $2,990 | Premium Research & Publication Program (16-20 weeks) $5,900 | Research Fellowship (6-12 months) $8,900.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I regular admission deadline is April 13! Apply here!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Eligibility: All high school students may apply.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a remote research opportunity where you work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor. You’ll explore fields like political science, economics, and psychology while developing a research project and building skills in academic writing, data analysis, and critical thinking. By the end, you’ll complete a research paper and may have chances to present your work.
Past sociology research from Lumiere students has explored topics like urban disaster management and Mumbai’s informal economy, as well as the impact of social movements on political change and public attitudes. You can find the application form here.
3. UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program, Sociology Track
Location: Residential, UC Santa Barbara
Cost: Commuter option: $5,175; Residential Option: $12,474
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 17
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1
Eligibility: Students all over the world who are in 10th and 11th Grade with a minimum GPA of 3.8
The Research Mentorship Program is a selective summer program for high school students interested in gaining university-level research experience. If you choose sociology, you’ll work closely with a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty mentor to explore social systems, cultural dynamics, and human behavior through guided research.
Throughout the program, you’ll develop skills like conducting interviews and surveys, analyzing social data with statistical tools, and interpreting research findings. You’ll also learn how to write professional research papers and present your work at a formal academic symposium.
4. Penn Arts and Sciences Social Justice Research Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania campus
Cost: $9,949
Application Deadline: April 27
Program Dates: July 5 – 26
Eligibility: Current 9th – 11th Grade students
The Social Justice Research Academy at the University of Pennsylvania brings high school students from around the world together for three weeks to study social justice. The program covers topics across social sciences, humanities, and arts. You’ll discuss political, historical, and cultural issues related to inequality and resistance.
Past topics have included the American Revolution, abolition, civil rights, climate change, immigration policy, LGBTQ rights, prison reform, and health care access. The program includes a capstone project where you’ll develop a research question based on class discussions. Projects can be academic papers or creative works, with past examples exploring AAPI representation in Hollywood, racial disparities in gun violence, and redlining.
5. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Cornell University and University of Maryland
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: October 15 – December 4
Program Dates: June 22 – July 26
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors. Black and Indigenous students, other students of color, and/or students who have experienced economic hardship are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is a free, six-week educational program for high school sophomores and juniors interested in sociology and social justice. You’ll engage in lectures, seminars, and discussions that enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
TASS offers two tracks: Critical Black Studies (TASS-CBS) and Anti-Oppressive Studies (TASS-AOS). Both tracks examine the intersections of history, literature, art, and systemic racial oppression, providing a comprehensive understanding of these complex issues. Throughout the program, you’ll participate in three hours of daily college-level instruction, developing skills in critical analysis, academic writing, and public speaking.
6. Leadership Institute – Brown University
Location: Residential (Brown University Campus) OR Online (through Canvas, Brown’s Learning Management System)
Cost: Residential program fee: $5,534; Online program fee: $3,218
Application Deadline: May 9
Program Dates: On-Campus I: June 29 – July 11; On-Campus II: July 13 – 25; Online: June 23 – July 18
Eligibility: Students completing grades 10 to 12, ages 16 to 18 by June 15
The Leadership Institute at Brown University offers high school students the opportunity to explore social justice, political movements, and leadership through a sociological lens. You’ll choose a course based on your interests, with topics like intercultural communication, social movements, women in leadership, and global health.
Throughout the program, you’ll participate in seminars and discussions, learning about sociological frameworks and leadership strategies. The program guides you through developing an Action Plan, a project aimed at addressing a real-world issue in your community.
7. University of Southern California’s Annenberg Youth Academy (AYA) for Media and Civic Engagement
Location: Residential, University of Southern California
Cost: None
Application Deadline: March 3 – April 14
Program Dates: June 16 – July 3
Eligibility: Students must reside and attend high school in Los Angeles County
The Annenberg Youth Academy (AYA) for Media and Civic Engagement at the University of Southern California is a three-week summer program for high school students from Los Angeles County. The program focuses on the intersection of sociology, media, and civic engagement, helping you explore how communication shapes public understanding of social issues like race, gender, and inequality.
You’ll engage with USC Annenberg’s scholars and media professionals, gaining insights into how media influences and reflects social structures and movements. You’ll build skills in ethnography, critical writing, public speaking, interviewing, and multimedia production.
8. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholar Program
Location: Residential, Texas Tech University campus
Cost/Stipend: Free (on-campus meals and board) with a $750 tax-free stipend upon completion of a successful research project
Application Deadline: February 24
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors – you must be at least 17 years of age by the program start date
The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program is a seven-week summer research program at Texas Tech University for high school juniors and seniors. While there isn’t a dedicated sociology track, you can explore social issues through research in history, economics, and related fields. You’ll work closely with a faculty mentor, conducting independent research and developing your skills in academic writing, data analysis, and critical thinking.
Throughout the program, you’ll take part in weekly seminars, field trips, and discussions with peers and faculty. Past research has tackled topics like the long-term impact of school desegregation delays and the influence of IPOs on media coverage, giving you the chance to apply sociological perspectives to real-world issues.
9. Yale Young Global Scholars
Location: Residential, Yale University
Cost: $6,500
Application Deadline: Based on this year’s deadlines, the applications are open from November to early January each year.
Program Dates: Session I: June 22 – July 4; Session II: July 6 – 18; Session III: July 20 – August 1
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 years old by the first day of Session III, a current sophomore or junior (or any international equivalent), and a first-time participant.
Although this isn’t a traditional research program, it allows you to engage with the subject through a research-focused lens! The Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) Program offers two tracks connected to sociology: Solving Global Challenges (SGC) and Literature, Philosophy & Culture (LPC). In SGC, you’ll focus on social problem-solving and policy, while LPC explores how media and cultural narratives shape social structures.
You’ll take part in seminars on topics like Black feminism in pop culture, media portrayals of World War II, racism and anti-racism, and modern inequality. Through discussions and research, you’ll develop critical thinking and analysis skills, gaining a deeper understanding of social dynamics and their impact.
10. Stanford Summer Humanities Institute
Location: Stanford University, CA
Cost: Tuition is $8,575, covering housing, meals, activities, and field trips, with need-based financial aid available
Application Deadline: February 3
Program Dates: Session One: June 22 – July 11, Session Two: July 13 – August 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 who are minors at the time of application
The Stanford Summer Humanities Institute is a three-week residential program where you’ll explore how historical events, philosophical ideas, and cultural narratives shape societies. Through seminars led by Stanford faculty, you’ll engage in critical discussions and independent research, examining social structures, cultural contexts, and the evolution of societal norms and behaviors.
You’ll take courses on topics like revolutions, ancient Greek thought, and the American Enlightenment, analyzing how these movements have shaped modern political and social systems. The program also includes individual research projects where you’ll develop your questions and present your findings, gaining experience in academic research and sociological analysis.
11. Syracuse University Summer College: Sociology Track
Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Cost: The residential program costs $4,895 and the commuter program costs $3,919
Application Deadline: May 1
Program Dates: July 6 – 18
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors as well as recent high school graduates
Syracuse University’s on-campus pre-college program offers a two-week, three-credit Introduction to Sociology course designed for high school students. In this course, you’ll explore social inequality through class, race, gender, ethnicity, and disability, examining how institutions and social structures shape disparities.
You’ll engage with key sociological theories and research methods, applying them to real-world issues. Through critical reading, academic writing, and data analysis, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of how sociologists study and address social problems.
12. How Societies Work (or Don’t) at UChicago
Location: University of Chicago campus, Chicago, IL
Cost: $8,900
Application Deadline: March 5
Program Dates: July 7 – 26
Eligibility: Rising high school freshman, sophomores, and juniors
In the Foundations of Sociology course, you’ll study key social theories on how societies are structured and how power operates. You’ll explore ideas like materialism, structural functionalism, social action theory, symbolic interactionism, and postmodernism. These frameworks help analyze issues like race, class, gender, technology, capitalism, and modernity. The course includes readings from influential thinkers like Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Michel Foucault, Pierre Bourdieu, and Judith Butler.
13. UChicago’s DSI Summer Lab
Location: University of Chicago campus
Cost/Stipend: $4,800 stipend
Application Deadline: January
Internship Dates: June 16 – August 8
Eligibility: Open to all high school students, with preference for those familiar with a programming language and relevant coursework.
The Data Science Institute Summer Lab is a paid research program where you’ll work with mentors on projects across disciplines like computer science, social science, climate policy, and public policy. As a research assistant, you’ll apply data science methods, strengthen your analytical techniques, and learn how to approach complex social issues through data.
The program also builds your professional and technical skills through workshops and training. You’ll practice presenting research and collaborating with peers, wrapping up your experience with a final research video presented at the end-of-summer symposium.
14. Pomona College Academy for Youth Success (PAYS)
Location: Pomona College campus
Cost: None
Program Dates: June 23 – July 19 (tentative, based on past dates)
Application Deadline: March 4 (tentative, based on past dates)
Eligibility: Open to current 9th-grade students residing in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, or Ventura County.
The Pomona College Academy for Youth Success (PAYS) is a four-week program where you take courses and work on research projects with Pomona faculty and students. In sociology, you’ll learn data analysis, survey design, ethnographic research, and policy analysis while exploring topics like education access, social inequality, and community dynamics. You’ll also join discussions, group projects, and co-curricular activities that help you understand social structures, cultural trends, and public policy.
15. YLAC’s The Young Researchers for Social Impact (YRSI) program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $300
Program Dates: June 21-July 20
Application Deadline: May 4
Eligibility: Current 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students who are not more than 18 years old at the start of the program
The Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) program lets you work on live research projects in policy, advocacy, public health, and environmental issues. You’ll work with organizations like the Indian School of Democracy, World Resources Institute, and Teach for India, gaining experience in governance, gender equity, and social impact.
You’ll develop data analysis, survey design, policy evaluation, and ethnographic research skills while studying social inequality, public policy, and institutional structures. Through real-world projects, you’ll work on case studies, field research, and stakeholder analysis, applying research methods to understand systemic challenges and policy solutions.
Image source: Pomona College
