If you’re a high school student in Georgia interested in law, politics, or public policy, summer law programs in the state can offer an affordable and accessible introduction to these fields. These programs usually go beyond typical textbook learning – they give you the chance to develop practical skills like argumentation, legal writing, and case analysis while engaging with complex legal issues faced by your community.
Many summer law programs also include mock trials, guest lectures, or mentorship from professionals in the field. Georgia is home to a wide range of universities, legal institutions, and nonprofit organizations that host such programs each year. For students based in the state, choosing a local program can also be a cost-effective way to explore law without the added burden of travel or housing expenses. Whether you’re looking to explore a potential career or just deepen your understanding of the legal system, these opportunities offer a strong foundation.
Here’s a list of 15 summer law programs for high school students in Georgia
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort.
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, you work closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. If you are looking to get started with law and it’s intersection with AI, ML, and data science, you could benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that you have access to the in-house publication team to help secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Location: David J. Sencer CDC Museum, CDC Headquarters, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free, but campers must provide for their own housing and transportation
Application Deadline: Currently closed. Check in December to see when the application process opens
Program Dates: June 23-27 and July 21-25
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, only 27 slots available
The CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp is a week-long summer program that introduces high school students to the fundamentals of public health and epidemiology through hands-on simulations and interactive sessions. You’ll take part in activities like mock outbreak investigations, lab exercises, global health case studies, and simulated emergency responses – mirroring real work conducted by the CDC. One of the topics covered during the camp is public health law, giving you insight into how legal frameworks influence decisions in disease control, quarantine, vaccination policies, and health communication. The program also features lectures from CDC scientists and group projects that build skills in data analysis, scientific reasoning, and policy communication.
4. Emory Pre-College Program (Law Courses)
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA (residential) or online
Cost: Varies by course and format (check the website for current rates)
Program Dates: Between May and July; varies by courses
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
Emory University’s Pre-College Program gives you the opportunity to explore the foundations of American law through college-level coursework. In the Introduction to the U.S. Legal System course, you’ll study how constitutional principles shape legal structures and the role courts play in interpreting them. The first week introduces you to key topics like the separation of powers, federalism, and jurisdiction. In the second week, you’ll shift focus to legal advocacy – observing oral arguments in court, learning how legal reasoning works, and preparing your own arguments for mock hearings. By the end of the course, you’ll gain a stronger grasp of how law influences society and build foundational skills in critical thinking, analysis, and persuasive communication, skills central to future legal or policy-focused studies.
5. Atlanta Bar Association: Summer Law Internship Program
Location: Atlanta, GA
Cost: Not available
Program Dates: Typically in the summer
Application Deadline: Not available
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors
This internship places you inside Atlanta’s legal world, offering hands-on exposure to law firms, legal departments, and courtrooms. Over the course of the summer, you’ll take on responsibilities like summarizing depositions, preparing trial notebooks, organizing legal documents, and attending hearings or depositions. You’ll also participate in a mandatory orientation covering confidentiality, professionalism, and workplace expectations to prepare you for your placement. The program emphasizes practical experience and professional development, making it a solid introduction if you’re interested in law, public policy, or legal research.
6. Legal Camp @University of Georgia
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
Cost: $530
Program Dates: June 9-13
Application Deadline: Currently closed
Eligibility: Ages 13-17
If you’re curious about a future in law, the UGA Legal Camp gives you a chance to explore the field through workshops, discussions, and mock trial practice. Hosted at the University of Georgia School of Law, the camp introduces you to the wide range of legal careers, from litigation and criminal defense to policymaking and public interest law. You’ll learn directly from law professors, attorneys, and experienced mock trial competitors as you build foundational skills in argumentation, legal reasoning, and courtroom procedure. Whether you’re just starting to explore law or looking to strengthen your interest, this program offers a solid early introduction. For more information, contact, [email protected]
7. Lawyer Up Camp
Location: Columbus Government Center, Columbus, GA
Cost/Stipend: $50 registration fee
Program Dates: June 2-6
Application Deadline: N/A
Eligibility: Rising high school students (grades 9–12) interested in law
Master of My Fate’s Lawyer Up Summer Law Camp is a dynamic five-day immersive experience designed to introduce high schoolers to the legal system and courtroom processes. Hosted at the local government center, the program offers opportunities to observe court proceedings and engage directly with legal professionals. As a camper, you will attend workshops led by practicing attorneys and judges, honing skills in legal reasoning, ethics, and public speaking. With hands-on participation in mock trial exercises, shadowing opportunities, and guided mock trial preparation, you get to step into the roles of litigators in training.
8. Georgetown University Pre-College Online: Law Program
Location: Online
Cost: $1,795
Program Dates: Multiple options available – 1-week intensives, 2-week, and 4-week sessions.
Application Deadline: Typically one week before each session start date
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
In this online law course from Georgetown University, you’ll explore core principles of the U.S. legal system while building skills in argumentation, critical thinking, and legal reasoning. You’ll examine how evidence is used to support or challenge claims, distinguish fact from opinion, and write structured legal arguments. The program also encourages ethical reflection by asking you to consider fairness and bias in judicial outcomes.Through case studies – both real and fictional – you’ll investigate how society defines crime, what motivates criminal acts, and how legal definitions intersect with cultural values.
9. William & Mary Pre-College Online: Constitutional Law Course
Location: Online
Cost: $1,495
Program Dates: Multiple sessions offered year-round; July 20-August 3; August 3-17; August 10-24
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
This online course from William & Mary offers a foundational look at constitutional law for students interested in government, legal studies, or public policy. You’ll explore how the U.S. Constitution shapes legal reasoning, how courts interpret key amendments, and why legal scholars often disagree on its meaning. Taught by constitutional experts and law faculty, the course examines major topics like judicial interpretation, the Bill of Rights, and the balance of power between states and the federal government. Throughout the program, you’ll analyze how constitutional arguments are made and how they evolve over time, using both historical texts and modern case examples.
10. Stanford Pre-College Legal Studies: Critical Thinking Tools
Location: Online
Cost: $3,080; financial aid available
Program Dates: June 16–27 or July 7–18
Application Deadline: March 29
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 9–11
This two-week residential course at Stanford focuses on developing the core analytical skills needed for legal reasoning. You’ll learn how to break down complex facts, evaluate arguments, and anticipate counterpoints, essential tools for anyone considering a future in law or public policy. Through debates, group exercises, and role-play, you’ll practice constructing persuasive arguments and identifying logical weaknesses. The course includes a mock trial where you’ll take on the role of attorney or witness, applying your skills in a courtroom simulation. Topics often connect to global human rights issues, allowing you to explore legal ethics and justice in a broader context. You’ll also engage with students from around the world who share your interest in critical thinking and the law.
11. Rice University Pre-College Online: Law – Shaping a Just and Equitable World
Location: Online
Cost: $1,495
Program Dates: Multiple sessions offered year-round (course lengths vary). See full list of dates here
Application Deadline: Typically one week before the session start date
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
In this course from Rice University, you’ll examine how the law influences social equity and justice. You’ll explore legal issues related to education, employment rights, and property ownership, and consider how laws can both reinforce and challenge inequality. Through guided assignments, you’ll learn to recognize the ethical dimensions of legal decisions and analyze how legal systems can shape access and opportunity in society. The course culminates in a Capstone Project where you’ll take on the role of a legal task force member, identifying three interconnected social problems and proposing legal reforms to address them. On completing the course, you will also earn a certificate from Rice University.
12. Purdue University: Introduction to International Relations (Pre-College)
Location: Online
Cost: For Domestic Residents, $948.30 per credit hour (1–5 credits) + $60 application fee. See full list here
Program Dates: TBA (typically a 4-week summer session)
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Open to high school students; preference given to those age 16+, with a GPA of 3.3+, after sophomore year, and with prior college-prep coursework
In this four-week credit-bearing course from Purdue’s Department of Political Science, you’ll study the foundations of international relations through the lens of global politics, diplomacy, law, and institutions. You’ll explore how governments interact on the world stage and examine practical issues like conflict, cooperation, sovereignty, and the role of international organizations. As a high school student, you’ll be enrolled in a Purdue undergraduate course and expected to engage with university-level material. The application includes a transcript and a short essay on how this course aligns with your academic interests.
13. Notre Dame Pre-College Online: Law – Thinking Like a Lawyer
Location: Online
Cost: $1,495
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week and 4-week sessions offered year-round. See list of dates here
Application Deadline: Typically one week before each session start date
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
In this online course from Notre Dame, you’ll explore the core reasoning skills used by legal professionals through the IRAC method; identifying issues, applying rules, and forming clear legal conclusions. You’ll examine how lawyers think and argue across various legal domains, from international law to intellectual property and sports law. The course blends foundational legal theory with real-world case examples, helping you understand how laws are applied in rapidly evolving fields. Whether you’re interested in global justice, branding, or regulation in sports, you’ll build the critical thinking and analytical writing skills necessary for future legal studies.
14. Harvard Secondary School Program: Law Courses
Location: Harvard University (Cambridge, MA or online options available)
Cost: $4,050 (4 credits) or $7,900 (8 credits) + $75 application fee; financial aid available for U.S. students and permanent residents
Program Dates: 4 weeks; July 13-August 9; 7 Weeks, June 21-August 9
Application Deadline: Currently closed
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 by June 21, not turn 19 before July 31, and be entering college this year, next year, or the year after
Through Harvard’s Secondary School Program (SSP), you can take a full 7-week college course in law and earn academic credit. Past offerings have included “Law in War,” a class examining how legal systems regulate warfare, war crimes, and emerging technologies like AI in combat. You’ll study legal statutes, treaties, and precedent-setting cases while learning how to apply legal frameworks to current global challenges. Classes are taught by Harvard faculty and carry the rigor of an undergraduate course. In addition to academics, SSP offers virtual programming that helps you connect with peers and prepare for college admissions.
15. World Lawyers Academy – World Scholars Academy
Location: Online
Cost: $2,995
Program Dates: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 15–18
In this advanced two-week law course, you’ll explore key legal concepts through intensive, seminar-style instruction led by a PhD candidate in law at the University of Oxford. The program introduces you to major areas of legal thought and practice, including legal philosophy, ethics, human rights, commercial law, and the evolution of legal systems. Designed for a small group of just six students, the course emphasizes close mentorship and in-depth discussion. You’ll finish the program by participating in a mock trial simulation, where you’ll apply the reasoning, argumentation, and analysis skills developed over the two weeks. Upon completion, you’ll receive a certificate and a personalized letter of recommendation.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Purdue University