Law programs for high schoolers offer a solid opportunity to explore legal studies, helping you develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. You’ll have the chance to study different areas of law, which can be helpful when deciding what to focus on in college. These programs also teach you to analyze complex issues, think logically, and communicate effectively.
By participating in a law program, you’ll gain hands-on experience in the legal system and understand how law applies to real-world situations. This can prepare you for future academic pursuits and give you a glimpse into potential legal career paths. Here are 9 great law programs for high school students in 2024–2025!
1. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP) — Law/Policy track
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, public policy, law, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey.
Horizon offers law-related research topics that explore the relationship between psychology and criminal law, such as how juror demographics affect their verdicts and how social psychological principles can refine plea negotiation practices. This seminar focuses on improving fairness, reducing bias, and enhancing decision-making processes within the justice system. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Application Date: February 16, 2025, for the spring cohort and May 18, 2025, for the summer cohort
Program Dates:
- Spring seminar — March 3, 2025 onwards
- Summer seminar — June 16, 2025 onwards
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
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, created by researchers from Harvard and Oxford, offers high school students the chance to work closely with PhD mentors to develop an independent research project in their chosen field. For those interested in law, the program provides an opportunity to research legal cases and global issues. You will collaborate with an expert mentor who will guide you in crafting a college-level research paper on your specific area of focus. Additionally, writing coaches will help refine your work.
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: December 29, 2024, for Winter Cohort II; multiple deadlines throughout the year
Program Dates: Vary according to cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
TASS’s Critical Black Studies program combines history with literature, politics, and art to explore the experiences of people of African descent. While the program is not exclusively focused on law and policy, it provides valuable insights into how historical events shape legal, social, and cultural dynamics. With an acceptance rate of just 3–5%, TASS is a highly prestigious humanities program that challenges you to understand the intersection of law, history, and societal structures. Its interdisciplinary nature makes it a good choice for those considering a future in law.
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, and University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: December 3, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: June 22 – July 26, 2025
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders between the ages of 15–18
The Provost Summer Mentorship Program at the University of Pennsylvania offers a four-week experience for first-generation and underrepresented high school students interested in law. During the program, you will gain insights into law school, explore the responsibilities of lawyers, and examine the role of law in society. In addition to this academic focus, you will receive support in test preparation, financial literacy, life skills, and navigating the college application process.
Location: Penn Carey School of Law, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; each student receives a monetary stipend upon successful completion of the program
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025
Program Dates: July 7 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Applicants must be in 9th or 10th grade in a Philadelphia high school with a GPA of at least 3.0
The Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) Politics, Law, & Economics session offers high school students an exploration of law in the context of economics and governance. This program is great for those who want to understand how legal systems intersect with public policy, human rights, market regulation, and international law. With a focus on critical thinking and legal analysis, you will examine pressing global challenges through the lens of law. The interdisciplinary approach will help you apply legal theories to political shifts and international economic regulations, providing valuable insights for anyone considering a future in law or related fields.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $6,500
Application Deadline: January 10, 2025
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout June to August
Eligibility: Must be 16–18 years old by July 20, 2025, a current high school sophomore or junior, graduating in 2026 or 2027 (Northern Hemisphere) or 2025 or 2026 (Southern Hemisphere), fluent in English, and a first-time participant
Harvard’s two-week pre-college program offers a legal studies track for high school students interested in law. You can take courses like ‘Introduction to American Law,’ ‘Constitutional Law, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties,’ and ‘Law and History.’ With over 30 courses available across three sessions, you can enroll in multiple classes. This program offers a summer opportunity to deepen your understanding of legal studies.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee
Application Deadline: February 12, 2025
Program Dates: June 22 – July 3, 2025 | July 6 – 18, 2025 | July 20 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Students graduating from high school in 2025 or 2026 who are at least 16 years old and younger than 19 years old before the start of the program
The NSLC program offers a nine-day experience in the legal field, where you will simulate a real criminal case in a courtroom setting. During the program, you will attend lectures from law experts and hear from guest speakers, including former state Supreme Court justices. Topics covered include homicide laws, evidentiary procedures, witness preparation, and trial techniques. Additionally, you can earn college credit by enrolling in an extra course for an additional fee.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT; Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: Georgetown University: $4,195 | Yale University: $4,395 | University of Michigan: $4,095
Application Deadline: Depends on the program selected
Program Dates: Multiple 9-day sessions at each location between June and August
Eligibility: High school students
The CIS Summer Legal Internship Program, in partnership with the Houston Bar Association, offers high school students hands-on experience in the legal field. As an intern, you’ll be placed in law firms, corporate legal departments, or public legal institutions. You’ll likely assist with administrative tasks, conduct legal research, and observe courtroom proceedings. The program also includes professional development workshops and mentorship from attorneys, providing you with insights into various legal specialties and career paths.
Location: Various locations in Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost. All internships offered by CIS of Houston are compensated positions
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Program Dates: June 10 – August 5, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school students in Houston who attend at-risk schools
The Atlanta Bar Association’s summer internship for high schoolers offers an introduction to the legal field. As an intern, you will summarize depositions, make deliveries, and assemble trial notebooks. Before the internship begins, you will attend an orientation to familiarize yourself with the expectations of the internship. These training sessions cover topics such as confidentiality and professionalism. A highlight of the experience is the opportunity to attend a deposition or court hearing.
Location: Atlanta, GA
Cost: No cost. Students will receive a stipend of $2,000
Program Dates: May 29 – July 19, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: February 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.