If you’re curious about history and want to get started before summer, a fall program is the great opportunity! Enrolling in history programs for high school students means engaging with archives, research mentors, and university-level coursework while practising the same methods professional historians use.
Why should I pick a fall program as a high school student?
Fall programs are often shorter and more focused than summer ones, making them ideal for high schoolers who want to explore history, strengthen their academic profile, and gain early research experience before college applications.
By participating in structured programs, you can sharpen skills such as evidence-based writing, critical reasoning, and comparative analysis that are valuable both in college and beyond.
The following list brings together 13 fall history programs for high school students. Each program emphasizes hands-on inquiry, from designing independent research projects to interpreting primary documents and presenting findings in academic or public-facing formats.
1. New York Historical Society’s Student Historian Internship Program
Location: In person at the New York Historical Society Museum and Library
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Students will receive a stipend of $700 upon completion
Dates: October 29 – June 24
Application Deadline: August 24
Eligibility: High school students entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grades | Must live in and attend school in the New York City metro area
Student Historians, offered by the New-York Historical Society, is a fall history program where high school students conduct original research and build digital public scholarship. You will learn to conduct in-depth historical research using the museum’s archival and library resources, analyze primary and secondary sources, and present your findings through creative digital projects designed as public educational materials. Through collaboration with professional staff and peers, you will develop skills in historical thinking, academic writing, communication, and digital media, while gaining insight into archival literacy and careers in digital humanities. The program allows you to explore complex historical themes, such as Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America, and share your work with a broader audience.
2. Dartmouth Pre-College Online Program
Location: Remote
Cost: $1,895 | Need-based scholarships are available
Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and up
The Dartmouth Pre-College Online Program offers the opportunity to study college-level history courses remotely, developing research and analytical skills essential for academic growth. You will explore key historical themes through interactive multimedia lessons, primary source analysis, and guided discussions with mentors who provide individualized feedback. The program emphasizes independent learning and historical interpretation, allowing you to engage in simulations and case studies that mirror real-world historical inquiry. As part of the course, you will complete a final capstone project demonstrating your ability to synthesize historical knowledge and present findings effectively. Upon completion, you will receive a Dartmouth Certificate of Completion,
3. Cornell SCE Pre-College Studies: Fall Study
Location: Online or (in some cases) on Cornell’s Ithaca campus
Cost: Tuition is $1,940 per credit hour | Students may incur additional course or material fees
Dates: Fall session: August 25 – December 20
Application Deadline: Fall session: August 8 for international non-degree students and August 20 for U.S. non-degree students
Eligibility: High school students aged 18 and older
The Fall Pre-College Program at Cornell University’s School of Continuing Education (SCE) allows you to study college-level history and related disciplines while earning official Cornell credit. You will take the same courses offered to undergraduate and graduate students, learning to analyze historical sources, construct evidence-based arguments, and interpret global political and social change across time. Through online discussions, research assignments, and interactive lectures, you will collaborate with Cornell faculty and peers, developing skills in academic writing, critical inquiry, and historical reasoning. The program also provides access to university libraries and digital archives, allowing for hands-on exploration of historical texts and data. By the end of the term, you will complete and present original work reflecting the depth of your research and analysis, and your performance will be recorded on an official Cornell transcript.
4. Stanford Online High School
Location: Virtual
Cost: Single course: $6,195 | Part-time (2–3 courses): $18,580 | Full-time (4+ courses): $30,970 (Need-based financial aid available)
Dates: Typically runs from August to June
Application Deadline: January 8 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12
The Stanford Online High School (OHS) Program offers an interactive Fall semester of advanced online courses for grades 7-12, including subjects such as History, Philosophy, Astrophysics, Microeconomic Theory, and more. You will learn through live discussions, collaborating with peers and expert instructors, and develop critical thinking, communication, and subject-specific analytical skills.
The program balances rigorous academic content with personalized advising, college counseling, and wellness support helping students explore their interests and strengthen their foundation in a flexible setting.
5. High School Internship Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI)
Location: Remote or in person at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: No application fee | Typically unpaid, though a limited number of stipends may be awarded based on financial need
Dates: October – December (Fall Session)
Application Deadline: Varies by term | For Fall, the deadline typically falls in July
Eligibility: High school students authorized to work in the U.S.
The High School Internship Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) provides an opportunity to explore the historical and strategic roots of international relations while working within a professional think tank environment. You will learn how global history shapes modern diplomacy and policy by engaging directly with experts through seminars, lectures, and mentorship. Under the guidance of scholars and professionals, you will develop research, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills while contributing to ongoing projects in areas such as global security, development, and political history. The program also emphasizes practical experience, including conducting research, attending policy discussions, and collaborating on written analyses that may be published in FPRI’s Intern Corner. By the end of the term, you will have strengthened your ability to interpret complex historical events, communicate effectively across disciplines, and present your findings in a professional setting.
6. American Museum of Natural History Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Location: Manhattan, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Eligible participants receive a $2,500 stipend upon successful completion of research and program requirements
Dates: Summer Institute: August (4-week in-person or hybrid training) | Research period: September – June (weekly research sessions) | Colloquium/Presentation: Early June
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: High school student currently enrolled in 10th or 11th grade or equivalent standing, and passing classes for the last three or more semesters | Must attend school or live in NYC | Either attended an AMNH partner school or participated in previous AMNH programs
The Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) offers a Fall research experience that begins with a 4-week summer institute focused on data science, AI, and machine learning. Throughout the academic year, you will work in AMNH laboratories on projects spanning astrophysics, anthropology, and genetics, developing technical skills in coding languages such as Python and R, data analysis, and scientific communication. You will collaborate closely with professional scientists, engage in data collection and interpretation, and learn how to effectively present your research findings. The program also includes workshops on teamwork, STEM equity, and professional development, culminating in a presentation of your work at the AMNH Colloquium in June.
7. World History I: The Dawn of Civilization to 200 CE, Harvard Online Pre-College Course
Location: Online or on-campus via Harvard DCE / Harvard Extension School formats
Cost: $540 per undergraduate credit | $860 per graduate credit | $400 per credit for noncredit status
Dates: September 2 – December 20 (Fall term)
Application Deadline: Typically in August
Eligibility: Open to all high school and undergraduate students
This course, offered by the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, introduces you to the major civilizations and cultural transformations that shaped the ancient world. You will study the rise of societies such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, China, Greece, and Rome while exploring how religion, politics, and philosophy evolved across regions. Through film, literature, and historical sources, you will learn how to critically analyze evidence, construct historical arguments, and understand global interconnections in early human history. The course emphasizes collaboration through discussions with Harvard faculty and peers, and you will develop the ability to present informed interpretations of historical developments in both written and oral formats.
8. The American Constitution from the 14th Amendment to Today, Harvard Online Pre-College
Location: Online or on-campus via Harvard DCE / Harvard Extension School formats
Cost: $540 per undergraduate credit | $860 per graduate credit | $400 per credit for noncredit status
Dates: September 2 – December 20 (Fall term)
Application Deadline: Typically in August
Eligibility: Open to all high school and undergraduate students
This course, offered by the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, examines the evolution of the U.S. Constitution from the post-Civil War period to the present day. You will explore major constitutional transformations, including the impact of the Reconstruction Amendments, responses to industrialization, Progressive Era reforms, wartime powers, and the growth of the executive branch. Through critical readings, case analysis, and live discussions, you will learn to interpret constitutional debates, evaluate judicial decisions, and understand how historical context shapes legal and political developments. The program’s flexible web-conference format also offers the opportunity to engage with faculty and peers in analyzing contemporary constitutional issues, strengthening skills in legal reasoning, historical analysis, and argumentation.
9. Power and Civilization: China, Harvard Online Pre-College
Location: Online or on-campus via Harvard DCE / Harvard Extension School formats
Cost: $540 per undergraduate credit | $860 per graduate credit | $400 per credit for noncredit status
Dates: September 2 – December 20 (Fall term)
Application Deadline: Typically in August
Eligibility: Open to all high school and undergraduate students
This is a fall pre-college history course that investigates the evolution of Chinese civilization and its influence on the nation’s modern identity. You will study how China’s political institutions, philosophies, and cultural traditions have shaped its development from ancient times to its rise as a global power in the twenty-first century. Through online lectures, primary source analysis, and engagement with Harvard’s visual archives, you will learn to interpret historical patterns of governance, religion, and social organization, and understand how they continue to inform China’s contemporary policies and global role. The course also encourages collaboration with faculty and peers through discussions and project-based learning, allowing you to build analytical, comparative, and research skills essential for historical inquiry.
10. The History of the Cold War, Harvard Online Pre-College
Location: Online or on-campus via Harvard DCE / Harvard Extension School formats
Cost: $540 per undergraduate credit | $860 per graduate credit | $400 per credit for noncredit status
Dates: September 2 – December 20 (Fall term)
Application Deadline: Typically in August
Eligibility: Open to all high school and undergraduate students
This course explores how the geopolitical and ideological rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union significantly reshaped global politics from 1945 to 1990. You will study the origins of the Cold War, the rise of the national security state, and the impact of nuclear and conventional arms development on international relations. Through lectures, archival resources, and analytical writing, you will learn to examine the Cold War’s influence across regions such as Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East, and assess its enduring effects on twenty-first-century global affairs. The course emphasizes critical interpretation of diplomatic and security strategies, collaboration through seminar discussions, and opportunities to present research on the political and military mechanisms that defined this pivotal era in modern history.
11. Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History – History School
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Varies by course | Fall courses typically begin early October
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: High school students (aged 13 years or older)
The Gilder Lehrman History School offers a program designed to deepen historical understanding via interactive, discussion-based online courses. Through live sessions and recorded modules, you will learn to analyze primary documents, interpret historical narratives, and connect past events to contemporary issues. The program helps develop skills in historical reasoning, evidence-based writing, and critical analysis. You will explore themes such as constitutional development, civil rights, immigration, and U.S. foreign policy through past courses like The Cold War, Black Lives in the Founding Era, and Immigration and the American Story. Guided by teachers, you will engage in collaborative discussions, work with archival materials, and have opportunities to present interpretations of key historical moments
12. A Journey through Western Christianity: from Persecuted Faith to Global Religion | Yale Online
Location: Virtual
Cost: $49 (variable pricing based on location)
Dates: Self-paced programs requiring 11 weeks (~46 hours total)
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
This course, offered by Yale University, is a fall history program that examines the evolution of Western Christianity from its persecution under the Roman Empire to its global spread during the early modern period. Through primary sources, visual materials, and scholarly analysis, you will learn how religion, politics, and culture intertwined to shape European and global history. The program builds analytical and interpretive skills as you study the lives and ideas of figures such as Augustine, Martin Luther, and Thomas Aquinas, and explore moments of conflict, reform, and artistic flourishing. You will work with historical texts, artworks, and artifacts to understand how Christianity influenced social structures, intellectual traditions, and interfaith relations. By collaborating with historians and engaging in discussions, you will gain experience in evaluating diverse perspectives and may have opportunities to present your findings through written or visual research projects.
13. Columbia University’s Academic Year Weekend
Location: Virtual
Cost: The cost is $2,810 per session for a single course, with each additional course costing $2,700 and $80 application fee
Dates: September 19 – December 7 (Fall session)
Application Deadline: Applications for Fall open in April
Eligibility: Domestic and international students enrolled in grades 9–12
The Academic Year Weekend Program at Columbia University offers an intensive fall learning experience where you can study college-level history and related subjects through live online classes. Over ten weekends, you will explore historical inquiry and analysis, learning to interpret sources, build arguments, and connect past events to contemporary global issues. The program integrates academic learning with interactive experiences such as seminars, workshops, and lectures led by Columbia faculty and professionals in the field. You will also engage in collaborative discussions, join virtual clubs and mentoring groups, and gain experience in presenting and debating historical perspectives. This structure allows you to develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills in a university setting.
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 – Columbia University