If you’re a high school student interested in law, public policy, or the justice system, structured programs can help you explore these fields beyond what’s typically covered in school courses. Many law programs introduce students to legal reasoning through activities such as mock trials, policy debates, legal research exercises, and legislative simulations. Some opportunities also include internships or volunteer experiences with courts, law firms, or civic organizations. Through these experiences, students can develop skills in argumentation, research, critical thinking, and public speaking while gaining a clearer understanding of how legal systems operate in practice.
Why Should You Choose a Law Program in Maryland?
Maryland offers a strong environment for exploring law and government because of its proximity to major legal institutions and Washington, D.C. Universities, courts, and civic organizations across the state host programs that focus on legal education, public policy, and civic engagement. These opportunities allow students to interact with legal professionals, observe elements of the judicial system, and learn more about potential pathways into law or public service.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 16 law programs for high school students in Maryland.
16 Law Programs for High School Students in Maryland
1. Law Links Internship – Maryland Youth & the Law
Location: Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship, $15/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: 7-week program starting in June
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors attending a Baltimore City public high school and living in Baltimore City
The Law Links Internship places Baltimore City public high school students in law firms, courts, and other law-related offices for a full-time summer experience. You’ll work Monday through Friday for seven weeks, getting a close look at how legal professionals handle research, client communication, and day-to-day case preparation. Alongside your placement, you’ll attend the Law & Leadership Institute, a 50-hour seminar series that begins with a multi-day orientation and continues weekly throughout the program. These sessions introduce you to different areas of law while helping you understand how the legal system works in practice. Interns are also provided professional clothing so you can show up to the workplace ready for a professional environment without worrying about the cost of business attire.
2. Law & Leadership Academy – Citizens for Legal and Institutional Advancement (CLIA Youth)
Location: Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multi-year program across 10th–12th grade
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Baltimore City high school students
The Law & Leadership Academy introduces Baltimore City students to legal systems, public policy, and community advocacy through a multi-year program during high school. You’ll complete three law-focused courses across grades 10–12 covering criminal law, conflict resolution, and constitutional principles. Alongside coursework, you can take part in mentoring experiences with professionals from law firms, government agencies, and advocacy organizations, giving you exposure to how legal and policy work happens outside the classroom. The program also includes a Youth Advocacy Project where you develop and lead initiatives that address issues affecting your community, such as education or violence prevention. Students can also train as peer mediators, learning conflict resolution and facilitating mediation sessions between classmates.
3. High School Summer Pre-Law Academy – University of Baltimore School of Law
Location: Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free (lunch provided)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Maximum of 25 students
Program Dates: July 14 – July 18 (tentative)
Application Deadline: June 15 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Baltimore City Schools
The High School Summer Pre-Law Academy is a week-long program that introduces Baltimore City students to law school and legal careers. Each day runs from morning to early afternoon and mixes hands-on activities with presentations from law professionals and admissions staff. You’ll spend much of the week preparing for a mock trial, learning courtroom roles and practicing with your team before presenting the case at the end of the program. The mock trial experience is the centerpiece of the week, giving you a chance to simulate how attorneys build arguments and present cases in court. You’ll also hear from practicing attorneys, tour the University of Baltimore School of Law, and learn about the college admissions process.
4. Teen Court – Anne Arundel County Police Department
Location: Annapolis, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free volunteer program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple evening sessions throughout the year (typically 5:00 – 8:00 PM)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students ages 13–17 who live in or attend school in Anne Arundel County
Teen Court is a youth-led justice program where students volunteer to help run real diversion hearings for first-time youth offenders. Instead of a traditional courtroom with adult officials, teens take on roles such as jurors and court clerks while hearing cases involving minor offenses. After listening to the case, the teen jury discusses the situation and decides on a constructive sentence, which may include community service, essays, or educational programs. The goal is to give first-time offenders a chance to learn from their actions without receiving a formal criminal record.
5. Maryland Y Youth & Government – YMCA of Central Maryland
Location: Statewide program across Maryland, with conferences in Annapolis, MD
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: November – April (with a statewide legislative conference April 25 – 27)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in Maryland
Maryland Y Youth & Government is a statewide civic leadership program where high school students simulate the legislative and judicial processes. You’ll join a delegation that meets regularly throughout the year to learn how laws are written, debated, and passed. Students assume specific roles such as legislators, lobbyists, journalists, or attorneys, and prepare for a statewide mock legislative and court conference. During the final multi-day conference in Annapolis, you debate bills, argue cases, and vote on legislation alongside students from across Maryland. The program also includes training sessions where you practice bill writing, public speaking, and policy analysis.
6. Baltimore City Teen Court – Maryland Youth & the Law
Location: Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free volunteer program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Sessions held throughout the year
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Youth volunteers ages 11–17, typically living in or attending school in Baltimore City
Baltimore City Teen Court is a restorative justice program where young volunteers help run hearings for first-time youth offenders. Instead of traditional courtroom proceedings, teens serve as jurors and jury forepersons while an adult judge oversees the session. Youth volunteers listen to the case, discuss the circumstances, and decide on appropriate consequences such as community service, educational programs, or written reflections. The goal is to help respondents repair harm to their community while avoiding a formal juvenile record if they complete their sanctions.
7. Student Page Program – Maryland General Assembly
Location: Annapolis, MD
Cost/Stipend: Meal allowance of approximately $50 per day worked
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 105 pages and 36 alternates selected statewide each year
Program Dates: January – early April (during the legislative session; students serve two nonconsecutive weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by county
Eligibility: Maryland high school seniors who are at least 16 years old and attend a Maryland public or nonpublic high school
The Maryland General Assembly Student Page Program allows high school seniors to work inside the state legislature during the annual legislative session in Annapolis. You’ll serve as a page for two separate weeks, helping support the daily operations of the legislative chambers while observing how lawmakers debate and pass legislation. Pages attend sessions of the House or Senate, assist with tasks during legislative proceedings, and see firsthand how bills move through the state government. The experience places you in the State House environment during an active legislative session, where you interact with legislators, staff members, and other pages from across Maryland. Lodging may be arranged for students who live outside the Annapolis area, and a daily meal allowance is provided.
8. Student Internship Program
Location: Montgomery County Circuit Court, Rockville, MD
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid (Student Service Learning hours available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Summer (mid-June – August) or during the school year
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school and college students
The Montgomery County Circuit Court Internship Program gives students a chance to observe how a local court system operates while supporting administrative work across different court offices. You’ll assist staff with tasks that require organization, communication, and attention to detail while learning how court departments coordinate their daily work. Summer interns typically commit to about six weeks, working three to five days per week during normal court hours. Interns may rotate across several court offices, giving you exposure to the behind-the-scenes operations that keep the court system running. Students can also earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours, which makes the program particularly useful for Maryland high school students completing graduation requirements.
9. Youth Police Academy – Howard County Police Department
Location: Howard County, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free (meals and snacks provided)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 21 – 26
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students ages 13–17
The Youth Police Academy is a one-week overnight program that allows students to explore law enforcement and public safety through hands-on activities and training. You’ll participate in classroom sessions alongside practical exercises that introduce you to different aspects of policing and criminal justice. Throughout the week, students participate in drills and ceremonies, physical training, and team-building activities designed to develop leadership and discipline. Participants also complete scenario-based exercises, including patrol techniques, traffic stops, domestic situations, and crime-scene processing. These activities allow you to experience how law enforcement officers respond to different real-world situations.
10. Law: From Crime Scene to Conviction – Wake Forest University
Location: Online
Cost: $1,595 (need-based scholarships available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple sessions available (1–4 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and older
Law: From Crime Scene to Conviction is an online course that introduces students to how criminal cases move through the justice system. You’ll study the full timeline of a case, from investigation and evidence gathering to trial, sentencing, and appeals. The course explores topics such as probable cause, search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment, and the roles of judges, attorneys, and juries in criminal proceedings. You’ll practice analyzing evidence, examining witnesses, and evaluating arguments from both prosecutors and defense attorneys. The program concludes with a capstone project where you review a case and issue a decision as if you were an appellate judge. Students complete about 30 hours of instruction and receive a certificate of completion from Wake Forest University.
11. International Law: Protecting the World’s Interests – Georgetown University
Location: Online
Cost: $1,895 (need-based scholarships available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple 1-, 2-, and 4-week sessions offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and older
International Law: Protecting the World’s Interests is an online pre-college course that introduces students to how legal systems operate across countries and global institutions. You’ll study how international law is created, how treaties are negotiated, and how legal rules govern issues like military conflict, diplomacy, and global cooperation. The course uses real-world case studies, including recent geopolitical conflicts, to show how international legal principles are applied. You’ll also analyze topics such as jurisdiction, international treaties, and the legal rules governing the use of force between nations. The program includes 20–30 hours of instruction through video lessons, discussions, and guided assignments.
12. International Relations: How the World Works – Georgetown University
Location: Online
Cost: $1,895 (enrichment course) or $3,995 (college credit option)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple sessions offered throughout the year (1–12 weeks, depending on track)
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and older
International Relations: How the World Works is an online course that introduces students to global politics, diplomacy, and the legal frameworks that shape international relations. You’ll explore topics such as human rights, global conflict, international organizations, and how countries use diplomacy, sanctions, or military force to address crises. The course also examines how international law and policy influence issues like environmental change, technology, and global security. Students complete a capstone project where they act as a national leader responding to an international crisis and develop a policy strategy.
13. Law: Analyze, Argue, and Advocate Like a Lawyer – Georgetown University
Location: Online
Cost: $1,895 (enrichment course) or $3,995 (college credit option)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple sessions available throughout the year (1–12 weeks, depending on track)
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and older
Law: Analyze, Argue, and Advocate Like a Lawyer is an online course that introduces students to how attorneys investigate cases, construct arguments, and represent clients. You’ll work through real case studies while learning how legal professionals identify relevant facts, apply legal rules, and develop persuasive arguments. The course explores topics such as constitutional rights, courtroom procedures, and the role of evidence in building a case. Students practice core legal skills such as issue spotting, witness questioning, and constructing structured legal arguments. You’ll complete a final capstone project where you analyze a case, identify key facts, and develop examination questions for a witness as if preparing for trial.
14. Mock Trial – Terp Young Scholars Program, University of Maryland
Location: College Park, MD
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified (competitive admission)
Program Dates: Summer session (approximately 3 weeks)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
The Mock Trial course in the Terp Young Scholars Program lets high school students take a college-level class at the University of Maryland while exploring trial advocacy. This course teaches courtroom litigation through studying legal strategies, analyzing evidence, and practicing public speaking with structured exercises. It employs a learn-by-doing approach, where students review trial performances and apply their skills in practice sessions. The program concludes with two full mock trials, allowing students to assume roles as attorneys and witnesses to present and argue cases. In the final week, students visit the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law to participate in a mock law school class and explore legal career options.
15. Criminal Justice, Law, and Society – Charles County Public Schools
Location: North Point High School, Charles County, MD
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multi-year high school program
Application Deadline: Apply in 8th grade
Eligibility: Students entering North Point High School through the Charles County Public Schools application process
The Criminal Justice, Law, and Society program is a career and technical education pathway that introduces students to law enforcement and the criminal justice system. You’ll take a sequence of courses covering topics such as the foundations of criminal justice, contemporary legal issues, and advanced criminal justice concepts. Classroom learning is paired with field trips and job-shadowing opportunities that expose you to professionals working in law enforcement and related fields. Students progress through multiple courses, including Introduction to Criminal Justice and Advanced Topics in Criminal Justice, before completing a work-based learning experience. By the final stage, students can participate in work-based learning experiences that connect classroom knowledge with real-world criminal justice settings.
16. Maryland Y Youth & Government – YMCA of Central Maryland
Location: Statewide (delegations meet locally; conferences held in Annapolis, MD)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: November – April, with a statewide legislative conference April 25 – 27
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in Maryland
Maryland Y Youth & Government is a statewide program where high school students simulate the legislative and judicial processes while learning how government works. You’ll join a local delegation that meets regularly to prepare for conferences and develop policy proposals. Students take on roles such as legislators, lobbyists, journalists, or attorneys and debate bills during a mock legislative session. Throughout the year, participants attend training events focused on skills such as bill drafting, public speaking, and policy analysis. Some participants may also be selected to attend the national Conference on National Affairs, where students from across the country debate policy proposals. The program culminates in a multi-day conference in Annapolis where students present and debate legislation with peers from across the state.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like criminal, civil, corporate, property, tort, and constitutional, 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 – University of Maryland