If you are thinking about studying law, political science, or public policy in college, exploring the subject during high school can help you understand how the legal system works. Law programs allow you to study legal topics and see how laws are interpreted and applied in real situations.
Why should you choose a program in Washington?
Washington has universities and organizations that offer programs designed to introduce high school students to the legal field. These programs often include lectures, discussions about legal cases, and activities such as mock trials or legal simulations that help you understand how the legal process functions.
Choosing a program within Washington can also help reduce the need for travel and housing expenses if you are studying locally. At the same time, participating in these programs can strengthen your academic profile and show colleges that you explored your interest in law seriously.
With that in mind, here are 14 law programs for high school students in Washington! If you are looking beyond programs, you may also find law internships and law research opportunities for high school students worth exploring.
14 Law Programs for High School Students in Washington
1. Summer Legal Institute (SLI) – Seattle University School of Law
Location: Seattle, Washington
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August 11–August 14
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students interested in a law career
The Summer Legal Institute at Seattle University School of Law introduces you to the way legal arguments are constructed and debated inside real law classrooms. Through workshops and mock classes, you examine how statutes and case law are interpreted and how lawyers organize arguments before presenting them in court. Sessions often walk you through the structure of oral arguments and the reasoning judges use when evaluating legal claims. You also work through case studies that present real legal dilemmas and ask you to explain your reasoning clearly.
2. University of Washington Youth & Teen Programs – Law & Ethics Courses
Location: Seattle, Washington
Cost: Varies by course ($400-$1,499)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June-August sessions (varies by course)
Application Deadline: Rolling until programs fill
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
The University of Washington’s Youth & Teen Programs offer short courses that explore law through ethics, constitutional interpretation, and public policy debates. During the sessions, you read landmark court cases and discuss the reasoning behind judicial decisions. Instructors guide discussions that ask you to evaluate competing interpretations of legal rules and constitutional provisions. Many classes include debates where you defend your viewpoint using evidence from legal texts and case law. Policy analysis exercises also show how legal ideas influence government decisions and social policy.
3. YMCA Youth & Government – Washington State Program
Location: Washington State (various locations)
Cost: $200-$700, depending on chapter
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: September – May
Application Deadline: October – November
Eligibility: High school students
YMCA Youth & Government places you inside a simulation of Washington State’s legislative and judicial systems where you actively participate in the lawmaking process. Throughout the program, you draft legislation, research policy questions, and defend proposals during committee hearings. Some tracks allow you to argue cases in appellate-style proceedings where legal reasoning and courtroom procedure guide the discussion. Working in teams, you develop arguments, respond to questions, and adapt your position based on debate. The program emphasizes negotiation, persuasive speaking, and policy analysis while also introducing the responsibilities of lawmakers and judges.
4. University of Washington Robinson Center – Summer Stretch
Location: Seattle, Washington
Cost: $1450. Financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 30 to July 23
Application Deadline: Rolling admission until sessions fill
Eligibility: Students currently in 7th through 10th grade
Summer Stretch at the University of Washington’s Robinson Center introduces you to college-style seminars that explore topics such as law, ethics, and public policy. You spend time reading judicial opinions, examining legal arguments, and discussing how courts interpret statutes and constitutional principles. Classes run in a discussion format, so much of the learning happens through conversations where you explain your reasoning and respond to different viewpoints. Assignments often involve analyzing legal questions and organizing written arguments supported by evidence from legal texts. Case studies and group discussions also explore how legal systems respond to social and political challenges.
5. ConnectED Legal Careers Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13-17
Application Deadline: April 5, or until capacity is reached
Eligibility: High school students
JTB ConnectED introduces you to how the legal profession actually works. Over several days, you attend live sessions where federal judges, attorneys, and legal professionals discuss their careers and the types of cases they handle. The program also focuses on practical skills that lawyers use every day, including clear writing, reading legal material carefully, and speaking confidently in professional settings. Workshops explore topics such as professional etiquette, legal career paths, and the role lawyers play in courts, government, and private practice. Through discussions and activities, you begin to see how people enter the legal field and what preparation is required long before law school.
6. ACLU National Advocacy Institute
Location: American University
Cost: $3,500. Financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not mentioned
Dates: July 20-July 29
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students ages 15-18 from across the United States
The ACLU National Advocacy Institute focuses on civil liberties and the legal frameworks that protect constitutional rights. During the program, you explore issues such as free speech, privacy, immigration policy, and equal protection under the law. Workshops are led by lawyers, organizers, and policy advocates who explain how legal strategies are used to challenge laws or defend constitutional rights. Discussions often examine real legal cases and public policy debates connected to civil rights issues. One part of the program involves a “Day of Action,” where you observe or participate in advocacy efforts such as lobbying or public campaigns.
7. Compliance, Privacy, and Regulatory Careers at Kaiser Permanente
Location: Kaiser Permanente Centers across the country.
Cost: Not mentioned
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Current high school students
Kaiser Permanente’s compliance and regulatory program introduces you to the legal systems that govern healthcare institutions. The program examines how laws and regulations guide everyday decision-making within a large healthcare organization. You explore how compliance teams ensure that policies follow federal and state regulations related to privacy, ethics, and patient safety. Work in this area often involves reviewing procedures, identifying risks, and ensuring that organizations operate within legal guidelines.
8. Law & Justice Program – Puget Sound Skills Center
Location: Burien, WA
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Academic year (dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students enrolled through participating school districts
This College in the High School course introduces you to the foundations of politics, law, and the criminal justice system while you complete high school. The curriculum mixes classroom study with hands-on activities like mock trials, simulated crime scenes, and role-play scenarios that show how laws are enforced and challenged. You’ll discuss topics such as government structures, constitutional rights, and ethical dilemmas in the justice system. You can earn college credit through Central Washington University and partner colleges while completing the course. Along the way, you’ll practice skills like public speaking, critical thinking, and legal reasoning while examining real-world legal issues.
9. Summer Law Seminar Series (Sunset Bay)
Location: Sunset Bay, Washington
Cost: $700-$1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: July sessions (varies annually)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
The Summer Law Seminar Series uses small discussion groups led by practicing attorneys to explore how legal reasoning works in everyday situations. During the seminars, you examine legal scenarios involving contracts, civil rights issues, and policy disputes. Attorneys guide conversations that explain how laws are interpreted and applied when disputes arise. The format encourages you to present your reasoning and respond to alternative viewpoints from others in the group. By discussing real legal questions rather than hypothetical textbook problems, you see how legal principles shape decisions in practice.
10. KP LAUNCH High School Internship
Location: Kaiser Permanente facilities
Cost: Paid internship (amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school students who meet program requirements and have authorization to work in the United States
During this summer internship, you’ll work inside Kaiser Permanente departments while learning how a large health care organization operates behind the scenes. The program focuses on career areas like legal and compliance, finance, human resources, research, and business operations, giving you a broad look at careers that support hospitals and health systems. You’ll gain hands-on workplace experience while working on projects with staff members and learning how different teams collaborate. The internship also includes career exploration sessions and opportunities to meet professionals across the organization.
11. Criminal Justice Program – Northwest Career and Technical Academy
Location: Mount Vernon, WA
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Full academic year (dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students enrolled through participating schools in the Mount Vernon area
This year-long course introduces you to careers in criminal justice, public safety, and the legal system through classroom learning and hands-on activities. You’ll study topics related to law enforcement, corrections, and the judicial system while also building practical skills like report writing and emergency response procedures. The curriculum includes certifications such as First Aid/CPR and training in the National Incident Management System and hazardous materials awareness. Students also participate in activities with community partners and complete projects connected to real-world public safety work. Because it runs across the school year, you earn multiple high school credits in areas like technical English, occupational education, physical education, and civics.
12. Criminal Justice Program – New Market Skills Center
Location: Tumwater, WA
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Academic year (dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students enrolled through participating school districts
This year-long program introduces you to careers in law enforcement and the criminal justice system while you complete high school. You’ll study topics such as patrol procedures, evidence collection, witness interviewing, crime prevention, and report writing through a mix of classroom instruction and practical activities. Field trips to law enforcement facilities and interactions with professionals from local, county, and federal agencies give you a closer look at how the justice system operates in real life. The program allows you to earn high school credits in social studies and career technical education, and eligible students can apply for dual college credit through Pierce College.
13. Mock Trial – YMCA of Greater Seattle Youth & Government
Location: Washington State (district competitions and state championship locations vary)
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: October – Spring (school year competition cycle)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle and high school students participating through schools, youth groups, or community organizations in Washington State
In this statewide competition, you’ll work with teammates and legal professionals to prepare and present a simulated court case. Each year, teams receive a fictional legal case in October and spend several months studying evidence, preparing arguments, and practicing courtroom roles like attorneys or witnesses. You will compete in district tournaments during the winter, with top teams advancing to the state championship in the spring. Along the way, you’ll develop public speaking, legal reasoning, and teamwork skills while learning how real court procedures and evidence rules work. You will work closely with coaches and volunteer lawyers who help guide case preparation and trial strategy.
14. Law: Analyze, Argue, and Advocate Like a Lawyer – Georgetown University
Location: Online
Cost: $1,895 (enrichment) or $3,995 (college credit)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling (not specified)
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
This is a fully online law course where you’ll work through real legal scenarios and learn how lawyers approach cases from start to finish. You’ll practice identifying key facts, building structured arguments, and understanding how legal reasoning works in different situations. The course walks you through core topics like constitutional rights, courtroom procedures, and how evidence is used, with lessons led by Georgetown faculty. You’ll complete a final capstone project where you act as a legal advocate, applying what you’ve learned to a full legal scenario. If you choose the college credit track, you’ll complete more in-depth coursework and receive an official Georgetown transcript at the end.
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: KP LAUNCH