Are you a high school student interested in public health? If yes, consider a summer program in the field!
Getting involved in public health as a high school student is a great way to build both a strong skillset and hands-on experience. From exploring the basics of epidemiology to engaging in statistical analysis, these programs provide students with insight into how public health works in practice and theory. For those keen on science, data analysis, and improving population well-being, these public health summer programs cover a range of interests that you can explore, as well as a range of roles that you can contribute to.
Below are 15 diverse public health summer programs running. These programs are open to high school students and provide hands-on experience with real-world problems and the opportunity to learn advanced techniques. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
17 Public Health Summer Programs for High School Students.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program – Public Health Track
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, public health and safety, social psychology, and medicine. It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. Apply here!
2. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Subject Areas: Medicine, Public Health, Health Disparities, College Preparation
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Eligibility: Low-income, first-generation high school juniors from Northern and Central California
Application Deadline: March 15
Program Dates: June 24 – July 26
Cost: Free ($1,250 stipend for participants)
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program is a five-week residential program designed for high school juniors from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine or health sciences. The program includes hands-on hospital internships, mentorship from Stanford medical professionals, and academic enrichment activities, such as lectures on public health disparities, human anatomy, and medical research. You will also complete a research project focused on addressing health disparities within communities, helping to develop key skills in public health research and communication. In addition to academic development, SMYSP fosters a strong sense of community through mentoring and team-building activities, preparing students for college applications and success in the medical field.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Public Health Track
Subject Areas: STEM, humanities, and social sciences
Location: Remote
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
Application Deadline: Summer deadlines are usually in March, April, and May.
Program Dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available.
Cost: $2,800 (12 weeks) | $5,400 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers, offers high school students the opportunity to work one-on-one with PhD mentors to develop an independent research project in their subject area. Selected students will undergo immersive sessions with their mentors, who will help them produce a college-level research paper based on their projects. Support from writing coaches will also be provided.
You can choose your subject track in the application form, such as public health, as well as a specific area of focus, such as astrophysics throughout your research experience!
4. CDC Disease Detective Camp
Subject Areas: Epidemiology, Public Health, Infectious Disease, Emergency Preparedness, Data Analysis
Location: CDC Headquarters, Atlanta, GA
Eligibility: High school students entering junior or senior year; applicants must be 16 years old by the first day of camp
Application Deadline: March 22
Program Dates: June 10-14 | June 24-28
Cost: Free (participants are responsible for their transportation and housing)
The CDC Disease Detective Camp offers a chance to explore epidemiology, public health law, disease surveillance, and outbreak investigation in detail! Through simulations and lectures led by CDC scientists, campers become “disease detectives,” solving public health challenges using real-world data and tools. Topics vary annually but typically include infectious disease prevention, environmental health, and public health communication. This highly competitive program is designed for students interested in exploring careers in public health.
5. Rady Children’s Hospital Summer Medical Academy
Subject Areas: Medicine, Healthcare, Pharmacy, Nursing, Trauma Care, Emergency Care
Location: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA
Eligibility: High school students (ages 15-19) with an interest in healthcare careers
Application Deadline: February 21
Program Dates: June 16-June 27 | July 7-18
Cost: $3,000 (financial assistance available)
The Rady Children’s Hospital Summer Medical Academy provides high school students interested in public health with solid experience in the medical field through its summer medical academy. Through a combination of lectures, hands-on activities, skills clinics, and group projects, you will explore a wide variety of healthcare careers such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and social work. You will also attend trauma care and emergency care simulations, offering practical insights into what it’s like to work in fast-paced medical environments.
This is particularly useful if you plan on applying to a nursing or pre-med program before applying to college!
6. Harvard T.H. Chan StatStart Program
Subject Areas: Biostatistics, Statistical Programming, Data Science
Location: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Eligibility: High school students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds in the Greater Boston area
Application Deadline: May 24
Program Dates: July 1 – July 25
Cost: Free
The StatStart Program is a one-month intensive summer program designed to introduce high school students to biostatistics and statistical programming, with a focus on underrepresented students interested in STEM. Students are taught programming in R, basic statistics, and computational thinking. The program includes daily lectures and lab work, mentorship from Harvard Biostatistics PhD students, and the opportunity to work on group research projects, which are presented at the end of the program. StatStart is a way for students to understand more about the quantitative aspect of the public health industry.
7. Johns Hopkins Global Health Leaders Conference
Subject Areas: Global Health, Public Health, Medicine, Policy, Social Justice
Location: Virtual (Hosted by Johns Hopkins University)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12)
Application Deadline: Application deadlines will be announced in early in the year
Program Dates: July 13-21
Cost: $150 (scholarships are available)
The Global Health Leaders Conference at Johns Hopkins University is a prestigious, student-led virtual program designed to introduce high school students to critical global health issues. Participants engage with world-renowned experts in global health, public health, and medicine through a series of lectures and panel discussions. Topics have included pandemic preparedness, misinformation in global health, and healthcare policy. The program also features a Student Speaker Series, where selected students can present on global health-related topics, offering a unique opportunity for them to share their research and ideas.
8. Wake Forest University’s Summer Medical Immersion Program
Subject Areas: Medicine, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Neurology, Cancer Care, Surgery
Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Eligibility: Current 9th–12th grade high school students
Application Deadline: Rolling (applications open on November 1)
Program Dates: June 9 – 14 | July 14 – 19
Cost: $3,000 (financial aid available)
The Wake Forest Summer Medical Immersion Program offers high school students a deep dive into the field of medicine through hands-on experiences such as simulation labs, hospital tours, and basic clinical skills training like suturing and blood pressure measurement. Participants will explore various medical fields such as cardiology, neurology, and surgery, gaining insights into the careers available within the healthcare industry. Visits to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and interactions with medical students provide a comprehensive view of what it’s like to work in the medical profession.
9. Summer Child Health Research Internship
Subject Areas: Pediatrics, Child Health, Clinical Research, Public Health
Location: Children’s Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Eligibility: High school seniors over 18. High school students must be residents of Colorado.
Application Deadline: TBA in December
Program Dates: June 3 – August 2
Cost: Free (includes a $3,500 stipend)
This internship provides hands-on research experience in child health under the mentorship of leading pediatric researchers at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado. Interns participate in laboratory research, attend weekly seminars, and complete an independent research project, which they present at the program’s conclusion. Interns also have the opportunity to attend scientific conferences if their work is accepted for presentation. The program is designed to expose students to various aspects of pediatric research and prepare them for careers in health sciences.
10. CDC Museum Public Health Academy Online Summer Course
Subject Areas: Epidemiology, Public Health, Laboratory Science, Global Health, Health Communication
Location: Virtual (Online)
Eligibility: High school students entering their junior or senior year (must be at least 16 years old)
Application Deadline: March 22
Program Dates: June 10 – 14
Cost: Free
The CDC Museum Public Health Academy Online Summer Course is a week-long, intensive, web-based program designed to introduce high school students to the field of public health. The course includes both synchronous (live) and asynchronous components, covering topics like epidemiology, disease prevention, global health, data analysis, and health communication. Students engage with real-world public health scenarios, completing daily assignments and projects to deepen their understanding of the CDC’s work.
11. NIH High School Summer Internship Program
Subject Areas: Biomedical Research, Behavioral Science, Social Science, Clinical Research
Location: NIH campuses, primarily Bethesda, MD
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; must be 17 years old by June 15 and currently enrolled in high school as a junior or senior.
Application Deadline: Early February
Program Dates: June – August
Cost: Free (interns receive a stipend based on educational level)
The NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP) offers high school students a unique opportunity to conduct research under the mentorship of NIH scientists. Interns are placed in research groups across NIH institutes and centers, working on projects in fields like biomedical research, clinical studies, and behavioral science. In addition to hands-on research, students participate in professional development activities such as seminars and workshops. The program concludes with a poster presentation where students share their research findings with the NIH community. This highly competitive program is an excellent stepping stone for students interested in careers in health sciences and research.
12. Young Scholars Summer Program in Biostatistics and Clinical Research
Subject Areas: Biostatistics, Clinical Research, Data Science, Statistical Programming (R)
Location: Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders from Connecticut with strong math skills
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: July 18 – August 2 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM)
Cost: Free
This two-and-a-half-week summer program provides high school students with an introduction to the field of biostatistics, focusing on its application in clinical and public health research. Participants learn to use statistical methods to analyze real health data and conduct their research projects. The program covers basic statistical methods, and study design, and introduces students to the R programming language. Students work in small groups to apply their knowledge to real-world health questions and present their findings at the program’s conclusion.
13. Summer Researchers in Global Health
Subject Areas: Global Health, HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis, Maternal Health, Preterm Birth, Climate Change, COVID-19, Emerging Infectious Diseases
Location: UCSF Mission Bay Campus, San Francisco, CA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from participating San Francisco Bay Area schools
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: June 10 – July 18
Cost: Free (Interns with financial need may qualify for a $2,000 stipend)
The SRGH is a six-week summer internship designed to immerse high school seniors in real-world global health research. Participants work alongside UCSF global health experts and develop independent research projects addressing issues like HIV/AIDS, climate change, and emerging infectious diseases. The program includes mentorship, weekly case discussions, and group activities led by graduate instructors, offering a comprehensive introduction to global health topics. Interns also attend lectures by leading epidemiologists and health professionals and present their research findings at a final showcase.
14. UMass Chan High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP)
Subject Areas: Health Careers, Public Health, Biomedical Research, Clinical Skills
Location: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
Eligibility: High school students, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, interested in health sciences and careers in medicine or healthcare
Application Deadline: March 3
Program Dates: June 29- Friday July 25
Cost: Free (some financial aid or stipends may be available)
The UMass Chan High School Health Careers Program is designed to introduce students to the field of healthcare and biomedical sciences. Participants engage in hands-on activities, attend lectures, and gain exposure to a variety of health professions, including medicine, nursing, and research. The program emphasizes healthcare disparities and aims to inspire students from underrepresented communities to pursue health careers. Activities include clinical rotations, research projects, and professional development workshops to help students prepare for their future educational and career pathways.
15. Drexel University Public Health Summer Institute
Subject Areas: Public Health, Health Policy, Epidemiology, Health Advocacy, Environmental Health
Location: Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors interested in public health, health sciences, sociology, psychology, environmental sciences, or policy
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions through June 28
Program Dates: July 22 – 26
Cost: $400 (financial aid available)
The Drexel University Public Health Summer Institute provides high school students with an immersive experience in public health education. Through interactive sessions, students learn about diverse topics such as epidemiology, health administration, environmental health, and policy-making. Participants will explore real-world public health challenges, engage in group projects, and experience site visits around Philadelphia, including tours of local health organizations and government offices. Led by Drexel faculty and public health professionals, the program offers insights into health disparities, disease prevention, and the role of public health in society.
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