In-person psychology programs are hands-on experiences that can help you develop important skills like analyzing behavior, exploring mental health, and understanding psychological research in a real-world context.
Through engaging workshops, interactive lectures, and practical case studies, you’ll dive into subjects such as cognitive development and therapeutic approaches. Whether you’re exploring a future career in psychology or simply want to learn more about human behavior, these programs are a great way to begin.
Here are the top 10 psychology programs for high school students!
1. NIDA Recruitment & Training to Unlock Research Potential in Science (RTURP)
The Recruitment & Training to Unlock Research Potential in Science (RTURP) is a competitive summer internship at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus. This program is designed for high school students interested in the psychological and behavioral aspects of drug abuse.
During the internship, you will work alongside researchers on hands-on projects, participate in training seminars, and have the opportunity to present your findings at national meetings. This paid internship lasts 8–10 weeks and provides experience in addiction research, behavioral science, and mental health.
Subject areas: Drug abuse, psychology, behavioral sciences, addiction research, mental health, and research methodology.
Location: Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Free
Application deadline: February 1
Program Dates: 8–10 weeks during the summer, typically in June-July
Eligibility: Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, 17 years of age or older, currently enrolled in high school as a junior or senior. Applicants under 18 years old must live within 40 miles of the NIH Biomedical Research Center.
2. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP) — Psychology Track
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in various subjects, including data science, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more. After choosing your area of interest and research focus, you will be paired with a mentor, such as a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a leading university, who will guide you throughout the program.
For students focusing on psychology, Horizon provides access to 72 different subtopics, covering areas such as clinical, social, developmental, and cognitive psychology. During the program, you will work on creating a 20-page research paper at a university level. This paper may also be submitted to academic journals for review. Apply here!
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary — psychology, neuroscience, data science, machine learning
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Spring: February 16; Summer: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)
Program Dates: Spring: March 3; Summer: June 16! 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.
3. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) provides an opportunity to explore neuroscience research within the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery. The program offers insight into the relationship between brain function, behavior, cognition, and mental health. You can choose between an 8-week in-person internship or a 5-week virtual program. In the in-person option, you will work on a research project, receive mentorship, attend seminars on brain science, and present your findings at the end!
Subject areas: Neurological sciences
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, east Baltimore Campus, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Free. The in-person program includes an hourly stipend and covers transportation (housing excluded). The virtual program provides a $500 education scholarship.
Application deadline: March 1
Program dates: The in-person program lasts 8 weeks, while the virtual program runs for 5 weeks from June–August.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (in the US for the virtual program and in Baltimore City, MD for the in-person program) from underrepresented backgrounds can apply.
4. Mary S. Easton Center at UCLA – Neuroscience High School Scholars Program
The UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program provides high school juniors and seniors with the chance to explore neuroscience, with a focus on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD). The program offers both a six-week in-person summer session and a virtual option, both designed to introduce you to neuroscience research and public health.
In the in-person program, you will participate in activities such as brain dissections, clinical trial preparation, data entry, literature reviews, and presentations. You will also have the opportunity to engage in community outreach and collaborate on research projects with mentors. Both program options allow you to establish Alzheimer’s Awareness Clubs at your school.
Subject Areas: Neuroscience, oncology, neuropsychology
Location: UCLA campus, Los Angeles, CA (in-person commuter); and virtual
Cost: Fully funded. No housing or transportation is provided for the in-person program.
Application deadlines: March 3
Program dates: June 16 – July 24; 6 weeks for the in-person program (3 days a week); virtual seminars held monthly on the last Wednesday of the month.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16–18 years old), particularly from underrepresented communities or those interested in working with underrepresented populations, are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be motivated and interested in neuroscience.
5. Barrow Neurological Institute’s Summer High School Internship Program
The Department of Translational Neuroscience at Barrow Neurological Institute offers high school students the chance to engage in scientific research within a professional environment. During this program, you will participate in hands-on lab work using modern technology, while receiving mentorship and career guidance. You can choose to focus on a variety of research areas, such as cerebrovascular and stroke, neuro-oncology, neuropsychology, neurodegenerative diseases, neuroimaging, spine biomechanics, and more.
The program will help you develop a deeper understanding of biological principles and the mechanisms behind diseases and their treatments. You will learn to assess scientific literature, apply advanced research techniques, address scientific questions, and improve your communication skills. Additionally, you will have the chance to create and present scientific projects, which may be shared at local or national competitions or published in scientific journals.
Subject Areas: Neurology, neuropsychology, and neuroscience.
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: February 14
Program Dates: May 30 – June 3
Eligibility: High school students must be 16 years or older to participate. If you’re interested in laboratory research, you can read the laboratory descriptions and determine which lab best fits your interest.
6. Lumiere Research Scholar Program — Psychology Track
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the chance to conduct independent research with the support of Ph.D. mentors across various subjects, including psychology, physics, economics, and data science. After selecting a research topic, you will work closely with a mentor and a writing coach for 12 weeks.
During this period, you’ll engage in thorough research, participate in workshops, and gradually refine your work. By the end of the program, you will have a completed research paper and gained experience in research methods, critical thinking, and academic writing. More details about the application are here!
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary – biology, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, gender studies, and more!
Location: Remote – you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Starts at $2,990; Financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Spring Cohort application deadline is February 9
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, Fall: September – December, Winter: December – February, Spring: March – June.
Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled in high school, and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: Students must have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4).
7. University of Chicago’s Summer Immersion Program — Fundamentals of Psychology: Theory & Research
The Summer Immersion Program at UChicago offers high school students the opportunity to take undergraduate-level courses taught by faculty, researchers, and professionals. You will attend lectures, workshops, and seminars, engage in research projects, and participate in hands-on activities, all while receiving guidance from experts in your chosen field. If you are interested in psychology, you can choose the Fundamentals of Psychology (Theory & Research) course.
This course covers key topics in human behavior, including emotions, memory, sensation and perception, development, and psychological disorders. You will work in small groups to design and carry out an experimental research project, which will include research lab demonstrations. Through lectures, readings (including textbooks and academic journal articles), discussions, and field trips, you will gain a broad understanding of psychology as a scientific discipline.
Subject Areas: Human body psychology, neuroscience, and social sciences.
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $8,900 (residential) Need-based financial aid and scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Program Dates: July 7 — 26
Eligibility: 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students can apply.
8. University of Texas Southwestern Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship
The University of Texas Southwestern Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship is a two-week virtual program for rising 10th–12th graders and incoming college freshmen. This internship offers you the opportunity to learn about various mental health careers through interactions with professionals such as social workers, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and physician assistants.
You will participate in discussions, complete readings, and explore fields such as psychotherapy, neuroscience, and community psychiatry. If you’re interested in psychology, this program provides insight into how psychological principles are applied in professional mental health settings.
Subject areas: Psychotherapy, Neuropsychological testing, Neuroscience, Interventional psychiatry, Community psychiatry
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost or stipend provided.
Application deadline: Typically close in early February.
Program Dates: Typically 2 weeks in June,
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors can apply.
9. Summer Springboard’s Psychology & Neuroscience at Yale
Summer Springboard’s Psychology & Neuroscience Program allows students to explore the connection between the brain and behavior through simulations and neurology workshops. Whether you’re interested in the brain’s physical aspects or in understanding human behavior, you’ll interact with professionals from both psychology and neuroscience fields.
The program covers key psychology experiments, helping you understand how psychologists study behavior. You will explore topics like social dynamics, emotions, personality, mental health, and the relationship between the mind, brain, and body. For your final project, you will develop a psychological theory, conduct an experiment, and present your findings. Additionally, you’ll visit the Cushing Center at Yale University to engage with clinical psychologists, neurologists, and researchers.
Subject Areas: Psychology, neurology, mental illness, and neuroscience.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $6,298 (Residential) | $3,498 (Commuter)
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates:
- Session 1: June 15 — 27
- Session 2: June 29 — July 11
- Session 3: July 13 — 25
Eligibility: High school students must have completed 8th grade and have a 3.0 Grade Point Average (or local equivalent) to apply.
10. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University
The Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University offers an introduction to psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience over 2 weeks. This program provides an opportunity to explore research in the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Throughout the program, you will attend seminars with faculty and researchers, discuss career options in these fields, and learn self-care techniques.
A key component of the program is a group research project, where you will collaborate with 8–10 peers to develop solutions related to psychology, psychiatry, or neuroscience. At the end of the program, you will present your project at a capstone event. Previous topics have included areas such as eating disorders, neuroimaging, mindfulness, early intervention programs, and addiction, among others.
Subject Areas: Psychology, clinical neuropsychiatry, neuroscience research, psychiatric epidemiology, behavioral and social sciences, and more.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA or Virtual
Cost: $1,595 (virtual) | $2,895 (in-person). Scholarships are available for qualified applicants and you can request financial assistance in your application.
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: Multiple sessions available:
- Virtual session: June 16–27
- In-person sessions: July 7–18 | July 21 — August 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors can apply.
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