If you’re a high school student interested in building skills for a career in psychology, exploring psychology programs can be a great way to get started. You’ll explore how the mind works, work on real-world projects, and gain hands-on experience in clinical psychology, neuroscience, and social behavior.
You’ll learn from experts, explore how people think and act, and decide if psychology is right for you. Whether you’re drawn to mental health, education, or social sciences, these programs can help you build valuable skills for college and beyond.
Here are 8 great paid psychology programs for high school students to consider!
Please note that some of these programs pay a stipend, while others are fully-funded.
Top 8 Paid Psychology Programs for High Schoolers
1. American Psychological Association Internships
Location: Remote
Stipend: Paid internship or academic credits
Application Deadline: Varies by course
Program Dates: Internships run throughout the year in the spring, summer, fall, and winter
Eligibility: Students enrolled part-time in an educational institution, eligible to work in the US, and living in a state where the APA is registered. Remote interns are not eligible in certain US states and territories.
The American Psychological Association (APA) offers paid internships for high school students, providing academic credit and professional experience. You can work in departments such as policy, research, communications, operations, publishing, and education. This opportunity lets you apply psychological concepts in a real-world setting.
Along with your daily tasks, you will participate in workshops, discussions, and group projects. These activities are designed to help you develop skills for graduate school applications, networking, research, and creating resumes and cover letters. You will also gain exposure to federal advocacy, which can broaden your understanding of non-traditional psychology careers.
2. Youth Mental Health Academy
Location: Hybrid. In-person events will be in California.
Stipend: $2,000
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: 1st Summer from June 23 – July 24, Academic Year from August – May and 2nd Summer from July & August
Eligibility: High school students in California from marginalized communities, interested in mental health, with a GPA of 2.5+, can commit to the full program (June –July), and provide proof of health insurance.
The Youth Mental Health Academy (YMHA) is a 14-month program designed for high school students in California who are interested in mental health. The program includes three phases, the first summer (June –July) will focus on learning mental health concepts, working on a capstone project, and receiving mentorship.
The academic year (August –May) includes workshops and continued mentor support. In the second summer (July–August), you will gain over 100 hours of hands-on experience working with a youth-serving or research organization.
3. NIDA Intramural Research Program
Location: Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus, Baltimore, Maryland
Stipend: Paid program. Housing and travel arrangements are not provided
Application Deadline: February 19
Program Dates: 8 – 10 weeks
Eligibility: U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are high school juniors or seniors in a school in the U.S. at the time of application and at least 17 years old by June 15.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Intramural Research Program gives you the chance to explore addiction and drug abuse research. During the program, you will learn about the biological, psychological, and social aspects of addiction. You will work closely with experienced researchers and be involved in various stages of research, from design and data collection to analysis. This program will give you a deeper understanding of how drug addiction impacts individuals and communities, as well as the latest approaches to treatment and prevention.
4. Active Minds’s High School Advisory Board
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $500
Deadline: January 3
Program Dates: January – end of the school year
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 with an interest in mental health advocacy, creativity, initiative, and collaboration. Must be available for virtual meetings twice a month from January to June, have internet access, and obtain parental consent.
The Active Minds High School Advisory Board offers you a chance to get involved in mental health advocacy. You will work with a team to help create resources, participate in focus groups, and give feedback on mental health programs. You’ll also help with outreach, marketing, and support for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth.
Throughout the program, you’ll get hands-on experience in advocacy work, leadership training, and collaboration with different teams. You will meet twice a month virtually and also have the opportunity to contribute ideas and help shape mental health initiatives.
5. University of Texas Southwestern Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: February 3
Program Dates: June 2 – 6 and June 9 – 13
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students and rising college first-years
The University of Texas Southwestern’s Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship is a two-week online program. The program introduces you to various careers in mental health, including psychotherapy, neuropsychological testing, neuroscience, interventional psychiatry, and community psychiatry. Throughout the program, you will engage with mental health professionals such as licensed clinical social workers, neuropsychologists, physician assistants, and psychiatrists.
Before the online sessions, you are required to complete readings from mass media and scientific journals. These readings, combined with the online sessions where professionals discuss their daily work, will help you understand the roles of social workers and guide you on how to pursue a career in mental health.
6. Jerome Home Student Internship
Location: New Britain, CT
Application Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: 3 months
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and college students
The Jerome Home Student Internship in New Britain, Connecticut, offers you the chance to gain hands-on experience in human services, social work, recreation therapy, and music therapy.
During the internship, you will follow an individualized training program and have the opportunity to work with various healthcare professionals. This is a hands-on experience designed to help you gain practical skills and insights in the field.
7. Barrow Neurological Institute’s Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Application Deadline: February 14
Program Dates: May 30 – July 3
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years of age or older
The Barrow Neurological Institute’s Summer High School Internship Program in Phoenix, AZ, offers hands-on experience in neurology, neuroscience, and neuropsychology. You’ll work in a lab setting, using advanced scientific techniques and technology while being mentored by professionals in the field.
During the program, you will learn to analyze scientific literature, improve your communication skills, and understand how diseases are studied and treated. You’ll also get exposure to various departments, including neuroscience publications, marketing, and the Barrow Neurological Foundation, providing a comprehensive look at the research process.
8. Bethel College Summer Science Institute
Location: Virtual or in-person in North Newton, KS
Application Deadline: April 15 (tentative, based on previous cohorts)
Program Dates: June 23 – June 28 (in-person) and July 7 – 12 (virtual) (tentative, based on previous cohort of the program)
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10 – 12
The Bethel College Summer Science Institute lets you explore various research topics, including psychology, biology, chemistry, and environmental science. You’ll work closely with faculty mentors to develop essential research skills, such as collecting and analyzing data, testing hypotheses, using statistical software, and coding. You’ll also engage in hands-on activities like designing experiments and interpreting results, gaining practical experience that mirrors real-world research.
To enhance your learning, the program includes reading materials on laboratory techniques and field studies. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how research is conducted and how it applies to different fields.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in psychology or neuroscience, 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 – American Psychological Association logo
