11 Free Online Medical Courses for High School Students
Taking courses or certifications in the field of medicine before college can significantly bolster a high school student’s college application and portfolio. These achievements demonstrate a proactive commitment to the field, showcasing the student’s dedication, initiative, and passion for medicine. Additionally, such credentials provide foundational knowledge and practical skills, enhancing the student’s readiness for advanced studies.
They also open opportunities for early involvement in research projects or entrepreneurial ventures, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts, thus standing out to college admissions committees and potential collaborators. Here are 11 free online medical courses high school students can sign up for!
Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. In the AI + Medicine program, students learn how AI is used in the healthcare and medical industry. You will get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
Cost: $1790
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program
or have prior Python experience.
Duration: 10 sessions, 2.5 hours per session
Dates: Jun 9 - Aug 11 (Sundays, 11 AM - 1:30 PM EST)
Cost: Free. With certification, the course costs $29.
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: No deadline, open enrollment.
Course Dates: ~ 3 weeks at 7 hours a week, self-paced.
The University of Michigan’s course on Sleep: Neurobiology, Medicine, and Society provides a comprehensive and up-to-date examination of the biological, personal, and societal significance of sleep. Led by experts, the course begins with an overview of the neurobiological basis of sleep control, detailing how the brain generates sleep and the effects of sleep deprivation, jet lag, and substances like alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. It then delves into sleep-dependent physiological changes and sleep disorders, with a focus on excessive sleepiness, insomnia, and autonomic control changes.
The course also explores the impact of chronic sleep deprivation on immune function and obesity and emphasizes the importance of sleep for preventive medicine. The societal relevance of sleep is addressed, highlighting the critical role of sleep in preventing operator-error-related disasters in technologically complex environments. This course is valuable for anyone, including ambitious high school students, interested in understanding the multifaceted importance of sleep.
3. University of Pennsylvania’s “Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us” on Coursera
Cost: Free enrollment. With certification, the course costs $49.
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: No deadline, open enrollment.
Course Dates: ~ 6 weeks at 3–5 hours a week, self-paced.
The University of Pennsylvania’s online course on Vital Signs offers a detailed exploration of the anatomy and physiology underlying heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiration rate, and pain. Through this six-part course, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these vital signs reflect the body’s physiological status.
The course covers the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, normal ranges and variations, and the mechanisms behind changes in vital signs. It includes demonstrations of proper measurement techniques. This course is particularly beneficial for high school students interested in medicine, providing them with essential academic knowledge and practical skills that form a foundational understanding of human physiology and healthcare practices.
Cost: Free.
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: No deadline, open enrollment.
Course Dates: ~ 1–2 weeks long, although the course is self-paced.
Stanford Online offers a free course that provides a practical approach to managing prescription drug misuse and addiction. It teaches how to utilize the clinical interview and California’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (CURES) to identify and address drug misuse. Through animated videos, interactive slides, and video case scenarios, students apply these principles using a treatment algorithm. The course also covers compassionate methods for tapering patients off misused medications. By the end of the course, participants will be adept at identifying prescription drug problems and intervening effectively.
Cost: Free enrollment.
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: No deadline, open enrollment.
Course Dates: ~ 3 weeks at 6 hours a week, self-paced.
Northwestern University offers a comprehensive course designed for high school students, recent graduates, and career changers interested in exploring healthcare professions and entering related fields. This course equips participants with strategies for career planning, resume building, job searching, interviewing, networking, and professional communication in the medical field. Featuring insights from over 50 guest speakers, including faculty from Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine and other prestigious schools, the course provides personal stories and experiences from healthcare professionals.
It also fosters a supportive community for students to connect with mentors and peers, offering resources and opportunities to explore diverse career paths in healthcare. Additionally, the course serves as a valuable tool for educators, parents, and career counselors supporting students’ career readiness and professional growth.
Cost: Free enrollment. With certification, the course costs $149.
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: No deadline, open enrollment.
Course Dates: ~ 10 weeks at 2–4 hours a week, self-paced.
Harvard University’s free online course on the health effects of climate change, created with support from the Harvard Global Health Institute, explores how rising greenhouse gasses impact public health through air quality, nutrition, infectious diseases, and human migration. Featuring expert recommendations and research methods for measuring health effects, this course highlights the global and personal health impacts of climate change, offering actionable solutions to mitigate risks. For high school students interested in pursuing medicine, this course details the intersection of environmental science and public health, preparing them for future academic endeavors in the medical field.
Cost: Free to download.
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: No deadline, open enrollment.
Course Dates: Self-paced.
MIT’s course, “A Clinical Approach to the Human Brain,” offers a comprehensive exploration of brain function in both health and disease, appealing to students in Medicine, Neuroscience, and Psychology, as well as those from other disciplines. This course emphasizes the importance of understanding the brain’s mechanisms for all citizens, including policymakers and educators. Participants will delve into the regional anatomy of the brain, cellular functions of neurons and neurotransmitters, and the effects of drugs on brain function.
Clinical cases presented by Dr. Byrne and scientific literature discussions enrich the learning experience, providing practical insights into brain function and its broader implications. This foundational knowledge prepares students for advanced studies in fields like neuroscience and medicine and equips them with essential insights into clinical cases and scientific literature. It provides a good framework for comprehending neurological conditions and their implications for patient care and public health.
Cost: Free. With certification, the course costs $29.
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: No deadline, open enrollment.
Course Dates: ~ 3 weeks long at 4 hours a week, although the course is self-paced.
Yale University’s online Introduction to Breast Cancer course, led by Professor Anees B. Chagpar, Professor of Surgery (Oncology), offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of breast cancer. Covering the disease’s biology, risk factors, prevention strategies, treatment modalities, and survivorship, the course effectively combines expert insights with analyses of milestone studies. This course benefits breast cancer survivors, their families, healthcare providers, administrators, public health professionals, and high school students interested in medicine by providing valuable knowledge and practical questions to facilitate better understanding and care.
Cost: Free.
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: No deadline, open enrollment.
Course Dates: ~ 4 weeks long at 6–7 hours a week, although the course is self-paced.
Rice University’s online course, “Fundamentals of Immunology: Death by Friendly Fire,” introduces students to the basics of the immune system, both innate and adaptive. Using metaphors, cartoons, and models, early lectures explain immune cells, tissues, and organs. The course covers antibodies, including their types, functions, and how they’re generated. Animated explanations help illustrate how genes in immune cells can change their structure to produce a wide variety of antibodies.
The final lecture contextualizes these concepts anatomically. Assessments include multiple-choice questions on facts and concepts, and applying principles using lecture visuals. Topics also include immune responses to pathogens, inflammation, tolerance mechanisms, autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivity reactions like allergies, and transplant rejection prevention methods. This course is ideal for beginners interested in understanding how the immune system functions and its clinical applications.
Cost: Free. With certification, the course costs $29.
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: No deadline, open enrollment.
Course Dates: ~ 3 weeks long at 4 hours a week, although the course is self-paced.
Dr. Frederick S. Southwick, editor of the Journal of Infectious Diseases and author of the textbook “Infectious Diseases: A Clinical Short Course” (McGraw-Hill, April 2020), leads a Coursera course offered by the University of Florida on COVID-19. This course provides a thorough examination of the pandemic, addressing its origins, transmission dynamics, symptoms, treatment options, and public health strategies. Participants engage in video lectures that are regularly updated to reflect the evolving understanding of the epidemiology and clinical aspects of COVID-19. The course also includes interactive elements such as multiple-choice questions and peer-reviewed exercises designed to deepen understanding of epidemiological principles and promote effective public health interventions.
Cost: Free. With certification, the course costs $149.
Eligibility: Open to high school students, but note that this is an intermediate-level course for anyone passionate about public healthcare.
Application Deadline: No deadline, open enrollment.
Course Dates: ~ 8-weeks long, although the course is self-paced.
Harvard’s edX 8-week long self-paced course on improving healthcare access and quality is designed for anyone passionate about health and healthcare, including physicians, nurses, healthcare providers, medical students, public health or health policy students, and patients. It focuses on defining, measuring, and enhancing the quality of patient care across various healthcare settings.
The course is interactive and equips students with practical tools to raise questions, propose solutions, and drive change toward more effective, equitable, and patient-centered healthcare systems. Featuring leading global experts with hands-on experience in running healthcare organizations, hospitals, and ministries of health, this course offers valuable insights for individuals and institutions aiming to improve healthcare outcomes and patient satisfaction.
One other option — Lumiere Research Scholar Program!
If you’re eager to delve deeper into the field of medicine and actively contribute to research, consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program. This selective online high school program, developed in collaboration with leading medical researchers, offers a unique opportunity to engage directly in medical research. Last year, the program received over 4000 applications for just 500 spots. You can find the application form here.
Trisha Malhotra, an Ashoka University alumna, has 5 years of experience being a freelance writer and currently writes for Lumiere Education. She is passionate about music, reading, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as well as a devoted cat parent.
Image Source: Harvard University
Free online medical courses for high school students provide valuable learning opportunities in healthcare. These courses offer insights into various medical fields, essential for future careers. Students can explore topics such as pharmacology and patient care, and even learn practical skills. For those interested in medication management, understanding how to buy Eliquis from Canada might also be covered.