10 Free Online Psychology Courses for High School Students
For those interested in psychology, online courses are an excellent opportunity to deepen your knowledge and demonstrate your passion for the field. These courses allow you to explore psychological concepts and gain practical insights that can enhance your academic and professional prospects. Admissions committees and employers value candidates who show a genuine interest in their field, and completing online psychology courses can strengthen your profile.
In this blog, we have curated a list of 10 free online psychology courses suitable for high school students.
MIT OpenCourseWare's "Introduction to Psychology" is a great resource for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of the basic principles of psychology. This free, self-paced online course gives you comprehensive coverage of a range of psychological topics, from cognitive processes and social behavior to developmental and clinical psychology.
You will have access to high-quality lecture materials, readings, and assignments presented by MIT's faculty. The online format makes this course accessible regardless of your schedule. The website gives you a free online textbook and exam review materials so you can check your understanding at home.
Course Dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
The "Introduction to Abnormal Psychology" course on Coursera, offered by Wesleyan University, is a great option for anyone interested in psychological disorders and mental health. It provides a thorough look at abnormal psychology, covering the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of various mental health conditions. You'll delve into topics like anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and personality disorders.
Wesleyan's faculty leads the course with video lectures, quizzes, and peer-reviewed assignments, ensuring a solid grasp of the subject. The course also teaches you how to recognize signs of distress in loved ones and have compassionate conversations with them. By the end, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of both the concepts and their real-world implications, making it a great choice for those pursuing a psychology career or seeking a deeper insight into mental health.
Course Dates: Self-paced, 14 hours total
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
This course package offers a thorough and insightful look into the practical applications of psychology. It includes three distinct courses: "Psychological Influences on Decision Making," "Positive Psychology," and "Gender and Sexuality." This program aims to help you understand how psychological factors influence your daily life and how you can apply psychological research to make better decisions.
Each course features engaging content, expert insights, and practical knowledge, enabling students to apply psychological principles to real-world situations. With a focus on research-based and evidence-based practices, these APA-endorsed courses provide valuable insights for anyone interested in psychology.
Course Dates: Self-paced, 6 months (2-5 hours/week)
Cost: Free without certificate and $348.30 for 3 Courses
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
The "Introduction to Psychology" course on Coursera, developed by Yale University, offers a thorough and engaging exploration of psychology's core concepts. Ideal for those new to the field, this course covers fundamental principles of human behavior and cognition. Topics include the history of psychology, research methods, neurological processes, social interactions, and psychological disorders.
With a focus on scientific rigor and critical thinking, learners benefit from Yale's expert faculty and a range of high-quality materials, including video lectures, quizzes, and peer-reviewed assignments. The course ends with the psychology of happiness or how psychologists define ‘the good life.’
Course Dates: Self-paced, 14 hours total
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
HarvardX's "Introduction to Neuroscience" is an online program that delves deeply into the world of neuroscience. These three courses provide a thorough introduction to essential topics, including the structure and function of the nervous system, neural communication, sensory and motor systems, and higher-order cognitive functions.
Offered by Harvard University through edX, this course is ideal for those looking to explore the biological basis of the human brain and its connection to behavior, cognition, and neurological disorders. You will have access to lectures from Harvard's expert faculty and high-quality materials, including quizzes and assignments that enhance your grasp of key concepts.
Course Dates: Self-paced; 5 months (3-6 hours/week)
Cost: Free without certificate and $672.30 with certificate (financial aid available)
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
This course delves into how our cognition is deeply connected to our bodily sensations, challenging the traditional separation of mind and body. It covers fundamental principles of cognitive psychology with an emphasis on emotional, social, and embodied cognition, exploring how our entire body's feelings impact our mental processes.
You’ll learn about the interplay between emotional understanding and decision-making, and how cognitive neuroscience informs mental health. The course also encourages reflection on mind-body dualism and examines methods and theories related to emotional embodiment, including how we recognize and interpret facial expressions using various experimental and neuroimaging techniques.
Course Dates: Self-paced, 5 weeks (2-5 hours/week)
Cost: Free without a certificate and $300 with a certificate.
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
In this course, you will use science-backed tools to transform stress, burnout, and anxiety into mental strength. You will explore five core components for effective stress management, including an overview of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
You will learn to identify and shift your cycle of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, create a “Charge Up Plan” to energize your day, and develop strategies for facing fears and solving problems. Led by Luana Marques, Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, this course aims to help you build mental resilience in your personal life.
Course Dates: Self-paced, 6 weeks (1-2 hours/week)
Cost: Free without a certificate and $221 with a certificate.
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
This course on cognitive psychology focuses on how the mind works and develops from birth through childhood. No prior knowledge of psychology is required. You will examine key cognitive functions such as memory, language, attention, and perception.
The course also covers core research methods used to study the mind, brain, and behavior, including behavioral experiments, brain damage studies, and neuroimaging techniques. You will gain insights into human feelings, sensations, thinking, and learning, and understand the historical development of modern psychology and brain plasticity.
Course Dates: Self-paced, 5 weeks (2-5 hours/week)
Cost: Free without a certificate and $300 with a certificate.
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
In this course, you will explore classic and contemporary social psychology to understand human behavior better. You will address questions like why we prefer some people over others, how conflicts and prejudices arise, and how psychological research can aid environmental protection.
You’ll delve into topics such as decision-making, persuasion, group behavior, and factors that enhance health and well-being. The course features surprising research findings that are easy to apply in daily life. This course aims to provide practical insights and enjoyable learning experiences.
Course Dates: Self-paced, 37 hours total
Cost: Free without a certificate, financial aid is available
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
The course "Understanding the Brain: The Neurobiology of Everyday Life," led by Professor Peggy Mason, provides an in-depth look at the nervous system and its influence on behavior. Covering key neurobiological concepts like neuronal communication, perception, and the basis of common neurological disorders, the course uses videos, readings, and quizzes to teach how the brain processes sensory information, controls movement, and maintains homeostasis.
The course’s interactive content will help you understand how the brain affects daily experiences and behaviors, offering a comprehensive view of how neurobiology impacts our interactions with the world and the effects of neurological conditions on everyday life.
Course Dates: Self-paced, 27 hours total
Cost: Free without a certificate
Eligibility: Open to all.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in psychology to supplement your experience, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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