12 Summer Programs for High School Students Interested in Psychology
Summer programs are a great way for high school students to gain hands-on experience, explore academic interests, and build connections without disrupting their school year. These programs provide exposure to various industries and help students develop practical skills that can be valuable for future studies and careers.
For students interested in psychology, a summer program offers the chance to learn from experts, engage in research, and connect with peers who share similar interests. We’ve curated a list of 10 psychology summer programs based on key factors such as full funding, competitive acceptance rates, and the reputation of the hosting organizations.
Whether you're looking for a highly selective research opportunity or a program with a specific focus, this list includes 12 great programs for high school students interested in psychology.
If you’d like to explore additional psychology-related programs, check out our other post covering free, online, paid, and region-specific opportunities in psychology research programs and internships.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Psychology Track
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, neuroscience, consumer behaviour, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Cost: $3,080 (need-based financial aid available) Location: Virtual Dates: Session One: June 16–June 27; Session Two: July 7–July 18 Application Deadline: March 20 Eligibility: Students in grades 8–11 at the time of application.
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institute offers high school students an introduction to psychology’s theoretical and methodological foundations. You will explore key topics such as social psychology, cognitive development, memory, perception, and psychological disorders, while also examining the contributions of influential psychologists.
Through hands-on activities, you will engage in small research projects that introduce the tools and methods used in psychological studies. These projects will provide insight into how social scientists collect and analyze data and the limitations of different research approaches. The program emphasizes critical thinking and practical application, giving you a deeper understanding of the field.
Location: Virtual
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
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, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
Cost: $2,810–$12,750 (depending on program type and duration, limited need-based scholarships available)
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Columbia University campus, NY
Dates: Varies. Click here for more details.
Application Deadline: Varies.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 and current grade 12 students. Applicants must be 16 years or older by the program start date for the NYC Residential Summer option.
Columbia University's Pre-College Programs offer high school students a chance to explore psychology through a range of specialized courses. In Social Psychology, you will examine topics like empathy, bullying, and personality development while gaining insight into research methods used to study human behavior. The Foundations of Early Childhood Development course focuses on cognitive, emotional, and social growth in children, exploring the role of family and culture in shaping development.
Other courses, such as Psycholinguistics and The Science of Psychology, cover topics like language acquisition, memory, and perception. These programs emphasize analytical thinking and research skills, helping you build a strong foundation in psychology. Depending on the course, you may earn college credit or certification, providing valuable academic credentials for future studies.
Cost: $4,050–$14,950 + $75 application fee (Scholarships available for students with strong academic performance and financial need)
Location: Virtual or in-person at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Dates: 4-week: July 13 – August 8 7-week: June 21 – August 9
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: High school students who will turn 16 before the program starts and will not turn 19 before July 31.
Harvard’s Secondary School Program (SSP) gives high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses, earn college credit, and experience academic life at a top university. Psychology courses cover a wide range of topics, including the biological basis of behavior, cognitive processes, and social interactions. You can choose between a 4-week residential program or a more flexible 7-week format, which offers online, commuting, and on-campus options.
Beyond coursework, the program includes co-curricular activities such as social events and college prep workshops, allowing you to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds. By completing the program, you will gain experience with real college courses and earn official college credit or a transcript, adding to your academic credentials.
Cost: $1,950
Location: Virtual
Dates: Session One: June 23 – July 4 Session Two: July 7 – July 18 Session Three: July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Johns Hopkins University’s Summer Online Pre-College Programs offer high school students the chance to explore psychology through courses like Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Psychological Profiling, and Psychopathology and Its Development. You will examine topics such as the brain’s influence on behavior, techniques for analyzing psychological profiles, and the development of mental health disorders. These programs are flexible and self-paced, requiring about 15 hours of coursework per week, including assignments and projects.
Cost: Varies depending on selected course and format. Click here for more details.
Location: Brown University campus, Providence, RI
Dates: Varies. Click here for more details.
Application Deadline: May 9 (rolling enrollment until full)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 who will be 14–18 years old by June 15.
The Summer@Brown Pre-College Programs allow high school students to explore psychology through a range of engaging courses. You can choose from topics such as Abnormal Adolescent Psychology, Critical Thinking About Human Behavior, and Psychology of Stress and Trauma, each offering insights into different aspects of the human mind and behavior.
Courses are taught by experienced instructors who emphasize collaborative learning and open inquiry, encouraging you to participate in discussions, conduct independent research, and develop a deeper understanding of psychology. With three hours of daily classes and additional independent or group work, the program mirrors the rigor and flexibility of college academics.
Cost: $3,400 (need-based financial aid available)
Location: Wake Forest University Reynolda campus, Winston-Salem, NC
Dates: Week of June 1–6 or week of June 8–13 (waitlist implemented)
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 9–12.
The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Psychology Institute provides high school students with an engaging introduction to psychology, combining interactive lessons with hands-on experiences. You’ll explore topics such as how emotions influence daily life, the effects of addiction on the brain, and the role of neuroplasticity in shaping behavior.
A key feature of the program is its hands-on approach, including a guided sheep brain dissection to study brain structures and functions. You’ll also conduct an observational study, refining research skills by analyzing behavior and identifying patterns. The sensory perception lab offers a practical look at how illusions and biases shape perception. By the end of the program, you’ll present your findings, gaining experience in scientific communication and analysis.
Cost: Free
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Dates: May 30 – July 3
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years of age.
The Barrow Neurological Institute’s Summer High School Internship Program gives high school students hands-on experience in scientific research within a professional setting. You’ll work alongside experts in neuropsychology, neuro-oncology, cerebrovascular studies, and neurodegenerative diseases, engaging with advanced research techniques and cutting-edge technology.
A key aspect of the program is the opportunity to contribute to meaningful scientific projects, with the potential for presentation at local or national competitions or publication in scientific journals. You’ll also gain insight into the non-laboratory aspects of neuroscience research, exploring how various departments support scientific studies. With a strong emphasis on mentorship, the program provides guidance on career paths while helping you develop essential research skills.
Cost: $4,295
Location: Multiple locations available
Dates: Multiple 9-day sessions between June 12 and August 2
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Students aged 14-18 who have completed at least 1 year of high school. You may also attend NSLC the summer following your high school graduation.
The NSLC Psychology and Neuroscience High School Summer Program immerses high school students in the science of the mind through lab experiences and expert-led sessions. You’ll analyze brain scans, study cranial anatomy, and explore the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders, gaining a deeper understanding of how the brain influences behavior.
Interactive workshops cover treatment strategies, patient care, and the methods psychologists use to address complex mental health challenges. The program also includes field trips and behind-the-scenes tours, offering real-world insights into psychology and neuroscience.
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to all high school students interested in psychology.
Carnegie Mellon University’s Introduction to Psychology course through the Open Learning Initiative (OLI) offers an engaging, self-paced way to explore the fundamentals of psychology. In this virtual course, you’ll cover key topics such as cognition, motivation, emotions, and wellness, while also gaining insight into how psychological research is conducted.
The course consists of 16 units with a mix of text, interactive exercises, videos, and animations to support your learning. Topics include memory, intelligence, personality, and psychological disorders. You’ll also engage in hands-on learning through “Learn By Doing” activities, which provide immediate feedback, and self-assessments to check your understanding as you progress.
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to all high school students interested in psychology.
The University of Cambridge’s course in cognitive psychology and neuropsychology offers a compelling introduction to how the human mind functions. You’ll explore key topics like memory, attention, language, and perception, and learn about research methods used to study these areas, such as neuroimaging and neuropsychology.
The course covers foundational theories of cognitive psychology, examining how the brain shapes behavior and interacts with the environment. It also looks at brain development across the lifespan and its ability to adapt through plasticity. Designed for beginners, no prior knowledge of psychology is required. This self-paced, virtual program provides a strong foundation for students interested in psychology, neuroscience, or human cognition.
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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