If you’re looking for ways to stand out while applying for college and gain valuable professional experience, online internships can be a great option. They offer flexibility, allowing you to work from home while managing other commitments. Since they’re virtual, you can access opportunities beyond your local area and connect with professionals globally. Plus, they help you build important skills like time management, communication, and adaptability.

If you’re interested in psychology, internships can help strengthen your understanding of the field. They give you the chance to explore areas like research, behavior analysis, or even shadowing counselors—helping you apply classroom knowledge to real-world settings. 

 Here are 7 online psychology internships to consider:

1. Ladder Internship Program

Cost: $2490 (Financial Aid Available)

Location:  Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.

Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort 

Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year

Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries from tech/deep tech, and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more.  You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. 

Interns are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other such valuable skills and will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in their cohort. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

2. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University

Cost: None

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January

Program Dates: June - August

Eligibility: Open to high school juniors or seniors who are 14 by mid-June

This Stanford University internship offers academic and professional growth through meaningful projects alongside distinguished faculty and industry leaders. Interns explore diverse fields, including psychology, computer science, engineering, and design, emphasizing an integrated, interdisciplinary approach. The program fosters connections within Stanford’s extensive network, providing access to mentors, peers, and professionals. Interns commit 30–40 hours per week to research projects, working closely with mentors and collaborators. This hands-on experience develops problem-solving and career skills at the forefront of emerging technologies. Beyond academics, the program aims to inspire students to contribute to cutting-edge work and recognize their potential to create change.

3. Internships at the American Psychology Association

Cost: No cost for the internships; some may be paid

Application deadline: Deadlines differ by internship; applicants should check the application portal frequently in case anything changes

Program Dates: Year-round

Eligibility: Criteria varies by internship

The American Psychological Association (APA), the largest U.S. organization advancing psychology, offers internships for students interested in applying psychological principles to real-world challenges. Interns contribute to areas like public policy, communications, IT, financial services, and operational research. Responsibilities include research, writing, web-based projects, administrative support, and special initiatives tailored to interns' skills and interests. Interns work closely with mentors who guide their tasks and support their academic and professional growth. The program also includes group projects and workshops to enhance collaboration and skill development. Through hands-on experiences, interns gain insights into diverse psychology career paths.

4. Child Mind Institute Youth Mental Health Academy

Stipend: Up to $2000

Application Deadline: March 31

Program Dates: June to August of the following year (10 months)

Eligibility: Open to high school students with a 2.5+ GPA. This program also targets students in marginalized communities defined here

The Child Mind Institute Program is a 14-month internship offering hands-on experience in mental health science, clinical practices, and communications, structured into three phases. It begins with a five-week summer session focused on project-based learning, where students attend interactive workshops on mental health, treatment approaches, research techniques, and career pathways, culminating in a capstone project addressing a key mental health issue. 

Throughout the academic year, monthly workshops and mentoring sessions deepen students' understanding of mental health topics and support their college preparation. In the final phase, students complete a six-week summer internship, committing 100 hours at a research institution or youth-focused community organization. Interns engage in research, data analysis, and develop recommendations for mental health interventions or advocacy. This program bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world application, providing valuable professional experience.

5. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University

Cost: $1595

Application Deadline: March 1

Program Dates: June 16 - June 27

Eligibility: Open to rising juniors, seniors, and recently graduated students

CNI-X at Stanford University is a 10-day program for high school students interested in psychology, neuroscience, and psychiatry. You’ll conduct research with Stanford’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and attend lectures on topics like psychiatric epidemiology, clinical neuropsychiatry, neuroscience research, and behavioral science. A key part of the program is group work—students are divided into teams of 8–10, each guided by a mentor. Together, you’ll tackle real-world problems in neuroscience and mental health, developing innovative solutions to present at a final showcase for peers, faculty, and families. Beyond academics, the program offers insights into careers in medicine and scientific research, helping you explore potential professional paths and deepen your interest in these dynamic fields.

6. University of Texas Southwestern Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship

Stipend: There is currently no information available. 

Application Deadline: February 3

Program Dates: June 2-13

Eligibility: Open to high school students

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center offers a two-week virtual program designed to introduce high school students to a wide range of mental health careers. You’ll engage in interactive Q&A sessions with psychiatrists, social workers, neuropsychologists, physician assistants, and other professionals, learning about their career paths and experiences. The program covers topics like psychotherapy, neuroscience, neuropsychological assessments, interventional psychiatry, and community mental health services. These sessions aim to expand your awareness of mental health career opportunities and provide deeper insights into the field. You’ll also have the chance to network with experienced professionals who can offer guidance and mentorship to support your career goals in psychology.

7. John Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences

Cost: $500

Application Deadline: March 1

Program Dates: 5 weeks in the summer

Eligibility: Open to juniors and seniors in high school representing underrepresented and/or disadvantaged backgrounds

The virtual research program offers a variety of scientific activities designed to enhance learning and skill development. Students receive professional mentorship and practical exposure to simple procedures and experiments in the laboratory. Additionally, the program provides career development workshops and educationally related topics. Interactive presentations and hands-on training will enable the participants to create a platform for scientific and professional growth.

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.