Top 10 Criminal Psychology Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in a career in criminal psychology, then consider participating in psychology internships for high school students. Typically, internships are an effective way to explore future careers without committing to expensive programs or college courses. These offer a hands-on introduction to real-world skills, industry practices, and a professional environment. They can boost your confidence, strengthen your college applications, and in some cases, provide opportunities to earn a stipend while gaining practical experience.
Many psychology internships for high school students provide early exposure to behavioral analysis, forensic science, and legal systems. From workshops to research and project-based learning, these experiences will help deepen interest and start shaping a potential path in forensic psychology, criminology, and mental health. Below are the top 10 criminal psychology internships for high school students, featuring both in-person and virtual options.
1. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University
Location: Virtual and in-person at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Virtual session: $1,595 | In-person session: $2,895 (Financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: Session 1 (Virtual): June 16 – 27; Session 2 (On-campus): July 7 – 18; Session 3 (On-campus): July 21 – August 1
While the Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University doesn’t exactly provide psychology internships for high school students, it does offer an intensive summer program that gives you a hands-on opportunity to explore topics in neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. During interactive seminars with Stanford faculty and researchers, you’ll be exposed to principles of neuroscience, clinical neuropsychiatry, neuroscience research, psychiatric epidemiology, behavioral and social sciences, and more. You’ll also get to work alongside your peers in teams to develop innovative solutions to social issues related to psychology, psychiatry, or neuroscience. The program also requires you to work on a collaborative capstone project that will be presented at the final capstone session.
2. Ladder Internships – Psychology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Ladder Internships is a selective virtual program that connects ambitious high school students with high-growth startups across industries like health tech, psychology, journalism, consulting, and AI/ML. Many of these startups are led by founders from Y Combinator, Google, and Microsoft, providing you with valuable exposure to the startup ecosystem.
During the 8-week program, you’ll work closely with startup managers and a Ladder coach on real-world projects. You will also engage in one-on-one training sessions centered on communication, time management, and leadership skills. The program culminates in a final presentation to startup leadership, which will help you build a professional portfolio.
3. Boston Leadership Institute’s Criminal Minds Summer Program
Location: Olin College, Greater Wellesley, MA
Cost: $599 program fees + $699 residential fees (if applicable); Need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance Rate: Low to moderate selectivity
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Registrations usually close in May
Program Dates: Session 1: June 16 – 20 | Session 2: August 4 – 8
The Criminal Minds Summer Program by the Boston Leadership Institute is a week-long experience that delves into psychology and forensics. It covers topics such as criminal behavior and motivation, various mental illnesses prevalent among criminals, crime scene analysis, the criminal justice system, and the dynamics between criminals and victims. The program also features practical project work, research, seminars, discussions, field trips, social activities, and more.
4. Internships at the Juvenile Court of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County
Location: Juvenile Court of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines for spring, summer, and fall
Program Dates: Spring, summer, or fall semesters
The Juvenile Court of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County’s internship for high school students focuses on the development of career readiness and employability skills in the fields of social work, forensic psychology, and criminal justice. While it does not offer psychology internships for high school students, you’ll still learn about things relevant to criminal psychology, like the various elements of the court system. You’ll also go on field trips, shadow professionals, and observe court procedures. As part of the program, you’ll also complete lessons and projects that will help develop skills in communication, problem solving, and critical thinking.
5. Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office’s High School Volunteer Internship Program
Location: Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, Miami, Florida
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: 3 months at any time of the year
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecuting child support cases, delinquency petitions, and criminal violations. The office offers an annual High School Volunteer Internship Program that provides high school students with insights into the criminal justice system, which is highly relevant for a career in criminal psychology.
As an intern, you’ll undergo an initial training period and receive hands-on experience. Some of your duties include assisting the public regarding criminal/civil matters, attending bond hearings, taking victim and witness testimonies, running criminal history records, counselling victims, interviewing subjects/defendants, handling criminal complaints, researching case law, and more.
6. Wake Forest Summer Immersion Psychology Institute
Location: Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $3,400
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: June 1 – 6 | June 8 – 13
The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Psychology Institute is a week-long program that helps you understand the structure of the brain through hands-on dissection and covers concepts like illusions, emotions, biases, sensations, and how these interact with the world. While the program doesn’t technically provide psychology internships for high school students, you’ll still gain relevant experiences. You’ll learn about the magic of neuroscience, the psychology behind addiction, and more. You’ll also get hands-on experiences in a guided sheep brain dissection, brain training and neuroplasticity, and a sensory perception lab. You’ll then get to conduct observational research in teams and present the research findings at the end of the program.
7. NSLC’s Psychology and Neuroscience High School Summer Program
Location: Various universities in the U.S.
Cost: $4,295; Scholarships are available
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Eligibility: High school students who are 14-18 years old and have completed at least 1 year of high school
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Multiple 9-day sessions between June 12 – August 2
The NSLC Psychology and Neuroscience High School Summer Program invites high school students to dive into the science of the mind by comparing brain scans, examining cranial anatomy, and learning to diagnose and treat psychological disorders. You will explore psychology through immersive workshops such as simulations in patient care, anatomy and psychology workshops, and non-invasive imaging techniques.
Additionally, you will work in a research group to create a mental health campaign, which may focus on criminal psychology, and present it at the session's end. The program also offers classes, lectures, guest speakers, and field trips for a comprehensive understanding of the field.
8. Barrow Neurological Institute Internship
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
Application Deadline: February 14
Program Dates: May 30 – July 3
The Barrow Neurological Institute, the world’s largest neurological disease treatment and research institution, also offers psychology internships for high school students that are bound to prove useful in the criminal psychology field. As an intern, you’ll participate in hands-on lab work with cutting-edge technology, under the mentorship of Barrow specialists. The program teaches basic biological principles, advanced scientific techniques, and how to evaluate scientific literature.
Location: FBI Field Office, Portland
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
Application Deadline: April 11
Program Dates: Generally, a single-day event
The FBI Teen Academy provides high school students with an opportunity to enhance their leadership abilities and gain insight into the field of law enforcement. You’ll learn about the inner workings of the FBI through discussions and interactive sessions with special agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff. The program will also cover topics such as violence prevention, sextortion, safety, and hoax threats. Additionally, you will gain hands-on experience with FBI gear and equipment.
10. Internships at Americal Psychological Institute
Location: Virtual or Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Eligibility: High school students; Must live in a state where APA is registered as an employer; Specific requirements vary by internship
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Internships are available year-round
An internship at the American Psychological Association presents a valuable opportunity for students interested in psychology to apply their theoretical knowledge in ways that benefit society and enhance people's well-being. They provide internships in various departments, including policy, research, communications, financial services, publishing, and more. While the tasks vary from department to department, you will attend workshops, discussions, and participate in group projects. The program will provide applicable knowledge and skills, help build an understanding of non-traditional career paths in psychology, and offer a valuable professional network.