Top 9 Psychology Internships for High School Students in Houston, Texas
If you're a high school student in Houston interested in psychology, gaining hands-on experience before college can be a challenge. While many psychology internships are geared toward college students, there are multiple programs in the Houston area (and online) that welcome high schoolers eager to explore the field.
These internships provide opportunities to learn about human behavior through real-world projects, hands-on workplace experience, and mentorship from experienced professionals. Some programs are low-cost or even paid, making them more accessible than traditional pre-college courses.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled 9 psychology internships for high school students in Houston, Texas, including both local and virtual options.
1. Inspiring Careers in Mental Health by UT Southwestern Medical Center
Location: Virtual
Dates: 2 weeks in June
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders and rising first-year college students
Stipend: Unpaid
UT Southwestern Medical Center offers a two-week summer internship dedicated to careers in mental health. During this program, psychiatrists, physician assistants, neuropsychologists, and licensed social workers lead online sessions for interns seeking exposure to these professions. Prior to the session, students will be provided with pertinent readings from medical journals to facilitate their understanding and application of relevant theories during the internship. During the internship, mental health professionals will serve as mentors for the interns. Students are encouraged to ask questions about different career options, effective job strategies, and tips for succeeding in psychology.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (spring, summer, fall, winter)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,490, with flexible financial aid options
Ladder internships provide high school students with a unique opportunity to work with high-growth startup companies in the mental health sector. Interns have the opportunity to work on projects related to psychology and mental health that interest them, ensuring they won't be stuck with a project they don't care about. Over the 8-week internship, students dedicate 8-10 hours each week to their assigned project at the host company, with support from a dedicated Ladder Coach. The coach will mentor you through each deliverable within the project. At the end of the internship, you will present the project to the company stakeholders. By the end of the 8 weeks, you will have completed a real-world project with dedicated support from a mentor for a popular startup.
3. University of Houston’s Mohan Lab Summer Internship
Location: MohanLab, University of Houston, TX
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
High school students in Houston interested in the human brain, biomechanics, or the intersection of engineering and neuroscience can apply for the Mohanlab internship. During this program, students work on lab projects under the guidance of university researchers and faculty members. The lab specializes in neural engineering, biomechanics, and translational rehabilitation, providing students with exposure to the intersection of psychology, biology, and technology. It's rigorous and research-focused, ensuring you're ready for university-level lab work.
4. APA Internal Internship Program
Location: Virtual with some in-person options
Dates: Varies by position; internships are offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 16 and older who are enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution and eligible to work in the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
The APA Internship Program is designed for students who aspire to be at the forefront of psychological research and advocacy. Interns are assigned to various departments within APA, engaging in projects that make a real difference in psychology. These include areas like communications, government relations, and public interest, not solely lab work. Interns gain insight into how the field of psychology operates within a national and organizational context, as well as how advocacy for psychology-based research is developed. Each position is tailored to the department's needs and the intern's interests. It's a hands-on, high-trust environment that encourages initiative and self-direction while giving students the chance to interact with high-level officials.
5. Youth Mental Health Academy - Child Mind Institute
Location: Virtual with some in-person sessions at the Mental Health Academy in California
Dates: 14-month program spanning two summers and the school year; June 23 to August the year after.
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students from a public or private high school in California with a strong interest in mental health and an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher (Students with underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply!)
Cost/Stipend: Stipend up to $2,000 + paid internship during the second summer
The Youth Mental Health Academy is a comprehensive 14-month program designed to provide hands-on learning experiences, mentorship, and real-world job exposure to inspire and cultivate the next generation of mental health professionals. During the initial summer, participants participate in a 5-week in-person program that covers topics such as mental health disorders, health disparities, career paths in mental health, and academic enrichment activities. Each participant is paired with a mentor from a health-related field who guides their academic development throughout. Throughout the school year, students participate in monthly workshops on topics such as continuing education in mental health, navigating college applications, writing personal statements, and preparing for careers in the mental health field. During the second summer, students will complete an internship in a mental health-related field, working approximately 100 hours.
6. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience – Stanford University
Location: Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, or virtual
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: Rolling basis from December to March
Eligibility: High school students interested in the intersection of psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience
Cost: $1,595 (virtual) and $2,895 (in-person), with scholarships available
The Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University is an intensive summer program related to neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. Participants join lectures conducted by Stanford faculty and researchers, exploring a broad spectrum of subjects such as neuroscience fundamentals, clinical neuropsychiatry, psychiatric epidemiology, behavioral sciences, social sciences, and additional topics. Students collaborate in small teams to develop innovative solutions to social issues related to psychiatry, psychology, or neuroscience. These projects culminate in a final presentation to an audience of family and faculty. Past sessions have explored subjects such as eating disorders, mindfulness, behavioral neuroscience, brain stimulation, genetics in mental health, trauma, and human rights.
7. Pre-College Program on Psychology – Rice University
Location: Online
Dates: Multiple cohorts of varying lengths throughout the year
Application Deadline: Typically 1 week before your chosen cohort
Eligibility: Students above the age of 13
Cost: $1,495
Rice University offers this self-paced course to students interested in the intersection of research, statistics, and organizational psychology. While not a traditional internship, the course covers topical concerns such as AI and mental health, the impact of social media on mental health, and the concept of psychological science. Students will also learn about health psychology and how the mind and body are connected. Students have the opportunity to create a news-style video that analyzes a psychological issue as part of their capstone project. The course is offered in the form of 1-week, 2-week, or 4-week cohorts to accommodate students’ schedules.
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students from underserved backgrounds with a strong interest in biomedical sciences
Cost/Stipend: Paid for full-time hours (40 hours per week)
The UPWARDS (Undergraduate and Pre-college Women Advancing Research in the Development of Science) Summer Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center provides a comprehensive, hands-on research experience in biomedical sciences. Participants engage in a comprehensive 10-week full-time program, which includes laboratory research, educational seminars, and activities aimed at professional growth. Students are paired with faculty mentors and engage in laboratory-based research projects, gaining practical skills and insights into scientific methodologies. Participants also receive guidance and support from experienced researchers, aiding in both academic and professional development.
9. Pre-College Summer Programs, Johns Hopkins University
Location: Virtual
Dates: Summer months (two-week courses across June-August)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in 9th-12th grade with a demonstrated interest in psychology
Cost/Stipend: $1,950 per course
The 12-day Online Pre-College Programs at Johns Hopkins University provide high school students with the opportunity to explore various academic disciplines through rigorous, college-level courses. While not a traditional internship, the psychology courses include psychological profiling (the nuances involved in psychological methods of profiling during criminal investigations), where students learn about serial offenders, spree killers, and terrorists. Students will also learn about racial profiling, including its ethical and legal frameworks, as well as other related topics. The other psychology course focuses on neuroscience and human behavior, where students examine real cases such as how a native Australian starts speaking only in Chinese after a stroke, and illnesses that cause laughter fits. Courses are primarily asynchronous, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace while meeting weekly deadlines.