10 Online Summer Psychology Programs for High School Students
Exploring psychology can give you valuable insights into how people think, learn, and behave. Online summer psychology programs are a good way to learn more about the field as a high school student. These programs also allow you to gain industry exposure, practical skills, and professional connections, preparing you for a career in psychology.
If you’re curious about psychology, counseling, neuroscience, or mental health, online summer programs give you the chance to learn from experts while building useful research and analytical skills. With the flexibility of virtual learning, you can participate from anywhere while still benefiting from structured guidance and peer interaction. To help you find the right fit, we’ve put together a list of the 10 online summer psychology programs for high school students offered across the U.S.
10 Online Summer Psychology Programs for High School Students
1. American Psychological Association (APA) Internship Program
Location: Remote (U.S. only; state restrictions apply)
Cost/Stipend: Paid positions available; some internships offered for academic credit (unpaid)
Dates: Year-round opportunities (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution; must be eligible to work in the U.S. (not open to international applicants). Students under 18 must provide a D.C. Work Permit.
The APA Internship Program provides high school, undergraduate, and graduate students with the opportunity to apply psychology in a professional setting. Interns are assigned to various departments, including policy, research, publishing, communications, and education, where they work on real-world projects that support APA’s mission to promote psychology in society. Daily tasks are supervised by APA staff, and interns may also join workshops, group projects, and networking activities with professionals. Depending on placement, you may conduct research, support communications, or contribute to initiatives that shape public understanding of psychology. With both paid and for-credit options available, the program offers a pathway to explore non-traditional careers in psychology and build a network within one of the largest psychology organizations in the world.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
In the Ladder Internships program, you’ll gain hands-on experience by working with a high-growth start-up in fields such as AI/ML, health tech, marketing, consulting, journalism, and more. Each start-up in the program typically raises over a million dollars in funding, giving you the chance to learn in a fast-paced and innovative environment. You’ll work on real-world projects under the guidance of both a company manager and a Ladder Coach, ensuring consistent mentorship and feedback. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work directly to the start-up, showcasing the skills you’ve developed.
3. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University
Location: Virtual (Zoom) or Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Virtual session: $1,595; In-person session: $2,895 (scholarships available)
Dates: Virtual: June 16 – June 27; In-person: Session 1: July 7 – July 18; Session 2: July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years old
In the CNI-X program, you’ll take part in an intensive two-week experience exploring neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. Through interactive seminars with Stanford faculty, you’ll learn about topics like clinical neuropsychiatry, behavioral neuroscience, psychiatric epidemiology, and brain imaging. The program also includes discussions on wellness and professional development as you prepare for future careers in science and medicine. You’ll collaborate in small groups on a capstone project, where you’ll design solutions to real-world issues in psychiatry, psychology, or neuroscience and present them to faculty and peers. Past sessions have covered subjects such as sports psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, addictions, and early intervention in mental health.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Dates: Multiple 12-week cohorts year-round (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students or incoming college freshmen; strong academic achievement required (average accepted GPA ~3.3/4.0)
In the Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program, you’ll work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor to design and complete an independent research project. Over the course of 12 weeks, you’ll develop an original research paper in your chosen field, with options ranging from psychology and data science to economics, engineering, and more. The program emphasizes individualized mentorship, allowing you to explore advanced topics without needing prior expertise. You’ll practice critical research skills like literature review, data analysis, and academic writing while receiving personalized feedback from your mentor. By the end of the program, you’ll have produced an independent research paper.
5. Introduction to Psychology – Yale Summer Session
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Tuition: $5,270; Technology Fee: $85
Dates: Session A: May 26 – June 27; Session B: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: Session A: May 2 | Session B: June 6 (rolling)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are 16 years of age or older by the program's start date
The Introduction to Psychology course at Yale Summer Session gives you the chance to explore the biological, cognitive, social, and emotional bases of behavior. As part of a small group of 20 students, you’ll engage in online discussions that encourage interaction and diverse perspectives. The program is designed to be fast-paced, letting you experience college-level coursework and earn credit while still in high school. With regular live discussions, this program offers early exposure to rigorous academic learning and introduces you to the multicultural and clinical dimensions of psychology.
6. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Psychology
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $3,080 (need-based financial aid available)
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 Institutes: Psychology program introduces high school students to the theoretical and methodological foundations of psychology. You’ll explore topics such as social psychology, cognitive development, memory, perception, and psychological disorders, while also learning about the work of influential psychologists. In small group settings, you’ll take part in hands-on activities and short research projects that demonstrate how psychological studies are designed and analyzed. These experiences highlight the strengths and limitations of different research approaches.
7. Columbia University’s Pre-College Programs
Cost/Stipend: $2,810 – $12,750 (varies by program type and duration; limited need-based scholarships available)
Location: Virtual or on-campus at Columbia University, New York, NY
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12, including current grade 12 students; must be 16 or older for the NYC Residential Summer option
Columbia University’s Pre-College Programs allow high school students to dive into psychology through a variety of focused courses. In Social Psychology, you’ll study topics such as empathy, bullying, and personality development while exploring research methods used to investigate human behavior. The Foundations of Early Childhood Development course examines children’s cognitive, emotional, and social growth, highlighting the influence of family and culture on development. Other courses, including Psycholinguistics and The Science of Psychology, cover areas like memory, perception, and language acquisition. These programs encourage analytical thinking and introduce fundamental research skills, enabling students to build a solid foundation in psychology.
8. Harvard University Secondary School Program – Psychology
Cost: $4,050 – $14,950 + $75 application fee (varies by program length and format)
Location: On-campus (Residential), Online, or Commuting
Dates: 4-Week: July 12 – August 8 | 7-Week: June 20 – August 8
Application Deadline: Opens December 1; Early & Priority Financial Aid: January 7; Regular & Financial Aid: February 11; Late: April 1
Eligibility: High school students; must be 16–18 years old during the program
Harvard’s Secondary School Program lets high school students explore college-level psychology courses over 4 or 7 weeks. In the 7-week program, you can study Introduction to Psychology, Psychology of Happiness, Psychology of Eating, Psychology of Close Relationships, Psychology of Diversity, and Neuroscience of Learning. These courses offer a mix of lectures, discussions, and research projects that will help you understand human behavior, cognition, brain function, and social dynamics, while also gaining exposure to scientific research methods. Students have the option to attend classes in person, online, or commute, and they can earn college credit for their efforts.
9. Johns Hopkins University Pre-College Summer Program
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: One-credit online course: $1,950
Dates: Multiple sessions: June 23 – July 4; July 7 – July 18; July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students with a CGPA of 3.0
This 2-week online program explores subjects ranging from medicine and neuroscience to computer science, data analytics, and the humanities. You can critically examine cases such as unusual stroke recoveries, neural receptor alterations in animals, and neurodegenerative diseases that affect behavior. The courses are primarily asynchronous, with optional synchronous sessions including office hours, group discussions, and supplemental lectures. No textbooks are required; all readings and resources are provided. Students are expected to meet daily and weekly deadlines for assignments.
10. Cornell SCE Pre-college Program
Location: Online
Cost: $1,940 per credit + $75 application fee
Dates: Three-week sessions: Session 1 (June 2 – 20), Session 2 (June 23 – July 11), Session 3 (July 14 – August 1), Six-week session: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: Varies depending on session
Eligibility: High school students (usually rising juniors and seniors)
The Cornell School of Continuing Education (SCE) Pre-college Program offers a comprehensive, college-level experience for high school students. Through various courses, you can study topics ranging from perception, memory, and intelligence to morality, sexuality, mental illness, religion, language, and creativity. The classes include synchronous sessions Monday through Friday, as well as a final graded project or exam. Upon completion, you earn 3 credits from Cornell University.
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