15 Psychology Internships in California for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in psychology, internships can be a useful way to explore the field while gaining experience before college. They help you strengthen your resume, build practical skills, and better understand how psychology is applied in research, healthcare, education, and community settings. Through these opportunities, you will gain exposure to areas such as behavioral science, mental health, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, research methods, and data analysis. Psychology internships also allow you to develop communication, critical thinking, and observation skills while working with researchers, mentors, healthcare professionals, or nonprofit organizations.
Check out other Psychology internships for high-schoolers here!
What Psychology internships are available for high school students in California?
California offers a wide range of psychology-related internships and research opportunities for high school students interested in mental health, behavioral science, neuroscience, and human development. Depending on the internship, you may assist with psychology research projects, learn about experimental design and data collection, observe clinical or counseling environments, or participate in neuroscience and cognitive science activities. Some programs also include mentorship, workshops, professional development sessions, and opportunities to present research findings or collaborative projects.
To help you get started, here are 15 psychology internships in California for high school students.
Key takeaways
This list covers 15 psychology, neuroscience, and mental health-focused programs for California high schoolers, spanning university research programs, hospital-affiliated academies, and virtual research internships, with standout hosts including Stanford, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and USC.
Cost varies enormously here: a couple of programs are free or even offer a stipend, while several university pre-college courses charge fees well into the thousands of dollars, so it's worth budgeting carefully before committing.
Four of the fifteen entries include their own note that they aren't quite a true hands-on internship or aren't specifically psychology-focused, so it's worth reading each description closely rather than assuming every listing delivers the same kind of experience.
Most of these require being in California or attending in person at a specific university, while a handful of virtual research programs are open remotely and don't require California residency at all.
The earliest deadlines fall in mid-December through mid-January for a couple of university research mentorship programs, with several more clustering into February, so it's worth starting applications before winter break wraps up.
1. Youth Mental Health Academy
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly specified
Location: Los Angeles County, CA + Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free; Up to $1,750 stipend
Dates: Summer Academy: June 22 – July 23; Year-round programming: August – March
Application Deadline: Priority: January 15; Final: February 28
Eligibility: Los Angeles County high school students, with a focus on students from structurally marginalized communities; Must have an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher
During the Youth Mental Health Academy, you’ll participate in a five-week summer program focused on mental health science, treatment, research, and career exploration. You’ll learn through project-based activities, interactive lessons, and discussions covering mental health disorders, capstone research, and college and career preparation. You will also be matched with a mentor working in a health-related field who provides guidance and support throughout the program. During the school year, you’ll continue through workshops focused on career readiness, networking, and academic development. You’ll also complete a capstone project based on a mental health topic of your choice with mentor support.
2. Ladder Internships
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies (financial aid available); Unpaid
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year (8-12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students who can commit 10-20 hours per week
In the Ladder Internship Program, you’ll work remotely with a startup or nonprofit organization on projects connected to the company’s actual operations and goals. Internship placements are available across industries such as technology, AI/ML, health tech, journalism, consulting, marketing, and business strategy. Depending on the placement, you may gain experience with research, communications, product development, market analysis, coding, or operational tasks while collaborating with professionals in a startup environment. Throughout the internship, you’ll receive mentorship from both a company manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach who supports project development and professional growth. You’ll also present your final work to the organization at the end of the program, providing experience in professional communication and project presentation.
3. USC Pre-College Program: Psychological Science and Society
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: $85 application fee + $7,401; Unpaid
Dates: 4 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots are filled; May 8 (domestic); March 13 (international)
Eligibility: High school students
While not an internship, the Psychological Science and Society course gives you the chance to explore core areas of psychology, including cognitive, developmental, clinical, and social psychology through discussions, labs, and applied activities. The program introduces you to research methods, scientific thinking, and critical analysis while helping you connect psychological concepts to everyday behavior and broader social issues. You can participate in hands-on projects, group experiments, and research presentations, alongside guest lectures and field trips including visits to the California Science Center and The Broad museum. The coursework also focuses on topics such as social media and mental health, motivation, relationships, and the mind-body connection.
4. UC Santa Barbara: Research Mentorship Program (RMP)
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Location: University of California – Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost/Stipend: Commuter: $5,675, Residential: $13,274 (limited scholarships offered); Unpaid
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 9
Eligibility: High-achieving high school students from around the world
In the Research Mentorship Program (RMP), you will work alongside UC Santa Barbara researchers on university-level research projects across disciplines including psychology, neuroscience, biology, engineering, computer science, and sociology. After an initial virtual component introducing research resources and mentors, you’ll participate in a six-week in-person research experience where you’ll be matched with a project and mentor based on your interests. Depending on the project, you may engage in laboratory work, fieldwork, data collection, and independent research for 35 to 50 hours each week. The program also includes coursework in research writing and presentation techniques, where you’ll learn how to prepare formal research papers, oral presentations, poster presentations, and elevator pitches. Throughout the session, you attend GRIT talks led by UC Santa Barbara researchers and present your findings at a formal academic symposium while earning eight university credits.
5. Summer Springboard: Psychology & Neuroscience at UC Berkeley
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: University of California – Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $5,998, Commuter: $3,298 (need-based scholarships offered); Unpaid
Dates: Session 1: June 14 – 26; Session 3: June 28 – July 10; Session 5: July 12 – 24
Application Deadline: Rolling until sessions fill; More info here
Eligibility: High school students interested in psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science; Must have a GPA of 3.0+
In the Psychology & Neuroscience program, you’ll explore the relationship between the brain, behavior, and mental processes through interactive lessons, lab-based learning, and applied research activities. The course introduces you to topics such as emotion, personality, social behavior, mental illness, and neuroscience while examining how these concepts connect to clinical practice and scientific research. While not an internship, it does offer the chance to participate in hands-on experiences, including brain dissections, experiment design, and research presentations that help develop scientific reasoning and analytical skills. Throughout the program, you will interact with clinical psychologists, neurologists, and neuroscience researchers through guest lectures and discussions. You may also visit research centers and labs such as the Memory and Aging Center at UCSF, the Gladstone Institute, and the Knight Lab at UCSF.
6. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 50 students
Location: Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $50 application fee (waivers available); Limited need-based stipends offered
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors
During the Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR), you’ll work on medically oriented research projects alongside Stanford faculty, researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and students. The program provides exposure to biological sciences, including neuroscience or neurobiology, and biomedical research through hands-on laboratory experience and mentorship in active research environments. Depending on your assigned project, you may develop skills related to experimental design, laboratory procedures, scientific analysis, and research methodology within medicine and neuroscience-related fields. You’ll also gain insight into how scientific research teams operate and how medical research is translated into real-world applications. Throughout the internship, you collaborate with researchers and peers while building foundational experience in academic research settings.
7. UC Irvine Summer Online Research Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $2,350 per session (limited scholarships available); Unpaid
Dates: Session One: June 22 – July 10; Session Two: July 13 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; Late January or early February
Eligibility: High school students (ages 15-18) with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 and an interest in healthcare research
In the Summer Online Research Program, you’ll work on a mentored research project focused on healthcare and biomedical research, including psychology or neuroscience, while learning core research methods and evidence-based medicine. The program introduces you to topics such as responsible conduct of research, literature review, medical research analysis, and scientific writing through online instruction, Zoom meetings, and guided assignments. You’ll also learn how to critically evaluate medical literature and prepare an organized research report with support from faculty instructors and undergraduate or postgraduate coaches. As part of the program, you may submit an abstract to a national meeting, where accepted submissions list students as co-authors.
8. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA + Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Virtual: $1,725; In-person: $3,325 (scholarships available); Unpaid
Dates: Virtual: June 8 – 19, June 22 – July 3; In-person: July 6 – 17, July 20 – 31
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 1 (rolling)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors & graduating seniors (domestic and international)
In the Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X), you’ll participate in a two-week program focused on neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology and behavioral sciences through interactive seminars led by Stanford faculty and researchers. The program introduces you to topics such as neuroimaging, behavioral neuroscience, genetics, psychiatric epidemiology, brain stimulation and mental health research while examining how neuroscience connects to clinical and social issues. You’ll also work in collaborative teams to develop solutions to challenges related to psychiatry, psychology, or neuroscience as part of a capstone project presented at the end of the session. Additional sessions focus on wellness, career exploration in medicine and science, and the transition to adulthood.
9. UCLA Neuroscience High School Virtual Summer Program
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 15 – July 23
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors interested in neuroscience
In the UCLA Neuroscience High School Virtual Summer Program, you’ll explore neuroscience through seminars, discussions and research-focused activities centered on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The program introduces you to neuroscience literature, neurology research and clinical topics through live lectures, Neurology Grand Rounds and conversations with guest speakers from medicine and research backgrounds. You’ll also participate in virtual lab activities that expose you to research tools and methods used in neuroscience studies. Throughout the session, you’ll critically analyze scientific literature in a journal club and complete a final research project on a neuroscience topic of interest.
10. Summer Discovery: Psychiatry & Neuroscience Academy at UC Berkeley
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Cohort size not publicly specified
Location: University of California – Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $7,499, Commuter: $4,399 (scholarships offered); Unpaid
Dates: June 28 – July 10
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students interested in psychiatry, neuroscience, and health sciences
In the Psychiatry and Neuroscience Academy, you’ll explore the biological foundations of mental illness and the role of neuroscience and psychiatry in modern healthcare through lectures, simulations, and interactive activities. The curriculum introduces you to topics such as psychopharmacology, medical ethics, neuroscience research, and treatment approaches for mental health disorders while emphasizing real-world clinical applications. You’ll also participate in role-playing exercises, case studies, and laboratory sessions designed to strengthen communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. As part of the capstone project, you’ll research a mental health condition or healthcare challenge and develop an evidence-based solution integrating neuroscience, psychotherapy, ethics and emerging technologies.
11. UT Southwestern Inspiring Careers in Mental Health
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 2 weeks in June
Application Deadline: Late September – early February
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders, as well as rising college first-year students
In this program, you’ll explore a range of careers in psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral health through interactive online sessions led by clinician-scientists and healthcare professionals. Before each session, you’ll complete assigned readings that include scientific journal articles and media sources to prepare for discussions and activities. Throughout the internship, you’ll interact directly with licensed clinical social workers, neuropsychologists, physician assistants, and psychiatrists who discuss both their clinical work and professional experiences. The program also emphasizes mentorship, with opportunities for students to continue mentor relationships beyond the two-week experience.
12. William P. Lauder Junior Internship Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; Approximately 20 students each year
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: October – March
Application Deadline: Opens in September
Eligibility: Southern California 7th-11th graders who can attend all in-person sessions at USC and complete the required application materials
In the William P. Lauder Junior Internship Program, you’ll engage with survivor and witness testimonies from genocide and discrimination-related historical events while exploring themes connected to identity, prejudice, empathy, and civic responsibility. The program combines research, digital projects, presentations, and collaborative activities that will help you examine how hate, bias, and social behavior affect individuals and communities. Through testimony-based learning and discussions, you’ll also develop communication, leadership, public speaking, and critical thinking skills while working closely with peers and program staff. You’ll also contribute feedback on educational resources, complete independent projects, and take part in museum or memorial visits connected to the program’s themes. Additionally, you’ll complete volunteer service activities and present your work to peers and community partners throughout the program. The internship can provide psychology-adjacent exposure through its focus on human behavior, trauma, memory, discrimination, and social dynamics; however, it is primarily centered on civic leadership, history, and social impact education rather than formal psychology research.
13. Summer High School Research Internship – UCLA BrainSPORT Concussion Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students, especially those interested in continuing the internship during the academic year and mentoring future interns
The Summer High School Research Internship at the UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Concussion Program introduces you to clinical neuroscience research focused on concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI). During the internship, you will work alongside research scientists, clinicians, undergraduate students, and medical students while learning how clinical studies are conducted. You will gain hands-on exposure to participant recruitment, research data management, and the implementation of study protocols in a real-world clinical setting. You will also attend weekly Traumatic Brain Injury lab meetings, where you can observe how multidisciplinary research teams collaborate and make scientific decisions. The program concludes with a research presentation, allowing you to explore a neuroscience topic of your choice while strengthening your scientific communication skills.
14. Kaiser Permanente Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly specified
Location: Kaiser Permanente medical centers in Southern California
Cost/Stipend: Free; Paid
Dates: 6-8 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: Varies by location and community partner recruitment timelines
Eligibility: High school students (16+) residing near participating medical centers; Priority is given to 11th-12th graders
In SYEP, you’ll gain hands-on experience in healthcare administration and support roles while developing workplace and professional skills in a medical setting. Although the internship is not specifically focused on psychology or neuroscience, it can still provide useful exposure for students interested in mental health and behavioral sciences through interactions with healthcare systems, patient support environments, and healthcare professionals. The program includes weekly educational sessions focused on career readiness, professional development, and healthcare career pathways. Throughout the internship, you’ll build communication, teamwork, and networking skills while learning about the day-to-day operations of healthcare organizations. You’ll also receive mentorship and exposure to a variety of healthcare careers that can help inform future academic or career interests.
15. ThinkNeuro Research Internship Program
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Regular track: $295, Intensive Track: $895; Unpaid
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: High school students interested in neuroscience, computer science, or AI research
In the ThinkNeuro research internship program, you’ll work on virtual research projects related to neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and computer science while learning from faculty, physicians, and industry professionals affiliated with institutions such as Harvard University and Stanford University. The program introduces you to research methodologies, scientific communication, and interdisciplinary problem-solving through lectures, mentorship sessions, and collaborative project work. You will engage with topics at the intersection of computing, medicine, and neuroscience while developing analytical, technical, and academic writing skills. The internship also includes opportunities to interact with mentors, attend faculty-led sessions, and prepare research for potential conference submission or presentation.
Questions students often ask about these internships
1. Do I need prior psychology coursework to apply to these internships?
Not usually. Most of these programs are designed to introduce psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science concepts from the ground up, so no background is expected. A few of the more advanced research programs do favor students with some science coursework, so it's worth checking eligibility closely.
2. A few of these programs mention they aren't quite hands-on internships or aren't fully psychology-focused. Should I still consider them?
It depends on what you're looking for. These programs can still offer valuable exposure and structured learning, just through a different format than a traditional research internship. If hands-on lab experience is your priority, focus on the entries that describe direct research involvement.
3. Do I need to already live in California to apply to these internships?
Most of the on-site programs do expect you to be in California or able to travel there for the program. A handful of virtual options on this list are open regardless of where you live, so those are worth a look if relocating isn't an option.