Top 12 Psychology Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student looking to invest in your academic and career development early on, summer programs are an exceptional opportunity to get a head start. These programs offer exposure to real-world experiences, hands-on learning, and direct access to mentors and professionals in the field. Unlike traditional internships or semester-long courses, summer programs are often short-term and can help students gain practical skills without a heavy financial burden.
Whether it's cognitive science, mental health, or behavioral research, students passionate about psychology can find numerous programs tailored to their interests. Many are hosted by top institutions such as Stanford, Columbia, and major industry partners, offering both in-person and virtual options.
We’ve made a list of the top 12 psychology summer programs for high school students, featuring a mix of research programs, academic bootcamps, and internships.
1. University of Texas Southwestern – Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship
Location: Virtual
Dates: Typically runs for 2 weeks in June
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students and rising college first-years
Cost: Free
This 2-week virtual program is hosted by UT Southwestern Medical Center and is designed to introduce high school students to various careers in mental health. Through virtual sessions, you will interact directly with professionals like psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, physician assistants, and licensed social workers.
Each session includes insights into different mental health specialties, from psychotherapy to interventional psychiatry and neuroscience. You will also gain exposure to how mental health professionals work with communities and conduct neuropsychological testing. Mentorship and networking are core elements, helping you explore future pathways in psychology.
Location: Virtual
Dates: 8–12 week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year. Summer cohort starting from June 2
Application Deadline: Rolling; summer cohort deadline is April 13
Eligibility: High school students (10–20 hours/week); also open to undergrads and gap-year students
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,490; financial aid available
Ladder Internships, founded by Harvard alumni, offers a selective virtual internship program for high school students, connecting them with startups and nonprofits around the world. You can choose your field of interest, including mental health and psychology, and work on real-world projects that align with an organization’s goals.
As an intern, you will work with experienced professionals, present final deliverables, and receive one-on-one mentorship throughout the program. In addition to direct guidance from their host organization, you will be matched with a Ladder Coach who provides personalized support and career advice. The program includes weekly group training sessions and one-on-one skills development opportunities.
3. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) – Stanford University
Location: Virtual and on-campus at Stanford University, CA
Dates: Session 1 (Virtual): June 16–27 | Session 2 (On-campus): July 7–18 | Session 3 (On-campus): July 21–August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18
Cost/Stipend: $1,595 (virtual), $2,895 (on-campus); financial aid available
The CNI-X program at Stanford University offers high school students an intensive 10-day experience in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry. You will attend lectures and interactive seminars led by Stanford faculty, exploring topics such as clinical neuropsychiatry, neuroscience research methods, and behavioral sciences.
Throughout the program, you will work in small teams to develop innovative, research-informed solutions to real-world social issues in mental health. These projects are presented during a final capstone session attended by faculty and families. Whether virtual or on campus, the program provides an opportunity to interact with leading researchers and explore career paths in medicine and science.
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts year-round
Eligibility: High school students with prior AI/ML experience or completion of a Veritas AI program
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Cost: $2,490; 100% financial aid available
The Veritas AI Internship is a virtual, research-driven experience designed for high school students eager to deepen their understanding of artificial intelligence and machine learning. This 8-week internship offers small cohorts and personalized one-on-one mentorship with experts from leading institutions and companies such as Harvard, Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey & Company.
Throughout the program, you will work on real-world AI projects in high-impact areas like healthcare analytics, financial modeling, and natural language processing (NLP). Under the guidance of mentors, you’ll develop technical solutions, strengthen your research skills, and build an impressive project portfolio. The experience concludes with a formal project presentation and a certificate of completion.
5. Psychological Science & Society – USC Pre-College Program
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Dates: June 15 – July 1
Application Deadline: March 14 (International); May 2 (Domestic)
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Cost/Stipend: $11,347 (residential); $7,812 (commuter)
The Psychological Science & Society program is offered through the University of Southern California’s Pre-College Program. This four-week academic experience introduces high school students to the fundamentals of psychological science. You will participate in interactive activities such as meditation, games, and psychological testing to understand key theories and applications in the field.
The curriculum explores a wide range of psychology-related topics, from research methods and cognitive psychology to discussions on addiction, social media, and relationships. You will also design and conduct your own research projects, giving you a preview of life as a psychological scientist and potential career paths in the field.
6. Psychology Institute – Wake Forest University
Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Dates: June 1 – 6 or June 8 – 13
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Cost/Stipend: $3,400; financial aid available
The Psychology Institute at Wake Forest University is a week-long immersive summer program that blends academic learning with real-world application. Under the guidance of university professors and professionals, you will study a range of topics including emotional regulation, neuroscience, addiction, and mental disorders.
Hands-on activities like observational studies and a sheep brain dissection give you a tangible experience in psychological research. You will present your research projects at the conclusion of the week and receive a Certificate of Completion from Wake Forest University. An online version of the program is also available for students who prefer virtual learning.
7. Camp Psych – Gettysburg College
Location: Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20- 25 students per cohort
Dates: July 13 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Cost/Stipend: $1,395; financial aid available
Camp Psych at Gettysburg College is a week-long residential program designed to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of psychology in an engaging, college-like setting. Taught by college faculty, the program mirrors a first-year college psychology course. You will learn current psychological topics and research while also conducting your own hands-on experiments.
The camp emphasizes both academic exploration and college readiness by offering residence hall living, campus tours, and informal mentorship from current psychology majors. No prior experience in psychology is required.
8. University of Chicago Summer Immersion – Psychology Courses
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Dates: Session I: June 17 – July 5 and Session II: July 10 – 26
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors aged 14+
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on duration from $2,500 - $14,490 (includes housing and meals); financial aid available
The University of Chicago Summer Immersion Program provides high school students with an opportunity to explore psychology in a rigorous academic environment. You can choose one of two psychology-focused courses:
Developmental Psychology (Session I): Explore how the brain and behavior change from infancy to adolescence, including theories of emotional, moral, and cognitive development.
Fundamentals of Psychology (Session II): Study the basics of human behavior—memory, perception, mental disorders, and more — through readings, lectures, labs, and fieldwork.
Each session combines in-depth instruction, lab work, and collaborative research, culminating in group projects where you will apply what you have learned.
9. University of Michigan – Wolverine Pathways Psychology Program
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Dates: June 17 – July 28
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: 7th to 12th graders who either live in Detroit, within the boundaries of Southfield Public or Ypsilanti Community school districts, or attend one of the partner schools in Grand Rapids
Cost/Stipend: Free; includes a student stipend
The Wolverine Pathways Psychology Program at the University of Michigan is a no-cost, stipend-supported summer opportunity for high school students from select Michigan school districts. Designed for rising juniors and seniors, the program introduces you to the field of psychology through coursework, faculty-led seminars, workshops, and hands-on research experiences. You will explore core concepts such as cognition, behavior, and mental health while developing valuable skills in academic research and critical thinking.
You will also attend lectures, complete assignments, and collaborate on projects under the mentorship of university faculty. The program is only open to students from eligible districts, making it somewhat exclusive. However, for those who qualify, it offers not only an academic deep dive into psychology but also a valuable college-readiness experience.
10. Columbia University Summer Immersion – Psychology and Social Behavior
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Dates: Multiple dates available
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
Application Deadline: March 3 (tentative, based on previous years)
Cost/Stipend: $2,810 - $12,449 based on program and duration; financial aid available
Columbia University’s Summer Immersion Program invites high school students from around the world to experience college-level study through a dynamic course titled "Psychology and Social Behavior." This three-week experience delves into core concepts of social psychology such as group behavior, persuasion, interpersonal relationships, and cultural influences. The program helps you learn through engaging lectures, collaborative discussions, and project-based learning.
You will build foundational knowledge in psychology and gain insight into real-world applications of social science principles. With opportunities to work on team projects, explore case studies, and interact with peers from diverse backgrounds, you will have a stronger academic profile and exposure to Ivy League learning.
11. American Psychological Association (APA) Internships
Location: Remote
Dates: Internships are offered year-round on a rolling basis
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: You must be enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution, be eligible to work in the U.S., and reside in one of the states where APA is already registered as an employer
Cost/Stipend: Both paid and unpaid options are available
The American Psychological Association (APA) offers flexible internship opportunities for high school students interested in psychology and related fields. You will work in departments such as policy, communications, research, financial services, and IT. During the internship, you will receive free access to APA resources such as PsycINFO, PsycCAREERS, PsycNET, and PsycARTICLES, a 1-year student affiliate membership, and valuable networking opportunities with senior psychologists.
You will assist with administrative tasks, engage in web-based projects, and contribute to research and writing initiatives. You will also attend group discussions, workshops, and collaborative projects, with opportunities to connect with senior professionals in the field. These internships offer a solid introduction to the day-to-day functions of a large, influential organization in psychology.
12. Barrow Neurological Institute – Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Dates: May 30 – July 3
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
Cost: Free
The Department of Translational Neuroscience at the Barrow Neurological Institute hosts this competitive summer internship, which offers high school students the opportunity to work in research across various fields of neuroscience. You can work alongside experienced scientists and clinicians on projects in areas such as neuro-oncology, neuropsychology, cerebrovascular research, and spine biomechanics.
During the program, you will gain hands-on lab experience, learn to analyze scientific literature, and apply advanced research methodologies. You will also receive close mentorship from Barrow researchers and gain exposure to technologies and real-world applications of neuroscience.