15 Psychology Summer Research Programs for High School Students

Research programs, courses, and internships offer high school students a practical window into the field of psychology, helping you explore foundational research methods, collaborate with professionals, and build meaningful networks without breaking the bank. Whether you lean toward neuroscience, social psychology, clinical research, or beyond, there’s something for everyone. In fact, many leading universities and organizations now offer accessible opportunities for pre-college students.

If psychology or related behavioral sciences spark your interest, structured programs can help you test real-world application in a supportive, mentorship-driven environment. In this guide, we've put together hands-on programs and internships, where you’re expected to contribute actively, while supplementing with research and course-based learning where relevant. 

Here are 15 psychology summer research programs for high school students, each offering objective detail, clear expectations, and precise commitments.

15 Psychology Summer Research Programs for High School Students

1. Youth Mental Health Academy (YMHA)

Location: California-onsite, hybrid, or remote options, depending on program phase
Cost/Stipend: Up to $2,000 for the first summer; Paid internship second summer
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 1st Summer: June 23 – July 24; Academic Year: August – May; 2nd Summer Internship: July – August (~100 hours)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students from California, with priority for those from structurally marginalized communities

The Youth Mental Health Academy is a 14-month program that blends project-based learning, mentorship, and hands-on experience in mental health careers. During the first summer, you will participate in a five-week-long academy exploring mental health disorders, health inequities, and career pathways, culminating in a capstone project that includes both a research paper and a creative component. The academic year features monthly workshops and “Psych Talks” led by industry experts, covering topics such as advanced mental health concepts, college application strategies, and professional networking. In your second summer, you will complete a paid internship in a mental health-related organization, gaining experience in research, data analysis, advocacy, and community engagement.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote 
Cost/Stipend: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks

This remote internship matches you with a high-growth startup in fields like AI/ML, health tech, marketing, consulting, or journalism. You will take part in active projects, using industry-specific tools such as data analytics platforms and project management software. Startups in the program often operate in dynamic, fast-paced environments, giving you firsthand exposure to scaling strategies and operational decision-making. You’ll receive structured mentorship from both your company manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach, ensuring guidance throughout the process. At the end of your internship, you will present formal deliverables to the organization, gaining both professional experience and portfolio-ready work.

3. Johns Hopkins University Pre-College Program: Psychological Profiling

Location: Online
Cost: $1,950; Financial assistance available 
Acceptance Rate: Competitive 
Dates: June 23 – July 4; July 7 – July 18; July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: High school students

This two-week online course examines the methods used by forensic professionals to assist law enforcement in criminal investigations. You will analyze the strengths and limitations of psychological profiling through case studies of serial offenders, spree killers, workplace violence perpetrators, and terrorists. The curriculum also explores legal and ethical considerations such as racial profiling, pathway-to-violence methodology, and other controversies in the field. Coursework is primarily asynchronous, with daily and weekly deadlines, and optional synchronous activities such as office hours, group discussions, and supplemental lectures. All course materials, including readings and videos, are provided digitally, allowing you to focus on critical analysis and applied case evaluation without the need for textbooks.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Psychology Track

Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines by cohort
Eligibility: Current high school students with strong academic achievement; No prior research experience required

In this 12-week program, you will work 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor to design and complete an independent research project in psychology or a related discipline. The program emphasizes rigorous academic inquiry, guiding you through topic selection, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a formal research paper. You will gain insight into advanced topics in cognitive, social, or clinical psychology while developing research design and critical thinking skills. Flexible scheduling and fully virtual delivery make it accessible worldwide, with multiple cohorts offered year-round. By the end, you will have a polished research paper and the experience of having engaged in graduate-level scholarship as a high school student.

5. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA; Virtual options available too 
Cost/Stipend: $1,595 (virtual); $2,895 (in-person); Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Virtual: June 16 – June 27; In-person Session 1: July 7 – July 18; In-person Session 2: July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 1; Rolling
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school

This two-week intensive program offers high school students an immersive introduction to neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology through interactive seminars with Stanford faculty. You will explore diverse topics such as behavioral neuroscience, forensic psychiatry, neuroimaging, brain stimulation, sleep science, and mental health interventions. Each session includes a collaborative capstone project in which you and your peers design innovative solutions to mental health or neuroscience-related issues, presenting your findings at a final showcase. Alongside lectures, you will engage in discussions on career pathways, self-care strategies, and clinical innovation. The program fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, drawing students from across the globe with varied academic interests.

6. National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC): Psychology & Neuroscience

Location: Various universities across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: $4,295; Scholarships available 
Acceptance Rate: Selective 
Dates: Varies by location 
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students interested in psychology or neuroscience

This nine-day residential program immerses you in the science of the mind through hands-on workshops, brain scan analysis, cranial anatomy studies, and simulations in psychological diagnosis and treatment. You will engage with guest speakers from diverse professional backgrounds and participate in leadership workshops on communication, resilience, and empathy. The program also includes behind-the-scenes field trips to psychology-related institutions, blending academic learning with sightseeing in the host city. Living in supervised campus dormitories, you will gain a taste of college life while building practical skills and professional insight into psychology and neuroscience careers.

7. Summer@Brown: Psychology of Willpower and Motivation 

Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost/Stipend: $4,286 (commuter); $5,534 (residential)
Acceptance Rate: Competitive 
Dates: 2 weeks; July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: January 15 – May 9
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest or background in psychology are recommended

In this two-week course, you will explore the science of willpower, what it is, how it works, and why it sometimes fails. You will examine research on self-control, motivation, and the psychological and environmental factors that influence them. As part of the program, you will take on a personal willpower challenge, apply evidence-based strategies, and test them through real-world experiments. The course blends theoretical learning with practical application, enabling you to analyze results, identify effective approaches, and offer practical advice for improving motivation and self-control.

8. Wake Forest University: Psychology Institute 

Location: Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus, Winston-Salem, NC 
Cost/Stipend: $3,400: Need-based scholarships available  
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions from June to July 
Application Deadline: Opens November 1; Rolling
Eligibility: Current 9th-12th grade students

The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Psychology Institute offers high school students a deep dive into the study of the mind and behavior. You will explore brain structure through guided sheep brain dissections, examine how emotions, illusions, and biases shape perception, and conduct your observational research. Topics include the psychology of addiction, the disordered brain, sensation and perception, and the role of neuroscience in everyday life. Daily schedules blend lectures, lab activities, field observations, and career exploration, all led by expert faculty in social psychology and neuroscience. By the end of the program, you will present your research findings and earn a Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.

9. UCLA: Neuroscience High School Scholars Program

Location: UCLA campus, Los Angeles, CA, and virtual options available
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 16 – July 24
Application Deadline:  December 8 – February 9
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (ages 16-18) from underrepresented communities or those interested in working with underrepresented populations; Must complete UCLA medical clearance

This six-week program introduces you to neuroscience with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, while exploring health disparities and cultural considerations in research and treatment. You will participate in neuroscience seminars, neurology grand rounds, literature reviews, and journal clubs, and gain exposure to active research projects. In-person participants also engage in brain cutting sessions, research lab tours, and community outreach activities. Both virtual and in-person cohorts receive structured mentorship, develop a research project, and present their work. The program emphasizes diversity in neuroscience and aims to prepare you for future academic or career paths in the field.

10. Georgetown University Summer College: General Psychology

Location: Online 
Cost: $2,207 per credit 
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions from June to August
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Current 10th-12th graders with a 3.0 GPA minimum 

This introductory psychology course surveys the major areas of the field, including perception, memory, cognition, neuroscience, learning, motivation, emotion, personality, social behavior, development, and psychopathology. During the program, you will explore core psychological theories and research while building skills in critical thinking and analysis. Delivered entirely online in an asynchronous format, the course allows you to engage with lectures, readings, and assignments on your schedule while earning Georgetown University credit. The program provides access to faculty mentorship, small class sizes, and a transcript that can strengthen your college applications. This course also fulfills the prerequisite for all other psychology courses at Georgetown.

11. Summer Discovery: University of Michigan (Psychology Courses)

Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $3,999 – $9,499; Limited scholarships available  
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 2- or 3-week sessions from June to August
Application Deadline: August 26 – February 1
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th-grade students

Summer Discovery at the University of Michigan offers high school students the chance to explore academic interests such as social psychology through short, intensive courses taught by industry experts and university faculty. You will choose one course per week, with the option to mix and match topics over a 2- or 3-week session, allowing flexibility to explore multiple subjects. Coursework is hands-on and immersive, with activities designed to build analytical, critical thinking, and collaborative skills. Upon completion, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and a letter of recognition for each course, enhancing your academic portfolio.

12. Duke Pre-College Summer Programs (Psychology Courses)

Location: Durham, NC (East and West Campuses), Beaufort, NC (Marine Lab), and online
Cost: Varies by course length and format; Scholarships and financial aid available 
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Varies by program type
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: 6th-11th graders on-campus; Rising 9th-11th grades online

Duke Pre-College offers psychology-themed courses as part of its broader summer curriculum, designed to challenge you academically while fostering personal growth and global connections. You can choose to study on Duke’s main campus, at the Marine Lab in Beaufort, or in a fully online format, depending on your preference and schedule. Psychology courses emphasize critical thinking, research skills, and the exploration of human behavior, taught by industry experts and Duke affiliates. You will work on hands-on projects, engage in discussions, and collaborate with peers from around the world. The program also incorporates opportunities for enrichment beyond the classroom, from campus activities to interactive virtual sessions, preparing you for the transition to college-level academics.

13. Psychology: Inside Diagnosis and Treatment 

Location: Online
Cost: $1,895; Need-based scholarships available 
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 2- and 4-week sessions throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on session
Eligibility: Students ages 13+

This online pre-college course from Northwestern University provides an in-depth exploration of clinical psychology, focusing on how mental health disorders are diagnosed and treated. You will study the history of psychology, various mental health professions, and the diagnostic systems used to identify conditions like OCD and schizophrenia. The curriculum covers the whole treatment process, including intake assessments, clinical interviewing, and evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), as well as alternative approaches like psychodynamic, family systems, and humanistic methods. You will complete a Final Capstone Project, working through a patient case study from referral to treatment plan, and receive mentorship to guide you through assignments.

14. Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth (PTY): The Psychology & Neuroscience of Happiness

Location: Virtual
Cost: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on session
Eligibility: Advanced middle or high school students (PTY admission required; See program guidelines for test score or recommendation requirements)

In this semester-long immersion, you will examine the science of happiness through the lens of positive psychology and neuroscience. You’ll explore evidence-based approaches to increasing joy, meaning, and hope, as well as the cultural and institutional factors that shape well-being. Coursework will cover topics such as happiness tools that work, components of positive institutions, and cross-cultural perspectives on joy. You will also investigate the career applications of positive psychology in fields like leadership, politics, medicine, and education. The program culminates in a professional presentation in which you’ll design a “Happiness 101” implementation plan for a specific institution or population, drawing on peer-reviewed research.

15. Yale University Summer Session: Introduction to Psychology

Location: Online 
Cost: $5,270 tuition + $85 technology fee; Financial assistance available 
Cohort Size: 20 students per session
Dates: Session A: May 26 – June 27
Eligibility: Pre-college and college students

This introductory psychology course provides a comprehensive overview of the biological, cognitive, social, and emotional foundations of human behavior. You will explore major psychological theories and research methods, examining how scientific approaches inform our understanding of the mind. Topics span from brain function and perception to personality, development, and social interaction. Through lectures, discussions, and assignments, you will strengthen analytical skills while gaining a foundational perspective on psychology as both a research field and applied discipline. Successful completion earns one Yale credit and fulfills the Social Sciences distribution requirement.

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