11 Psychology Internships for High School Students
Are you in high school and looking to do an internship in psychology or other related fields? Participating in an internship can offer valuable exposure that sets you up for success in college and makes for a great mention on your college application. Below are 11 psychology internships to consider, some of which are offered in the summer and others during the school year. While some entries in this list aren’t marketed as internships, they follow a similar structure to traditional internships. You can also check out our blogs on psychology research opportunities and some great research ideas in psychology.
If you want to explore opportunities independently, also check out our guide on how to find internships as a high schooler. We cover essential strategies such as cold emailing and preparing for interviews. Also check out the 10 best internships for high school students, 10 psychology research opportunities for high school students, and 10 free online psychology courses for high school students. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Cost: None
Location: Dallas, Texas
Application Deadline: February
Program Length: 2 weeks
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school
The UT Southwestern Medical Center offers an internship program to demonstrate the range of careers available in mental health. Clinician-scientists, licensed social workers, psychiatrists, and neuropsychologists are among the many professionals who offer interactive sessions to students. It is a rigorous program designed to prepare you for a professional career in the field. You will need to complete readings before sessions and answer questions. You will engage with psychology in settings ranging from hospitals to laboratories and form mentoring relationships.
Cost: No cost
Location: Remote or Washington, D.C.
Application Deadline: Rolling, see the application portal for open opportunities
Program Length: Year-round
Eligibility: High school student, specific details vary based on the internship
The American Psychological Association is a scientific and professional organization representing psychologists in the United States. Internships at APA are intended for students passionate about applying psychological knowledge for societal benefit, with positions ranging from policy and research to communications and financial services. Internship applications require a cover letter, resume, and writing sample. An internship with APA is a great opportunity to foster a greater understanding of professional psychology at a prestigious and nationally recognized organization.
Cost: Unpaid
Location: Stanford, CA
Application Deadline: March
Program Length: Eight weeks
Eligibility: High school juniors
Offered by Stanford University, SHTEM is an interdisciplinary internship opportunity in various fields, including psychology. Over the course of a summer, you will work with Stanford faculty and graduate students on a project that “transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries.” In this way, you can combine multiple interests, such as psychology and computer science, in an innovative way. Beyond the independent project, you will collaborate with peers in a series of program-wide activities.
Cost: Paid
Location: Remote, hybrid, and in-person options available
Application Deadline: March-May
Program Length: 14 months
Eligibility: Any high school student in California
The Child Mind Institute Program is a long-term internship program designed to promote career development through the lens of community. You will first complete a paid project-based learning program in the summer, followed by workshops and activities throughout the second year. Then, you will complete an internship in a mental health-related field in the second summer, receiving mentorship from early-career professionals. Eligible students must demonstrate a strong interest in mental health and belong to a structurally marginalized community. This internship is a great way to demonstrate a long-term commitment while working on a unique project in psychology.
Cost: No cost, scholarships available
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Application Deadline: March
Program Length: Four weeks
Eligibility: At least 16 years of age, enrolled in high school full-time
The Barrow Neurological Institute is the world’s largest neurological disease treatment and research institution, regarded as one of the best in the United States. The Summer High School Internship Program allows high school volunteers to conduct lab work with cutting-edge technology. You will learn advanced scientific techniques and how to evaluate scientific literature while developing your communication skills. You will work with a Barrow specialist for the summer.
Cost: Ranging from $7,000-10,000, depending on commuter vs residential status
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Application Deadline: May for domestic students, March for international students
Program Length: Four weeks
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th grade students
The University of Southern California offers a psychology program as one of its pre-college programs. While this is not a traditional internship, over four weeks, you will learn the fundamentals of being a psychological scientist and even undertake independent projects. You will gain exposure to various career paths and opportunities to pursue research in the clinical and social sciences. Social media and mental health, games, narcotics, and happiness are some of the many topics of study offered.
Cost: $3,000
Location: Winston-Salem, NC or online
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Length: One week
Eligibility: All high school students
The Psychology Institute is a week-long program that combines university-level learning with hands-on experiences. At Wake Forest, you will explore academic psychology with the guidance of industry professionals and faculty from the university. It is an intensive overnight program where you will conduct observational studies, participate in brain dissections, and present your research findings.
Cost: Varies for residential/commuter students, ranging from $7,000-$13,000
Location: New York City, NY
Application Deadline: TBA, more information here
Program Length: Three weeks, two sessions offered per summer
Eligibility: Current high school students, domestic or international. Residential options only available for students aged 16 or older.
Columbia University offers a three-week experience to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of psychology: the science of the mind and behavior. In the program, you will learn from clinical and social psychology instructors. The biological bases of behavior, learning and memory, sensation and perception, cognitive development, language acquisition, personality, and social influences on behavior are among the many topics covered. This is part of Columbia’s Pre-College Summer Immersion Programs. Interested students should demonstrate high intellectual curiosity and an eagerness to contribute original ideas to the cohort.
Cost: Paid
Location: Baltimore, MD
Application Deadline: February
Program Length: Eight-ten weeks
Eligibility: Current junior or senior high school student
The Intramural Research Program is offered by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) on the Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus. It is an interdisciplinary opportunity for students interested in learning more about drug abuse and its impact on mental health and human psychology. As a branch of the National Institute for Health, this is a popular program that can serve as a stepping stone for students interested in conducting research in psychology. Students from marginalized backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply for this opportunity.
Cost: TBD
Location: Gettysburg, PA
Application Deadline: Rolling until camp is full; see their website for updated information
Program Length: Roughly seven weeks
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Offered by Gettysburg College, this camp offers experience in a practical setting and research. Over the course of the summer, you will learn to apply concepts to real-world dilemmas. The program is run by professionals and professors in psychology from universities like Columbia University. Past alumni of the program have said that this program solidified their decision to pursue a career in psychology.
If you are interested in doing university-level research in psychology, then you could also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for high school students. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Aisha is a student at Princeton University, studying Anthropology and Global Health. On campus, she is involved with student groups centered around health equity and cultural affinity. In her free time, she enjoys podcasting, learning languages, and trying new recipes.
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