10 Duke University Summer Medical Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jul 7
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 14
If you're a high school student curious about a future in healthcare, medical summer programs can be a great starting point in this field. These programs offer experiences beyond the standard curriculum by exposing you to real-world medicine through hands-on labs, research projects, hospital visits, and mentorship from professionals. Summer medical programs hosted by renowned institutions like Duke University provide access to college-level coursework, professional networks, and insight into medical careers - without requiring a full-time college commitment and huge expenses.
In this blog, we’re focusing on 10 programs offered by Duke University in the field of medicine. We've picked options that offer strong mentorship, hands-on experiences, exposure to Duke’s medical ecosystem, and, in many cases, are low-cost or fully funded.
Here are 10 Duke University Summer Medical Programs for High School Students
Cost: Free (housing and transportation not covered). Participants receive a stipend of $2,600.
Location: Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC
Dates: June 23–July 25
Application Deadline: November 18–January 3
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors with strong academic records and an interest in science. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required. No prior research experience needed.
The Duke STAR Program offers a rigorous, hands-on introduction to academic medical research for rising junior and senior high school students. Held at the Duke Clinical Research Institute, the program places you in collaborative research teams guided by Duke faculty mentors. Over six weeks, you’ll work on real-world, hypothesis-driven projects that begin with a research question and end with a formal thesis and potential co-authorship on peer-reviewed publications. You'll engage in clinical literature reviews, learn applied statistics, and receive instruction in scientific writing, all while attending seminars from faculty in neonatology, pharmacoepidemiology, and medical ethics. You also get the opportunity to shadow a physician on hospital rounds and gain publishing credit for your work. The program culminates in a formal presentation and manuscript submission.
Cost:
Residential: $5,398 (tuition) + $250 (medicine course supplement)
Extended Commuter: $3,698 tuition) +$250 (medicine course supplement)
Commuter: $3,098 tuition) +$250 (medicine course supplement)
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Dates:
Session 1: July 2–July 14
Session 2: July 16–July 28
Application Deadline: May 16. Early application is advised due to limited availability.
Eligibility: Open to high school students; no prior experience required. Suitable for those exploring careers in healthcare, medicine, and emergency services.
Hosted on Duke’s campus, the Emergency Medicine program by Summer Springboard is a two-week program for students curious about fast-paced medical careers. You will develop practical medical skills such as CPR, suturing, splinting, and stopping bleeds by engaging with hands-on training in simulated clinical environments. You will explore behind-the-scenes hospital areas like ambulance units, ICU rooms, and operating theaters, getting real insight into emergency response protocols. In addition to lab simulations and medical excursions, you’ll hear directly from physicians, EMTs, and healthcare professionals about their paths, helping you understand the variety of careers in the medical field. You’ll also work in teams to diagnose and treat simulated patients.
Location: Online
Dates: July 7–July 18
Application Deadline: Enrollment is open until the course is full; early application recommended.
Eligibility: Open to high school students, typically grades 9–11. A GPA of 3.5+ is recommended.
This two-week online workshop offers high school students a comprehensive introduction to the many careers in healthcare and medicine. You will explore how various professionals, from physicians and pharmacists to therapists and technologists, collaborate in complex care settings. The program emphasizes health indicators that affect communities and includes guest speakers from Duke University, Duke Medical Center, and other leading institutions.
You will analyze real-world healthcare systems from social, environmental, and community health perspectives, helping you understand how broader factors shape patient care and access.
Cost: $795
Cost: $795
Location: Online (hosted by Duke University, Durham, NC)
Dates: June 16–June 27
Application Deadline: Enrollment is open until seats are filled; waitlist is active. Early application advised.
Eligibility: Open to high school students, recommended for grades 9–11. No prior research experience required.
The Medical Research Workshop is a week-long online program that introduces high school students to clinical and biomedical research through Duke University. You will explore how medical discoveries are made, from vaccines and treatment innovations to public health solutions. You will hear directly from researchers and practitioners at the Duke University School of Medicine, participate in virtual tours of labs and facilities, and engage with interactive panels and hands-on assignments. You will also explore breakthroughs in vaccine development, patient-centered treatments, and the critical role of research in improving community health.
Cost: Free; participants receive a stipend (exact stipend amount not published)
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility:
Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and non-college-bound seniors from Durham public/charter schools
Must be at least 16 years old by June 16
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent/legal resident
Must have reliable transportation to campus
Offered by the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, the DUNE program is a full-time, paid summer internship for high school students interested in neuroscience and medical research. You will join a Duke University neuroscience lab, where you’ll contribute to real research projects under the guidance of professional scientists. In addition to lab work, you’ll engage in workshops on scientific communication, career exploration in medicine and research, and college readiness. The program is designed for local students from Durham-area public and charter schools, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds or with no prior research experience. The experience will culminate in a final presentation of your work.
Cost: Free
Location: Durham: Duke Regional Hospital; Raleigh: Duke Raleigh Hospital
Dates:
Durham: June 24–25
Raleigh: June 25–26
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 16–17 by June 24. Must attend both days of the program at one chosen location. Only 25 slots available per site.
The Youth Symposium on Healthcare Careers is a two-day, in-person program designed for high school students interested in medical professions. Hosted by Duke Health, it offers hospital site visits, direct interactions with healthcare professionals, and practical training such as CPR certification. You will participate in hands-on workshops and career-focused sessions that provide clarity on various healthcare roles and the skills required for each. The program is structured to help you explore future pathways in medicine through real-world exposure. Participants earn 14 volunteer hours and receive a certificate of completion. With only 25 spots per location, admission is competitive.
Cost: Free; stipend of $700–$1600 provided upon completion
Location: Hybrid; partially in-person at Duke Health, Durham, NC
Dates: July 8 – July 26
Application Deadline: March 19
Eligibility: Open to Durham City or County residents aged 14–24. Must attend YouthWorks orientation if selected.
This hybrid internship is designed for high school students from Durham who are interested in pursuing healthcare careers. Over three weeks, you will gain exposure to a range of medical professions at Duke Health, including site visits to Duke’s School of Medicine and School of Nursing. The program also includes soft skills training in test-taking, workplace etiquette, and professional communication. You’ll engage with healthcare professionals, receive hands-on experiences, and build foundational knowledge. It runs part-time on weekday mornings, making it accessible even for those with other summer commitments. Students who complete both phases of the program can earn between $700–$1600.
Cost:
Residential: $5,698
Commuter: $2,998
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Dates:
Session 1: June 29 – July 11
Session 2: July 13 – July 25
Application Deadline: May 16 (final deadline); early application encouraged due to limited spots
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12). No prior medical experience required.
This two-week summer course introduces high school students to the fundamentals of nursing. Held on Duke’s campus, the program combines lectures, hands-on simulations, and insights from current professionals to give you a realistic view of nursing responsibilities across various specialties. You will explore primary care, patient advocacy, and public health applications of nursing, while also learning essential care concepts like patient communication, triage, and basic clinical tasks. You will also gain exposure to the wider healthcare system and explore career pathways within nursing. The course is part of Summer Springboard’s Medicine & Healthcare Track, which includes academic excursions and college readiness workshops.
Cost: Free; fully funded by the NIH. Meals are provided.
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC (Engineering Design POD). For the non-residential program, daily commute is required.
Dates: June 23 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 28.
Eligibility: Open to rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders from North Carolina. Priority is given to Durham Public School students. No housing or overnight accommodations are provided.
This free, hands-on program introduces high school students to the principles of biomedical engineering and innovation through a structured design camp hosted at Duke University’s Engineering Design POD. You’ll learn to identify healthcare-related problems, brainstorm solutions, and build working prototypes using tools like 3D printers and laser cutters. The camp emphasizes practical skills in medical device innovation, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving, helping you see how engineering intersects with medicine. Funded by the NIH, the program is entirely free for students and includes meals. It’s ideal for those interested in the future of medical technology and patient-centered solutions.
Cost: $2,970 per course + $120 one-time transcript fee
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Dates: June 30 – August 11
Application Deadline: June 16
Eligibility: Open to current 10th and 11th graders who are at least 16 years old by June 30. No financial aid or residential option available.
Through Duke’s Summer Session, qualified high school students can enroll in for-credit undergraduate courses related to health, biology, neuroscience, and the life sciences. You’ll study alongside college students in accelerated, six-week courses that mirror Duke’s academic rigor. Whether you choose to commute locally or join online, this program offers you a chance to build your transcript, explore college-level healthcare topics, and prepare for pre-med pathways early on. Some courses of interest may include Introduction to the Brain, Global Health Challenges, or Human Biology. This is an academic credit-bearing experience, not a lab-based internship.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in medicine, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also, check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source - Duke University logo