11 Forensic Science Summer Programs for High School Students in Texas
- Stephen Turban
- 4 minutes ago
- 6 min read
If you are a high school student interested in forensic science, summer programs can be a useful way to explore the field beyond your regular classes. These programs often introduce topics such as criminal investigation, evidence analysis, forensic biology, and digital forensics while helping you build analytical and scientific thinking skills. Participating in a structured program can also help you understand how different scientific disciplines connect to the study of crime and justice.
Why should you attend a program in Texas?
Texas is home to several universities, research centers, and law enforcement institutions that offer summer programs related to forensic science and criminal justice. Many of these programs give students the opportunity to learn from faculty, investigators, and professionals working in forensic laboratories or criminal justice departments. Studying in Texas can also expose you to a wide range of academic resources and institutions that are actively involved in forensic research and education.
In this blog, we have narrowed down our list to 11 forensic science summer programs for high school students in Texas.
If you’re looking for free summer programs, check out our blog here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective (varies by cohort).
Location: Remote
Cost:
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply here.
Eligibility: Current high schoolers demonstrating a high level of academic achievement (past students usually have an unweighted GPA of 3.3)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as forensic science, biology, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20-30 students.
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
Cost: Tuition of $1,299 and a $399 deposit
Dates: July 20 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions, opens in early spring.
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12.
Hosted by the Department of Entomology, this camp is part of the Youth Adventure Program (YAP) and is one of the premier forensic science summer programs for high school students in Texas. Students engage in a "Science meets crime scene investigation" curriculum that teaches them to secure crime scenes, collect evidence, and analyze data using biological and chemical methods. The week culminates in a simulated crime scene investigation where students must apply their new skills to solve the case.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open registration until full.
Location: Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX.
Cost: $725
Dates: 4 one-week sessions stretching from June 7 to July 16
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students aged 15 – 17 at the time of the camp.
Sam Houston State University is renowned for its College of Criminal Justice, and this summer camp offers high schoolers a direct pipeline into that expertise. Students explore the diverse field of criminal justice, from policing and law to forensic investigations. The camp features hands-on activities such as investigating mock crime scenes and engaging with professionals in the field, offering a realistic view of the career paths available in the Texas justice system.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive.
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
Cost: Often fully funded! Make sure to verify before applying.
Dates: June 2 – 6 and June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April.
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12).
The Cybersecurity Center at Texas A&M hosts this Academy for high schoolers interested in the technological side of crime-solving. Known as the "GenCyber" camp, students learn the fundamentals of digital forensics, cryptography, and cyber defense. Participants engage in interactive activities to analyze digital evidence and understand how cybercrime operates and is countered, providing a comprehensive look at the life of a digital forensic analyst.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: First-come, first-served basis.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
Cost: $800
Dates: June 4 – 8 for 10th-12th graders, and June 11 – 15 for 7th-9th graders
Application Deadline: Late Spring
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8–12.
This immersive residential camp allows you to experience university life while taking specialized classes and features a dedicated Forensic Science track. Here, you will experience a hands-on introduction to forensics, including fingerprint detection, hair and fiber examination, and DNA analysis. The program concludes with a project where campers use their skills to solve a mock crime, providing a practical application of the scientific theories they learn in the classroom.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited to 16 students.
Location: TCC Northeast Campus, Hurst, TX (Dallas-Fort Worth area).
Cost: Free! The program is fully funded for eligible applicants via state grants.
Dates: July 7 – 10
Application Deadline: Registration typically opens in March/April.
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12.
Fully funded by the Governor’s Summer Merit Program, the TCC Forensic Science Camp takes students through the entire lifecycle of a criminal investigation. You will learn to process a mock murder scene, which includes lifting fingerprints, collecting biological evidence, and filing official evidence requests. Uniquely, the camp also covers the legal aftermath, requiring students to prepare their case and testify in a mock murder trial, ensuring you understand how scientific evidence holds up in court.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots.
Location: St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX.
Cost: $150. Financial aid is available.
Dates: June 4 – 6
Application Deadline: May 16
Eligibility: High school students.
Hosted at St. Mary's University Law School, this three-day program allows students to explore various career pathways in criminal justice and forensics. The program includes interactive skill-building workshops, career panels with current professionals, and site visits. Past itineraries have included special service opportunities with the San Antonio Police Department, including tours of the Financial and Criminal Detectives’ units.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective.
Location: Dallas Police Academy, Dallas, TX.
Cost: Free
Dates: Multiple camps throughout the year, including in the summer.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines by camp.
Eligibility: Students ages 10–16.
The Dallas Junior Police Academy is a fantastic, low-cost option for students to experience police work firsthand. Among a variety of police work activities, the program covers Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) and evidence processing, as well as tours of the 911 Communications Division. Students learn to process their own fingerprints and understand the chain of evidence, providing a gritty, real-world perspective on forensic science in law enforcement.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Remote
Cost: $3,905
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors
Syracuse University’s 6-week online Forensic Science course is a good option to consider if you want to learn about forensic science but are not able to go for residential or commuter programs. You’ll complete intensive at-home lab experiments weekly and attend live virtual sessions with Syracuse professors to analyze evidence. Successfully completing this course earns you 4 college credits and a Certificate of Completion, providing a tangible addition to future college applications.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrolment
Location: Remote
Cost: $6,465
Dates: June 14 – 26
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Current high school students
This fully remote, two-week program teaches you how to think like a seasoned detective and forensic scientist. The course includes interactive video lessons from Georgetown faculty, where you will analyze real-life case studies, study blood spatter patterns, learn ballistic forensics, review interrogation techniques, and understand the chemistry of DNA profiling. You’ll also interact with guest speakers from agencies like the DC Department of Forensic Science and the DC Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide, Sexual Assault, and Cold Case Units. While a remote option, this is a holistic experience that covers several forensic science bases.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrolment
Location: Remote
Cost: $120 per 7-hour class
Dates: Multiple dates available throughout the summer. You can check the schedule here
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current high school students
The National CSI Camp is an interactive program taught exclusively by active and retired police detectives. You’ll be sent a list of household items to gather beforehand, which you will then use to process a mock crime scene in your own living room alongside a live virtual instructor. It is an affordable way to get real-time mentorship from law enforcement professionals without the cost of travel or housing.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop a research paper.
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