15 Law Enforcement Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you’re a high school student interested in public service, criminal justice, or community safety, law enforcement programs can be a smart way to explore that interest. These programs help you understand what law enforcement involves. You can learn how officers are trained, how decisions are made in difficult situations, and how law enforcement fits into the broader justice system.
Why should you consider a law enforcement program in high school?
As a participant, you can learn about criminal investigations, forensic basics, ethics, and community relations while working with instructors who have experience in the field. These programs help you build skills like discipline, communication, and problem-solving, and they also give you a clearer sense of whether this type of work is right for you. These programs show colleges that you are willing to learn beyond school and that you can succeed in a nationally competitive cohort.
To help you narrow down your options, we’ve curated a list of 15 law enforcement programs for high school students!
15 Law Enforcement Programs for High School Students
Location: Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Manhattan
Cost: None. You will get paid a minimum wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 29 – July 31
Application deadline: Opens on January 26
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12 who live in or attend school in Manhattan, New York
The Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program is a five-week experience that introduces you to prosecutorial work within a large urban office. As an intern, you’ll observe assistant district attorneys and follow how cases progress through investigation, preparation, and trial. This paid law enforcement program for high school students includes workshops on criminal law, ethics, and trial advocacy, along with court observation. Group projects and professional development sessions focus on public service careers. You also gain exposure to how prosecutors interact with victims, witnesses, and defense counsel.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by the program. Full financial aid available
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).
Eligibility: High school students with a passion for research can apply
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 that you can explore as a high schooler. 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 psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Broward County Judicial Complex, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Cost: Free; a stipend of $25/hour is offered in a state position
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 16 - June 27
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores who can attend a high school located in Broward County
The Summer Justice Internship at the Broward County Public Defender’s Office offers a two-week introduction to criminal defense work. You’ll get to observe court proceedings, shadow public defenders, and attend discussions on legal strategy and client advocacy. The program highlights how defense attorneys protect constitutional rights within the justice system. Site visits may include the crime lab or the medical examiner’s office to demonstrate how forensic evidence is used in defense cases. Research and learning sessions help you connect courtroom observations to legal principles, and the program concludes with a mock trial applying the skills you’ve studied.
Location: United States Attorney's Office, Brooklyn and Central Islip, NY
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer placements
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising seniors from accredited high schools
The United States Attorney’s Office High School Internship for the Eastern District of New York gives you structured exposure to how the federal legal system operates at the district level. You may support staff through administrative or case-related tasks while observing criminal and civil court proceedings. Interns attend seminars led by federal prosecutors that address topics such as civil rights enforcement, public safety, and legal ethics. Depending on placement, you could work with litigation support teams, paralegal staff, law library services, or victim and witness units. Each assignment highlights a different operational role within federal prosecution rather than trial advocacy alone.
Location: FBI Academy, Quantico, VA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 62 students annually
Dates: June 19 – 17
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (ages 14-16 as of the program start date)
The FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership Program is an eight-day residential experience hosted at the FBI Academy in Quantico. You’ll participate in classroom sessions focused on leadership principles, ethical decision-making, and crisis response within public safety contexts. The program includes physical training and drills that demonstrate how discipline and teamwork function in high-pressure environments. Additional sessions address topics such as digital safety, resilience, time management, and leadership accountability. You also take part in supervised demonstrations that reflect real-world law enforcement training methods.
Location: Tampa
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approx 25 students
Dates: July 29 – August 1
Application deadline: Announced during the school year
Eligibility: High school students living or attending a school in Tampa
The Tampa Police Youth Academy is a week-long summer program that gives you behind-the-scenes exposure to local law enforcement operations. You’ll rotate through sessions highlighting divisions such as K-9, mounted patrol, SWAT, and forensic investigations. Officers explain how training, teamwork, and decision-making function in real policing scenarios. Selection is supported by school resource officers, linking the program to your school and community environment. Alongside law enforcement content, this enforcement program for high school students incorporates activities focused on leadership, communication, and collaboration.
Location: Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Minimum 3 months
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Miami-Dade State Attorney High School Volunteer Internship allows you to observe how criminal cases are handled within one of the nation’s largest prosecutorial offices. After an orientation and screening process, you may be placed in units such as Criminal Intake, Domestic Violence, or Victim/Witness Services. Responsibilities can include assisting with case documentation, contacting victims, and observing court proceedings. You gain insight into how prosecutors evaluate evidence and apply legal standards while balancing victim support. The program includes training on professional ethics and courtroom procedures.
Location: Orlando
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Week 1: June 22–26; Week 2: July 6–10; Week 3: July 20–24
Application deadline: Opens April 6
Eligibility: Young adults aged 13 to 17 years residing in Orange County
The Orange County Sheriff’s Teen Academy is a week-long program that introduces you to how a sheriff’s office supports public safety and community operations. Sessions cover topics such as online behavior, bullying, decision-making, and the consequences of risky actions. You also learn about investigative work, deputy training, and community policing practices. The academy includes tours of facilities such as the communications center, aviation hangar, crime scene lab, and mounted unit stables. Deputies from specialized divisions explain their roles and daily responsibilities, and some activities may count toward community service requirements, depending on your school guidelines.
Location: USF St. Petersburg campus, FL
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students
Dates: Typically in April - May
Application deadline: Applications open February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10th-12th
The Mock Trial Intensive hosted by the Judy Genshaft Honors College at the University of South Florida introduces you to courtroom procedure through a structured, week-long format. You’ll study a legal case and learn how to prepare opening statements, conduct examinations, and deliver closing arguments. Instruction comes from practicing attorneys, law faculty, and collegiate mock trial competitors. The law enforcement program for high school students culminates in a mock trial held at Stetson University College of Law, providing exposure to a professional courtroom setting. Workshops are centered on legal reasoning, public speaking, and trial strategy.
10. CJ Summer Camp
Location: College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
Cost: $725
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session 1: June 14 - 18; Session 2: July 5 - 9
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students ages 15-17
The Criminal Justice Summer Camp at Sam Houston State University introduces you to the structure and daily operations of the criminal justice system through a four-day, in-person format. You will take part in mock crime scene investigations and forensic activities that demonstrate how evidence is collected and analyzed. Throughout the camp, you interact directly with professionals from agencies such as the FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Faculty members and guest speakers discuss career paths in law enforcement, forensic science, and public safety. You also spend time engaging with current SHSU students to understand academic pathways in criminal justice.
Location: FAU Campus, Boca Raton, FL
Cost: $900
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students
Dates: Session 1: June 8 – 13; Session 2: July 20 – 25
Application deadline: Applications typically close in the spring
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 to 12 in the coming fall
Florida Atlantic University’s Criminal Justice Summer Camp is a week-long, campus-based program that introduces you to law enforcement and forensic science practices. As a participant, you’ll engage in crime scene investigation exercises and attend live demonstrations by K-9 units, SWAT teams, and bomb squads. The program includes tours of facilities such as the Medical Examiner’s Office and local law enforcement agencies. Classroom discussions address topics like criminal investigations, high-profile cases, and federal law enforcement structures. Activities take place on FAU’s Boca Raton campus with scheduled off-site field visits. Participants receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
Location: Marist College Campus, Poughkeepsie, NY
Cost: $3,700 including housing and meals, field trips, and course materials
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 12 – 25
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Marist College’s Summer Pre-College Criminal Justice course is an in-person academic program that introduces you to the foundations of crime, law enforcement, courts, and corrections. You will examine how policing, judicial processes, and correctional systems function together within the justice system. Guest speakers and Marist alumni working in criminal justice share professional perspectives from local, state, and federal roles. The law enforcement program for high school students also includes an individual project that allows deeper exploration of a specific topic. You earn three transferable college credits upon successful completion.
Location: Brown University campus, Providence, Rhode Island, or online
Cost: Varies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions offered in June - July
Application deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 to 12, typically 14 to 18 years of age by June 16
Through Summer@Brown, you can enroll in college-level criminology and forensic science courses offered in online, hybrid, or on-campus formats. Course options include forensic science and criminal behavior. You complete readings, written assignments, discussions, and projects under the guidance of Brown instructors. The program emphasizes learning without grades or academic pressure tied to credit. For courses lasting three weeks or longer, you receive a Course Performance Report summarizing your work. All participants earn a digital certificate upon completion.
Location: Stetson University, DeLand, FL
Cost: $1,000 (includes a $100 non-refundable registration fee); need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: 15 students per Camp
Dates: Mock Trial Camp: July 7–11 | Mock Trial Camp: July 21–25 | Moot Court Camp: July 14–18
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to high school students residing in the U.S.
Stetson University’s Young Scholars Pre-Law Camps introduce you to legal advocacy through immersive mock trial or moot court formats. In the Mock Trial camp, you will study either civil or criminal procedure, covering discovery, motions, evidence rules, and courtroom examinations. The Moot Court option focuses on appellate law, where you prepare written briefs and present oral arguments on legal issues. The curriculum is taught by practicing attorneys, retired judges, and members of Stetson’s undergraduate and law school trial teams. Throughout the camp, you work with the Federal Rules of Evidence and apply them in simulated proceedings.
Location: Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.) or Emory University (Atlanta, GA)
Cost: Approximately $3,000–$4,000 (includes tuition, housing, meals, and program materials; exact amount varies by session and location)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (nomination-based, with enrollment open to qualified applicants)
Dates: Multiple 9-day sessions offered in summer (typically June–July)
Application deadline: Rolling, with early deadlines recommended (often spring for priority)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 (rising sophomores through graduating seniors)
The National Youth Leadership Forum: Law & CSI is a residential program that immerses you in careers in law, criminal justice, and crime scene investigation. You will participate in workshops, mock trials, crime scene simulations, and forensic activities while learning about evidence collection, legal procedures, and investigative techniques. Guest speakers include practicing attorneys, federal agents (such as from the FBI), forensic scientists, and law school representatives. The program includes site visits to courthouses or labs, Supreme Court simulations for practicing argumentation, and discussions on ethical decision-making in public safety. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate and ongoing access to alumni resources for college and career guidance.
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 mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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