15 Online Medical Programs for High School Students

Online medical programs are great, flexible options for high school students interested in exploring a future in medicine without committing to the high costs of in-person programs. 

These programs offer early exposure to college-level academics and medical work, helping you build practical skills to pursue a career in healthcare. Online medical programs typically offer virtual labs, lectures from professionals, and collaborative projects, giving you a taste of both academic rigor and professional life. Although virtual, these programs offer opportunities to meet peers and mentors and build valuable connections. 

To help you with your search, we have shortlisted 15 online medical programs for high school students. 

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Medicine Track

Cost: Varies; financial aid available

Application deadline: Varying by cohort; winter cohort deadline is November 16

Program dates: Vary by cohort; sessions of 12 weeks to one year available in summer, fall, winter, and spring

Eligibility: High school students with high academic achievement

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a structured research opportunity designed for high school students. As a participant, you will work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor to explore a topic of your choice and complete an independent research project. You can choose from a wide range of tracks, including medicine, neuroscience, health science, and life sciences. By the end of the program, you will have written a research paper based on your work. You can learn more about the program formats and application here.

2. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)

Cost/Stipend: None

Application deadline: March 1

Program dates: July – August (five weeks)

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in North America

JHIBS is a neuroscience research program designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical research. The program offers the opportunity to work alongside researchers in the field of brain science, either in person or through a virtual format. In the virtual track, you will engage in research-focused activities, learn standard lab techniques, and join discussions on current topics in neuroscience. Faculty members from Johns Hopkins provide guidance throughout the program. Additionally, the program offers access to a series of seminars led by experts in the field. 

3. Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI + Medicine

Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered Application deadline: Varies by cohort Dates: Varies Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior Python experience

This Veritas AI program focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine, designed for high school students. The program is run and led by Harvard alumni. Here, you will explore how AI and machine learning are applied in healthcare settings. You will work on practical projects, such as using models to analyze medical images, support diagnostic processes, and interpret results in ways that can help both medical professionals and patients. The program provides a structured introduction to both technical and healthcare-related concepts.

4. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee (waivers available); no stipend

Application deadline: February 2

Program dates: June 18 – August 8

Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old

ASSIP at George Mason University offers eight-week research experiences to high school students interested in STEM fields. During the program, you work with university faculty on research projects in areas like neuroscience, medicine, and biology. The internship offers practical training in scientific writing and analysis, while allowing you to contribute to research. Throughout the program, you will gain experience in handling data, applying research techniques, and developing technical solutions — skills that are useful in both academic and professional settings. Additionally, you will gain insights into careers in STEM through discussion forums led by professionals and professors.

5. UT Southwestern Medical Center’s High School Student Internship

Cost: Free

Application deadline: Early February

Program dates: Two weeks in June

Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade high school students

UT Southwestern Medical Center offers a two-week online internship for high school students interested in the field of mental health. During the program, you will learn from professionals such as psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, clinical social workers, and physician assistants, who will share insights into their daily work. The internship includes interactive sessions, guided readings from research articles and other sources, and opportunities to participate in discussions and demonstrations. You will explore topics like psychotherapy, neuropsychological testing, neuroscience, interventional psychiatry, and the role of mental health care within the community. 

6. Parkview Health ’s  High School Student Programs

Cost/Stipend: None

Application deadline: Applications available from October to March

Program dates: Year-round internships; students can participate for one semester

Eligibility: High school students

Parkview Health offers internship opportunities for high school students interested in exploring careers in healthcare. Through the FutureREADY internship and other programs in job shadowing and clinical rotations, you will gain firsthand experience in both clinical and non-clinical settings. You will observe healthcare workers, spend time in different departments, and learn about areas such as nursing, therapy, laboratory sciences, and healthcare administration. Some programs include activities like journaling or group discussions to help you reflect on your experiences while exploring a variety of roles within the healthcare system.

7. NASA’s GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) Program

Cost/Stipend: None

Application deadline: April 9

Program dates: June 2 – August 29

Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old by December 31, entering junior or senior year in the fall, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; must have completed at least one high school biology course

NASA’s GL4HS is a four-week research program focused on bioinformatics and data analysis in the context of space biology. Hosted by NASA’s Ames Research Center, the program introduces you to computational tools used to study biological systems in space, including techniques in big data analysis and machine learning. You will engage in coursework, exploring topics like the effects of microgravity, and work with datasets from the Open Science Data Repository. The program also offers access to virtual sessions led by researchers in the field. Guest lectures and virtual site visits are part of the experience. The program concludes with a team-based research competition, where you may get to present your work at a national space biology conference.

8. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) ’s Summer Research Internship

Cost: $850 + $40 application fee; waivers and scholarships available

Application deadline: February 28

Program dates: June 16 – 27

Eligibility: High school students, 14 and older, living in the U.S.

The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week program for high school students interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine. Through lectures, group research activities, and individual mentorship with Stanford AI research staff, you will explore how AI technologies are being used in healthcare.  The program also includes Virtual Career Lunch and Learn sessions, where you will hear from professionals working in academic, nonprofit, and government units related to AI and medicine. Although the program does not grant academic credit, you will receive a certificate at the end highlighting your contribution during the internship.

9. Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research Workshops- Online

Cost: Intro to Cellular and Molecular Medicine: $510 | Medicinal Chemistry: $670 | Medical Bioinformatics: $1,070

Application deadline: Rolling admissions

Program dates: Intro to Cellular and Molecular Medicine: June 9 – 20 | Medicinal Chemistry: July 7 – 18 | Medical Bioinformatics: June 2 – 13 (tentative)

Eligibility: High school students; age requirements vary by workshop

The Rosetta Institute offers Biomedical Research Workshops for high school students interested in molecular biology and bioinformatics. These workshops are designed to help you explore topics relevant to medicine and biomedical science, including genetic analysis, molecular diagnostics, and drug development. Each course focuses on a specific area, such as cellular and molecular medicine, medicinal chemistry, or medical bioinformatics. You will engage in virtual lab activities, analyze data, and participate in discussions led by instructors with experience in the field. The workshops are scheduled at various times during the summer and are grouped by age or academic level to ensure the material aligns with your background. 

10. Stanford’s Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center's Summer Internship

Cost: $4,500 + $95 application fee; financial aid available Application deadline: TBA; application window opens in January Dates: Program 1: June 23 – July 4 | Program 2: July 14 – 25 Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16; applicants under 16 can apply only if they are juniors or seniors in high school

This two-week internship is a virtual opportunity to explore cardiothoracic surgery and surgical techniques. As a participant, you will engage in lectures and surgical lab sessions to dive into topics like imaging techniques, anatomy, cardiac diseases, and a wide range of surgical procedures. You will also gain experience in porcine heart dissection, vessel anastomosis, and suturing. Additionally, the program offers training in the use of surgical instruments. Throughout the online program, you will learn foundational surgical methods from Stanford faculty and surgical residents. 

11. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center’s EDIT ML Summer Internship Program

Cost/Stipend: Not specified

Application deadline: April 15

Program dates: Unspecified; typically in the summer

Eligibility: High school students with a background in computer science

The EDIT ML Summer Internship Program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center introduces high school students to machine learning-based research that focuses on healthcare. During the program, you explore how AI technologies are used to support clinical decision-making and improve medical workflows. You will work with tools like R, Python, and high-performance computing systems to develop and test models on real-world medical data. Projects may involve tasks such as analyzing large-scale medical images, building diagnostic tools, or using natural language processing to interpret clinical information. You will also have access to guidance on scientific writing and opportunities to share your research with an academic audience. 

12. Stanford University ’s Clinical Summer Internship

Cost: Summer: $95 application fee + $4,380 program fee | Fall: $35 application fee + $1,980 program fee

Application deadline: Summer: February 24 | Fall: June 2

Program dates: Summer: July 28 – August 8 | Fall: September 10 – November 12

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, 16 or older

The Stanford Clinical Summer Internship is a two-week virtual program designed to introduce you to clinical medicine. You will engage in lectures, case discussions, virtual workshops, and group work to explore how doctors diagnose and treat patients. The program provides opportunities to practice clinical skills and engage with simulated patient cases. Sessions led by Stanford faculty will offer an overview of various medical specialties and careers in healthcare. By the end of the program, you will have some experience in clinical reasoning, patient care, and teamwork, and you will walk away with a certificate recognizing your participation.

13. Northwestern Pre-College Online Medicine Programs

Cost: $1,895 per course; scholarships available

Application deadline: Rolling admissions

Program dates: Multiple two-week and four-week sessions year-round

Eligibility: High school students, ages 13 and up

Northwestern offers online courses in medicine covering topics like research methods, medical practice, physiology, and psychology. Led by university faculty, the programs offer access to video lessons, mentorship, and capstone projects in your topic of choice. The program emphasizes flexible, self-paced learning and grants a certificate of completion that can be included in college applications. You will work with dedicated mentors and participate in interactive assignments and projects, gaining exposure to various healthcare topics.

14. Harvard Medical School HMX Pre-College Online Courses

Cost: $1,895 per course; need-based scholarships available

Application deadline: Rolling admissions

Program dates: Various multi-length sessions throughout the year

Eligibility: High school students, ages 13 and up

This program offers the opportunity to explore medical science while engaging in college-level courses taught by Harvard Medical School faculty. The program offers flexible online learning tracks, with interactive tools, quizzes, and mentoring. Lessons are video-based, self-paced, and designed to simulate actual Harvard medical curricula. You can choose courses in subjects like biochemistry, genetics, immunology, pharmacology, and physiology. At the end, you will earn a completion certificate from Harvard. 

15. Wake Forest University Online Medical Programs

Cost: $1,595 per course; scholarships available

Application deadline: Rolling admissions

Program dates: Multiple two-week and four-week sessions year-round

Eligibility: High school students, ages 13 and up

Wake Forest’s online pre-college medical courses are designed to introduce students to various healthcare fields, including sports medicine, cancer biology, psychology, and infectious disease. Instruction is led by faculty and medical professionals and delivered through a flexible online platform, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Each course covers foundational and advanced medical topics while offering support from mentors and personalized feedback. Completion of any course will earn you a certificate, which can be beneficial for college admissions. You can enroll in multiple medical courses based on your interests.

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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