15 Psychology Internships for High School Students in NJ (New Jersey)

If you are a high schooler looking to gain exposure to fields like mental health, psychology, or neuroscience, an internship is a great way to get started. 

Internships allow you to gain professional experience and develop your skills while you explore an area of interest. These programs let you take part in research, observe behavioral studies, and explore topics like cognition, emotion, and decision-making. You’ll develop valuable skills such as critical thinking, data analysis, and research communication. These programs also provide industry insights by allowing you to network with experts in the field.

New Jersey is home to various reputable universities and organizations, where you can find internships offering opportunities to work in the field of psychology or neuroscience/human behavior research. By interning with an organization involved with psychology-related work, whether that’s research, community service, or healthcare, you can boost your resume while contributing to real work in the field. 

To help with your search, we have curated a list of 15 psychology internships for high school students in NJ. 

1. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Virtual

Cost/Stipend: Varies by format; financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Multiple cohorts (summer, spring, winter, fall) throughout the year

Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort—Spring: January | Summer: May | Fall: September | Winter: November

Eligibility: High schoolers, undergrads, and gap year students who can work 10 to 20 hours/week for 8 to 12 weeks. Apply here

Ladder Internships is a startup-based program, offering you an opportunity to work with a high-growth startup in an industry that aligns with your interests. The startups that partner with Ladder typically raise over a million dollars. You can indicate your preference for a psychology/mental health internship to work with a startup that can offer you exposure to the field. Once matched with the organization, you will work closely with the startup manager and a Ladder Coach, taking on real-world tasks and projects. You will present your work to the company at the end of the internship. The experience can offer you valuable insights into professional work environments and help you develop key skills like communication, accountability, presentation, and collaboration.

2. Mercer County Student Internship

Location: Mercer County, NJ

Stipend: $17/hour

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: July 7 – August 29

Application deadline: To be announced

Eligibility: Students who live in Mercer County or attend a school/university there and are at least 15 years old

The Mercer County Student Internship offers hands-on training and experience to high school students. As an intern, you will explore what it is like to work in the public sector. You can indicate your preference to work in a Mercer County department offering mental health or public health services. The Community Services department has a unit dedicated to mental health as well as addiction. During the internship, you will gain experience in community service. You will also attend training sessions to develop skills in financial literacy, networking, public speaking, and civic responsibility.

3. Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program

Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 3 students per track

Dates: June 16 – August 15

Application deadline: March 15

Eligibility: Local high school students enrolled in a U.S. high school and at least 16 years old by June 15

Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program is a competitive opportunity to conduct real-world research. You can apply for opportunities like Exploring Motor Skill Learning from Another Angle, a project led by the psychology department. During the program, you will be supervised by Princeton faculty and research staff as you learn research techniques. Although specific responsibilities vary by project, you will commit to full-time work during regular office hours. At the end of the program, you will submit a two-page research summary that covers the research question, methods, data, and conclusion of the study.

4. Governor’s School of New Jersey Program in the Sciences

Location: Drew University, Madison, NJ

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate: 20–25%

Dates: July 6 – 26

Application deadline: January 10

Eligibility: High school juniors living in New Jersey and nominated by their schools

Governor’s School of New Jersey Program in the Sciences is a three-week residential program. Here, you will undertake college-level research in groups. The program features a core curriculum that covers various areas of science and mathematics. You will enroll in three courses and attend a laboratory class twice a week to conduct experiments. You will also engage in speaker sessions, where academics and professionals discuss topics in modern science. Additionally, you will work in a small team to conduct original research under the guidance of a faculty member. In the past, students have completed research in psychology. At the end of the program, your team will present the findings of their research. 

5. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University

Location: Virtual option available for NJ students

Cost: $1,595; need-based scholarships are available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12%

Dates: June 16 – 27

Application deadline: Rolling basis until March 1

Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors

CNI-X is a two-week program that introduces high schoolers to key concepts in neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. Each session also delves into current research in these fields. You will engage in interactive seminars that discuss the principles of neuroscience research, the field of neuroscience, clinical neuropsychiatry, psychiatric epidemiology, and behavioral and social sciences. You will also learn about the various career options available to you in these fields. In addition, you will work in a team on a capstone project to develop solutions to real issues in these subjects. You will present your ideas at the end of the program. 

6. Montclair State University’s EcoMind Explorers: Discovering Conservation Psychology (Pre-College Program)

Location: Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ

Cost: $1,800

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: July 20 – 26

Application deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11 at the time of application

This program focuses on the emerging field of conservation psychology, which studies the relationships between humans and nature. Here, you will take an interdisciplinary course that blends concepts in health psychology, social psychology, consumer psychology, experimental psychology, environmental justice, and environmental communication. The course covers environmental communication, ecotourism, the application of conservation psychology in careers, and other relevant topics in the field. In addition to classroom instruction, you will participate in outdoor activities, including a field trip to a New Jersey zoo or science center, where you will complete an observational study. You will hear from professionals in the field and gain insight into the various career options available.

7. Seton Hall University Pre-College Summer Courses: Topics in Women's Healthcare

Location: Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ

Cost: $500; need-based scholarships available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: July 7 – 11

Application deadline: June 1

Eligibility: High school students

Seton Hall University offers several pre-college courses for high school students. The Topics in Women’s Healthcare provides high schoolers with a holistic understanding of current topics in women’s health. This rigorous, college-level course covers topics such as mental well-being, reproductive health and pregnancy, migraines, nutrition, women’s oncology, and fitness. These topics are covered in workshops, discussions, and practical experiences. Medical professionals and campus faculty will mentor you throughout the program. 

8. Columbia University Pre-College Program’s Social Psychology: Understanding Human Behavior Course

Location: Virtual format available for NJ students

Cost: $3,965

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: July 7 – 18 (session A) | July 21 – August 1 (session B) | August 11 – 15 (session C)

Application deadline: To be announced

Eligibility: Students enrolled in grades 9–12 in the fall, including current grade 12 students

This pre-college program course covers the core theories in psychology and research on human social behavior. As a participant, you will explore topics like empathy, prejudice, helping, compliance, bullying, conformity, and the development of personality. The course can help you develop a clearer understanding of why humans help and hurt each other. Additionally, you will learn about the psychological methods used to predict and prevent anti-social behavior. The course also offers insight into scientific principles and methodology to help you develop your research acumen.

9. Internships at APA

Location: Virtual

Stipend: Available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Opportunities available in spring, summer, fall, and winter

Application deadline: Varies for each opportunity

Eligibility: Students eligible to work in the U.S. and enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution

The American Psychological Association offers various remote internships to students. As an intern, you will receive training, explore professional psychology work and career paths in the field, and gain insights into how psychological concepts can be applied to real-world scenarios. You will work within a specific department, such as policy, research, communications, operations, publishing, and education, engaging in tasks relevant to that unit. You will have access to workshops, discussions, group projects, and other opportunities to explore the professional world of psychology.

10. Mental Health Advocacy Academy @ Active Minds

Location: Virtual

Stipend: Available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: July (tentative)

Application deadline: To be announced

Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th-grade students in the U.S. who identify as LGBTQ+, BIPOC, or both

Mental Health Advocacy Academy is a leadership development and mental health advocacy program. Here, you will learn how mental health issues and racial justice are interconnected and how to create equitable access to mental health care, develop youth-centered mental health policies, and achieve comprehensive health care. You will engage in policy advocacy and awareness campaigns while also learn about the fundamentals of mental health, policy, education, and equity. The academy offers the opportunity to meet, network, and collaborate with student leaders who have successfully implemented change.

11. UT Southwestern’s Internship for High School Students

Location: Virtual

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Two weeks in June

Application deadline: Early February

Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students and rising college first-years

This two-week internship introduces you to the various careers in mental health. Led by clinician-scientists, the program offers virtual networking sessions, where you will interact with licensed clinical social workers, neuropsychologists, physician assistants, and psychiatrists. You will go through media and journal articles to prepare for these online sessions. This prep will allow you to learn about contemporary developments and research in psychology. During the program, professionals will also provide insights into how to begin a career in mental health, different pathways, education requirements, and so on. 

12. UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Summer Program

Location: Virtual

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 16 – July 24

Application deadline: March 3

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, ages 16–18

UCLA’s Neuroscience program for high school students focuses on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) research. During the six-week program, you will learn engage in multiple virtual sessions every week, engaging in neuroscience discussions and activities. You will engage in neuroscience seminars and neurology grand rounds, where experts present diverse neuroscience topics. The program’s journal club component will allow you to study literature and gain insights into the latest psychology/neuroscience research. You will receive mentorship throughout the program. By the end of the program, you will have completed a research project. 

13. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)

Location: Virtual option available for NJ students

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Five weeks in the summer

Application deadline: March 1

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in the U.S.

JHIBS offers research-focused internships to students interested in the neurological sciences. In this program, you will engage in educational presentations and experiments to build a theoretical foundation in neuroscience and biomedical research. The program also offers instruction in basic laboratory techniques and experimentation to help you develop your research and lab-based skills. JHIBS’s professional development opportunities can help you prepare for a career in the field. Throughout the internship, you will receive mentorship as you explore different aspects of neuroscience. At the end of the internship, you will receive a certificate of completion.

14. Georgetown University’s Pre-College Program—Psychology: How the Brain Influences Behavior

Location: Virtual

Cost: $3,995 (college credit course) | $1,895 (enrichment course)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Several sessions of varying lengths throughout the year

Application deadline: Varies according to the sessions

Eligibility: Students, ages 13 or up

Georgetown University’s Psychology program delves into the interplay between the brain and human behavior. You will investigate topics focusing on mental health and disorders, brain injuries, the influence of social media and popular cultures, learning disabilities, and the psychology of product/web design. You will also explore how psychologists design experiments and execute an experiment of your own. The course provides insights into brain structure in relation to neuroscience, as well as career paths for psychology majors. During the program, you will also work on a capstone project that demonstrates how psychological science applies to your life. 

15. Wake Forest University’s Learn the Science of Human Nature Course

Location: Virtual

Cost: $1,595; need-based scholarships available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Multiple 1-, 2-, and 4-week sessions throughout the year

Application deadline: Varies by session

Eligibility: Students 13 or older

This course provides an introduction to mental disorders, the mechanisms by which the brain forms perceptions, and the nature of unconscious emotions. Throughout the course, you will study the brain and discover the methods psychologists use to test and verify assumptions, gaining experience in distinguishing between common sense and true psychological insight. You will conduct your own psychological survey during the program. You will also work on a screenplay or video that discusses a psychological concept of your choice. You will get a certificate of completion upon successfully completing the course. 

One other option—Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you want to pursue independent research under the guidance of a mentor, consider applying to Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective high school programs founded in partnership with Harvard and Oxford researchers. In the past, 4,000+ students applied for just 500 spots in the research program. You can learn about the application and available programs on the application form here. 

Also, you can check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented low-income students. Last year, it offered 150 students full need-based financial assistance.

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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