9 Psychology Summer Programs for High School Students in California
- Stephen Turban
- May 26
- 6 min read
If you're a high school student in California interested in how people think, feel, and behave, a psychology summer program can be a great (and accessible) way to explore the field. These programs introduce you to topics like mental health, cognitive science, and research methods—often through college-level coursework and hands-on activities.
In addition to learning in the classroom, many programs offer mentorship, lab experience, and exposure to real-world applications of psychology. You’ll also develop skills such as critical thinking, data analysis, and research design, which can be valuable in any academic or career path.
To help you get started, here are 9 psychology summer programs for high school students in California worth exploring:
1. Lumiere Education - Psychology Track
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines for different cohorts
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college.
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Cost: Starts at $2,990; fully funded through the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Lumiere Education is a great option for research-intensive psychology summer programs for high school students in California. In this program, you will work 1-1 with a PhD researcher, who will mentor you along your journey to completing an independent research project.
You will have individual sessions with your mentor to design, conduct, analyse, and draft your findings on any subject you choose. You will also benefit from 2 individual sessions with a writing coach, who will help you polish your writing and communication skills and ensure that you can successfully draft a research paper to showcase your findings. At the end of this program, you shall have a college-level academic paper that you may submit for publication in journals. If you’re looking to pursue a career in psychological research, this program can help you lay the foundation for your future endeavors.
Location: Remote
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Ladder Internships is designed to connect ambitious high school students with global start-ups or non-governmental organizations. You will work on a real-world project that will add tangible value to your host organisation, and present your work at the end of your internship.
To ensure that you can meet your objectives and successfully complete your project, you will benefit from the guidance and support of a Ladder Coach. You will also be supervised by a manager at your organization, who will mentor you along your journey. This internship gives you the opportunity to gain practical experience at high-growth companies in various industries that are raising over a million dollars on average.
Location: Remote
Program Dates: July 9 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 5; April 15 – May 15 for rolling applications
Eligibility: High school students from grades 9-11 with an interest in psychology, neuroscience, or social sciences
Cost: $4,790; need-based financial aid is offered
The Foundations of Psychology Research course at UChicago will help you understand the nuances of psychological research, particularly the various methods and concepts involved. This can be particularly helpful in familiarizing you with the basic knowledge required to pursue psychological research.
You will explore different approaches to designing research and developing a research plan while interacting with an experimental psychologist. In addition, you will have a final project that engages you in answering a research question by developing a psychological study. The purpose of this is to help you practically apply the research methods you have learned in the course.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: June 16 – 20
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until June 2
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $2,700 (scholarships available)
This UCSD course offers a broad introduction to neuroscience, exploring how the brain governs pain, memory, emotion, and neurological disease. While not purely focused on psychology, it provides key biological insights that deepen your understanding of mental processes. You will also explore the fundamentals of neuroscience, including the study of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as peripheral neuronal diseases.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: 5 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Cost/Stipend: $500 stipend for online interns
Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) allows you to engage in various aspects of psychological and neurological scientific research, including experimental design and data analysis. There is an in-person option lasting 8 weeks, while the virtual experience spans 5 weeks and offers a comprehensive educational research experience.
You will participate in educational presentations, mentorship training, and professional development. You will also learn about fundamental laboratory techniques and experiments. Additionally, you will be introduced to career pathways in the medical and neuroscience fields.
Location: UC Santa Barbara, CA
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Advanced 9th graders or qualified 10th–11th grade students with a minimum 3.80 GPA who can attend the program in full; California residents receive priority
Cost:
Commuter: $5,175
Residential: $12,474
Scholarships may be awarded based on qualifications, need, and availability.
UC Santa Barbara offers one of the most selective psychology summer programs for high school students in California. You'll be paired with faculty researchers and graduate students to work on original academic research in a field that matches your interests, including psychology, neuroscience, and related sciences.
You will have access to the university's advanced research facilities and extensive library resources. This will allow you to create and execute a research project, enhancing your abilities in data collection, data analysis, and scientific communication. By the end of the program, you'll produce a formal research paper and present your findings at a research symposium, building experience typically reserved for undergraduates.
Location: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego, or UC Santa Cruz
Program Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: California High School Students in grades 8-12
Cost: $5,256 tuition; full financial aid is available
COSMOS is a prestigious, four-week residential program designed for students passionate about STEM, including psychology. Students apply to a specific “cluster” or academic theme, some of which may explore neuroscience, cognitive science, or behavioral psychology, depending on the campus.
Each cluster combines rigorous coursework with hands-on research and lab work, mentored by faculty and graduate students. With a small cohort of about 200 students per campus, this is a competitive opportunity that provides an immersive introduction to university-level research and science education.
Location: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego, or UC Santa Cruz
Program Dates:
First summer: June 23 – July 24
Academic year: August - May
Second Summer: July - August
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility:
Be enrolled in a public or private high school in California at the time of application, have a GPA of at least 2.5, be from a marginalized community, and commit to completing the entire program
Cost: None. Stipend up to $2,000
The Youth Mental Health Academy is a 14-month career development initiative designed to diversify the mental health workforce. This program offers high school students deep exposure to mental health professions through immersive, project-based learning, mentorship, and paid internships.
The experience begins with a summer of in-person learning, followed by monthly academic-year programming and a second summer internship. You’ll work with mental health professionals, develop community-based projects, and receive guidance on college and career pathways. This will be a paid, project-based internship with a stipend of up to $2,000.
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Mary S. Easton Center, CA
Program Dates: June 16 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors (ages 16–18) from underrepresented communities
Cost: None
This six-week program introduces students to Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and neuroscience research through seminars, literature review, mentorship, and group projects. Whether attending virtually or in person, you’ll gain early exposure to research methodology, cultural competency in health care, and current issues in neurological diseases.
Participants attend sessions three times a week, featuring lectures, discussions, and skill-building activities conducted by UCLA faculty and researchers. There is a focus on the specific challenges encountered by underrepresented communities in neuroscience and healthcare.
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.
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