10 Psychology Summer Programs for High School Students in Texas
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 3
- 8 min read
If you're a high school student in Texas with an interest in human behavior, mental health, or brain science, psychology summer programs can be a smart and strategic way to explore the field before college.
Texas is home to several universities (such as UT Austin) and companies that offer summer psychology programs that are rigorous, highly selective, and competitive.
Psychology summer programs for high school students in Texas introduce you to real-world psychological concepts, research practices, and clinical skills. Unlike year-round academic commitments or expensive prep courses, many of these summer options are short, affordable, and flexible, making them a high-impact way to get a taste of college-level academics, build practical skills, and connect with professionals and mentors in the field.
Many universities, hospitals, and nonprofits in Texas offer psychology-related summer programs or internships for high school students. Choosing a local program can be financially viable for you as staying closer to home means lower housing and travel costs. Some local programs may also offer scholarships or reduced tuition fees for residents. Participating in psychology summer programs for high school students in Texas can also help you experience campus life at such top local universities, explore career paths in clinical or research psychology, and stand out on college applications through meaningful summer engagement.
We've curated a list of 10 top psychology summer programs for high schoolers in Texas that check the right boxes. We’ve also included a few virtual programs in psychology that allow students in Texas to apply.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,990 (Financial aid available)
Application Deadline: May 11 (Summer Cohort I) | June 23 (Summer Cohort II)
Dates: June–August (Summer Cohort I) | (July–October)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school | Must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4) | No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research-focused opportunity for high school students interested in psychology research. Founded by researchers from Harvard and Oxford, it will pair you 1:1 with a Ph.D. mentor from a top university to develop a university-level independent research project. You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You will also receive dedicated support for sending your research paper to high school or college-level academic journals. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starting from $2,490. Financial aid available
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November). Deadline is June 23 for the upcoming Summer II cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Date is July 14 for the upcoming Summer II cohort
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
The Psychology Track at Ladder Internships offers high school students a unique opportunity to explore real-world applications of psychology through startup-based research. During this eight-week online program, you’ll work on an independent research project in areas like clinical psychology, neuropsychology, or organizational behavior, guided by mentors with advanced academic and industry credentials. The program integrates applied psychological research within entrepreneurial environments, giving you exposure to how mental health, behavior, and cognition intersect with innovation. Weekly webinars dive into advanced psychological concepts, and additional career workshops and networking sessions help you build connections in the field. At the end of the program, you will present your findings to host organizations and receive a letter of completion.
Location: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2025 program closed on February 1. Applications for the 2026 program will open in September 2025
Dates: Typical June - August
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, 12th grade students and rising college first-years
Offered by the Department of Psychiatry, this two-week summer internship introduces high school students to a range of careers in mental health. Through a mix of interactive sessions, pre-reading packets, and exposure to real-world clinical work, you will learn about psychotherapy, neuropsychological testing, neuroscience, interventional psychiatry, and community psychiatry. You will engage directly with professionals, including psychiatrists, licensed social workers, and neuropsychologists, gaining academic insight and personal mentorship. The experience encourages open Q&A, covering everything from daily routines to career paths and education funding. Mentorship may even continue even after the program ends.
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: $4000; limited need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: March 23
Dates: June 9 – 16
Eligibility: Open to Texas residents aged 15 or older by June 1; rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors for the 2025–26 academic year
The HSRA is a five-week in-person summer research program that immerses high school students in active laboratory research on the UT Austin campus. As a participant, you’ll collaborate with undergraduates and faculty on real-world research projects in neuroscience, genetics, and genome engineering from active College of Natural Sciences laboratories. In addition to hands-on lab work, the program features weekly seminars with guest speakers and culminates in a research poster presentation, giving you a chance to showcase your findings. You will also earn college credit (NSC309) and develop practical lab skills, learn research methodologies, and experience the collaborative nature of scientific work.
Location: UT Health Lozano Long Campus, San Antonio, TX
Cost: $1,000 (includes $50 non-refundable application fee and $950 registration fee)
Application Deadline: June 20
Dates: July 14–18
Eligibility: Open to high school students; application must also include a teacher recommendation
The BEAT (Biomedical Excellence and Academic Training) Academy is a weeklong, in-person summer program that introduces high school students to subjects in biomedical science and health careers like neuroscience, physiology, and aging. It offers an up-close look at how science and medicine intersect with the study of the brain and behavior. You will engage in hands-on labs, explore the biological underpinnings of neurological and degenerative disorders, and interact with real and simulated patients, gaining exposure to medical psychology, behavioral science, and neurobiology. A college prep session is also included to help you plan your future in health and psychology-related careers. Only 20 students are accepted, making it a competitive and focused experience.
Location: University of Austin campus, Austin, TX
Cost: Free. Travel/lodging not covered
Application Deadline: May 8 (rolling admissions after this date until spots are filled)
Dates: June 27–29
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors | Rising sophomores may be considered | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | At least 15 years old at the start of the program
This three-day, non-residential summer program offers high school students a chance to experience the university's discussion-driven academic model. As part of the University of Austin’s Summer Honors Program, this seminar introduces the psychology behind status, the formation and impact of hierarchies in social settings, social perception, and the cognitive and emotional factors that shape status-seeking behavior. You will examine how social standing influences behavior, identity, group dynamics, interpersonal relationships, and decision-making, using college-level readings and guided discussions. You will engage in small seminars, philosophical debates, and intellectually rigorous workshops and understand how social psychology theories connect to workplace dynamics, social media, and cultural trends.
Location: University of Texas at Austin
Cost: $7,999 for residential | $4,599 for commuter
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: June 29 – July 18
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
This course offers high school students an introduction to positive developmental psychology and the science of well-being. You’ll explore how core psychology concepts such as happiness and well-being, strengths and virtues, optimism and resilience, gratitude, curiosity, meaning and purpose, and positive relationships shape emotional and psychological health across the lifespan. Taught by a doctoral student in Counseling Psychology, the course includes engaging lectures, case studies, group activities and exercises, fieldwork applications, and guided research activities. You will learn to apply research methods in positive psychology, utilize its principles to improve personal well-being and understand the lifelong human and development intricacies. You will also earn Teen Mental Health First Aid Certification at the end of the program.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,495
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines between June and August as per the program dates
Dates: Multiple one, two and four week sessions with varying dates between June and August. More details here
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and up
This online psychology summer program by Rice University introduces high school students to the foundational tools and applications of psychological science in daily life. You will explore subfields like cognitive, health, and organizational psychology, and learn how research and statistics support behavior prediction and change. The course includes a capstone project where you will create a three-minute video analyzing a real-world issue through the lens of psychology. You will also receive mentorship from graduate-level psychology professionals and get insights into various psychology career paths. By the end, you will develop key transferable skills like critical thinking and creativity, along with receiving a Certificate of Completion.
Location: University of Texas at Austin
Cost: Residential: $7,999 for residential | $4,599 for commuter students
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until capacity is reached
Dates: June 29 – July 18
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9–12
This three-week summer course offers high school students an in-depth introduction to psychological science, helping them understand how people think, feel, and behave. Through a blend of lectures, classroom experiments, and discussions, you'll dive into classical psychological theories, mind-body connections, and how people function socially, cognitively, and emotionally. The program also sharpens your critical thinking skills, encouraging you to evaluate research and participate in hands-on exercises. You will gain a better understanding of the human psyche using classical psychological theories and their real-world application. You will receive a Certificate of Completion from UT Austin and a Letter of Recognition from Summer Discovery at the end.
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: $6,599 for residential students; $3,599 for commuters.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: June 15 – 27
Eligibility: Students in Grades 9–12
The Psychology Academy at UT Austin is a two-week summer program designed to give high school students a broad introduction to human behavior, mental processes, and foundational psychological theories. You’ll explore topics like cognition, development, personality, and psychopathology, while participating in hands-on field research. Led by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, the program also incorporates wellness practices such as gratitude journaling and includes guest lectures by professionals from diverse psychology subfields. You will receive a Certificate of Completion from UT Austin and a Letter of Recognition from Summer Discovery upon completing the course. It also includes an optional Teen Mental Health First Aider certification.
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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