7 Paid Psychology Internships for High School Students
Psychology is a wide and interesting field — and if you’re a high schooler curious about this field, this blog is for you! An internship can offer a firsthand look into the world of psychology, helping you develop critical thinking, research skills, and a deeper understanding of human behavior.
Psychology, the study of the mind and behavior, delves into understanding how people think, feel, and act on both individual and societal levels. It spans various topics, including mental health, cognitive processes, social interactions, and emotional responses.
Also, paid internships can help cover transport and accommodation costs and compensate you for the work you’re putting in! These 7 paid psychology internships offer high school students a range of opportunities to explore the field of psychology, gain practical experience, and enhance their college applications. Whether through online programs, university-based workshops, or intensive research internships, students can find a program that aligns with their interests and goals. Let’s dive in.
1. American Psychological Association (APA) Internships
Stipend: Both paid and unpaid internships are available; specific stipend details vary by position.
Location: Washington, D.C., with some remote options available too.
Application Deadline: Varies based on the specific internship position.
Program Dates: APA offers year-round (spring, summer, fall, winter) internships.
Eligibility: Eligibility requirements vary by position; however, students residing in certain areas may not be eligible.
The American Psychological Association (APA) is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States, offering both remote and in-person internships to high school students. Internships at APA vary widely depending on the department, including policy, research, communications, operations, ITS, and financial services.
Students participating in these internships will engage in research, writing, and web-based projects and assist APA staff with administrative tasks and special projects. The internships are designed to give students a deeper understanding of the professional psychology workplace environment. In addition to hands-on experience, interns also have the opportunity to attend workshops, participate in group discussions and projects, and interact with senior psychologists, providing a well-rounded introduction to the field.
2. Boston University RISE Internship (Psychology Track)
Stipend: $500.
Location: Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts.
Application Deadline: February.
Program Dates: July - August, typically.
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors (current juniors) with a strong interest in psychology.
The Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) internship at Boston University offers a specialized psychology track for high school students interested in research.
As a participant, you will work under the mentorship of BU faculty on projects related to psychology and neuroscience, participate in lab meetings, and present your findings. This hands-on experience allows students to contribute to ongoing research while gaining exposure to advanced topics in psychology and developing professional skills. The program also includes seminars, workshops, and social activities, making it a well-rounded experience.
3. Stanford University’s SHTEM Summer Internship
Stipend: Some stipend may be provided based on financial need.
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: February.
Program Dates: 8 weeks across June – August.
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors who are at least 14 years old.
Stanford University’s SHTEM (Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Summer Research Internships Program offers a virtual internship experience for high school and community college students, providing early exposure to cutting-edge research within an academic setting.
The program covers a wide range of research topics, bridging the gap between humanities and STEM disciplines with themes that include psychology, biology, neuroscience, arts, linguistics, engineering, and more. Interns are grouped into project teams, each guided by one or more mentors from Stanford’s Compression Forum and its affiliated organizations. Throughout the internship, students work on assigned research projects, maintain regular communication with their mentors and team members, and dedicate 30–40 hours per week to their projects. For hardware-based projects, materials are shipped to students. The internship culminates in a presentation of the students’ projects, showcasing their research and collaborative efforts.
4. Child Mind Institute Youth Mental Health Academy
Stipend: Up to $2,000.
Location: Remote, hybrid, and in-person options are available.
Application Deadline: March.
Program dates: 14 months from June to July of the next year.
Eligibility: High school students in California with an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher can apply. Applicants should be from marginalized communities, as defined in the FAQ here.
The Child Mind Institute Program is a long-term internship program lasting 14 months. It is designed to help students get hands-on learning in mental health science, practice, and communications. The program involves 3 phases: first, 5-week project-based learning in the summer, then, monthly workshops, mentor support, and other program activities throughout the school year, and finally, up to 6 weeks of internship in the next summer. During the first phase, you will get to attend interactive discussions on topics like mental health, treatment, research, and related careers. Then, you will work on a capstone project to demonstrate what you learned during the summer sessions.
Throughout the school year, you will attend workshops every month to keep learning about mental health and be better prepared for college. During your second summer at the program, you will get to work as an intern in a mental health-related field and will be paired with a youth-oriented community-based organization or research organization. You will be expected to work for 100 hours in total on research and analysis of data and using the data to come up with recommendations for mental health interventions and advocacy. You can apply here.
5. National Institute of Drug Abuse Research Intramural Research Program
Stipend: Paid. Information on the exact amount is not available.
Location: Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus, Baltimore, MD
Application deadline: February
Program dates: 8 to 10 weeks in the summer. Exact dates are not available.
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 17 years old can apply
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is one of the institutes and centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Its Intramural Research Program is a selective research opportunity offered to high school students interested in exploring the scientific basis of drug abuse and its impact on mental health and human psychology. Each summer, NIDA opens up a few positions to encourage students to conduct research on drug abuse. You can apply via the NIH HS-SIP program. You will get to work under the guidance and mentorship of leading researchers. At the end of the program, the Summer Poster Day is organized for interns to share their research with the NIH community.
You can learn more about the virtual session here and the in-person sessions here before applying. The program has previously accepted approximately 12% of applicants.
6. University of Michigan Wolverine Pathways Psychology Program
Stipend: Students receive a stipend. The exact amount is not specified.
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Application Deadline: January.
Program Dates: June - July.
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors from participating school districts in Michigan.
The Wolverine Pathways program at the University of Michigan offers a number of specialized tracks for high school students, including one in psychology. This program provides participants with an introduction to the field through coursework, workshops, and research projects. Students have the opportunity to learn from university faculty, engage in hands-on research, and develop a deeper understanding of psychological concepts.
7. University of Texas Southwestern - Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship
Stipend: No information is available at the moment.
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in late September and are due in early February each year.
Program Dates: The internship typically runs for 2 weeks in June.
Eligibility: Open to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Responsibilities: Engage in interactive sessions with mental health professionals, learn about various mental health fields, and participate in discussions.
Outcomes: Gain insight into mental health careers, develop an understanding of different psychology fields, and establish mentoring connections.
Preparation: Attestation of no felonies; Recommendation from one's guidance counselor or homeschool administrator; Personal essay describing motivations for participating in the internship
Drawbacks: Limited to a short duration and no stipend information available.
Website: University of Texas Southwestern Mental Health Internship
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center offers a 2-week virtual internship designed to help high school students explore careers in mental health. This program provides participants with the opportunity to interact with clinician-scientists, including licensed social workers, psychiatrists, physician assistants, and neuropsychologists.
Through interactive sessions, these professionals share their personal experiences and insights into the field of psychology, offering a comprehensive overview of mental health careers. The program covers a range of topics, including psychotherapy, neuroscience, neuropsychological testing, interventional psychiatry, and community psychiatry. Participants also have the chance to connect with industry leaders and form mentoring relationships that can support their future careers in psychology.
Looking for a hands-on internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries, with a large number of them in tech. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!