For future psychology and social work students
Psychology and Social Work Opportunities for High School Students
31 volunteer programs, research programs, competitions, and clubs for high school students interested in psychology and social work: 7 national or online, and 24 local programs in New York City, the Bay Area, and Houston.
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- Opportunities
- 31
- Not paused or waitlisted
- 31
- application availability varies
- Minimum age under 16
- 19
- excludes paused and waitlisted
- Summer only
- 8
- others run longer or do not say
- Active Minds Chapter (High School)
Club or organization · Nationwide
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- School year
- Alameda County Community Food Bank Warehouse Volunteer
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- 10 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Neuroscience Research Prize
Competition · Nationwide
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- Applications open July 29, 2026 and close October 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT (past window; confirm next cycle)
- Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Summer Junior Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Houston, TX
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- 2026 applications opened February 9, 2026 at 3 p.m. and filled within an hour; next program information in January 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Children's Museum Houston Discovery Squad
Volunteering · Houston, TX
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 17
- When to apply
- Applications for 2026-2027 are closed; 2027-2028 applications open April 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- City Harvest Volunteer Projects (ages 14+)
Volunteering · New York, NY
- Who can join
- 14 and up
- When to apply
- Not posted
- East Bay SPCA Shelter Scouts: Animal Welfare Advocates
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 12 to 17
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Exploring (Learning for Life) Health Care Career Exploring
Club or organization · Nationwide
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- School year
- God's Love We Deliver Meal Kit Assembly and Kitchen Volunteering
Volunteering · New York, NY
- Who can join
- 13 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Harris Health Summer Junior Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Houston, TX
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Applications opened February 2 and closed February 16, 2026; first-come by site (past window; confirm next cycle)
- Houston Food Bank Student Heroes
Club or organization · Houston, TX
- Who can join
- 14 and up
- When to apply
- New student application for Fall 2026 opened June 20, 2026; eligible students are invited to apply automatically (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- International Brain Bee Brain Bee (USA National Brain Bee)
Competition · Nationwide
- Who can join
- Ages 13 to 19
- When to apply
- School year
- Long Island Jewish Valley Stream (Northwell Health) Junior Volunteers Program
Summer program · Valley Stream, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 17
- When to apply
- April 1 (date unconfirmed; check official page)
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford Teen Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Palo Alto, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Monthly online orientations, which fill quickly (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Mount Sinai Brooklyn Volunteer Program (high school volunteers)
Volunteering · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Not posted
- Mount Sinai Morningside Unit Support Volunteers
Volunteering · New York, NY
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Rolling; applications reviewed monthly (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Mount Sinai Queens High School Student Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Astoria, NY
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Email volunteerinqueens@mountsinai.org to schedule an interview; registration takes 4-6 weeks after the interview (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NAMI On Campus High School Clubs
Club or organization · Nationwide
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- School year
- National Council for Mental Wellbeing (Mental Health First Aid) Teen Mental Health First Aid (teen MHFA)
Certification or course · Nationwide
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 18
- When to apply
- School year
- North Shore University Hospital (Northwell Health) Junior Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Manhasset, NY
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Fall enrollment September 1-7; summer enrollment April 1-7; applications accepted online only during these dates (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island Summer Volunteer Program
Summer program · Mineola, NY
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- March 30 (date unconfirmed; check official page)
- Project Sunshine High School Chapters
Club or organization · Nationwide
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- School year
- San Francisco-Marin Food Bank Warehouse Volunteer
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- 10 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Second Harvest of Silicon Valley Volunteer Program (ages 12+)
Volunteering · San Jose, CA
- Who can join
- 12 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Star of Hope Mission Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Houston, TX
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Staten Island University Hospital (Northwell Health) Junior Volunteers
Volunteering · Staten Island, NY
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- The summer application period closed on June 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Sutter Eden Medical Center Auxiliary Volunteer (ages 16+)
Volunteering · Castro Valley, CA
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Texas Children's Hospital (Medical Center) Summer Junior Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Houston, TX
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 17
- When to apply
- Opened February 6 at 5 p.m. and closed February 13 at 5 p.m. (2026); 2027 details posted in January 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands Summer Junior Program
Volunteering · The Woodlands, TX
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 17
- When to apply
- Applications for 2026 are closed; check back in January 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Texas Children's Hospital West Campus Summer Junior Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Houston, TX
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- No longer accepting applications for the 2026 Summer Junior Program (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- TIRR Memorial Hermann Junior Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Houston, TX
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Applicants moving forward to interview were notified by April 6, 2026 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
| Opportunity | Where | Who can join | Commitment | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Minds Chapter (High School)Club or organization | Nationwide | Not posted | Not posted | School year |
| Alameda County Community Food Bank Warehouse VolunteerVolunteering · Food bank or community service | Oakland, CA | 10 and up | Not posted | Year-round |
| American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Neuroscience Research PrizeCompetition | Nationwide | Grades 9 to 12 | Not posted | Applications open July 29, 2026 and close October 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT (past window; confirm next cycle) |
| Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Summer Junior Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Houston, TX | 15 and up | Not posted | 2026 applications opened February 9, 2026 at 3 p.m. and filled within an hour; next program information in January 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Children's Museum Houston Discovery SquadVolunteering · Museum or science center | Houston, TX | Ages 14 to 17 | Minimum 75 volunteer hours, during the summer or across the school year | Applications for 2026-2027 are closed; 2027-2028 applications open April 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| City Harvest Volunteer Projects (ages 14+)Volunteering · Food bank or community service | New York, NY | 14 and up | Not posted | Not posted |
| East Bay SPCA Shelter Scouts: Animal Welfare AdvocatesVolunteering · Animal shelter or rescue | Oakland, CA | Ages 12 to 17 | 4-week sessions, Saturdays or Sundays, 2 hours per week | Year-round |
| Exploring (Learning for Life) Health Care Career ExploringClub or organization · Hospital or health system | Nationwide | Not posted | Posts and clubs typically meet twice a month during the school year | School year |
| God's Love We Deliver Meal Kit Assembly and Kitchen VolunteeringVolunteering · Food bank or community service | New York, NY | 13 and up | One-time or ongoing shifts | Year-round |
| Harris Health Summer Junior Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Houston, TX | Not posted | Six weeks, 60+ hours (56+ at outpatient clinics), June 15 - July 23, 2026; two set days per week | Applications opened February 2 and closed February 16, 2026; first-come by site (past window; confirm next cycle) |
| Houston Food Bank Student HeroesClub or organization · Food bank or community service | Houston, TX | 14 and up | 50 volunteer hours per session (25 by the midpoint); one year of service for full training | New student application for Fall 2026 opened June 20, 2026; eligible students are invited to apply automatically (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| International Brain Bee Brain Bee (USA National Brain Bee)Competition | Nationwide | Ages 13 to 19 | Not posted | School year |
| Long Island Jewish Valley Stream (Northwell Health) Junior Volunteers ProgramSummer program · Hospital or health system | Valley Stream, NY | Ages 16 to 17 | 100-hour commitment per calendar year; July and August | April 1 (date unconfirmed; check official page) |
| Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford Teen Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Palo Alto, CA | Not posted | 6-month commitment (some programs require 1 year), one 2-3 hour shift per week | Monthly online orientations, which fill quickly (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Mount Sinai Brooklyn Volunteer Program (high school volunteers)Volunteering · Hospital or health system | Brooklyn, NY | 15 and up | Not posted | Not posted |
| Mount Sinai Morningside Unit Support VolunteersVolunteering · Hospital or health system | New York, NY | 15 and up | 150 hours minimum; one consecutive 3-hour shift per week | Rolling; applications reviewed monthly (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Mount Sinai Queens High School Student Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Astoria, NY | 15 and up | At least four hours per week for at least one semester | Email volunteerinqueens@mountsinai.org to schedule an interview; registration takes 4-6 weeks after the interview (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NAMI On Campus High School ClubsClub or organization | Nationwide | Not posted | Not posted | School year |
| National Council for Mental Wellbeing (Mental Health First Aid) Teen Mental Health First Aid (teen MHFA)Certification or course | Nationwide | Ages 14 to 18 | Six 45-minute sessions or three 90-minute sessions; in person, online or blended | School year |
| North Shore University Hospital (Northwell Health) Junior Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Manhasset, NY | 15 and up | Minimum 100 hours in the first year; no summer-only placements | Fall enrollment September 1-7; summer enrollment April 1-7; applications accepted online only during these dates (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island Summer Volunteer ProgramSummer program · Hospital or health system | Mineola, NY | 16 and up | Minimum 24 hours over 8 weeks; one consistent 3-hour shift per week | March 30 (date unconfirmed; check official page) |
| Project Sunshine High School ChaptersClub or organization · Hospital or health system | Nationwide | Not posted | Chapter Leaders serve at least one academic year; chapters host at least one kit packing event per year | School year |
| San Francisco-Marin Food Bank Warehouse VolunteerVolunteering · Food bank or community service | San Francisco, CA | 10 and up | Not posted | Year-round |
| Second Harvest of Silicon Valley Volunteer Program (ages 12+)Volunteering · Food bank or community service | San Jose, CA | 12 and up | Not posted | Year-round |
| Star of Hope Mission Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Food bank or community service | Houston, TX | 16 and up | Not posted | Year-round |
| Staten Island University Hospital (Northwell Health) Junior VolunteersVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Staten Island, NY | Not posted | Minimum 100 hours of service, at least four hours per week | The summer application period closed on June 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Sutter Eden Medical Center Auxiliary Volunteer (ages 16+)Volunteering · Hospital or health system | Castro Valley, CA | 16 and up | Not posted | Year-round |
| Texas Children's Hospital (Medical Center) Summer Junior Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Houston, TX | Ages 15 to 17 | Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., June 5 - July 16, 2026; two 3-hour shifts per day; up to 4 shift absences allowed | Opened February 6 at 5 p.m. and closed February 13 at 5 p.m. (2026); 2027 details posted in January 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands Summer Junior ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | The Woodlands, TX | Ages 15 to 17 | Not posted | Applications for 2026 are closed; check back in January 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Texas Children's Hospital West Campus Summer Junior Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Houston, TX | 15 and up | Not posted | No longer accepting applications for the 2026 Summer Junior Program (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| TIRR Memorial Hermann Junior Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Hospital or health system | Houston, TX | 15 and up | Program dates June 8, 2026 - August 7, 2026 | Applicants moving forward to interview were notified by April 6, 2026 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
Email me this list
A link to this list, so you have the age rules and application windows when they open.
Summer programs for psychology and social work students
| Program | Where | Who can apply | Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHIStanford Pre-Collegiate Studies | Stanford, CAResidential | Grades 10 to 11 at the time of application | Paid, aid available | February 2, 2026Last cycle’s date |
Browse other opportunities
By intended major
In New York City
In the Bay Area
- Pre-Med (18)
- Nursing and Health (18)
- Pre-Vet and Animal Science (12)
- Biology and Environmental Science (24)
- Engineering and Computer Science (7)
- Law and Government (3)
- Education (27)
- Arts and Humanities (8)
- Psychology and Social Work (6)
- Hospital (18)
- Zoo and Aquarium (11)
- Museum (10)
- Library (9)
- Animal Shelter (5)
- Parks and Environment (5)
- Community Service (3)
Frequently asked questions
What activities help a future psychology and social work student?
Activities a student keeps up over time and can describe in their own words. One long commitment usually says more than several short ones.
Do these programs have age limits?
Most do. Each program page shows the minimum age or grade the organization posts, and says so when nothing is posted.
Sources and method
Each opportunity was read from the organization's own page. A rule, date, or fee the page does not state is left blank. Last checked 2026-10-13. Programs change age rules, hours, and application windows, so confirm on the official page before applying. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with these organizations.
Suggested attribution: Dewey Smart. “Psychology and Social Work Opportunities for High School Students”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/major/psychology-and-social-work.
When quoting a figure, include its data year and population, and retain its source link. Reuse terms.
