Applications Open! Enroll for Summer 2027 at 2026 Tuition Pricing Until Sept 30
Analyze behavior through psychological research in this 2-week program for high school students on Georgetown University’s campus.
Rated 4.1 out of 5 for assignments and class activities by students who took this course in 2026.
Course Description
Why do people think, learn, feel, and behave as they do? Students survey major principles and perspectives in psychology, beginning with the field’s history and scientific foundations. They compare theoretical frameworks and learn how psychologists turn questions about behavior into research that can be observed, measured, and critiqued.
The course examines biological bases of behavior from neural and chemical processes to the central and peripheral nervous systems. Students then connect biology with development, learning, motivation, emotion, memory, cognition, personality, and social interaction. Examples and activities ask them to distinguish a plausible explanation from a claim supported by research.
Research methods provide a thread across the topics. Students compare observational, correlational, experimental, and quasi-experimental designs, considering the strengths and limitations of each. By analyzing studies and theories, they practice asking what the evidence supports, what remains uncertain, and how psychological knowledge can be applied responsibly. Discussion, practice, and feedback help students check their reasoning and improve how they communicate the work.
This two-week course takes place at Georgetown University. The course is available to residential and commuter students. Beyond class, students connect focused academic work with campus life, growing independence, and clearer direction about what students may want to study or pursue next. The program is developed by Georgetown University and offered in partnership with Summer Discovery.
What Will You Do?
• Compare historical and current perspectives in psychology
• Examine neural, physiological, and chemical bases of behavior
• Analyze learning, motivation, emotion, memory, and cognition
• Explore development, personality, and social interaction
• Compare observational, correlational, experimental, and quasi-experimental methods
• Critique psychological studies for strengths, limits, and conclusions
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Differentiate major psychological perspectives and fields of study
• Compare research methods and evaluate the limits of a study
• Explain behavior using biological, cognitive, developmental, and social evidence
Students leave with research critiques and a stronger scientific framework for interpreting human behavior and mental processes.
Why Psychology Skills Matter?
Psychology helps students examine familiar experiences without assuming that intuition is always accurate. Learning research methods makes it possible to evaluate how a study was designed, what variables were measured, and whether a conclusion goes beyond the evidence.
Understanding biological, cognitive, developmental, and social perspectives also teaches students to compare explanations at different levels. That flexibility supports critical reading, ethical reasoning, and clearer communication in science, education, healthcare, policy, marketing, and everyday decision-making. Together, the work reinforces careful reasoning and the ability to revise a conclusion when new evidence changes the picture.
Who Should Attend?
This course is for high school students who have completed 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and are interested in psychology, neuroscience, human development, behavior, mental health, or research. It suits students who want to understand both major topics and how psychologists build reliable knowledge.
Recommended by More Than 4 out of 5 Students
Based on students surveyed in 2026 about Summer Discovery High School programs at Georgetown University campus.
Why Georgetown University?
Studying on Georgetown University’s campus gives high-school students the opportunity to explore an academic interest while experiencing campus life in Washington, D.C. Its historic campus and surrounding neighborhood sit near embassies, institutions, and organizations that shape national and international conversations, giving the summer a distinctive sense of place.
Students learn alongside peers with similar interests, navigate a new environment, and gain independence through everyday choices and responsibilities. Time outside class helps students experience the broader rhythm of university life while considering what subjects, communities, and possible directions feel right for them. For families, the program offers a combination of substantive academic exploration, personal growth, and clearer insight into what a student may want to study or pursue next.