Succeed
    Topics in Psychology
    Online Program

    Topics in Psychology

    by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies

    Topics in Psychology explores psychological theory and research methods through live teaching, historical studies, and hands-on research activities.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Topics in Psychology at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Current Grades 8-11

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 13-17

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $3,200

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    PsychologySocial Sciences
    Sessions / cadence: Mon-Fri: 2h live; 2-3h homework daily
    Time-zone / scheduling model: 8:00-11:00 a.m. PDT window
    Latest verified cycle: 2026
    Academic support: Online office hours
    Learning activities: Assignments and small research projects
    Financial aid: Domestic and international participants

    Topics in Psychology summary

    Topics in Psychology connects influential psychological theories with current research. Hands-on activities such as small research projects introduce the methods social scientists use.

    Expect active participation and independent assignments rather than passive lecture viewing. It suits students who want to investigate how psychologists study behavior and mental processes.

    What is Topics in Psychology?

    Topics in Psychology is a Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes course introducing psychological theory and research methods. Students examine works that shaped the field and engage with areas of current research.

    The experience combines live online classes with hands-on activities such as small research projects. Possible topics include social psychology, social and cognitive development, perception, memory, psychological disorders, and the limits of psychological methodology.

    Why Succeed highlights Topics in Psychology

    • Historical works and current research give students two useful perspectives on how psychology develops.

    • Small research projects make methodological tools more concrete than an introduction based solely on lectures.

    • Published live-class and homework expectations help families assess the real time commitment.

    • Online office hours provide a separate opportunity for academic questions.

    Who is Topics in Psychology for?

    Best for

    Students curious about psychological theory who also want to understand how researchers investigate behavior.

    Not ideal if

    You want a self-paced course or cannot protect daily time for live teaching and independent work.

    Is Topics in Psychology worth it?

    The course is worth considering if you want to test your interest in psychology through both theory and research activities. Its strongest educational feature is the connection between influential ideas, current research, and methodological practice.

    The daily workload makes this a substantial commitment rather than casual enrichment. Judge its value by what you hope to understand and investigate; Stanford explicitly separates participation from its undergraduate admissions process.

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    Founder, Succeed

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    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $3,200; includes Two-hour live online classes Monday-Friday., Online office hours., Hands-on activities such as small research projects..

    Dates and time commitment

    2 weeks; Mon-Fri: 2h live; 2-3h homework daily.

    Provider details

    Review the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: Small research projects are among the course's hands-on activities.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Check how online sessions are supervised, how mentor communication works, and what support route exists if the student needs help.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Topics in Psychology need?

    Effort level

    High during the teaching period.

    Best started

    Allow several weeks to prepare the application and work sample, then organize your routine before the next session.

    Main challenge

    Sustaining independent work alongside a fixed live-class window.

    Typical preparation

    • Gather recent grade reports or transcripts and identify a work sample that reflects your abilities.

    • Write your application responses independently and review every upload before submitting.

    • Convert the Pacific Time meeting window to your local time and reserve separate homework time.

    Useful if

    You want to explore psychology as an academic subject.

    What do students do on Topics in Psychology?

    Students examine psychological theories and research through live classes, independent assignments, and hands-on activities. The course links the field's historical development with contemporary methods and questions.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Attend the assigned two-hour live online class each Monday-Friday.

    2. 2

      Study influential psychological works alongside areas of current research.

    3. 3

      Explore methodological tools through activities such as small research projects.

    4. 4

      Complete independent assignments and projects outside live class time.

    5. 5

      Use scheduled online office hours for academic questions.

    Topics in Psychology dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Programme dates

    6-17 July 2026

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Current Grades 8-11 at the time of application.

    • Domestic and international applicants may apply.

    • Applicants complete application responses independently.

    • Admitted students attend only one Summer Institutes course.

    • Standardized test scores are optional.

    How much does Topics in Psychology cost?

    Financial aid

    Financial aid — Domestic and international participants can receive aid.

    What's included

    Two-hour live online classes Monday-Friday., Online office hours., Hands-on activities such as small research projects.

    How to apply to Topics in Psychology

    1. 1

      Use Stanford's admissions page to access the online application and select courses you genuinely want to attend.

    2. 2

      Complete all application responses yourself.

    3. 3

      Upload recent grade reports or transcripts and a work sample meeting the selected course's requirements.

    4. 4

      Have a parent or legal guardian review and sign the completed application.

    5. 5

      Review all materials, pay the application fee, and submit the complete application.

    6. 6

      Keep your application complete at submission because changes and emailed materials are not accepted afterward.

    Next step with Succeed

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    Learning format

    Students attend a two-hour live online class each Monday-Friday within the 8:00-11:00 a.m. PDT window, with the third hour used for online office hours. Plan for approximately two to three additional hours per day of asynchronous assignments and projects.

    Students attend one course section and time; exact class and office-hour schedules are set closer to the program.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Live online teaching for two hours each weekday.

    • Online office hours in the third hour of the meeting window.

    • An office-hour schedule set closer to the program.

    Time-zone considerations

    • The published meeting window is 8:00-11:00 a.m. PDT.
    • Live classes last two hours each Monday-Friday.
    • The third hour is used for online office hours.
    • Allow approximately two to three daily hours for asynchronous homework.

    Assessment style

    Learning activities include independent assignments, projects, and hands-on psychological research.

    • Explore research methods through small projects.
    • Complete assignments outside live class time.
    • Engage with historical works and current research.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    Small research projects are among the course's hands-on activities.

    • Small research projects exploring social-science methods.

    • Independent assignments and project work.

    Topics in Psychology FAQs

    The course introduces psychological theory and research methods. Possible topics include social psychology, development, perception, memory, psychological disorders, and approaches to studying behavior.

    Students attend a two-hour live online class each Monday-Friday. The published window is 8:00-11:00 a.m. PDT, with the third hour used for office hours; exact schedules are set closer to the program.

    Plan for approximately two to three hours per day of assignments and projects outside live class time.

    The course lists Grades 8-11. Stanford uses the applicant's current grade when they submit the application.

    Applicants must complete all responses themselves. Parents or legal guardians may review the completed application and then sign it.

    No. Scores are optional for domestic and international applicants, and there is no published test-score or GPA cutoff.

    Yes. Aid can be awarded to both domestic and international participants.

    No. Stanford's undergraduate admissions process is separate and independent, and participation does not guarantee admission.

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Questions: Application - SI | Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
    • Topics in Psychology | Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)

    • Course schedule reviewed

    • Grade requirements reviewed

    • Application materials reviewed

    • Financial aid eligibility reviewed

    • Admissions caveat reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.