Discover Free Online Psychology Courses for High School Students

Are you fascinated by the human mind? Do you wonder how decisions are made? Why social media causes anxiety? How psychological disorders are diagnosed? What causes PTSD? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then you should start taking free online psychology courses for high school students. In addition to providing you with three well-curated lists of free online psychology courses, we’ll also discuss the advantages of studying psychology, and how you can apply psychological principles to various fields and industries, as well as strategies for getting the most out of online classes.  

Psychology is the scientific exploration of the human mind and behavior, which can be applied to a wide array of fields, from mental health treatment and counseling to organizational management and human-computer interactions. The possibilities really are endless! If you’re considering majoring in psychology or Exploring Psychology as a Career Path, you’ll want to start studying the subject as soon as possible. Not only will this give you an advantage on your college applications, but it’ll also help you discover where your true passions lie. 

The Importance of Studying Psychology

Psychology is the scientific exploration of the human mind and behavior. By delving into the inner workings of cognition, emotion, and personality, we are provided with a deeper understanding of ourselves and the factors that shape our thoughts, actions, and interactions. Overall, the insights that we gain from psychology are invaluable.  From personal relationships and mental health to organizational dynamics and societal issues, psychologists offer evidence-based strategies for personal growth, clinical interventions, and organizational optimization. 

Benefits of Free Online Courses

Taking free online classes for high schoolers is a great way to explore potential college majors, especially if your high school doesn’t offer many classes in psychology. In addition to communicating your passion and motivation to college admissions officers, taking free online psychology courses could help you land an internship or open the door for job shadowing and other professional networking opportunities. It’s also a great way to impress the Best Psychology Schools in the US!

Overall, there are lots of benefits to free online courses for high schoolers. In addition to being free, these classes are often self-paced, which means that students can complete them whenever is most convenient for them. For example, enrolling in free online psychology courses for high school students can be a great way to spend your summer or even your spring break. 

Top Free Online Psychology Courses

There are hundreds of online psychology courses for high school students. Which leads us to the question: How are you supposed to choose with so many options? 

There are several factors you’ll want to consider as you select online psychology courses, namely cost and credibility. While some of the top psychology programs are very expensive, many of the free online psychology courses lack credibility. 

This is where we come in: To help you out, we’ve sorted through countless online psychology courses to present you with these 3 curated lists of top free online psychology courses for high school students:  

7 Introductory Psychology Courses

Looking for an intro to psychology course you can take from the comfort of your own home? Check out these 7 classes from top universities that you can take for free!   An introductory course in psychology can be an excellent first step in your career development, whether you aim to become a psychologist or pursue a field that values a deep understanding of human behavior.

1. Introduction to Psychology from MIT

2. Introduction to Psychology from Yale University

3. Introduction to Psychology from University of Toronto 

4. Introduction to Psychology Part 1 from Wesleyan University

5. Introduction to Psychology Part 2 from Wesleyan University

6. Fundamentals of Psychology from Doane University 

7. Intro to Psychology from San Jose State University 

20 Courses on Human Behavior and Mental Health

Lots of high schools don’t offer psychology courses, especially beyond basic introductory courses. If you’re looking for something a little more advanced, check out these 20 courses on human behavior and mental health.

1. Psychological Influences on Decision Making from the American Psychological Association

2. Positive Psychology from the American Psychological Association

3. The Science of Well-Being from Yale University

4. Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress from Yale University 

5. Positive Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

6. Psychology of Popularity from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

7. Social Psychology from Wesleyan University

8. History of Mental Illness from Wesleyan University 

9. Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions from University of Pennsylvania

10. Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills from University of Pennsylvania

11. Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science from University of Pennsylvania

12. Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods from University of Pennsylvania

13. The Science of Happiness from the University of California, Berkeley

14. Young People and Mental Health from the University of Cambridge

15. The Psychology of Emotions: An Introduction to Embodied Cognition from the University of Cambridge   

16. Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health from the University of Sydney

17. Introduction to Cognitive Psychology: An Experimental Science from the University of York 

18. Psychology of Personal Growth from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

19. Understanding Anxiety, Depression and CBT from the University of Reading    

20. Introduction to Social Psychology from the University of Queensland    

12 Specialized Topics in Psychology

Passionate psychology students may want to take a specialized psychology program. Not only will this look impressive on their college applications and resumes, but it will also expand their academic horizons and maybe even inspire them to pursue Psychology Summer Programs for High Schoolers or Psychology Research Projects for High Schoolers.

1. Gender and Sexuality from American Psychological Association   

2. Learn Interpersonal Psychotherapy from University of Toronto  

3. Schizophrenia from Wesleyan University

4. Depressive and Bipolar Disorders American Psychological Association    

5. Foundations of International Psychiatry from the University of Melbourne 

6. Introduction to Abnormal Psychology from Wesleyan University

7. Introduction to Self-Determination Theory: An approach to motivation, development and wellness from University of Rochester

8. Introduction to Health Psychology from University of Padova

9. Psychological First Aid from Johns Hopkins University

10. Major Depression in the Population: A Public Health Approach from Johns Hopkins University 

11. Introduction to Human Behavioral Genetics from the University of Minnesota  

12. Identifying and Responding to Developmental Delay in Young Children from Stanford University 

How These Courses Are Structured

These free online psychology courses for high school students are hosted on educational platforms, such as edX, Coursera, Class Central, and FutureLearn. These platforms offer a streamlined experience with an easy-to-use interface. Virtual lectures, student forums, reading lists, and online quizzes — everything is right at your fingertips! 

Course Formats and Accessibility

While all of these classes are free, many courses will provide you with the option to take a paid version of the class that offers a certificate upon completion. Overall, these fees are pretty reasonable and are usually between $100-200. That being said, auditing a class (taking a class for free), is a great way to expand your horizons and explore potential college majors. Many high schools don’t offer psychology classes, so taking a free online psychology class can be a great way to explore the subject before you start college and declare a major.  

One of the many benefits of taking online classes is accessibility. In addition to being self-paced, many of these courses have many accessibility features, such as subtitles, closed captions, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, translation features, and more. 

What to Expect in Terms of Coursework

As previously stated, many of these classes are self-paced, which means you’ll be able to adjust your study schedule according to your other classes and extracurricular activities. For most of these free online classes, you’ll want to dedicate 2-5 hours each week so that you get the most out of the course. Some courses will have assignments and exams, whereas other courses will be more self-directed. This is important to keep in mind as you explore potential classes and consider how to Choose High School Courses for Success.

Tips for Successful Online Learning

Without the structure of a physical classroom, many students struggle to stay motivated and on-task. This is why taking an online class can be challenging for a lot of students. In order to set yourself up for success, you’ll want to create a dedicated study space free from distractions, as well as set a consistent daily routine. Set reminders and use a day planner to help you stay on track and manage your time wisely.

It’s also no secret that the internet is full of distractions. Put your phone away and close out of unrelated tabs on your internet browsers. You won't retain much information from your lectures if you’re on TikTok or online shopping! In general, try to give your lectures your undivided attention by limiting any multi-tasking.

How to Make the Most of Free Courses

Just because a class is free, doesn’t mean that it isn’t valuable! Give these classes your all by attending all the lectures, taking careful notes, completing all of the assignments in a timely manner, and having consistent communication with your instructor.

Strategies for Engaging with Course Materials

In order to make the most of free online courses for high school students, you’ll want to communicate clearly with your instructors and classmates. This may involve regularly checking discussion boards, asking questions during virtual office hours, and participating in group projects through video calls and collaborative documents. 

How to Apply Psychology Learning in Real Life

Psychological principles can be applied to virtually any field. From advertising and marketing to optimizing business structures to humanizing AI technologies, counseling and managing medications, and designing curricula for children, psychologists use their insights into human behaviors to create innovations in a wide variety of fields. 

Practical Applications of Psychological Principles

There are lots of ways to apply psychology learning in real life. In fact, the more you learn about psychology, the more you see it in everyday life. By understanding underlying patterns of behavior, emotions, and cognitive functions, psychologists are able to bring compassion, nuance, and innovation to a variety of fields. Additionally, research, communication, and active listening skills have wide applications, both personally and professionally. 

Projects and Experiments for High School Students

Here at Polygence, we believe that project-based learning and professional mentorship are key to inspiring and empowering our students. With over 180 Psychology Research Program Mentors for High School Students, Polygence offers students the tools and guidance to create meaningful research projects reflective of their unique interests. 

Interested in exploring Psychology Research Project Ideas for High Schoolers? Take a look at these three Psychology Research Projects completed by Polygence students:

• Why We Need a Shift in the Social and Medical Model of Our Approach to Autism

• The Effects of Social Media on Teens

• Community Psychology: Dive into the fundamentals of psychology's impact on communities and social justice

If you’re passionate about psychology and are interested in Exploring Psychology as a Career Path, reach out to find out more about how we can help you reach your goals.