Quinnipiac University

Summer Experiences & Courses

Summer Programs for High School Students

Students work at computers

Summer Experiences & Courses

Summer Programs for High School Students

This summer, take a vacation from the ordinary and continue your education in one of Quinnipiac’s high school summer programs. We are proud to offer a growing list of summer programs designed to give dedicated high school students a chance to grow academically and personally while getting an early taste of the college experience.

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Dozens of students walk across the Quinnipiac quad in the autumn

Pre-College Summer Programs

Why should high school students consider a Quinnipiac summer program?

Our summer programs offer high school students the opportunity to:

  • Explore topics of interest at the college level, free from college-level pressure

  • Build a portfolio of work within an academic field of interest

  • Connect personally with Quinnipiac faculty, staff and other students

  • Build high-demand soft skills, such as communication, critical thinking and confidence

  • Earn valuable certifications and experience to add to a resume

 

Not a high school student?

Quinnipiac University offers summer programs, camps and courses for learners of all ages, including veterans, students transitioning to college, and current undergraduates.

Explore our Summer Experiences

Combine and Save with Summer Program Packages

New this year, we're offering expanded access to our summer programs at a significant discount. Combine your experiences across two programs over three weeks and get on the fast track to a successful college experience!

After spending two weeks exploring various healthcare careers through practical experiences, simulations and field trips, expand your horizons and join us for another week covering disease prevention and studying microbes during hands-on lab work.

Program Dates: July 6-24, 2026

Program Cost: $4,900 Residential | $3,600 Commuter

Learn more about Healthcare Career Exploration Academy

Learn more about Pre-Med Preparation: Medical Microbiology

 

Take the Next Step

Students must declare if they plan to attend for either the residential (overnight) experience or the commuter experience at the time of registration. Register and pay in full by January 15, 2026 to secure $100 off the cost of attendance.

Register and Pay: Residential

Register and Pay: Commuter

If you are not paying in full at the time of registration, you must submit a non-refundable $250 deposit to reserve your spot for 30 days. Any student who places the non-refundable deposit must pay the full remaining cost of the program within 30 days from the date of deposit to be enrolled in the program.

Deposit Only: Residential

Deposit Only: Commuter

After exploring the game design process through real time activities and projects, it’s time to launch your game into reality as you become your own entrepreneur! Add to your summer program experience and discover what it takes to make your hobby into a business — from developing a business plan to launching a product.  

Program Dates: July 6-24, 2026

Program Cost: $4,900 Residential | $3,600 Commuter

Learn more about Game Design Lab

Learn more about Entrepreneurship Academy: From Classroom to Corner Office

 

Take the Next Step

Students must declare if they plan to attend for either the residential (overnight) experience or the commuter experience at the time of registration. Register and pay in full by January 15, 2026 to secure $100 off the cost of attendance.

Register and Pay: Residential

Register and Pay: Commuter

If you are not paying in full at the time of registration, you must submit a non-refundable $250 deposit to reserve your spot for 30 days. Any student who places the non-refundable deposit must pay the full remaining cost of the program within 30 days from the date of deposit to be enrolled in the program.

Deposit Only: Residential

Deposit Only: Commuter

2026 Summer Programs

The Data Sciences Lab summer program is perfect for high school students who love problem-solving, looking for patterns, creative thinking and the idea of using technology to tackle real-world challenges. Students will learn to leverage math, statistics and computer programming to analyze data, detect patterns, solve problems and influence the decisions we make.

Learn More

A high school student working on a computer in the piazza during a summer career camp.
A high school student working on a computer in the piazza during a summer career camp.

Want to start your own business or help an existing business grow? We've designed a summer workshop for high school students interested in innovating and launching new business ideas. Over the course of the week, students will learn about problem solving and ideation, critical thinking, team dynamics, leadership, research and validation of ideas.

Learn More

A local high school student works with a Quinnipiac student on a project in the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
A local high school student works with a Quinnipiac student on a project in the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Have you ever wondered how crime scene investigations actually work, or thought about the science behind your favorite true crime series? If the answer is yes, this 1-week forensic science summer program is a perfect fit. Participants will enjoy hands-on instruction investigating a mock crime scene following the same methods professionals utilize in the field.

Learn More

A professor gives direction to high school students participating in a hands-on forensic science lab.
A professor gives direction to high school students participating in a hands-on forensic science lab.

This summer, Quinnipiac is offering the perfect one-week program that gets your ready for a career in sports. Want to sit behind the anchor desk of SportsCenter? Create social media for the NFL or WNBA? Come up with advertising campaigns for your favorite team or athlete? Make the next great sports documentary? The opportunities to work in sports are limitless! This camp covers all of it and shines a light on the opportunities to put yourself on the sidelines or in the press box.

Learn More

High school student Andrew Kiang photographs George Santoli (left) interviewing Madeline Crosby (right) during the Game Changers summer camp in the Open Air Studio.
High school student Andrew Kiang photographs George Santoli (left) interviewing Madeline Crosby (right) during the Game Changers summer camp in the Open Air Studio.

Acquire actionable skills and experience what it's like to work in high-tech work environments during our intensive game design summer camp! During this exciting 2-week course, participants will form teams and build a 2D or 3D platformer game from start to finish before presenting their products to friends and family at the final showcase.

Learn More

students on computers in a computer lab
students on computers in a computer lab

The Healthcare Career Exploration Academy introduces high school students to ten different healthcare disciplines to make it easier to decide which degree program matches their skills and interests. Students will learn about career opportunities within allied health professions, gain certification in health-related skills and earn two credits that will transfer to Quinnipiac University.

Learn More

High school students work with a Quinnipiac professor and students during a health exploration camp.
High school students work with a Quinnipiac professor and students during a health exploration camp.

This fast-paced program is open to high school students who dream of telling their stories across all types of media platforms. Participants will work with award-winning media professionals and use our industry-standard cameras and editing suites to translate their creative ideas into engaging short films and video pieces.

Learn More

High school students collaborating to frame a shot on a UX-90 camera while consulting a shot list during Quinnipiac University’s Movie Making Summer Camp.
High school students collaborating to frame a shot on a UX-90 camera while consulting a shot list during Quinnipiac University’s Movie Making Summer Camp.

The Exploring Your Future in Nursing summer program brings students to the doorstep of the world of nursing. Students will spend two weeks in our best-in-class facilities, including the simulation center, nursing lab and simulation operating and recovery room areas.

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Nursing student works in the Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences building
Nursing student works in the Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences building

This 1-week comprehensive program offers hands-on learning in medical microbiology, including culturing microbes, analyzing results and diagnosing infectious diseases. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the functions and importance of the human microbiome in health and disease and will learn more about the topics of antibiotic resistance and disease outbreaks.

Learn More

woman examining cultures in a science lab
woman examining cultures in a science lab

In Their Words

Eileen Sheridan in front of an "Ambition Unleashed" sign

Eileen Sheridan

"My experience in the Healthcare Career Exploration Academy was so memorable — it was an amazing opportunity to experience a little taste of what college would be like, provided insight to many healthcare professions in the field and helped me figure out what I wanted to do in my future, which is occupational therapy. All fo the staff were knowledgeable and friendly and I met great friends that I will talk to every day."

Professor Wasim Ahmad and high school student Norah Araujo looking at a camera

Norah Araujo

“I had such an amazing experience in the QU Summer Program. Everyone was so kind and welcoming. I was able to bond with so many different people, even those from other courses outside of the one I was taking. It really helped me get an idea of what college is like and also helped me decide if photography is what I want to pursue. The atmosphere felt safe, welcoming and positive.”

Contact Us

Enjoy Discounts for Early Registration, Alumni, Employees and Partners

Quinnipiac University is pleased to offer a number of discounts for summer programs, camps and experiences.

  • Early-Bird Discount: All attendees who register and pay in full by January 15, 2026 enjoy $100 off the cost of attendance.

  • Quinnipiac Alumni: Children and dependents of Quinnipiac alumni may be eligible for up to 15% off pre-college summer programming.

  • Quinnipiac Employees: Children and dependents of current Quinnipiac employees may be eligible for up to 15% off pre-college summer programming.

  • Employees of Corporate Partners: Children and dependents of employees of our corporate partners may be eligible for up to 10% off pre-college summer programming.

Please email summerprograms@qu.edu to request your discount code. No code is necessary for Early-Bird Registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions among prospective students and families regarding our summer programs. If you can't find an answer to your question, please contact us and we'd be happy to chat.

Review all FAQ's

Financial Assistance

Financial aid for Pre-College Summer Programs is limited and is awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need. To be considered for financial aid, you must fully complete an online including two letters of recommendation. Please email summerprograms@qu.edu to request the link to the financial assistance application.

Please know that applying for financial aid does not guarantee that you will be awarded any assistance. Financial aid is awarded based on a combination of merit and financial need as well as available financial aid budget. We cannot guarantee or disclose how many students will receive financial aid nor in what amounts at any time.

Financial aid awards may take between 4-8 weeks to be determined and reviewed by a committee, so please know that applying for financial aid will take time. Your place in Pre-College Summer Programs will not be confirmed after submitting financial assistance applications unless you place a deposit or pay a full balance. Financial aid may be awarded later as a refund to those who have already paid the balance of the program.

Accommodations

Quinnipiac University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as an institution of higher education. Students who have a current IEP or 504 plan are encouraged to share any accommodations or modifications they may require in order to access the fundamentals of a QU summer program or camp they plan to attend.

Students requesting disability-based accommodations should indicate this within the application as well as email summerprograms@qu.edu about any and all specific accommodation needs.

 

Rules & Regulations

Read Quinnipiac University’s Summer Camp and Pre-College Program Policies