If you’ve ever looked at a skyline and thought, who designed that?Or wondered how neighborhoods come together, you don’t have to wait for college to start exploring. There are internships and programs made just for teens where you can get real experience in urban planning and architecture.
You might learn how public spaces are designed, how transit systems work, or even work with planners on small projects. It’s not just sitting in a classroom, it’s hands-on, with real people, doing real stuff. You’ll meet pros, ask questions, maybe even make a few mistakes and learn from them. So here are 8 programs to get you started!
1. Chicago Architecture Center Teen Fellows Program
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Program Dates: June 23, 2025 - May 9, 2026
Cost: Free; paid internship
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in Chicago Public Schools
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
This urban planning and architecture summer program is ideal for high school students in Chicago interested in architecture, engineering, construction, and urban planning. Over two years, students get to dive into all kinds of cool stuff, talking through ideas, doing hands-on activities, going on field trips, and checking out real sites around the city. Along the way, they start to build a solid foundation in how the built environment works. It all leads up to a 4 to 6 week paid internship at some of Chicago’s top architecture and planning firms. Participants develop digital design and model-building skills and finish with a strong portfolio and professional connections.
2. UCLA TeenArch Studio
Location: Los Angeles, CA (in-person and remote options)
Program Dates: June 30–July 18, 2025
Cost: Tuition required; scholarships available
Eligibility: Grades 9–12, age 15+ by June 23, 2025
Application Deadline: Residential – June 6, 2025, Virtual – June 13, 2025
TeenArch Studio is a three-week summer architecture program for high school students interested in architectural and design thinking. Students participate in group projects, technical seminars, and field trips, earning three quarter units of UC credit.
3. UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design Summer Institute
Location: Berkeley, CA
Program Dates: July 7–August 15, 2025
Cost: Tuition required
Eligibility: High school students (check for age/grade requirements)
Application Deadline: Varies, check program website for dates
This architecture and environmental design summer program for high school students offers studio-based learning, lectures, and site visits. Students develop portfolios, learn design theory, and collaborate on group projects under faculty mentorship. The program provides college-level credit and exposure to the culture of design and planning studios.
4. Boston Society for Architecture/Design High School Internship
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Program Dates: July 7–August 15, 2025
Cost: Free; paid internship
Eligibility: Boston Public School students, grades 9–12
Application Deadline: Rolling, February through June
This architecture summer program for high school students in Boston offers a six-week paid internship at local architecture firms. Students engage in real-world design projects, participate in neighborhood tours, and attend firm crawls. The program is part of the Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program and connects students with a network of design professionals. Interns gain skills in drafting, teamwork, and professional communication, preparing them for further studies or careers in architecture.
5. NOMA Project Pipeline Architectural Summer Camp
Location: San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose
Program Dates: June 16–22, July 11–13, August 8–11, 2025
Cost: Varies; scholarships available
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (ages 11–18)
Application Deadline: Varies by chapter, check program website for your chapter
This summer camp is for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds who are curious about architecture and urban planning. They build STEAM skills, work on design projects that help communities, and learn things like sketching, model making, and digital drawing. The camp also connects them with real sites and mentors, giving a real-world look at how the built environment works.
6. STEMcx Summer Architecture Internships (Baltimore, MD)
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Program Dates: 8 weeks in summer, 4 hours/day
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students living in Baltimore
Application Deadline: February 7, 2025
For Baltimore high school students interested in architecture, design, and STEM, this is the ideal summer architecture internship. Interns shadow architects, take part in design exercises, and work on community projects through collaborations with Bmore NOMA. Students can hone their technical and design skills while tying classroom learning to professional practice through the program's field trips to architectural sites and practical work on actual projects.
7. Sasaki Foundation SEED Internship
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Program Dates: Six weeks in summer
Cost: Paid internship
Eligibility: High school students in the Boston area
Application Deadline: April 26, 2025
This summer design internship introduces Boston-area high school students to architecture, urban design, and landscape architecture. Interns work on group projects, attend design charrettes, and learn hand sketching and digital drawing. The program emphasizes collaboration and mentorship from Sasaki professionals, preparing students for college and future careers in design.
8. DPR Construction Build Up High School Internship
Location: Multiple US cities
Program Dates: 8 weeks, summer
Cost: Free; paid internship
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, or recent graduates; US work eligibility
Application Deadline: April 12, 2025
This construction management internship is ideal for high school students interested in the built environment. Interns work 35–40 hours per week on active job sites, learning about project management, scheduling, and design technology. The program includes a capstone project, professional mentorship, and exposure to multiple roles in construction and architecture.
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Global Education offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Global’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!