On-Campus Courses

students studying outside

Experience learning at Duke. During Pre-College on-campus programs, students enjoy an unforgettable academic experience. They study and learn in Duke academic buildings, eat in world-class dining facilities, and visit significant locations throughout campus and the surrounding area. All while they build connections with peers from around the world and learn from Duke faculty and PhD students as well as industry experts.
 

One-week programs

  • Grades: 6-11
    • Middle school: Current 6-8 grade
    • High school: Current 9-11 grade
       
  • Dates: July 20-25
     
  • Tuition: 
    • Commuter: $1,830
    • Residential: $2,580.00

 Two-week programs

  • Grades: 6-11
    • Middle school: Current 6-8 grade
    • High school: Current 9-11 grade
       
  • Dates: June 22-July 4, July 6-July 18
     
  • Tuition: 
    • Commuter: $3,660
    • Residential: $5,640

What's Included

Tuition: Classes 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day with professional, seasoned instructors and teaching associates; all books and supplies; guest speakers; entrance charges and transportation to tours; College Connections seminars and other club activities; evening and weekend social events; guided visits to main campus and sporting facilities.

Room & Board: Housing in East Campus residential hall; 24-hour residential and medical staff; all meals; transportation to and from RDU.

Third Party Disclaimer
As part of our commitment to excellence, Duke University may partner with a third-party organization to support administrative and residential components of our Summer 2025 Pre-College programs that take place on Duke University’s Durham campus. Duke University will retain full control over all academic elements of the Summer 2025 Pre-College programs that take place on Duke University’s Durham campus, including academic curriculum, instructor selection, and course content.

It is currently not contemplated that Duke University will engage a third-party organization to support components of the 2025 Pre-College programs that take place at the Duke University Marine Lab or online.

Courses

Course Time Location Course Fees Status
Aerospace Engineering - Session 1 Do you want to build the next generation of spacecrafts? Does the idea of becoming an astronaut sound thrilling? Perhaps you simply want to understand the role of space in our global communication and observation systems.…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Aerospace Engineering - Session 2 Do you want to build the next generation of spacecrafts? Does the idea of becoming an astronaut sound thrilling? Perhaps you simply want to understand the role of space in our global communication and observation systems.…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Animal Cognition - Session 1Have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking? Or how dolphins learn to work together to catch fish? Or whether a chimpanzee could learn sign language? Welcome to the field of animal cognition: the study of animal minds,…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Animal Cognition - Session 2Have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking? Or how dolphins learn to work together to catch fish? Or whether a chimpanzee could learn sign language? Welcome to the field of animal cognition: the study of animal minds,…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Creative Writing - Session 3Do you enjoy getting carried away by your imagination? Does creating novel characters, scenarios, and worlds inspire you? Immerse yourself in a world of words and imagination as you develop your voice and vision as a creative writer…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 1830.00
  • Residential: 2580.00
available
Cryptography - Session 1We use numbers for everything, but how did these number systems come to be? How can some of these systems have only a finite amount of numbers? How are algorithms created to protect our most sensitive data? Cryptography is used by…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Cryptography - Session 2We use numbers for everything, but how did these number systems come to be? How can some of these systems have only a finite amount of numbers? How are algorithms created to protect our most sensitive data? Cryptography is used by…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Financial Literacy - Session 1Do you want to gain life skills and knowledge that will be an asset now and into your future? Enhance your financial literacy and learn some of the fundamentals of personal financial management. Through realistic simulations, games…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Financial Literacy - Session 2Do you want to gain life skills and knowledge that will be an asset now and into your future? Enhance your financial literacy and learn some of the fundamentals of personal financial management. Through realistic simulations, games…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Leadership DevelopmentWhat makes a great leader? Are there specific ethical commitments good leaders must have? How can texts such as stories and paintings teach us about the qualities of leadership? Discover your potential as a leader through the study…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Mock Trial - Session 2Order, order! Did you know the same skills that could make for a good lawyer could also be applicable to other careers such as policy-makers, scientists, professors, and more? Critical thinking skills, oratorical excellence, and…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Mock Trial: Practicing the Tools of Justice - Session 1Order, order! Did you know the same skills that could make for a good lawyer could also be applicable to other careers such as policy-makers, scientists, professors, and more? Critical thinking skills, oratorical excellence, and…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Politics, Law, and Advocacy - Session 3What does the day-to-day life of a lawyer look like? How does a trial actually work? What’s the difference between criminal and civil cases? Investigate these questions and more as you discover what it’s like to be a lawyer, judge,…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 1830.00
  • Residential: 2580.00
available
Primate Conservation - Session 3Curious about lemurs and conservation? Want to learn more about prosimians and human-wildlife interactions? Discover the world of primates and examine complex conservation issues affecting primate biodiversity. Learn about lemurs…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 1830.00
  • Residential: 2580.00
available
Smart Cities - Session 2What will the future of urban living look like? How can innovative technologies and creative engineering solutions be used to design and optimize cities? Explore the benefits and science behind smart cities through hands-on…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Sports Analytics - Session 1Have you ever wondered how the seemingly two unrelated fields of math and sports intertwine? Or how simple data analyses can help lead underdogs to win the World Series or a National Championship? Sports analytics is a new and…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Writers' Studio: Podcasts and Digital StorytellingDo you want to learn how to engage an audience with just the sound of your voice? Is the ability to communicate difficult, complex topics a vital skill that you’d like to refine? Are you interested in learning more about food…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 1830.00
  • Residential: 2580.00
available
Writers' Studio: Scene Writing - Session 1Lights, camera, action! How do you take the chaotic flow of life and craft it into meaningful narratives? What details pull readers in, and how do you generate the electricity that propels your story and keeps your audience engaged…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Writers' Studio: Speculative Fiction and World-Building What does it take to create your own universe? What makes a story genuinely fantastic? Every engaging source of entertainment starts with establishing the elements of the universe the creator chooses to build in, crafting a…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 1830.00
  • Residential: 2580.00
available
Course Time Location Course Fees Status
Academic Writing - Session 2Are you eager to improve your academic writing abilities? Not sure where to begin with your college essay? Writing is hard work! Contrary to the widespread assumption that some people are born with a “gift” for writing and others…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Academic Writing: Composing the College Essay - Session 1Are you eager to improve your academic writing abilities? Not sure where to begin with your college essay? Writing is hard work! Contrary to the widespread assumption that some people are born with a “gift” for writing and others…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Applied Econometrics - Session 1Prerequisite: Algebra II or equivalent Social media is filled with competing and opposing claims concerning whether a college degree pays off, whether immigration hurts or benefits domestic residents, whether government programs…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Applied Econometrics - Session 2Prerequisite: Algebra II or equivalent Social media is filled with competing and opposing claims concerning whether a college degree pays off, whether immigration hurts or benefits domestic residents, whether government programs…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Bioethics in Global Health - Session 1Did you know that over 5 billion people worldwide do not have access to safe, affordable surgical care? How do surgeons choose which patients to treat when resources are scarce? If a medical center has limited capacity, how would…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Bioethics in Global Health - Session 2Did you know that over 5 billion people worldwide do not have access to safe, affordable surgical care? How do surgeons choose which patients to treat when resources are scarce? If a medical center has limited capacity, how would…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Bioethics of Eating - Session 3Did you know that a school district’s vote for unsustainable tuna lunches may contribute to marine biodiversity depletion halfway across the world? Or, that an American supermarket chain’s GMO ban could cause the clearing of…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 1830.00
  • Residential: 2580.00
available
Chemical Toxicology - Session 1How does cooking food affect what kind of toxicants are formed, and in what quantities? What really happened in Flint, Michigan to cause the high lead levels in their drinking water? What is the basis of government policies such as…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Chemical Toxicology - Session 2How does cooking food affect what kind of toxicants are formed, and in what quantities? What really happened in Flint, Michigan to cause the high lead levels in their drinking water? What is the basis of government policies such as…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Criminal Law - Session 2How do police enforce laws? How does a defendant’s access to lawyers and legal counsel determine outcomes and justice? Now more than ever, we are questioning our judiciary system, those who enforce it, and how it affects people…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Engineering Solutions - Session 1Why do engineering interventions often fail? One reason could be the design itself has flaws that need to be addressed. However, the reason could be that the design doesn't have the end user in mind. Human-centered design (HCD) is a…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Engineering Solutions - Session 2Why do engineering interventions often fail?    One reason could be the design itself has flaws that need to be addressed.  However, the reason could be that the design doesn't have the end user in mind. Human-…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Entrepreneurship - Session 3How does Apple’s strategy help it succeed? How do firms interact with their customers, suppliers, and competitors to earn sustained profits? How do firms strategize to differentiate themselves from their competition? Why do firms…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 1830.00
  • Residential: 2580.00
waitlist_available
Entrepreneurship - Session 3How does Apple’s strategy help it succeed? How do firms interact with their customers, suppliers, and competitors to earn sustained profits? How do firms strategize to differentiate themselves from their competition? Why do firms…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 1830.00
  • Residential: 2580.00
available
Environmental Innovation - Session 3What impacts do environmental problems have on our local and global communities? How can we tackle these issues? Importantly, how can entrepreneurs continue to develop new businesses and innovate while maintaining a focus on…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 1830.00
  • Residential: 2580.00
available
Graphic Design & Entrepreneurship - Session 1Have you ever considered how your creative thinking may help you launch a new business or reach potential clients? Do you want to generate or enhance a project or even your own personal brand to stand out academically and…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Innovation and Business Strategy - Session 1What makes for breakthrough innovation? What distinguishes great companies from the also-rans? How will AI become a central theme for all leaders in Business? How does one develop a business plan and strategy that provides for…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Innovation and Business Strategy - Session 2What makes for breakthrough innovation? What distinguishes great companies from the also-rans? How will AI become a central theme for all leaders in Business? How does one develop a business plan and strategy that provides for…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Medical Research Panels - Session 3Hear from guest speakers from Duke University, Duke University Medical Center, and other healthcare professionals.  Immerse yourself in the principles of healthcare from social, environmental, and community health perspectives…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 1830.00
  • Residential: 2580.00
available
Neutral Integration and Sensory Pathways - Session 1How is it possible for you to smell any of your favorite or not-so-favorite aromas? Why are you able to see in color? What allows you to hear music, feel pain, or know where your body is in relation to the world? Neuroscience helps…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Neutral Integration and Sensory Pathways - Session 2How is it possible for you to smell any of your favorite or not-so-favorite aromas? Why are you able to see in color? What allows you to hear music, feel pain, or know where your body is in relation to the world? Neuroscience helps…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Population Genomics - Session 1How do genes evolve over time? What do genes have to do with conservation efforts for endangered species? How might studying gene variants contribute to medical breakthroughs? Population genomics is the study of the structure,…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Population Genomics - Session 2How do genes evolve over time? What do genes have to do with conservation efforts for endangered species? How might studying gene variants contribute to medical breakthroughs? Population genomics is the study of the structure,…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Race & Politics in American History - Session 3What is race and what role does it play in American politics? What does it mean to say that a policy is discriminatory? How do Americans think about race and ethnicity and how does this impact issues such as voting? What are the…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 1830.00
  • Residential: 2580.00
available
Social Psychology and Law - Session 1If you’ve seen a TV courtroom drama, you’re probably familiar with the famous, usually emphatically-delivered attorney line: “I object!” But how do courtroom proceedings actually work? Learn about how psychology and the law…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Social Psychology and Law - Session 2If you’ve seen a TV courtroom drama, you’re probably familiar with the famous, usually emphatically-delivered attorney line: “I object!” But how do courtroom proceedings actually work? Learn about how psychology and the law…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
The Sustainable CEO – Transformative Business Leadership - Session 1The global business environment is in the early stages of what is expected to be an unprecedented period of sustained upheaval and change spurred by the exponential technological revolution and a rapidly shrinking globe. Visionary…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
The Sustainable CEO: Transformative Business Leadership - Session 2The global business environment is in the early stages of what is expected to be an unprecedented period of sustained upheaval and change spurred by the exponential technological revolution and a rapidly shrinking globe. Visionary…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation in Post-Conflict Societies - Session 1Demands for recognition of “historical wrongs” and the redress of grievances have abounded in the post-World War II era, especially in countries emerging from authoritarian rule and conflicts that escalated to mass atrocity—genocide…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available
Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation in Post-Conflict Societies - Session 2Demands for recognition of “historical wrongs” and the redress of grievances have abounded in the post-World War II era, especially in countries emerging from authoritarian rule and conflicts that escalated to mass atrocity—genocide…
-
9:00AM - 4:00PM Durham - Duke University
  • Commuter: 3660.00
  • Residential: 5640.00
available