High School Students Summer Studies
Three distinctive summer programs for high-school students:
- Summer Early College Program
- FDU Mini Law School
- College Readiness Experience for Students with Language-Based Learning Disabilities
Summer Early College 2023
Register Now!
or contact Jakyrra Tyson, j.tyson@fdu.edu, 201-692-6504, for additional information about the courses.
Earn up to 12 college credits this summer with FDU’s Summer Early College Program, rated a Top 50 “Best Pre-College Summer Program” by Value Colleges (2021).
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Summer Early College Program offers motivated students in grades 9 to 12 the opportunity to get a jump-start on earning college credits through engaging, interactive courses. Most classes are taught online. Select classes are offered in-person on FDU’s Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck, NJ.
Program Highlights
- The opportunity to earn 3 college credits per course and up to 12 college credits this summer for future university studies.
- The ability to advance the quality of your college application.
- Customized, exclusive curriculum developed and taught by passionate, distinguished FDU professors.
- A collaborative learning environment of students from across the state, country and globe.
- A glimpse into the most desired majors and careers of today.
- The perfect blend of real-time instruction, self-paced projects and virtual teamwork.
Who Should Enroll
High school students interested in getting a head start on college credits and exploring future career paths.

Program Schedule
Classes for High School Students Only
BUSI.2205, EC21 Introduction to Personal Investing
(3 Credits)
Professor Dan Petrie
The intent of the course is to help students demystify the investing process, understand the basic tools of investing, and give practical experience in establishing and monitoring a portfolio. This course will enable students to prepare investment strategies for their immediate future and their career years, as well as plan for their retirement years. Problem-solving and decision-making skills will be stressed. The course will familiarize students with key investment terminology, and will delve into topics involving investing and savings, such as the difference between saving and investing, understanding a variety of saving and investment vehicles with particular emphasis on the stock market, mutual funds, investing for retirement (social security, traditional IRAs, pension plans, Roth IRAs, 401K/403B, Roth 401K), and the role of the Federal Reserve.
DATES: 7/10-2023-7/27/2023
TIMES: 9:00-12:30pm
MODALITY: remote with Zoom meetings
COST: $775
MAX CLASS SIZE: 15
CGD.1313, EC31 Creative Imagery with Photoshop
(3 Credits)
Professor John Cinco
This course is an introductory exploration of computer graphics as a technology and a creative medium. Through the use of industry-standard software, Adobe Photoshop, students learn the fundamentals of working with raster editing techniques. The focus is on manipulating images and learning about the production workflow as it pertains to digital imagery.
In order to take part in this class, your computer must meet these minimum requirements.
DATES: 7/3/2023-8/11/2023
TIMES: Monday and Thursday, 1:30-5:00pm
MODALITY: remote with Zoom meetings
COST: $775
MAX CLASS SIZE: 15
CGD.1314, EC31 Illustrator Graphics & Design
(3 Credits)
Professor Janet O’Neil
This course is an exploration of computer-generated vector graphics as a creative medium. Through the use of industry-standard software, Adobe Illustrator, students study the fundamentals of graphic design and learn to conceptualize and present ideas in visual form. Topics in this course also include production workflow and output standards of vector graphics as they apply to print and web delivery.
In order to take part in this class, your computer must meet these minimum requirements.
DATES: 6/26/2023-7/14/2023
TIMES: Monday-Thursday, 1:30-5:00pm
MODALITY: remote with Zoom meetings
COST: $775
MAX CLASS SIZE: 15
COMM.1001, EC31 Communication in Everyday Life
(3 Credits)
Professor Christine Foster
This introductory course will provide students with a foundation in communication concepts, theory and research, while helping them begin to master practical communication skills, such as listening and critical thinking, using technology to communicate, understanding nonverbal communication, creating persuasive strategies, and managing group conflict. Topics will include self-development, interpersonal communication, family communication, group communication, public speaking, media/technology, communicating in the workplace, and in public.
DATES: 7/10/2023 through 7/27/2023
TIMES: no class meetings
MODALITY: fully online
COST: $775
MAX CLASS SIZE: 15
CREW.1000, EC31 Creative Writing Fundamentals
(3 credits)
Professor Courtney Crane
In a workshop setting, students will be introduced to the four major genres of creative writing: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and drama. In exploring the genres, students will be given the opportunity to write about topics of personal interest such as the environment, psychology, and more.
DATES: 6/26/023-8/3/2023
TIMES: Tuesday/Thursday, 6:00-9:30pm
MODALITY: remote with Zoom meetings
MAX CLASS SIZE: 15
MUSIH.1106, EC31 American Musical Theater
(3 credits)
Professor Allen Cohen
A survey of the history of contemporary musical theater from its origins in the 19th century through present day. In addition to lectures and discussion, the course makes extensive use of audio and video materials.
DATES: 7/10/2023-7/27/2023
TIMES: Monday-Thursday, 1:30-5:00pm
MODALITY: remote with Zoom meetings
COST: $775
MAX CLASS SIZE: 20
MUSIH.2205, EC31 Music for the Movies
(3 Credits)
Professor Allen Cohen
From “Psycho” to “The Titanic,” an informative and entertaining look at the history, aesthetics, and techniques of film music from the early 1900s to the present day. The class will examine selected scores of silent films, documentaries, animated films, features, commercials, and music videos from a musical, dramatic and production perspective.
DATES: 7/10/2023-7/27/2023
TIMES: Monday-Thursday, 9:00am-12:30pm
MODALITY: remote with Zoom meetings
COST: $775
MAX CLASS SIZE: 20
PSYC.2234, EC31 Social Psychology
(3 Credits)
Dr. Gregory Tortoriello
Representative theories and selected problems concerning determinants of social behavior. Socialization, attitude structure and change, social norms, prejudice, leadership, and group dynamics.
DATES: 7/17/2023-8/3/2023
TIMES: Monday-Thursday, 9:00am-12:30pm
MODALITY: remote with Zoom meetings
COST: $775
MAX CLASS SIZE: 20
SPAD.2004, EC21 Introduction to Sport Management
(3 Credits)
Dr. JC (Jong-Chae) Kim
This is the introductory course to Sports Management. It will provide an overview of the issues, trends, and concerns of the industry. Students will learn current practices and procedures used by practitioners in the field. Students will be introduced to the different occupations and job titles currently in place. Students are expected to begin developing the skills, and experiences necessary to be successful as a sports executive.
DATES: 7/10/2023-7/27/2023
TIMES: no class meetings
MODALITY: fully online
COST: $775
MAX CLASS SIZE: 18
SPAD.2007, EC31 Introduction to Esports
(3 Credits)
Professor Alex Estela
This course will provide an overview of the ESports industry, its history, current state and emerging trends.
DATES: 6/26/2023-7/14/2023
TIMES: Monday-Thursday, 9:00-12:30pm
MODALITY: remote with Zoom meetings
COST: $775
MAX CLASS SIZE: 20
Combined College and High School Student Classes
BIOL.1045/1046, EC31 Viruses and Society
(4 Credits)
Dr. Patricia Melloy
Viruses and Society is a course designed to introduce the student to the characteristics of viruses and their importance to our world. We will cover key terms associated with viruses, the viral life cycle, major categories of viruses, and spillover of viruses from people to animals. Then, students will study key viruses that are associated with human disease such as poliovirus, HIV, and SARS-COV02 and their historical and cultural significance. Given that this course is geared towards a non-science major population, the focus will be on the relevance of viruses to people’s everyday lives.
DATES 6/12-2023 through 7/22/2023
TIMES: T/Th, 10:00am-
MODALITY: in person, Florham campus, Science Building, Room 7 for Lecture, Room 14 for Lab
COST: $995
BIOL.1070/1071, EC31 Ecosystem & Environ Science
(4 Credits)
Professor Zipko
This course provides an introduction to global ecosystems, the negative effects of humans on ecosystems, and living sustainably as a human population. The course will cover interactions between organisms and their environment, energy flow, nutrient cycles, global resource use and development, pollution, environmental health, and principles of sustainability.
DATES: 6/12/2023 through 7/22/2023
TIMES: Monday/Wednesday, 10:00am-1:05pm for Lecture, 1:35-4:35 for Lab
MODALITY: In-person, Florham campus, Science Building , Room 9 for lecture; WCX for Lab
COST: $995
CRIM.1130, EC21 Working W/Children & Families
(3 Credits)
Dr. Elizabeth Pannuccio
This course is designed to prepare students with the knowledge, skills and ethics for effective practice in the field of child and family welfare. This course will explore the history, evolution and current status of child welfare policies, the service continuum provided to families and children and the socio-cultural context of child welfare practice. Empowerment and strength based perspectives will form the theoretical framework for practice skills. An emphasis will be placed on understanding public policies that support the basic needs of families, as well as policies governing the child welfare system and selected policies governing juvenile justice, adult criminal justice, mental health and educational systems.
DATES: 7/3/2023 through 8/12/2023
TIMES: no class meeting times
MODALITY: fully online
COST: $775
LITS.1001, EC31 Intro to Fiction
(3 Credits)
Dr. Nandita Ghosh
An accessible and engaging introduction to the literary study of fiction, primarily for first-year students and others new to the college-level study of literature, including those contemplating a Literature major. Texts and themes may vary every time the course is offered.
DATES: 7/3/2023 through 8/12/2023
TIMES: no class meeting times
MODALITY: fully online
COST: $775
FDU MINI LAW SCHOOL 2023
Monday, July 24 – Thursday, July 27, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
FDU’s annual Mini Law School is at the Florham Campus at 285 Madison Avenue, Florham Park N.J. from 9:30 am – 2:00 pm on Monday, July 24 – Thursday, July 27.
Cost: $399 if registration is complete by June 1, 2023; $429 for registration completed between June 2- July 10, 2023.
Description: The FDU Mini Law School provides four days of simulations, discussions, and interactive presentations to give high school students a taste of a first-year law school curriculum. The Mini Law School will culminate in a mock criminal trial case, with the students playing the roles of attorneys and witnesses. New lessons, new activities, new excitement! Lunch is provided every day.
Our sessions are taught by FDU faculty and advanced undergraduates who have participated in our award-winning Mock Trial team. No prior background in law or mock trial is necessary.
8-DAY SUMMER COLLEGE READINESS EXPERIENCE
For Students with Language-Based Learning Disabilities
For college-bound graduates and rising high school seniors with language-Based learning disabilities
Presented by FDU’s nationally recognized Regional Center for Learning Disabilities, this program offers all-online or on-campus options.
Students will advance their executive function and engagement skills through sessions targeting areas critical to college success.
REGISTER FOR CLASSES at our Summer Experience website