Summer Springboard
Business & Law
ACADEMIC TRACK
About This Track
Summer Springboard’s Business & Law academic track delivers a dynamic and enriching pre-college experience that equips students with foundational skills in areas such as sales, marketing, financial management and argumentation. It blends analytical thinking with creative expression, preparing ambitious teens to think strategically, communicate effectively and approach challenges with confidence.
This immersive program encourages students to develop personal agency by transforming their ideas into tangible outcomes while discovering how to present, persuade and support their own vision.
Beyond academic growth, students engage in collaborative projects and simulations guided by real-world professionals, offering a rare glimpse into the business and legal fields. Through active learning, participants refine critical reasoning, teamwork and leadership abilities while gaining self-awareness and clarity about their future direction.
This track empowers driven high schoolers with both the practical tools and the personal insight needed to thrive in college and beyond.
Summer Springboard
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Courses In This Track
Whatever you do in life, foundational business skills such as sales, marketing, and financial management, will serve you well. In addition, trial law techniques such as crafting an argument and effective communication can help you in most situations. Whichever course you choose will prepare you for college and beyond.
Business & Entrepreneurship
Course
The Business & Entrepreneurship course introduces students to basic business fundamentals to provide a solid foundation. The purpose of this summer course is to provide a broad overview of key concepts in business. It is not a deep immersion into a specific aspects of business. Students gain exposure to business topics unique to entrepreneurship such as business plan development and strategy.
Campuses with this course:
- Business & Entrepreneurship at Barnard College, Columbia University
- Business & Entrepreneurship at Duke
- Business & Entrepreneurship at Georgetown
- Business & Entrepreneurship at Berkeley
- Business & Entrepreneurship at UCLA
- Business & Entrepreneurship at UCSD
- Business & Entrepreneurship at Yale
- Business & Entrepreneurship in Cambridge, MA
- Business & Entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan
- Middle School Business & Entrepreneurship at Berkeley
- Middle School Business & Entrepreneurship at Georgetown
- Middle School: Business & Entrepreneurship at UC San Diego
Business & Leadership
Course
The UW Foster School of Business High School Program is a two-week immersive experience designed for rising high school juniors and seniors. Taught by UW Foster Faculty, the program topics are carefully designed to provide essential critical thinking skills in a short amount of time, culminating in a team-based case competition.
Through this systematic approach, students will learn important written, oral, interpersonal, leadership, and problem-solving skills that could be applied to various challenges in their college lives and future careers.
Campuses with this course:
Business, Strategy & Decision Making
Course
Do you wonder how successful companies make strategic decisions and build their business? Through interactive activities and discussions, students will explore key concepts in business strategy and learn how to create effective plans. The course will emphasize critical thinking and problem-solving skills, enabling students to make informed decisions in real-world scenarios.
Students will engage with one another and their instructor to understand the dynamics of successful business operations. This course is valuable for any major or career path, as these skills are essential in today’s job market.
Campuses with this course:
Digital Marketing & Social Media
Course
Dive into a hands-on introduction to marketing where you won’t just learn theory, you’ll build a brand, launch a real campaign, and even visit a business to see social media strategy in action. The Digital Marketing & Social Media course breaks down complex topics like analytics, copywriting, and branding into clear, digestible lessons that anyone can follow.
Whether you hope to become a content creator, marketer, or entrepreneur, this program gives you the foundational toolkit to grow your skills, and your online presence. Discover how this experience can set you up for success with authentic, applied learning.
Campuses with this course:
Economics
Course
Discover how individuals, businesses, and governments make decisions about the use of scarce resources in a world of unlimited wants and needs, and what implications economic issues can cause, such as tax and inflation, interest rates and wealth, inequality and emerging markets, and energy and the environment.
The Economics course will provide the structure required to understand the way our world operates, from the choices we make in our everyday lives to how businesses or governments achieve their desired objectives.
Campuses with this course:
Fintech
Course
Discover how technology is revolutionizing the financial services industry and creating new career opportunities at the intersection of finance and technology. This program explores fundamental fintech concepts while examining real companies and applications that are changing how we bank, invest, and make payments.
You’ll develop an understanding of both the technology and business aspects of financial innovation. Perfect for students interested in business, technology, or finance careers, this program provides practical knowledge about the fintech industry while developing analytical skills applicable to various fields.
You’ll gain insight into entrepreneurship, technology development, and financial services careers.
Campuses with this course:
Finance & Investing
Course
Students will break into teams with each team selecting a promising stock that the team will research throughout the course and ultimately pitch to a group of investors. Faculty will provide hands-on help to students throughout this process. Along the way; students will be introduced to core investment concepts including the characteristics of different asset classes, public vs private equity, the workings of the stock market, company financials, company valuation and portfolio design.
By using an experiential learning approach, students will quickly engage in the topic, and the instructor introduces the underlying theory and concepts as students proceed with their project.
Campuses with this course:
Foreign Affairs
Course
Foreign affairs will equip students with a broad perspective on international relations and global challenges. Students will be introduced to a range of career paths, be encouraged to engage more actively in discussions, and learn strong research and comprehension skills. U of W is a great place to take this course as Seattle contributes to the foreign affairs agenda of the US due to its economic and cultural ties and its participation in global initiatives.
Campuses with this course:
Global Business
Course
Are you curious about how companies succeed in today’s interconnected world? Do you want to learn the strategies behind global markets, entrepreneurship, and international trade?
This course gives high school students a hands-on introduction to global business through real-world case studies, interactive projects, and simulations. Explore how businesses innovate, expand across borders, and make an impact on economies and communities worldwide.
Campuses with this course:
International Law
Course
Explore the fascinating world of international law and discover how legal frameworks govern relationships between nations and protect individual rights globally. This program introduces fundamental concepts in international law while providing hands-on experience through simulations and case study analysis. You’ll develop critical thinking skills and global perspectives essential for careers in law, diplomacy, and international business.
This intensive week provides excellent preparation for students considering law school or international careers while developing analytical and communication skills valuable in many fields. Through simulation exercises and professional mentorship, you’ll gain realistic insight into legal careers and international relations.
Campuses with this course:
International Relations
Course
Are you interested in learning how the world works, what causes war, and the conditions of peace?
This summer, immerse yourself in international affairs by learning how the world works. You will receive an introduction to the world of politics and the social-historical impact of global development by exploring topics such as foreign policy, international law, diplomacy, human rights, and environmental issues, among others.
Campuses with this course:
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Course
Students will embark on a journey of innovation and entrepreneurship, prioritizing hands-on experience and real-world application over theoretical learning. They will form teams of 3-4 and compete to develop innovative dairy sector products. They will engage in the innovation process and receive feedback from the industry sponsor, the California Milk Advisory Board.
At the conclusion of the course, winners will be announced, and all students will receive certificates in recognition of their efforts. This immersive experience not only fosters teamwork, but also underscores effective communication in a professional context. This course offers a unique opportunity to combine innovation and entrepreneurial skills for a tangible impact on business development.
Campuses with this course:
Marketing Bootcamp
Course
This course is THE course for any student who is interested in starting their own online business. In this course students will learn how to create a campaign to market products in any industry of their choosing.
In this marketing bootcamp, students will cover all of the core concepts of marketing. They will begin with the creative process (ideation), discuss all of the various distribution channels to market their product, create their consumer persona, determine what the Total Available Market (TAM) size is for their business, and perform the necessary targeting analytics. Their work will culminate in producing some highly personalized marketing materials using Adobe InDesign and variable data/personalization campaigns.
Campuses with this course:
Neuroeconomics
Course
Why do people make the choices they do? Neuroeconomics explores this question by combining neuroscience, psychology, and economics to better understand human decision-making. This course dives into how the brain influences behavior, offering students a unique lens through which to examine everyday choices.
Through interactive labs, discussions, and group projects, students gain practical experience in designing experiments and analyzing behavioral data. By the end of the program, they’ll see how neuroeconomics applies to real-world situations in business, policy, and social initiatives.
Campuses with this course:
Political Science
Course
As campaigns and political activity ramp up this summer, students will gain a hands-on education in how elections are conducted in the U.S. from both the campaign perspective and an administrative and constitutional lens.
This course offers an excellent opportunity for students to make connections for potential jobs and internships in the political world as well as in local government. It will give them the chance to survey the field, explore their own interests, and become more engaged and informed participants in democracy.
Campuses with this course:
Pre MBA
Course
Experience business education fundamentals through an intensive program that introduces core MBA concepts at an accessible level. This program covers essential business disciplines, including strategy, finance, marketing, and leadership, while emphasizing practical application through case studies and collaborative projects.
You’ll develop analytical thinking and communication skills that are valuable in any career path. Designed for students considering business studies or careers, this program provides realistic insight into business education and professional life.
Campuses with this course:
Public Policy
Course
The government today can affect all aspects of our lives. Curious to find out more about issues addressed by public policy such as public health, criminal justice, gun rights, immigration, reproductive rights, drug use, education, and disaster preparedness? Then, this is the course for you.
Learn and discuss the system of laws, regulatory measures, courses of action, and funding priorities concerning a given topic promulgated by a governmental entity or its representatives. This course aims to create conditions for learning, opportunity and experience, which enable young people to develop knowledge, skills and competences.
Campuses with this course:
Sports Management
Course
Successful management is required in all segments of the sport industry whether professional, amateur, collegiate, club, public, private, etc. In the management function, the same basic elements are needed, regardless of organizational type: personnel management, program development, marketing, information management, facilities management, and legal responsibilities.
Depending on what kind of sport management career interests you, possibilities include working directly with athletes, coaches, and organizations, or working behind the scenes as a promoter, marketing manager, or sports economist. Our course will explore the business management side of sports and expose you to the number of different directions you can take with a background in Sports Management.
Campuses with this course:
Trial Law
Course
Master courtroom processes as you defend a challenging case from start to finish. Research the evidence, craft and deliver your opening statement, prepare and cross-examine witnesses, craft your arguments, and have a strong closing statement to impress and win over the judge and jury.
During the program, students will meet with legal professionals to gain insight into their daily activities and learn more about their career journeys. This will be a unique opportunity for students to ask questions and get exposure to a “day in the life” of legal and judicial experts.
Summer Springboard
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*Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly and NYSID which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.