Summer Springboard
Psychology & Neuroscience
ON THE CAMPUS OF UCLA
UNDERSTAND HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND BRAIN FUNCTION WHILE EXPLORING PSYCHOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE AT UCLA
Psychology & Neuroscience @ UCLA
- Explore how the brain and mind interact to shape emotions personality social behavior and mental illness.
- Investigate classic psychology experiments and learn what scientists reveal about human thought and behavior.
- Design and run your own mini psychology experiment and present your findings to the class.
- Participate in hands‑on neurology workshops that include brain anatomy and neuroscience demonstrations.
- Interact with clinical psychologists neurologists and neuroscience researchers during guest lectures and mentoring sessions.
- Take an academic excursion through a workshop focused on careers in mental health to learn about different paths in the field.
Summer Springboard
Psychology & Neuroscience
About This Course
The adult human brain weighs approximately 3 pounds making up less than roughly 2% of a person’s body weight, yet it defines our humanity and makes us the individuals that we are – and yet no two are the same. The brain is responsible for the generation of language, thought, attention, consciousness, memory, imagination, and more. But how? And what makes certain people in society behave one way, and others another? Nothing is more fascinating and mysterious than the inner workings of the brain and human psychology.
In Summer Springboard’s Psychology & Neuroscience course on the campus of UCLA, students will explore these fundamental questions and more. Our course will explore the anatomy of the human brain, how it functions, and how that correlates and influences human behavior. Students will learn about how the brain works, how that affects behavior such as social dynamics, emotions, personality, mental illness, and how psychologists study them. Students will get to construct their own miniature psychology theory, design/run an experiment to test it, and present findings to the class.
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
Students practice experimental design in psychology and engage in neurology workshops exploring brain structure and function through hands‑on activities such as brain anatomy demonstrations.
Career Exploration
A careers in mental health workshop and discussions with clinical psychologists and researchers allow students to explore academic and professional pathways in neuroscience psychology and healthcare.
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Click here to view or download the printable infosheet for this course.
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“I enjoyed meeting new people and getting exposed to different cultures. Academically, I found my class extremely engaging, with a fantastic instructor. I also appreciated all the support my mentor gave me throughout the program.”
– Rishav D. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Psychology & Neuroscience
Meet Your Instructor
Session 1
Salvador (Sal) Brito received his PhD in Neuroscience from Harvard University, where he focused on understanding how brain circuits process behavioral states like fear and anxiety. Before his move to Boston, Sal attended California Lutheran University in sunny southern California, where he obtained his B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, along with his B.A. in Psychology. Sal’s initial exposure to the science of the brain occurred during his high school years, where he took an AP psychology course that would ultimately guide his career trajectory into psychology and neuroscience.
Sal has remained committed to mentorship and teaching throughout his career, having mentored students across all levels, including high school, undergraduate, and graduate level students. Sal’s goal is to help guide students in their own path to understand the intricacies and complexities of the brain. He hopes that this summer experience not only helps students answer some of their existing questions, but also allows them to formulate novel brain-related questions which they can continue pursuing in their own career.
DR. SALVADOR BRITO
“I really liked this program and I met so many different people and made amazing friends. I also learned so much about psychology and the teacher was amazing!”
– Sofia M. | Alumni Student
Meet Your Instructor
Session 3
Dr. Alexia Holovatyk is a licensed clinical health psychologist, educator, and founder of Live Well Psychology Group. With a specialization in trauma-informed therapy, mind-body health, and women’s mental wellness, she integrates evidence-based interventions like somatic therapy, mindfulness, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help clients break the stress cycle and heal from chronic conditions.
In addition to running a thriving private practice, she serves as an Adjunct Professor at USC, where she teaches Introduction to Psychology, bridging academic research with real-world application. Dr. Holovatyk has consulted for digital health platforms, led sold-out community workshops, and been featured in multiple media outlets for her expertise in holistic mental health. Whether working one-on-one, in group settings, or through public education, her mission is to empower individuals with the tools to regulate their nervous systems, reconnect with themselves, and cultivate lasting well-being.
DR. ALEXIA HOLOVATYK
Summer Springboard
Psychology & Neuroscience
Dates & Tuition
| 2025 Dates |
|---|
| Session 1: June 22 – July 4, 2025 |
| Session 2: July 6 – July 18, 2025 |
| Session 3: July 20 – August 1, 2025 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
|---|
| Residential Tuition: $5,998 |
| Commuter Tuition: $3,298 |
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: Los Angeles |
| State: California |
| Campus: UCLA |
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.