Design, Arts, and Media Summer Institutes
Dance as a Healing Art
This one-week commuter dance intensive is designed to allow students to explore the intersections of technique, choreographic process, and dance careers. Each day will consist of technique classes, guest lectures, and choreographic process workshops. The program will culminate in an informal performance. Students enrolled will explore how dance can fit into their careers, featuring Drexel's unique philosophy of Dance as a Healing Art.
| Dates | July 26–31, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | In-person, commuter |
| Cost |
$1,000: Early Bird, $900 tuition if balance paid before April 1
$300 due at registration
|
| Eligibility | High school students, 14–18 years old |
| Deadline | Rolling Admission |
| More Info | Visit Westphal Pre-College Summer Programs Estimated enrollment of 50 |
Discovering Architecture
| Dates | July 5–18, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | In-person, commuter and residential |
| Cost |
$2,850: Commuter
$3,575: Residential
$400 deposit due at registration
|
| Eligibility |
Rising juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old (15 years old is possible with a strong teacher recommendation letter provided with the application)
|
| Deadline |
July 1. To better your chances of not being put on our waitlist, we suggest you submit your complete application (with deposit) before March 30 |
| More Info | Visit Westphal Pre-College Summer Programs Estimated enrollment of 35–40 |
Discovering Interior Design
Drexel University's Discovering Interior Design summer program has been running continuously since 2000. You'll experience what it's like to study interior design in college. You'll attend classes taught by Drexel Interior Design faculty members in studios, just like Drexel interior design students. You'll attend lectures by distinguished speakers and try your hand at interior design while working closely with an instructor. Our program will introduce you to this fascinating profession while helping to build your portfolio.
| Dates | July 5–18, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | In-person, commuter and residential |
| Cost |
$2,850: Commuter
$3,575: Residential
$400 deposit due at registration
|
| Eligibility |
Rising juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old (15 years old is possible with a strong teacher recommendation letter provided with the application)
|
| Deadline |
July 1. To better your chances of not being put on our waitlist, we suggest you submit your complete application (with deposit) before March 30
|
| More Info | Visit Westphal Pre-College Summer Programs Estimated enrollment of 35–40 |
Discovering Fashion Design
Discover fashion design at Drexel with this one-week program open to high school students. This program will introduce you to a carefully curated curriculum consisting of lectures, demonstrations, studio work, guest speakers, and field trips to the local design communities within Philadelphia. You will develop an understanding of the creative process through lectures and hands-on studio classes. The classes focus on innovative projects to expand your portfolio with fashion illustration, technical sketching, draping, print design, natural silk dyeing, and digital applications for machine knitting and CLO 3D design. Lectures and field trips focus on sustainable approaches to fashion design. This one-week residential opportunity will immerse you in the fashion world while offering you an actual preview of our studio fashion design courses.
| Dates | July 12–18, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | In-person, residential |
| Cost |
$2,400
$300 deposit due at registration
|
| Eligibility | Rising high school juniors and seniors at least 16 years old |
| Deadline | June 13, 2026 |
| More Info | Visit Westphal Pre-College Summer Programs Estimated enrollment of 16 |
Graphic Design
An exceptional one-week program in graphic design taught by award-winning faculty, and open to high school students interested in learning about the creative world of visual communications. Through hands-on, studio-based instruction, students will work on projects that explore design process, participate in critiques and discussions, and create portfolio-ready work. These offerings will be supplemented by virtual studio tours and online field trips, speakers, and other activities designed to give students an introduction to the design experience and to get a sense of career opportunities in graphic design.
| Dates | July 5–10, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | In-person, residential |
| Cost |
$2,300
$500 deposit is required with application which will be returned if not accepted
|
| Eligibility | Rising high school juniors and seniors |
| Deadline | Rolling admission, estimated enrollment of 20 |
| More Info | Visit Westphal Pre-College Summer Programs |
Industrial Design and Making
| Dates | July 13–24, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | In-person, commuter |
| Cost |
$1,800
$300 deposit due at registration
|
| Eligibility | Rising high school juniors and seniors, 16–18 years old |
| Deadline | June 30, 2026 |
| More Info |
Estimated enrollment of 10
|
Music Industry
Drexel's Music Industry Summer Program is an intensive one-week program for high school students who are serious about acquiring a head start on understanding the basics and the nuances of this incredibly competitive and energetic industry. Drexel's faculty of music industry professionals teach the summer program and draw course work from the undergraduate curriculum that addresses music recording, production, marketing, management, publishing, and more. Through practical classroom lectures and hands-on experience, students are ensured valuable insight into this one-of-a-kind program.
| Dates | July 13–17, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | In-person, commuter |
| Cost | $1,700 ($1,600 for Early Bird applicants) |
| Eligibility | Rising high school juniors and seniors at least 16 years old |
| Deadline |
$1,300: Early Bird (if paid $1,000 balance by January 31)
$1,700: Standard
$300 deposit due at registration
|
| More Info | Visit Westphal Pre-College Summer Programs Estimated enrollment of 50 |