9 Summer Journalism Programs for High School Students
If you're a high school student interested in reporting, writing, or media, a journalism summer program is a great way to develop your skills and gain practical experience in the field. These programs introduce you to different aspects of journalism—such as news writing, investigative reporting, and multimedia storytelling—while helping you build a portfolio that can strengthen your college applications. They also provide insight into whether journalism is the right field for you, helping to shape your academic and career plans.
For students exploring careers in business, media, or communications, a summer program can offer valuable exposure to critical thinking, research, and ethical reporting. To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled a list of 9 journalism summer programs for high school students. Whether you're interested in print, broadcast, or digital media, these programs provide hands-on learning experiences to explore the field further.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program gives high school students the opportunity to conduct independent research with guidance from Ph.D. mentors. In the journalism track, you will examine topics such as media representation, investigative methods, and the role of AI in journalism. The program includes structured mentorship and writing support to help you develop a college-level research paper. It culminates in a research symposium where you can present your findings, with the possibility of submitting your work for publication. This program provides hands-on experience in academic research and a deeper understanding of journalism’s evolving landscape.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Individual Research Program (12 weeks): $2990 | Premium Research & Publication Program (16-20 weeks): $5900 | Research Fellowship (6-12 months) $8900. Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: June - August.
Application Deadline: May.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 are eligible to apply.
The Urban Journalism Workshop at New York University is a seven-day summer program that brings together 20 high school students for an intensive journalism boot camp. Hosted at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, the workshop provides hands-on training in reporting, news writing, and multimedia journalism under the guidance of NYU faculty and industry professionals.
You will gain real-world experience through site visits to major news organizations such as CNN, The New York Times, Bloomberg, VICE, and ABC News. The program concludes with the creation of an online multimedia news site, allowing you to showcase your reporting skills. Designed to support diversity in newsrooms, the workshop aims to equip students with practical experience and an understanding of the journalism field.
Location: New York University Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, New York, NY.
Cohort Size: 20 students.
Cost: Free!
Dates: July 13 - 19.
Application Deadline: February 15.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors attending schools throughout the five boroughs of New York City or in nearby suburbs of the Tri-State metropolitan region (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut only) are eligible to apply.
Ladder Internships is a selective program that connects high school students with internships at high-growth startups in fields such as media, journalism, health tech, AI, and marketing. Over the course of eight weeks, you will collaborate with managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects, gaining practical experience in a professional setting. The program includes opportunities to present your work to company teams, as well as one-on-one training in communication and time management. Group sessions with other interns provide additional learning and networking opportunities. Some participating startups are founded by Y-Combinator alumni or former employees of major tech companies, offering insight into industry trends and startup culture.
Location: Virtual.
Cohort Size: 70 - 80 spots.
Cost: Starts at $2490. Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: The internship runs for 8 weeks in the summer.
Application Deadline: May.
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks are eligible to apply. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
At the NYC Summer Academy, you can choose from courses in journalism, media, technology, arts, culture, sports, fashion, and business. Taught by experienced reporters, editors, and industry professionals, these courses examine current global trends and their impact on news and society.
As a student, you will learn from journalists and experts selected by The School of The New York Times. The program includes discussions, hands-on projects, and analysis of real-world case studies, providing a broader perspective on media and related fields.
Location: New York City, NY.
Cost: Residential: $7,265 | Commuter: $5,935. Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: Term 1: June 8–20 | Term 2: June 22–July 4 | Term 3: July 6–18 | Term 4: July 20–August 1.
Application Deadline: February 26. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Rising high school students (grades 10-12) and graduating seniors are eligible to apply. Students must be 15-18 years old by the first day of the program.
The High School Journalism Institute (HSJI) gives high school students the chance to work with journalism professionals, collaborate with peers, and learn from experienced advisers while producing original work. The program includes small-group classes, personalized instruction, large-group lectures, and evening activities.
Workshops cover a range of topics, including documentary filmmaking, sports reporting, editing, photography, social media strategy, podcasting, broadcasting, and fashion and lifestyle reporting. Through hands-on projects and access to professional-grade equipment, you will develop practical skills and a deeper understanding of different media fields. Students can enroll in one workshop per session.
Location: Indiana University Media School, Bloomington, IN.
Cost: $525. Financial aid is available.
Dates: Session I: July 7 - 11 | Session II: July 13 - 17.
Application Deadline: June 15. Apply before April 15 to be eligible to apply for scholarships
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen through rising college freshmen are eligible to apply.
The Summer Media Institute (SMI) at the College of Journalism and Communications is a six-day, five-night workshop for high school students interested in journalism and communications. The program offers electives in areas such as anchoring and hosting, broadcast reporting, feature and news writing, filmmaking, photojournalism, social media storytelling, and sports reporting.
You will participate in hands-on learning within university facilities, gaining practical experience in media production and storytelling. The program emphasizes foundational communication skills and provides exposure to different aspects of the journalism and media industry.
Location: University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, Gainesville, FL.
Cohort Size: 120 to 160 students.
Cost: Early bird registration: $949 (until March 1) | Regular registration: $999 (until May 15). Need-based scholarships are available.
Dates: June 22 - 27.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply. Rising 10th-graders are welcome as well.
The Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute, known as “Medill cherubs,” is a four-week summer program at Northwestern University for high school students interested in journalism. The program provides hands-on training in reporting, writing, and editing across print, broadcast, and digital media. Students also explore video, audio, photojournalism, and digital storytelling, developing skills in clear and accurate communication.
The curriculum includes over 50 classes, featuring lectures from Northwestern faculty and professional journalists, along with workshops, labs, film screenings, and field trips to Chicago. With a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students receive personalized instruction and build a portfolio of work by the end of the program.
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.
Cohort Size: 84 students.
Cost: $5,000. Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: June 29 - July 25.
Application Deadline: Mid-March.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors are eligible to apply.
The USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism offers Sports Journalism: Multi-Platform Storytelling, a course designed for high school students interested in sports media. The program emphasizes experiential learning, combining classroom instruction with field trips and in-studio production at the Annenberg Media Center.
You will develop storytelling skills across various platforms, including sportscasting, print and web writing, photojournalism, broadcast radio, podcasting, and digital media production. Instruction is led by USC faculty with professional experience in sports journalism, along with guest speakers from the sports and media industries. The program concludes with a sports journalism project that highlights your reporting skills and ability to produce content across multiple platforms.
Location: USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism, Los Angeles, CA.
Cost: Residential: $11,347 | Commuter: $7,812.
Dates: June 15 – July 12.
Application Deadline: May 2. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least the 9th grade by June 15 are eligible to apply.
The Schieffer Summer Journalism Camp at Texas Christian University (TCU) provides high school students with an intensive, hands-on experience in multimedia storytelling. The program immerses participants in a collegiate environment, offering practical exposure to journalism across web, broadcast, and print platforms.
Led by TCU journalism faculty, industry professionals from the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and current TCU students, you will work in an all-digital newsroom and high-definition broadcast studio. You will learn to develop story ideas, conduct reporting, and produce news stories on topics like peer-led camps and college admissions. The program combines classroom instruction with lab sessions, providing both group and individualized guidance. You will also gain experience in anchoring newscasts and producing video packages, enhancing your skills in real-world media production settings.
Location: Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX.
Cost: $1,000.
Dates: July 21 – 25.
Application Deadline: April 30.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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