Participating in a journalism-focused program while still in high school gives you a way to explore how stories are researched, produced, and shared across different forms of media. Whether you are interested in investigative reporting, photojournalism, or the technical side of broadcast media, these programs offer a front-row seat to the industry’s inner workings. These experiences can also help you build practical skills in communication, research, interviewing, and ethical decision-making while developing work samples for a future portfolio.
What do journalism internships for high schoolers include?
A typical journalism internship for high school students is designed to bridge the gap between amateur writing and professional reporting through a mix of hands-on assignments and expert mentorship. Most programs will include foundational training in newsgathering, where you’ll learn how to identify compelling stories, conduct professional interviews, and verify sources under tight deadlines. Many of these opportunities also incorporate multimedia training, teaching you how to record high-quality audio for podcasts, edit short-form social media videos, or capture impactful digital photography. You will often work directly with veteran editors who provide rigorous feedback on your work, helping you refine your prose while navigating the complex ethical dilemmas inherent in modern media.
In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of 15 journalism internships for high school students that offer different approaches and experiences for you to explore.
However, if you’re looking for more ways to explore journalism during the summer, you can check out our guide on summer journalism programs.
Key Takeaways
- Journalism internships for high school students span the full range of media skills, from investigative reporting and political journalism to photojournalism, podcasting, and broadcast news production
- Several programs are free or paid, including the LA Times Internship (paid), City Limits CLARIFY (up to $2,000), Princeton Summer Journalism Program (free), and The Bell Summer Youth Podcast Academy ($500 stipend), making journalism training accessible regardless of financial background
- Many programs place you inside real newsrooms or connect you directly with professional journalists from major outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times, giving you firsthand exposure to editorial standards and modern storytelling tools
- Published work is a common outcome across this list, with programs producing real bylines in outlets like City Limits, The Brooklyn Ink, The Princeton Summer Journal, and public radio platforms, giving you a tangible portfolio for college applications
1. The Los Angeles Times High School Insider Internship
Location: Los Angeles Times, El Segundo, CA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 22 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
This journalism internship places you directly into a professional newsroom to produce multimedia stories alongside veteran journalists. You’ll rotate through various departments, gaining experience in breaking news reporting, feature writing, podcasting, and social media strategy. Under the guidance of professional editors, you’ll learn how to pitch original ideas and see them through the editing process to digital publication. The program emphasizes the ethical standards of a major national outlet while providing hands-on training in modern storytelling tools.
2. City Limits CLARIFY Youth Program
Location: City Limits, New York, NY
Stipend: Up to $2,000 (summer); $500 (fall)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 6 weeks (summer); 8 weeks (fall)
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in NYC
The CLARIFY program provides journalism internships for NYC students with rigorous training in investigative reporting and local policy journalism. As a participant, you’ll work as a newsroom team to cover pressing urban issues such as housing, climate change, and social justice within the five boroughs. The curriculum covers the fundamentals of newsgathering, including interviewing techniques, data analysis, and freedom of information requests. You’ll also produce high-quality articles that are published on the City Limits website, reaching a broad audience of policy-makers and residents.
3. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ + Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: Up to 40 students
Dates: Late June – early August
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school juniors from low-income backgrounds
This is a college preparatory program that includes a residential summer intensive to introduce you to the impact of journalism on democracy. During the campus residency, you’ll attend workshops led by professional journalists from major outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post. You’ll learn to report on local issues in Princeton, produce a documentary film, and write for the program’s annual newspaper, The Princeton Summer Journal. Beyond technical skills, the program provides intensive college counseling to help you apply to the top universities.
4. The New York Times NYC Summer Academy
Location: Fordham University, New York City, NY
Cost: $6,195 (day students); $7,695 (residential); Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Term 1: June 7 – 19; Term 2: June 21 – July 3; Term 3: July 5 – 17; Term 4: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores to seniors (including graduating seniors) who are 15-18 years old
This academy allows you to study journalism under the instruction of New York Times journalists and industry experts. You’ll get to choose from specific tracks such as Narrative Writing, Photojournalism, or Political Reporting, and spend two weeks immersed in that subject. The program includes site visits to newsrooms, live reporting assignments across Manhattan, and workshops on the ethics of modern digital media. You’ll also develop a portfolio of work that reflects the editorial standards and creative rigor of the Times.
5. Asian American Journalists Association: JCamp
Location: Asian American Journalist Association, Minneapolis, MN
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: ~30 students
Dates: June 20 – 26
Application Deadline: January 11
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
JCamp is a multicultural journalism training program that brings together a diverse group of students for six days of intensive media training. You’ll learn from a faculty of professional journalists who specialize in broadcasting, photography, and digital reporting. The program focuses on cross-cultural news coverage and the importance of diversity in the newsroom, encouraging you to report on community-driven stories. You’ll work in teams to produce multimedia projects, gaining experience in everything from television news production to ethical decision-making.
6. Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost: $5,000; Financial aid available
Cohort Size: Up to 90 students
Dates: June 28 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
Often referred to as the “Cherubs” program, this journalism institute offers a four-week deep dive into all facets of modern media. You’ll attend lectures by Medill faculty and working professionals during the day and spend your evenings reporting and writing in the lab. The curriculum includes intensive tracks in social media, video storytelling, and long-form narrative writing, culminating in a major final project. As a participant, you will be encouraged to experiment with new technologies and platforms while mastering traditional reporting techniques.
7. NYU Urban Journalism Workshop
Location: NYU Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 12 – 18
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: NYC high school students (16+)
This workshop focuses on the intersection of journalism and urban life, teaching you how to cover the complexities of a city like New York. You’ll be trained in digital photography, video editing, and hard-news reporting by NYU faculty and professional mentors. You’ll also head out into the city’s diverse neighborhoods to find original stories, conduct interviews, and gather multimedia content. The program concludes with the publication of The Brooklyn Ink, a digital magazine featuring your reported pieces.
8. Florida International University Journalism Jumpstart Program
Location: Florida International University, North Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 23 – July 3
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Middle and high school students from Miami-Dade and Broward County
This journalism program introduces you to the core tenets of journalism and media production. You’ll work with writing coaches and former editors from major news outlets to develop your reporting and editing skills. The curriculum includes workshops on digital photography, podcasting, and social media storytelling, with a focus on local community impact. You’ll have access to FIU’s state-of-the-art media labs and broadcast studios, allowing you to gain hands-on experience with professional equipment.
9. The Washington Journalism and Media Conference
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: $2,650 (scholarships available)
Cohort Size: 300 students
Dates: July 12 – 17; July 19 – 24
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High-achieving high school students
The Washington Journalism and Media Conference provides you with a high-level view of political journalism and media policy. You’ll attend keynote speeches by prominent national journalists and visit landmarks like the National Press Club and various D.C. newsrooms. The program emphasizes the role of the press in a democratic society, featuring simulations and workshops on the challenges of reporting in a 24-hour news cycle. You’ll collaborate in small groups to tackle ethical dilemmas and practice your pitching and reporting skills.
10. The Bell Summer Youth Podcast Academy
Location: BRIC Media Center, New York City, NY
Stipend: $500
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 27 – August 14
Application Deadline: May 17
Eligibility: High school students in NYC public and charter schools
This specialized academy focuses exclusively on the art of audio storytelling and podcast production. As a participant, you will be trained in the technical aspects of sound recording, scriptwriting, and digital audio editing using professional software. You will work in teams to produce an original podcast episode centered on a social issue or personal narrative relevant to your lives in NYC. The program includes workshops on interviewing techniques and voice acting, helping you find your unique narrative style. Finished projects are often featured on public radio or digital platforms, giving you a professional credit in the growing field of audio media.
11. NSLC Journalism & Broadcasting Summer Program
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $4,495; Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Dates: July 8 – 16; July 20 – 28
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
This journalism program provides a look at the broadcast and digital journalism industry through hands-on simulations. You’ll work in professional-grade studios to produce a live news broadcast, acting as anchors, producers, and camera operators. The program includes workshops on field reporting, video editing, and the ethics of digital news consumption. You’ll also meet working journalists to discuss career paths and the evolving media landscape. In addition to technical training, the program features a leadership curriculum designed to build communication and teamwork skills essential for a newsroom environment.
12. NYU Summer Journalism
Location: Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, New York, NY
Cost: $8,008 for 4 credits
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Session 2: July 1 – August 12
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
This program allows you to enroll in 4-credit undergraduate courses at NYU. You’ll get to choose from classes like “Writing Popular Culture: Film/TV/Music” or “Photojournalism,” learning alongside college students in a rigorous academic setting. The curriculum focuses on long-form reporting, research techniques, and the history of the American press. You will also produce professional-level portfolios and receive a formal transcript upon completion of the course.
13. LMU Journalism Workshop
Location: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $6,500
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 5 – 17
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
This two-week journalism workshop introduces you to the fundamentals of modern storytelling within a professional newsroom environment. You’ll receive hands-on training in writing news stories, practicing photojournalism, and producing audio content for podcasts, culminating in a portfolio of work. Beyond technical skills, the curriculum includes rigorous discussions on journalism ethics and the industry’s role in society. You’ll also engage with site visits and guest lectures from professional journalists working in the local media market.
14. UGA Summer Media Academy
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Cost: $1,255 (residential); $530 (commuter); Financial aid available
Cohort Size: 20 students/camp
Dates: Weeklong camps in June
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students ages 13-17
Hosted by the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, this academy offers specialized tracks in Advertising and Public Relations, Broadcast Journalism, News Website Journalism, and Entertainment and Media Studies. As a student in the journalism track, you’ll learn to report for multiple platforms, including print, digital, and broadcast media. The program also allows you to cover real-time events on the UGA campus, producing stories under tight deadlines. Workshops are led by Grady faculty and alumni who are active in the industry, providing you with current professional insights.
15. Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Summer Journalism Workshop
Location: Columbia University, New York City, NY
Cost: $3,000 (residential); $1,700 (commuter); $1,100 (online)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Several sessions across June and July
Application Deadline: May 21 (residential); June 1 (commuter); June 30 (online)
Eligibility: High school students (15+ for the residential option)
The CSPA workshop offers specialized sessions that allow you to specialize in areas such as editorial leadership, newspaper/magazine writing, digital media, and more. Led by award-winning advisers and professionals, the classes focus on both the creative and organizational sides of running a student publication. As a participant, you’ll work on improving your design skills, mastering AP style, and developing effective newsroom management strategies.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like investigative journalism, media studies, political reporting, data journalism, and the ethics of news and information, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
FAQ
What are journalism internships for high school students?
Journalism internships for high school students place you inside newsrooms, media institutes, or university journalism programs where you learn newsgathering, interviewing, multimedia production, and editorial ethics under the mentorship of professional journalists and editors. Depending on the program, you might produce print articles, podcasts, video stories, or live broadcasts.
Do I need prior writing or journalism experience to apply?
Most programs do not require prior journalism experience. JCamp, NYU Urban Journalism Workshop, and UGA Summer Media Academy are designed as introductory experiences for students building foundational skills. More competitive programs like the LA Times Internship and Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute may favor students who already have writing samples, though formal lab or newsroom experience is rarely required.
Are there paid journalism internships for high school students?
Yes. The Los Angeles Times High School Insider Internship is paid. City Limits CLARIFY offers up to $2,000 for the summer program and $500 for fall. The Bell Summer Youth Podcast Academy provides a $500 stipend. Princeton Summer Journalism Program, JCamp, FIU Journalism Jumpstart, and NYU Urban Journalism Workshop are free with no cost to attend, though they do not provide stipends.
Which journalism programs let me publish my work?
City Limits CLARIFY publishes your articles on the City Limits website. NYU Urban Journalism Workshop culminates in The Brooklyn Ink, a digital magazine featuring your reported pieces. Princeton Summer Journalism Program produces The Princeton Summer Journal. The Bell Summer Youth Podcast Academy often features finished projects on public radio or digital platforms, giving you a professional audio credit.
Are there journalism programs specifically for students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds?
Yes. Princeton Summer Journalism Program is specifically designed for high school juniors from low-income backgrounds and includes intensive college counseling alongside journalism training. JCamp focuses on multicultural journalism training and cross-cultural news coverage. Several other programs, including Medill-Northwestern and the Washington Journalism and Media Conference, offer financial aid and scholarships to broaden access.
When should I apply to journalism internships for high school students?
JCamp closes January 11 and Princeton Summer Journalism Program closes January 26, making these the earliest deadlines. Medill-Northwestern closes March 2 and NYU Urban Journalism Workshop closes March 18. The New York Times NYC Summer Academy closes April 10, and the LA Times Internship closes April 16. Several programs, including NSLC Journalism and LMU Journalism Workshop, use rolling admissions. Applying as early as possible to the most selective and paid programs gives you the strongest chance of securing a spot.
Image source: Loyola Marymount University