High school journalism programs offer you the chance to delve into news reporting, investigative writing, and media production, building essential skills to understand and analyze the world through a journalist’s lens. These programs go beyond classroom learning, guiding you through practical assignments and hands-on projects that mirror real-world scenarios in journalism.
With offerings that range from research immersions and pre-college programs to internships and mentorship opportunities, these summer programs are geared toward high school students interested in media, ethics, and communication. Here’s a curated list of 13 of the best journalism-focused programs, each offering a targeted approach to skill-building for future journalists. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program
Subject Areas: Economics, International Relations, Philosophy, Political Theory, History, and more
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas. Students interested in journalism can choose the courses in Political Theory and Philosophy, International Relations, and Critical History. It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. Apply here!
2. Princeton University Summer Journalism Program (SJP)
Subject Areas: News Writing, Investigative Journalism, Media Ethics
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey (Hybrid program with virtual and in-person components)
Eligibility: High school juniors from low-income backgrounds in the U.S. with a GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4.0
Application Deadline: December 1
Program Dates: Year-long with a 10-day summer residential program in August
Cost: Free
The summer journalism program at Princeton University provides students with a combination of virtual workshops and an intensive 10-day residential experience. You will learn core journalism skills, such as news reporting, interviewing, and ethics, with guidance from seasoned journalists and faculty. You will complete assignments covering a wide range of topics, from politics to environmental issues, and publish your work in an end-of-program student journal.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—Journalism Track
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Location: Remote
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
Application Deadline: Summer deadlines are usually in March, April, and May
Program Dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks) | $5,900 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers, offers high school students the opportunity to work one-on-one with PhD mentors to develop an independent research project in their subject area. Selected students will participate in immersive sessions with their mentors, who will help them produce a college-level research paper based on their projects. Support from writing coaches will also be provided. You can choose your subject track in the application form, such as public health, as well as a specific area of focus, such as astrophysics, throughout your research experience!
4. Indiana University High School Journalism Institute
Subject Areas: News Writing, Broadcasting, Digital Storytelling, Editorial Leadership
Location: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Eligibility: High school students, from rising freshmen to recent graduates
Application Deadline: June 15
Program Dates: July 7 – 11 | July 13 – 17
Cost: $515 (financial aid available)
Indiana University’s High School Journalism Institute is a five-day program focused on various journalism specialties, from investigative reporting to broadcast and editorial leadership. You will engage in small-group workshops, large lectures, and individual mentorship with experienced journalism professionals, exploring skills such as multimedia reporting, feature writing, and documentary production. Evening activities and peer collaboration create a supportive, hands-on environment for you to develop foundational skills and explore career paths in media.
5. NYU Urban Journalism Workshop
Subject Areas: News Reporting, Multimedia Journalism, Social Issues in Media
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in the NYC metropolitan area, minimum age 16
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: July 15 – 24
Cost: Free
NYU’s Urban Journalism Workshop is a 10-day, intensive summer program designed to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of journalism with a strong focus on multimedia reporting. You will stay in NYU housing and engage in hands-on workshops led by NYU faculty and professional journalists, covering essential topics like news writing, interviewing techniques, and multimedia production. The program also emphasizes reporting on underrepresented communities, encouraging you to explore diverse perspectives in media.
6. Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute
Subject Areas: News Writing, Digital Journalism, Investigative Reporting
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who rank academically in the top quarter of their class
Application Deadline: March 6
Program Dates: June 29 – July 25
Cost: $5,000 (financial aid available)
The Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute, or “Medill Cherubs,” offers an immersive experience in journalism, where you will delve into news writing, digital reporting, and investigative techniques. You will work closely with instructors to develop comprehensive stories, from interviews and fact-checking to digital production. The program includes hands-on learning with industry tools for photojournalism and podcasting, helping you gain practical skills in news media and storytelling.
7. The School of the New York Times NYC Summer Academy
Subject Areas: Journalism, Media Studies, Creative Writing, Political Reporting
Location: New York City, New York
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 and recent graduates; students must be at least 15 years old
Application Deadline: December 1
Program Dates: June 8 – 20 | June 22 – July 4 | July 6 – 18 | July 20 – August 1
Cost: $5,160 (day students), $6,490 (residential). Financial aid available
The NYC Summer Academy at The School of The New York Times offers high school students a glimpse into journalism and media studies through two-week, topic-focused sessions. You will learn directly from professional journalists and guest speakers, gaining skills in news writing, investigative reporting, multimedia storytelling, and social issue analysis. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking and practical journalism skills, with workshops and assignments reflecting real-world media challenges, such as writing in the time of AI and social media.
8. Ohio University High School Journalism Workshop
Subject Areas: News Writing, Broadcasting, Public Relations, Visual Storytelling, Podcasting, Sports Writing, Magazine, Public Relations, Media Relations
Location: Ohio University, Athens, OH
Eligibility: Rising sophomores and recent high school graduates
Application Deadline: June 20
Program Dates: July 13 – 17
Cost: $450
Ohio University’s High School Journalism Workshop provides a five-day, immersive introduction to journalism across various media formats. You can explore areas such as news writing, public relations, and broadcasting, working closely with Ohio University faculty and professional journalists. Through interactive projects like podcasting, publication design, and multimedia storytelling, you will learn the technical and creative aspects of journalism. You will also experience a collaborative newsroom environment, gaining exposure to digital and visual storytelling methods that build practical skills essential for college-level media studies and journalism careers.
9. Arizona State University’s Camp Cronkite
Subject Areas: Digital Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, Sports Journalism, Digital Marketing
Location: Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus, AZ
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12
Application Deadline: January
Program Dates: TBA
Cost: $699 (need-based scholarships available)
Camp Cronkite offers high school students an immersive experience in various media disciplines, including digital journalism, broadcast journalism, sports journalism, and digital marketing. You will engage in hands-on learning within state-of-the-art facilities, gaining practical skills in reporting, writing, photography, and multimedia storytelling. The program also provides a glimpse into college life, as you’ll reside on campus and collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds. The sessions are led by Cronkite staff and faculty.
10. University of Southern California Pre-College Program: Sports Journalism
Subject Areas: Sports Journalism, Multi-Platform Storytelling, Digital Media Production
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility: Students who have completed at least the 9th grade by June 15 and are pursuing a rigorous high school curriculum
Application Deadline: May 2
Program Dates: June 15 – July 12
Cost: $11,347 (residential), $7,812 (commuter)
USC’s Sports Journalism Pre-College Program gives students a thorough introduction to the art of sports storytelling across multiple platforms. You will develop skills in sports broadcasting, in-depth reporting, and video and audio production, working on projects that explore both the excitement of live sports and the industry’s behind-the-scenes dynamics. The program includes hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and guidance from USC faculty and professionals, allowing you to create multimedia sports content for digital audiences, including social media.
11. Georgetown University Summer Journalism Program
Subject Areas: Journalism, Digital Media, Ethics in Reporting
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary, usually one week before the start of each session
Program Dates: Various one-week, two-week, and four-week sessions from November to August
Cost: $1,795 (financial aid available)
Georgetown University’s Summer Journalism Program immerses students in the principles and practices of modern journalism, from crafting compelling stories to tackling the ethical dimensions of reporting. Through video lectures, you’ll learn how to decide if a topic is newsworthy, navigate legal and ethical dilemmas, and create stories for social media. You will work toward creating a final capstone project, building your portfolio and analytical skills across diverse media platforms.
12. University of Florida Summer Media Institute
Subject Areas: Journalism, Multimedia Storytelling, Public Relations, Broadcasting
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Eligibility: High school students, most accepted students are in their junior or senior year
Application Deadline: November 15
Program Dates: June 22 – 27
Cost: $999 (scholarships available)
The Summer Media Institute at UF offers a six-day immersive program for high school students interested in media careers. Through specialized workshops in areas like journalism, storytelling, public relations, and filmmaking, students gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art facilities. Led by UF faculty and media professionals, the program includes elective courses, industry insights, and collaborative projects designed to equip you with essential storytelling and production skills.
13. The Washington Journalism and Media Conference
Subject Areas: Journalism, Media Ethics, Political Reporting
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade students who are nominated by their teachers or invited by the program; limited spots available for students who are not nominated
Application Deadline: No information available
Program Dates: July 7 – 12 | July 14 – 19
Cost: $2,600 (partial, need-based financial aid available)
The Washington Journalism and Media Conference is an intensive, week-long program for aspiring journalists. You will engage with award-winning journalists, media experts, and Washington insiders through workshops and discussions. Based in Washington, D.C., the program allows you to explore the intersection of journalism and politics, building practical reporting skills and a nuanced understanding of media ethics and industry challenges. Note that you must ordinarily be nominated or invited to attend, and very limited slots are available for students who are not nominated.
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