If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to become a journalist, high school journalism programs can provide you with the foundation you need. These programs offer hands-on experience in reporting, writing, and media production, setting you on the path to a future in journalism.
You’ll learn how journalists find stories, conduct interviews, and craft news reports, all while gaining a deeper understanding of the media industry. Whether you’re interested in news writing, investigative reporting, or multimedia storytelling, there’s a program for you.
To make sure cost doesn’t hold you back, we’ve compiled a list of 10 free journalism programs for high school students in 2024-2025.
10 Free Journalism Programs for High School Students
1. Horizon's Academic Research Program (HARP)- Journalism Track
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! 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 Ph.D. 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!
Subject Areas: Economics, International Relations, Philosophy, Political Theory, History, and more
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Spring 2025: February 16, 2025; Summer 2025: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)!
Program Dates: Spring 2025: March 3, 2025; Summer 2025: June 16, 2025! Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Cost: Financial aid is available
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows high school students to conduct independent research under the mentorship of Ph.D. scholars. In the journalism track, you will explore media representation, investigative techniques, and the impact of AI in journalism. The program guides you through crafting a college-level research paper with personalized mentorship and writing support. It concludes with a research symposium where students present their findings, with opportunities for publication in academic journals.
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Application deadlines vary by cohort. The deadline for the upcoming winter cohort is December 29, 2024
Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the fall from September to December, the winter from December to February, and the spring from March to June
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
AAJA’s JCamp is a six-day journalism program for high school sophomores and juniors. It focuses on building your journalism skills and exploring the importance of diversity in media. You’ll join workshops, get hands-on training, and go on field trips, ending with the creation of multiplatform news packages for JCamp Live. The program covers cross-cultural communication, leadership skills, journalistic ethics, and networking, giving you a well-rounded experience.
Subject Areas: Journalism fundamentals, multimedia reporting, diversity in media, leadership, and ethics.
Program Dates: July 26 to August 1, 2025
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025.
Location: Seattle, Washington (University housing) Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors with an interest in journalism.
The Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference is a five-day summer program for high school juniors who are passionate about journalism. Each year, one student from every state and the District of Columbia is selected to attend. The program includes visits to newsrooms, workshops led by professional journalists, and opportunities to network with peers and industry leaders. As a participant, you’ll receive a $1,000 scholarship and become part of a supportive alumni community, connecting with individuals working in media and related fields.
Subject Areas: Journalism ethics, multimedia reporting, leadership, and media networking.
Cost: All expenses covered, including airfare, lodging, and meals.
Program Dates: June 22–27, 2025.
Application Deadline: TBA.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors (class of 2026). One student is chosen from each U.S. state and the District of Columbia.
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a free, year-long program designed for high school juniors from limited-income backgrounds. It offers college preparation and journalism training. You’ll participate in a multi-week hybrid summer intensive, which includes online workshops on current events and a 10-day residential experience at Princeton University. Guided by Princeton professors, journalists, and alumni, you’ll help produce the Princeton Summer Journal while building your skills in reporting, writing, and editing. The program also gives you personalized college admissions support through your senior year.
Subject Areas: Journalism fundamentals, news reporting, critical thinking, and college admissions.
Cost: Free, including travel, housing, and meals for the residential component.
Program Dates: Online workshops in July 2025; residential program in early August 2025.
Application Deadline: February 24, 2025.
Location: Hybrid (virtual and on-campus at Princeton University).
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors (class of 2026) with a minimum GPA of 3.5, who reside in the United States and plan to attend college domestically. Designed for students from limited-income backgrounds.
CLARIFY (City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth) is a paid journalism internship for New York City high school students like you who are entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. As a participant, you'll get training in key journalism skills, such as research, interviewing, investigative techniques, media ethics, story structure, and photojournalism. You'll work closely with City Limits' reporters to investigate and write public service stories, with the chance to publish your work on City Limits' platforms.
The program has both fall and summer sessions. The fall cohort meets twice a week after school, while the summer session meets daily for six weeks. You don’t need any prior journalism experience, but you should be ready to fully commit to the program.
Subject Areas: Reporting fundamentals, News writing, Investigative techniques, Media ethics
Cost: Free (includes a $500 stipend for successful completion).
Program Dates: October to December 2025 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30–6:30 PM).
Location: Virtual sessions with occasional on-site field trips in New York City.
Eligibility: Open to New York City high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are passionate about journalism, writing, and current events. Applicants must commit to attending all sessions and actively participating.
The L.A. Times High School Insider Summer Internship is a seven-week paid program for high school students in Southern California. You will learn journalism basics, and multimedia skills, and get experience in a newsroom environment at The Los Angeles Times. The internship allows you to work with journalists and participate in various writing and multimedia projects. You'll also have the chance to participate in various media contests, including writing and multimedia competitions, to further hone your skills.
Cost: Paid internship (details not provided).
Program Dates: June 17 – August 2, 2025.
Applications: Open in December 2024.
Location: Hybrid program in Southern California.
Eligibility: Open to high school students legally authorized to work in the U.S. Must be available for the full program and have strong communication skills, independence, and the ability to meet deadlines.
NBCU Academy’s journalism program is for New York City public high school students who are passionate about news and storytelling. This free program gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how journalism works.
You’ll work alongside experienced journalists, attend hands-on workshops, and learn skills like researching, interviewing, and writing. You’ll also get professional and academic mentorship to help you grow as a journalist and make a positive impact in your community. The program gives you the chance to experience what it’s like to work in a real newsroom and learn from top experts in the field.
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 22–26, 2025 (Expected)
Application Deadline: July 1, 2025 (Expected)
Location: New York City, NY
Eligibility: You must be a rising junior or senior at a public school in New York City with an interest in journalism. Your combined household income must not exceed $100,000. If it exceeds this amount, you can submit a statement explaining your financial situation.
The Annenberg Youth Academy (AYA) is a free, four-week summer program designed for high school students in Los Angeles County. If you’re a freshman, sophomore, or junior in high school and want to explore media and journalism, this program is for you.
At AYA, you’ll take part in college-level courses to sharpen your skills in writing, critical thinking, public speaking, and multimedia production. You’ll also learn about the role of media and journalism in shaping leaders and explore USC Annenberg’s undergraduate programs. You’ll get a taste of life at USC through educational field trips, college advising, and the chance to connect with innovative scholars.
Program Dates: June 17 – July 19, 2025 (Expected)
Application Deadline: TBD
Location: USC University Park and Health Science Campuses, Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility: You must be a high school student from the communities surrounding the USC University Park and Health Science Campuses. An interest in media, journalism, and civic engagement is required.
The "Introduction to Public Relations and the Media" Specialization is a one-month online course offered by the University of Colorado Boulder. In this course, you'll learn the basics of PR, including creating press releases, social media content, and crisis communication plans. By the end, you'll have a professional portfolio and the skills to manage a brand's reputation. This course is perfect for anyone looking to build a foundation in public relations and media.
Subject Areas: Fundamentals of Public Relations, Media Relations, Crisis Communication, Strategic Communication
Application Deadline: Open enrollment; you can apply anytime.
Program Dates: One-month duration (specific start dates may vary; check the course platform for details).
Location: Online
Eligibility: Open to individuals interested in public relations, branding, and media. A keen interest in media and communications is encouraged.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.