For high school students interested in journalism, summer programs offer an opportunity to learn about media, storytelling, and reporting. These programs provide hands-on experience, mentorship from industry professionals, and exposure to the tools and techniques used in modern journalism. Whether you're interested in news reporting, broadcasting, magazine writing, or multimedia journalism, there's a program to help you build relevant skills and explore potential career paths in journalism.
Here are 12 journalism summer 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!
Location: Virtual
Application Date: May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024, for the fall cohort
Program Dates:
- Summer seminar - June 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024
- Fall seminar - October 23, 2024 - February 19, 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.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Journalism Track
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students, across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The main summer deadlines are March 15, April 15, and May 15
Duration:
Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility:
- You must be currently enrolled in high school
- Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
- No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Program Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, Spring from March to June
The Annenberg Youth Academy (AYA) offers a four-week program designed for 26 high school students from the communities surrounding the USC University Park and Health Science Campuses. Students examine how media communications and journalism contribute to civic engagement and leadership. The program focuses on developing writing, critical thinking, public speaking, and multimedia production skills. Students are introduced to USC Annenberg’s undergraduate programs and explore potential careers in media and journalism.
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 17 – July 19, 2025 (Expected) (No class on July 4 and July 5 for the Independence Day Holiday)
Application Deadline: TBD
Location: USC University Park and Health Science Campuses, Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility:
- High school students from surrounding communities.
- Students must be interested in media, journalism, and civic engagement.
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a free, year-long college preparation and journalism program for high school juniors from limited-income backgrounds. Participants begin with a multi-week hybrid summer intensive, which includes online workshops on current events and world affairs and a 10-day residential experience at Princeton University. Guided by Princeton professors, journalists, and alumni, students work on producing the Princeton Summer Journal while developing skills in reporting, writing, and editing. The program also includes personalized college admissions support through senior year.
Cost: Free, including travel, housing, and meals for the residential component.
Program Dates: Online workshops will be held in July 2025; the residential program will be held in early August 2025.
Application Deadline: February 24, 2025.
Location: Hybrid (virtual and on-campus at Princeton University).
Subject Areas: Journalism fundamentals, news reporting, critical thinking, and college admissions.
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.
Boston University's Summer Journalism Academy is designed for high school students interested in journalism, writing, or photography. You will engage in practical reporting assignments that mirror the daily responsibilities of a news reporter. The program focuses on developing skills such as interviewing, researching, fact-checking, and storytelling. With both residential and remote options, the academy provides flexible and practical learning opportunities guided by working journalists.
Cost:
- On-Campus Residential: $6,200 (includes tuition, activity fees, room, and board).
- Learn-from-Home: $1,500 (two-week tuition).
Program Dates and Deadlines (Expected 2025):
On Campus: June 23 – July 11, 2025.
Learn-from-Home Options:
- Session A: June 16 – June 27, 2025.
- Session B: June 30 – July 11, 2025.
- Session C: July 14 – July 25, 2025.
Application Deadline: TBD (usually closes several months before the program).
Location:
- On-Campus: Boston University.
- Learn-from-Home: Online.
Eligibility:
- On-Campus: Rising juniors, rising seniors, and current seniors with prior journalism experience.
- Learn-from-Home: High school students aged 14–18 with all levels of experience
The Summer Media Academy, hosted by the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication in partnership with the University of Georgia Summer Academy program, offers weeklong, in-person camps designed to give high school students hands-on experience in various media fields. You can choose from camps in Advertising and Public Relations, Broadcast Journalism, Multimedia Journalism, or Entertainment and Media Studies. Each camp combines engaging activities, guest speakers, and specialized projects, allowing students to develop practical skills in media and communications.
Students will have the opportunity to work on projects like producing a broadcast show, crafting a PR campaign for a nonprofit, creating articles for a news website, or writing and filming short films.
Cost:
- Day Camp: $500
- Residential Camp: $1,175 (includes accommodations and meals).
Program Dates and Deadlines:
- Camp Dates: Weeklong sessions, June to July 2025 (exact dates TBD).
- Registration Opens: February 1, 2025.
- Financial Aid Application Deadline: March 15, 2025.
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
Eligibility: Students aged 13–17 at the start of camp.
Camp Cronkite, hosted by the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, introduces high school students to media and journalism. You will participate in hands-on learning led by Cronkite faculty, staff, and student guides at ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus, gaining exposure to digital journalism, broadcast journalism, sports journalism, digital marketing, and more. In the evenings, campers enjoy supervised activities and downtime at Gordon Commons, ASU’s residential hall.
This camp is designed to help you develop media skills, build professional portfolios, and gain insight into college life while connecting with peers from across the country.
Cost:
2025 rates TBD (need-based scholarships available).
Program Dates and Deadlines:
- Camp Dates: Expected Summer 2025 (TBD).
- Applications Open: January 2025.
Location: Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University, Downtown Phoenix, AZ.
Eligibility: High school students from across the United States.
The College of Journalism and Communications (CJC) at the University of Florida offers a five-night, six-day immersive workshop for high school students passionate about journalism and communications. You will explore a variety of electives and specializations under the guidance of award-winning UF instructors and industry professionals.
The program provides hands-on experience using university facilities, helping you understand the evolving media landscape. It is designed for students with a strong interest in storytelling, communication, and media production
Cost:
- Early bird registration: $949 (until March 1, 2025).
- Regular registration: $999 (until May 15, 2025).
Program Dates and Deadlines:
- Program Dates: June 22–27, 2025.
- Early Bird Deadline: March 1, 2025.
- Final Registration Deadline: May 15, 2025.
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Eligibility: High school students interested in journalism and communications.
The High School Journalism Institute (HSJI) is a 5-day summer program that offers high school students an immersive experience in journalism. Held on Indiana University's campus, the program allows students to connect with journalism professionals, collaborate with fellow student journalists, and learn from award-winning advisers. Participants engage in hands-on workshops, producing work that spans diverse areas of journalism, such as documentary filmmaking, sports reporting, and editing.
Each day includes a mix of small-group classes, personalized instruction, large-group lectures, and evening activities, fostering both skill development and networking opportunities.
Cost: $525 per five-day workshop (includes instruction, on-campus lodging, supervision, and a $115 meal card).
Program Dates and Deadlines:
- Tentative Dates: July 7–11, 2025, and July 13–17, 2025.
- Registration opens in early 2025.
Location: Indiana University campus, Bloomington, IN.
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen through rising college freshmen.
The Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference is a competitive, five-day summer program for high school juniors passionate about journalism. One student from each state and the District of Columbia is selected to participate. The program includes exclusive newsroom visits, skill-building workshops led by top journalists, and networking opportunities with peers and professionals. Selected participants receive a $1,000 scholarship and join a supportive alumni community in prominent roles across media and related industries.
Cost: All expenses covered, including airfare, lodging, and meals.
Program Dates: June 22–27, 2025.
Application Deadline: TBA.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Subject Areas: Journalism ethics, multimedia reporting, leadership, and media networking.
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors (class of 2026). One student is chosen from each U.S. state and the District of Columbia.
Hosted by the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, the High School Journalism Workshop is one of the oldest programs of its kind, having started in 1946. This five-day program, held on Ohio University’s campus, provides high school students and advisers the chance to learn journalism’s foundational practices and explore new innovations from faculty and professional journalists.
Participants choose from various tracks such as news reporting and writing, broadcast journalism, magazine writing, public relations, visual storytelling, sports writing, podcasting, and publication design, gaining hands-on experience tailored to their interests.
Cost:
- Registration Fee: $450
- College Credit Option: Additional $50 (includes one credit hour and requires two written assignments).
Program Dates and Deadlines:
- Dates: July 13–17, 2025
- Registration Deadline: Friday, June 20, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Location: Ohio University, Athens, OH.
Eligibility: Open to rising high school sophomores through recent high school graduates.
NBCU Academy offers a journalism program for New York City public high school students interested in news. You will gain insights into how the profession operates, work alongside distinguished journalists, and receive professional and academic mentorship. The program aims to foster a passion for journalism, help you develop skills, and encourage positive contributions to their communities.
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 22–26, 2025 (Expected)
Application Deadline: July 1, 2025 (Expected)
Location: New York City, NY
Eligibility:
- Must be a rising junior or senior in high school.
- Must attend a public school in New York City.
- Interest in journalism is required.
- Combined household income must not exceed $100,000.
If the income exceeds $100,000, applicants may submit a statement explaining their financial situation.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.