Top 10 Journalism Internships for High School Students in 2025-2026

There are many journalism internships for high school students that provide opportunities about news reporting on current events ranging from culture and society to political reform. You learn how reporters find stories, ask good questions, and write in a way that keeps readers interested. These programs also teach you how to handle deadlines and work with editors, which are skills that help you in school and in any future career.

This blog walks you through some of the best journalism internships you can apply for. Each program offers different opportunities, whether it’s writing workshops, newsroom experience, or field reporting. By the end, you’ll have a clear sense of which opportunities fit your goals and how these experiences can help you grow as a young journalist.

• What Are the Best Journalism Internships for High School Students?
• Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
• Medill Cherubs
• JCamp
• Dow Jones News Fund Workshops
• Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Summer Journalism Workshop
• The School of The New York Times – NYC Summer Academy
• L.A. Times High School Insider
• Boston University Summer Journalism Academy
• CLARIFY (The City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth)
• UGA Summer Media Academy

What Are the Best Journalism Internships for High School Students?

Journalism internships help you practice real reporting skills early. You learn how to write clearly, interview people, fact-check, and manage deadlines. These programs also help strengthen your college applications because they show you can communicate well and handle serious work.

Below, you’ll find ten of the best journalism internships for high school students. The table includes each program’s name, location, and dates so you can easily compare your options.

Now, let’s discuss each program one by one.

1. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)

• Dates: July 24–August 3, 2025
• Location: Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
• Benefits: Free hybrid program with newsroom training, college prep, and mentorship

The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is one of the most selective journalism internships for high school students. It’s a free hybrid program for high-achieving juniors from low-income backgrounds who want to build strong reporting and writing skills. Students begin with online coursework, then travel to Princeton’s campus for a 10-day residential session filled with classes, newsroom-style assignments, and faculty-led workshops.

During the on-campus experience, you learn how to find story ideas, interview sources, and revise your writing with editor feedback. You also work with other students to produce The Princeton Summer Journal, a full newspaper created during the program. Beyond journalism, PSJP offers structured college advising that helps you choose schools, craft essays, and understand financial aid.

To qualify, you must be a current high school junior and a U.S. resident who plans to attend college in the country. PSJP is highly competitive, selecting about 40 students each year from hundreds of applicants. In recent cycles, the program received more than 350 applications, putting the acceptance rate at just 11%.

To explore this internship more deeply, read our blog on the Princeton Summer Journalism Program.

2. Medill Cherubs

• Dates: June 28–July 24, 2026
• Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
• Benefits: Four-week training with college-level workshops, newsroom practice, and mentorship

Medill Cherubs (or the Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute) is a four-week summer program for rising seniors who want to sharpen their reporting, writing, and editing skills. Held in Northwestern University, the program immerses students in a college-style journalism environment where they practice core journalism skills such as interviewing, news writing, feature writing, and fact-checking.

Medill Cherubs is competitive, admitting only 84 students each year. In 2024, the program received 230 applications, which placed the acceptance rate at about 37%. Selection is merit-based, so strong grades and clear journalism experience can strengthen your chances.

To apply, you must be a rising senior, rank in the top 25% of your class, and demonstrate talent or background in journalism. The application deadline for the 2026 session is March 2 at 4:00 p.m. Central Time.

If you want more information on how to apply, check out our complete guide to Medill Cherubs.

3. JCamp

• Dates: June 20–26, 2026
• Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Benefits: Free six-day program with hands-on training, newsroom experience, and mentorship

JCamp is a six-day, all-expenses-paid journalism experience run by the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA). It was created to increase diversity in newsrooms and bring together motivated students from across the U.S. The program offers a mix of reporting, writing, photojournalism, and multimedia training led by pro journalists and media educators.

Students work in teams to produce stories for JCamp Live, the program’s student-run news site. Throughout the week, you take part in workshops, visit major news outlets, and complete real reporting assignments.

JCamp is highly competitive, selecting about 30 students each year from a national applicant pool. With hundreds of students applying annually, the acceptance rate is likely under 10%.

To be eligible, you must be a current high school sophomore or junior with a strong interest in journalism. Seniors aren’t eligible because JCamp wants participants to return to school in the fall and apply what they learned. The program is free, including airfare, lodging, and meals, which makes it accessible to students from all backgrounds.

If you want to learn more about how this program works, read our detailed guide to JCamp.

4. Dow Jones News Fund Workshops

• Dates: Early summer
• Location: Multiple locations
• Benefits: Free workshops with reporting, writing, multimedia training, and exposure to newsroom pathways

The Dow Jones News Fund (DJNF) Workshops aren’t technically journalism internships for high school students, but they often serve as an excellent starting point for students who may later pursue the prestigious Dow Jones News Fund program.

The workshops are designed to support students who might face barriers to entering journalism. Participants learn how to report on health and wellness topics while building skills in writing, video production, photojournalism, and multimedia storytelling. Students work alongside experienced instructors, publish their work in print and digital formats, and gain hands-on practice that mirrors real newsroom tasks.

The workshops also introduce you to the broader Dow Jones News Fund network, which many students later engage with in college. The official DJNF program includes a weeklong training boot camp followed by a paid newsroom placement.

If you’re exploring workshops like this, check out our blog on the Dow Jones News Fund.

5. Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Summer Journalism Workshop

• Dates: June 21–26, June 28–July 3 (in-person); July 6–10, 13–17, 20–24, 2026 (virtual)
• Location: Columbia University, New York City, New York (in-person) or online
• Benefits: Specialized sequences, hands-on training, expert instructors, and flexible formats

The Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Summer Journalism Workshop gives high school journalists the chance to study reporting, writing, design, and media leadership on Columbia University’s campus or through virtual sessions.

The program offers two week-long in-person sessions in June and July, along with three separate virtual sessions in July. Each session is organized and taught by CSPA instructors, many of whom are experienced journalists and educators.

Students choose a focus area such as reporting, editorial leadership, design, or digital media. Instructors teach you how to write clearly, edit effectively, and design stronger layouts. You apply these skills through hands-on projects that you can bring back to your school publication.

The workshop is open to high school students from the U.S. and international schools that follow an American curriculum. Middle school students aren’t eligible. Participants can live on campus, commute, or join online, depending on which session they select. There are program fees, but financial assistance may be available for students who qualify.

For more information about this workshop and other CSPA programs, read our blog on the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

6. The School of The New York Times Summer Academy

• Dates: Term 1: June 7–19; Term 2: June 21–July 3; Term 3: July 5–17; Term 4: July 19–31, 2026
• Location: New York City, New York
• Benefits: Two-week courses taught by NYT journalists, field reporting in NYC, and hands-on newsroom experience

The NYC Summer Academy is run by The New York Times’ education team and gives students a close-up look at journalism in Manhattan, one of the busiest media hubs in the world.

Students choose a two-week course from topics like investigative reporting, sports journalism, magazine writing, digital media, or arts criticism. Classes are taught by New York Times journalists and industry professionals who guide you through interviewing, story development, editing, and multimedia skills.

Field reporting is a major part of the experience. Students might visit a newsroom, attend a press event, or cover a cultural activity as part of their stories. The program also includes academic and enrichment activities that help you build confidence and see how journalism fits into life in a major city.

The academy is open to rising high school students in grades 10–12, as well as graduating seniors. You must be 15 to 18 years old by the first day of your session.

7. The L.A. Times High School Insider Program

• Dates: May 26 or June 22, 2026 start dates
• Location: L.A. Times office, El Segundo, California
• Benefits: Paid newsroom internship with reporting, multimedia work, and professional mentorship

The Los Angeles Times High School Insider program offers a paid internship that introduces students to real newsroom work. Interns learn core journalism skills while working directly with editors and reporters at the Los Angeles Times. During the seven-week internship, students cover breaking news, write feature stories, and experiment with video and podcast production.

All published work appears on latimes.com/hsinsider, giving interns a portfolio of real clips. The program is supported by the Jack and Denny Smith Memorial Fund for Literacy, which provides resources for student learning and development throughout the summer.

Students don’t need to attend a school already listed on the HS Insider website to join the program. You can participate even if you live outside California, as long as your school provides an adviser. Many students choose a journalism or English teacher as an advisor, but any educator may take on the role.

8. Boston University Summer Journalism Academy

• Dates: 2025 sessions canceled; 2026 applications open in December
• Location: Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
• Benefits: Residential and online formats, professional instructors, and real reporting practice

The Boston University Summer Journalism Academy is one of the better-known journalism internships for high school students, offering both residential and online options.

The three-week residential program places students in BU dorms and organizes each day around field reporting, briefings, and writing under deadline. Instructors are professional reporters who teach practical skills based on current newsroom standards. Guest speakers from outlets such as The Boston Globe and WBUR also contribute to the experience.

Students in the online academy follow a similar curriculum from home. Virtual participants attend interactive classes, receive detailed feedback, and complete reporting assignments within their own communities. This format lets students build interviewing, observation, and story development skills while still receiving guidance from industry professionals.

Note that the 2025 sessions have been canceled, and applications for the 2026 program will open in December.

9. CLARIFY (The City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth)

• Dates: July 1–August 7, 2025
• Location: New York City, New York
• Benefits: Paid reporting experience, investigative training, bilingual cohort option, and professional mentorship

The City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth (CLARIFY) is one of the paid journalism internships for high school students focused on public service reporting. Run by City Limits, New York City’s oldest nonprofit investigative newsroom, the program teaches research, interviewing, media ethics, investigative techniques, and photojournalism.

CLARIFY trains students to report on issues that affect New York City communities, especially those that are underreported. Interns produce local stories on topics such as housing, education, immigration, and public policy.

The program offers two cohort options: an English-language cohort and a bilingual Spanish/English cohort. Students who speak Spanish at home are encouraged to join the bilingual group to help elevate stories from underserved communities.

This internship is designed to be accessible to students from different backgrounds, including those who may not have access to other paid media programs. In the most recent cohort, 100% of interns reported improvement in their journalism writing skills, and 89% said they gained skills that will help them in future work or college.

10. UGA Summer Media Academy

• Dates: June 15–19 and June 8–12, 2026
• Location: University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
• Benefits: Weeklong training in journalism, broadcasting, multimedia, and media production

The University of Georgia’s Summer Media Academy is a weeklong program with in-person training across four tracks: Advertising and Public Relations, Broadcast Journalism, Multimedia Journalism, and Entertainment and Media Studies. Students ages 13–17 may attend as commuters or choose the overnight option.

Students participate in workshops in reporting, broadcasting, filmmaking, and digital media production. Depending on the track, they may produce a short broadcast show, write articles for a news site, develop multimedia projects, or create advertising concepts for local nonprofits.

The schedule runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with overnight students arriving on Sunday and leaving the following Friday evening. The residential option costs $1,255, while the commuter option costs $530. Limited need-based scholarships are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is considered the most prestigious journalism internship for high school students?

Programs like the Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP), JCamp, and Medill Cherubs are often viewed as the most prestigious and selective journalism internships for high school students. These programs offer rigorous training and low acceptance rates, but the best choice depends on your goals and skill level.

2. Do these programs require previous journalism experience?

Most journalism internships for high school students don’t require formal experience, but they look for strong writing skills and curiosity about the news. Selective programs may expect involvement in school media or related activities.

3. Are there virtual options available?

Yes. Programs such as the CSPA Summer Journalism Workshop and the Boston University Summer Journalism Academy offer virtual tracks. These can be helpful if you’re unable to travel or simply prefer flexibility.

4. How competitive are high school journalism internships?

Selectivity varies by program, but some are known for being especially competitive. PSJP, Medill Cherubs, and JCamp receive far more applications than available spots and accept only a small group of students each year. Other programs are more accessible and focus on teaching core reporting and writing skills.

5. Can journalism internships help my college application?

Yes. These programs help you build writing samples, reporting experience, and instructor recommendations, all of which can strengthen an application—especially if you plan to pursue journalism or a related field. Colleges like the Ivies look for applicants who can write well, meet deadlines, and take on real responsibilities.

Takeaways

• Journalism internships for high school students help you build real reporting, writing, and multimedia skills you can use in school and future applications.
• Programs like PSJP, JCamp, and Medill Cherubs are among the most selective, while others offer accessible training for beginners.
• Many programs give you published work, instructor feedback, and hands-on practice that can strengthen your college application and future opportunities.
• If you need help choosing the right program or preparing your application materials, consider working with a college admissions consultant for personalized guidance.

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