13 Public Relations Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
If you’re a high school student thinking about a future in public relations, joining a summer program is a suitable way to start exploring the field.
PR summer programs give you a closer look at how communication, branding, and media strategy work. You get to try out skills like writing press releases, planning campaigns, and understanding how companies and public figures manage their image. These programs are often hosted by communication schools or media departments at universities, which means you also get a feel for college-level academics and campus life.
Many public relations summer programs are short-term and cost less than full pre-college programs, making them a practical and focused way to learn. You also meet mentors and instructors working in the industry, which can help you build useful connections early on. For students still figuring out if PR is the right path, this kind of experience can offer direction without a huge commitment.
In this blog, we’ve listed 13 public relations summer programs for high school students!
13 Public Relations Summer Programs for High School Students
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research experience for high school students, designed by Harvard and Oxford researchers to help you work 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor from a top university. You’ll choose a topic like public relations, international relations, or leadership and develop an independent research paper through guided sessions and writing support. You’ll meet with your mentor weekly, conduct a literature review, build your methodology, and revise your paper for final submission. You can also opt to receive post-baccalaureate credit from UC San Diego Extended Studies.
Location: Both in person at the UCLA Campus and virtual options
Cost: Varies based on the course
Application Deadline: Registration opens February 15 with rolling deadlines
Dates: Various dates from June to September
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply, as are international students
UCLA Pre-college Summer Courses let you earn college credit while taking up to two UCLA classes (10 units max). If you're interested in public relations, you can choose courses like Principles of Oral Communication, Conflict and Communication, or Theory of Persuasive Communication. You'll learn how to speak, analyze how people interact, and build persuasive messaging skills for real-world campaigns. Depending on the course, you might join live discussions, complete writing assignments, or work on lab-style projects.
Location: US Senate, Washington, or at the discretion of the assigned Senator’s office
Cost: No cost, but pages (students) are paid on an annual basis - $35,116
Program Dates: Summer Session I: June; Summer Session II: July
Deadlines: Not mentioned. Students who wish to apply for a Senate page position and meet the eligibility requirements listed may find their senators’ websites using this link.
Eligibility: You must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident with a Social Security number, be a junior in high school who will be 16 or 17 years old on or before the date of appointment, maintain a 3.0 GPA, and provide a health assessment and immunization records.
The U.S. Senate Page Program gives you direct exposure to political communication and public messaging in Washington, D.C. As a Senate Page, you’ll deliver legislative materials, assist during debates and votes, and help prepare the Senate Chamber. You’ll observe how senators communicate with the public, manage media coverage, and shape national narratives, core skills in public relations. You’ll also attend honors-level classes at the Senate Page School each morning and work variable hours based on the Senate schedule.
Location: Washington, DC
Cost: No cost, but participants receive a $10,000 stipend as an undergraduate college scholarship to the college or university of their choice.
Program Dates: March 1 – 8
Deadlines: December 1
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or green card holders, and currently hold a leadership role in student government, civic, or educational groups.
U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP) gives you a front-row seat to how public officials communicate policy, manage media, and lead national conversations. You’ll spend one week in Washington, D.C., meeting with senators, Supreme Court justices, cabinet members, and federal agency leaders. You’ll observe how messaging works across government and build skills in communication, leadership, and civic engagement. You’ll also be mentored by senior military officers and take part in sessions focused on public service and government.
Location: Drake University, Des Moines
Cost: On/Before May 30: $350; After May 30: $400
Deadline: 2 weeks before the program begins
Program Dates: July 13 to 17
Eligibility: The program is available to any students in the state of Iowa who are current freshmen through seniors (grades 9-12). Students from states outside of Iowa are also welcome to attend.
Business Horizons is a five-day summer program for Iowa high school students held at Drake University. You work in teams to create a product or service, develop a business plan, and present it to investors. You produce an infomercial, run a trade show booth, and pitch your idea in a final competition. These activities focus on media, messaging, and communication strategy. You also learn how to engage audiences, build a message, and present ideas.
Location: Various locations around the US
Cost: Free. Stipend will vary depending on the EBF partner organisations with whom you will intern
Application Deadline: Early January
Program Dates: 8 weeks from Late May or early June
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors who are U.S. citizens, identify as students of color, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship gives you paid, full-time experience in media, entertainment, and technology. You work 35 to 40 hours per week for at least eight continuous weeks. You are placed in one of three tracks: content, business, or innovation. The business track includes public relations, marketing, sales, and human resources. You work at major partner companies and receive on-the-job training. You also attend a summer conference and career development sessions.
Location: Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA, and The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, CA
Cost: $1999
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: July 12-15
Eligibility: Applicants must be rising 9th – 12th-grade students
The Great American Leadership Program gives you hands-on experience in leadership, communication, and public messaging. Held at Pepperdine University and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, you’ll take part in crisis simulations, public speaking workshops, and service-based projects that build your ability to lead under pressure and communicate effectively. You’ll explore decision-making, civic responsibility, and public service by studying the leadership legacy of President Ronald Reagan. You’ll also engage with leadership experts, analyze historical and contemporary political communication, and reflect on how values shape public impact.
Location: University of Georgia, Georgia
Cost: $530-$1255
Application Deadline: March 14 (for financial aid); general registration opens January 15 and is rolling until full
Dates: June 9 - June 13
Eligibility: Applicants must be aged between 13-17
The Advertising and Public Relations Camp at the University of Georgia is a one-week summer program for students aged 13 to 17. You work in teams to create and present a full campaign for a nonprofit organization, and you study message development, media platforms, and audience targeting. You learn how campaigns are built and how communication strategies are used in public relations. The program includes instruction from professionals and group work focused on media planning and presentation.
Location: Missouri School of Journalism, University of Missouri, Missouri
Cost: Not listed publicly. Contact the team for details
Application Deadline: April 18
Dates: June 22-27
Eligibility: High school students can apply
The Advertising and Public Relations Workshop at the Missouri School of Journalism is a one-week program where you work on real brand campaigns using the Missouri Method. You take on roles in copywriting, public relations, design, and project management. You learn from professionals at national agencies through hands-on projects, presentations, and Q&A sessions. You collaborate with peers, solve creative challenges, and build audience-focused messaging. You present a final campaign project at the end of the week.
Location: CITYarts, New York City, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: April
Dates: Interns design their schedule with CITYarts staff. Average of 15-20 hours a week during business hours, Monday-Friday, 10 am-6 pm
Eligibility: All high school students can apply
PR and Marketing Internship at CITYarts is a part-time internship where you support public relations for youth-led public art projects in New York City. You help write press releases, draft newsletters, and create outreach materials for media and community partners. You manage social media content and assist with website updates, and research potential sponsors and collaborators. You also work with the Project Coordinator and Assistant to the Director and gain experience in nonprofit PR, media outreach, and community engagement.
Location: Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania
Cost: N/A. For more info, contact bellisariosummercamps@psu.edu
Program Dates: July 5-10
Application Deadline: N/A. For more info, contact bellisariosummercamps@psu.edu
Eligibility: High school students
Bellisario College of Communications Summer Camp @Penn State is a one-week program where you explore journalism, media production, advertising, and public relations. You work in the Bellisario Media Center using professional equipment and software. You collaborate on media projects and attend sessions led by Penn State faculty and industry professionals. You gain experience in storytelling, campaign development, and audience engagement.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free; includes a $5,000 college tuition stipend (distributed in four annual $1,250 installments)
Program Dates: 8 weeks during summer (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Typically about one month before the program begins
Eligibility: Graduating seniors from Burbank or Los Angeles County with a minimum 3.0 GPA and an interest in business, marketing, or entertainment
The Warner Bros. Entertainment Internship Program is a selective internship where you work on real campaigns across film, TV, and digital media. You support teams in public relations, marketing, and creative development and help draft press materials, assist with media outreach, and contribute to branding and promotional strategy. You attend meetings, track campaign performance, and learn how PR fits into studio operations. You’re matched with mentors from different departments and gain experience in entertainment communications, audience engagement, and cross-platform messaging.
Location: In-person at various Kaiser Permanente sites
Cost: Not specified
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 6
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in business, marketing, or healthcare
KP LAUNCH Marketing & Sales Internship @Kaiser Permanente is a paid summer internship where you support public relations and outreach efforts in a large healthcare organization. You help develop messaging for health campaigns, contribute to branding and promotional materials, and assist with internal and external communications. You work with marketing and sales teams to engage diverse audiences and analyze campaign impact.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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