The National Student Leadership Conference’s Journalism, Film & Media Arts summer program for high school students uses an interactive approach to learning that gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the challenging complexities of the communication field. Together with American University’s School of Communication, Discover the World of Communication program you will learn from working journalists, media professionals, public relations experts, web designers and animators.
College Credit is Available for This Program
The National Student Leadership Conference has a unique partnership with American University to offer college credit for our high school summer programs. The American University is distinguished as a premier global university and known for turning “ideas into action and action into service.” As a result of this NSLC/AU alliance, students attending the NSLC’s summer programs for high school students have the opportunity to take college credit classes taught by American University faculty at all NSLC locations. This credit option enhances your education within the framework of your program experience, without interrupting NSLC activities.
Read more about earning college credit through your NSLC program.
Program Highlights
Guest Speakers
Meet with professional journalists, filmmakers, and other leading media professionals
Interactive workshops
Learn the latest techniques as you work with professional equipment during classes taught by American University School of Communication faculty
Visit media institutions
Go behind the scenes during exclusive trips and tours
Dates & Locations
American University
Washington, DC
- June 25 - July 3
- July 7 - July 15
University of California, Berkeley
San Francisco, CA
- July 25 - August 2
Explore media through interactive workshops
Interactive Coursework
Partnered with American University’s School of Communication, the NSLC provides a unique opportunity to spend nine days working in real classrooms, labs and in the field. You will work closely with professors in AU’s School of Communication and experience college-level lectures on various topics within the fields of journalism, film, and media arts.
Tailor your experience to what interests you. This unique program allows you to personalize your experience with one of 16 different hands-on workshops. Explore our workshop offerings for 2017.
Meet the Experts
While at the NSLC’s high school journalism program, you will meet with and learn from leaders in the many areas of journalism. Aside from the extensive time spent with an American University professor, in past years, NSLC students have heard from guest speakers including:
Mr. Walter Mears
Political Correspondent/Pulitzer Prize Winner, AP
Mr. Ron Edmonds
Photographer/Pulitzer Prize Winner, AP
Mr. Jim Morin
Cartoonist/Pulitzer Prize Winner, Miami Herald
Ms. Stu Seidel
Senior Editor, National Public Radio, Weekend Edition Sunday
Mr. Tim Kurkjian
Reporter & Analyst, ESPN
Mr. Linton Weeks
Staff Writer, Washington Post
See behind-the-scenes into the world of media
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
An important part of the NSLC high school summer journalism program is seeing the sites around some of our nation’s greatest cities. These trips are designed as both sightseeing tours and exclusive educational trips specifically tailored to the area of Journalism:
- American Film Institute
- Newseum
- The Smithsonian Institution
- Capitol Hill
- Comcast Sports NET & ESPN 980
- Voice of America
- National Public Radio
- The National Press Club
- Baltimore Harbor
- Historic D.C. Monuments at Night
- KQED, National Public Radio
- San Francisco Chronicle
- The Working Group Non Profit Media
- Pier 39
- Fisherman’s Wharf
Leadership Training
At the heart of the NSLC is a leadership curriculum designed to build concrete leadership skills that will help you succeed. From the beginning of your program you will learn to work as a team during an exciting Ropes Challenge Course. Interactive lectures and small-group workshops will give you an opportunity to build upon your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
Leadership topics tailored to the Journalism & Mass Communication program include:
- Personality Styles and Group Dynamics
- Public Speaking
- Conflict Resolution
- Stress and Time Management
Your NSLC tuition is all-inclusive. Your tuition covers course materials, housing, on-campus meals, social events and transportation throughout your program.
We offer a comprehensive scholarship program to assist qualified students with the cost of NSLC tuition, based on financial need, academic merit and extracurriculars.
Fundraising is a great way to raise funds to contribute toward your NSLC program tuition while also forging relationships with leaders in your community.