On the campus of Michigan State University
Start raising money now with MIPA SponsorMe!
You’re invited to launch a fundraising campaign to attend the MIPA Summer Journalism Workshop via our crowdfunding platform, MIPA SponsorMe. The best part: Our platform is free for prospective workshop attendees to use! Every dollar you raise will be applied toward your registration fee. Get started by launching your campaign now, or contact the MIPA office at 517-353-6761 or ask@mipamsu.org for more information.
July 19-23, 2026
Michigan State University, East Lansing
Be part of the MIPA Summer Journalism Workshop this summer! Whether you’re a writer, photographer, designer, yearbook editor or news anchor — or if you’re just starting to explore journalism — MIPA has experts instructors and staff to help you meet your goals and make great media.
You’ll spend five days on MSU’s East Lansing campus working with some of the best instructors in the nation as you become a better journalist, explore print or digital media creation and find your voice.
Our summer program is held in person on MSU’s main campus. You’ll live in a residence hall, learn in campus classrooms and studios, and be supervised by MIPA’s workshop staff. We’ve got lots of activities for you.
MIPA has run a summer program with our partners at the Michigan State University School of Journalism since 1984, bringing participants to MSU’s East Lansing campus for a residential experience.
MIPA stands for the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association. We’re a statewide nonprofit group of middle and high school journalism and media production programs across the state. Our members are the school newspapers, yearbooks, video programs and news websites at schools all over the state of Michigan. We provide a variety of programming throughout the school year, including conferences and contests. We’ve been based in the MSU School of Journalism since 1982, but our organization was founded in 1921. Learn more about MIPA
Registration Fees
- MIPA member: $560
- Non-member: $610
Member rates are extended to all students who attend a school with a MIPA member program. See our member list
Our registration fee includes housing, meals and instructional fees. Add $75 for registrations after June 15.
Scholarships and fundraising assistance are available.
Important Dates
- BOMR media program grant request review begins: May 15
- Scholarship application deadline: June 1
- Add $75 for registrations after June 15
- Last day to request a roommate: July 1
- Last day to register: July 1, or while seats remain available
- Payment deadline: July 1
Important Policies
Special Needs & Accommodations
In-person, residential experience
Participants will stay in an MSU residence hall with at least one roommate. For those wishing to room with a friend, include their name on the registration form. (We do our best to honor roommate requests, and generally assign participants from the same school to rooms near each other.)
Meals are provided in a campus cafeteria. We generally can accommodate most dietary needs.
Workshop sessions are held in MSU classrooms, computer labs and media studios, which may be a short walk from the residence hall.
MIPA and MSU are committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Contact us to discuss your needs.
Daily Schedule
Here’s a basic schedule of a typical day. Schedules for the first and last days will vary. All times are Eastern.
- 7:15 – 8:45 a.m. Breakfast
- 9 – 11:30 a.m. Workshop Session
- 11:45 – 1 p.m. Lunch
- 1:30 – 4 p.m. Workshop Session
- 4 – 5 p.m. MIPA Cup Tournament
- 5 – 6:30 p.m. Dinner
- 7 – 9 p.m. Evening Session (speakers or project work time)
- 9 – 11 p.m. Recreational activities
- 11 p.m. Participants must be on assigned floor
- 11:15 p.m. Bed check
- 1 a.m. Lights out
Check-in is early Sunday afternoon. Checkout is noon Thursday.
Small classes with expert instructors
Participants are immersed in one of our media courses for their time at the workshop, allowing them to build specialized skills.
Our instructors include leading media educators and professional journalists from across the country.
We keep class sizes small so you’ll get all the individual help you need. Learn the latest trends and innovations, plus get motivated and return home ready to make your student media the best it has ever been! Don’t work on the student media staff at your school? That’s OK, too. We’ll help you build your skills in writing, design, photography, video and more!
Open to youth entering grades 7 through 12!
- MIPA accepts participants entering grades 7-12 (for the upcoming fall) for any of our workshop courses.
- Are you a recent high school graduate? Apply to be a MIPA Upstart Fellow at our summer workshop!
Affordable cost, with financial aid options
We don’t think you’ll find a better media workshop value. The registration fee includes your interaction with our amazing instructors and expert team, access to campus learning facilities, fun activities, meals from Sunday night through Thursday morning, housing, a T-shirt and more.
We also have a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships and a crowdfunding tool you can use at no cost to raise money toward your registration fee.
Deadline to apply for a scholarship: June 1
Easy to get to, from wherever you are
Get directions and maps of campus. You should be dropped off at the workshop between 2:30-5:30 p.m. Sunday and picked up on Thursday at noon. We strongly discourage local participants from commuting because of limited campus parking and safety concerns. If you’re arriving via train, bus or plane, please make your own arrangements for transportation to and from campus. Lansing’s airport maintains a directory of area taxi and car services. Michigan Flyer provides daily motorcoach service to and from Detroit Metro Airport. Contact us if you have travel questions.
Questions?
Contact the MIPA office at 517-353-6761 or ask@mipamsu.org
Resources for Media Advisers & Teachers
We’ve put together a variety of resources to help you talk to students and parents at the MIPA Summer Journalism Workshop, including handouts, phone scripts and form letters you can send home. Visit our Teacher Toolbox
Visit the Workshop on Adviser Day!
Come visit your students at the MIPA Summer Journalism Workshop! Each year, MIPA invites advisers to visit on the Tuesday of workshop week. You’ll get to have lunch with your students, visit their classes and check on their progress. Learn more
Funding for New Advisers & Programs
Are you a new adviser or the adviser of a new program? MIPA has opportunities to help you pay to send a student to the workshop. Learn more and apply for a BOMR Grant. Application review begins May 15
