Storytelling in the Digital Age — Domestic 2026 application deadline
8 May 2026
In-person Program
Storytelling in the Digital Age
Study journalism, multimedia production and media literacy through purposeful content creation, culminating in a researched digital storytelling project.
Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Storytelling in the Digital Age at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
High school; ninth grade completed
Age range / Year group
Ages 15-18
Location / Region
Los Angeles, California, United States
Cost
$8,130; $11,570; $12,208
Duration
4 weeks
Format
In-person
Media StudiesCreative WritingPhotography
Accommodation: Shared university residence-hall rooms
Meals: Three daily meals for residential participants
Campus experience: Libraries, computer labs and supervised activities
Credit / Outcome: Three units of university elective credit
Tutors / faculty: USC faculty and experienced professionals
Sessions / cadence: Daily 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; 5-6 instructional hours
Main deliverable / output: Final digital content project
Storytelling in the Digital Age summary
USC's course combines journalism, multimedia production and critical media literacy. It asks students to create purposeful content while examining how platforms and technology shape what audiences see.
You move from a researched idea to a final content project, developing production skills and a distribution strategy along the way.
It suits curious writers and creators who want to connect practical storytelling with questions about accuracy, ethics and audience attention.
What is Storytelling in the Digital Age?
Storytelling in the Digital Age is USC Pre-College's journalism and digital content creation summer course. It examines how media and technology industries shape news, entertainment and the arts, linking practical production with media literacy.
Students study interviewing, reporting, writing, photography, video, social media, media ethics and generative AI. A four-week study sequence takes them from researching and planning a project to producing content and considering how to distribute it effectively.
Why Succeed highlights Storytelling in the Digital Age
The final project connects research, production and distribution rather than treating content creation as a collection of isolated tools.
Media ethics and misinformation sit alongside practical journalism, helping students question the accuracy and consequences of their work.
Study of algorithms, platforms and the creator economy gives storytelling a useful industry context.
Successful completion earns three units of university elective credit, providing an academic outcome beyond the finished project.
Who is Storytelling in the Digital Age for?
Best for
Students interested in journalism, digital media or content creation who want to research a topic and turn it into purposeful multimedia work.
Not ideal if
You want a casual creator workshop or a course focused only on one production technique; the curriculum also demands research, analysis and ethical judgment.
Is Storytelling in the Digital Age worth it?
This is a strong option if you want to test journalism or digital media through sustained project work. Its combination of production, research and media literacy gives you concrete material to reflect on, while successful completion adds university elective credit.
The value depends on using the project to develop your own judgment and creative practice. Participation does not guarantee USC admission, and credit transfer depends on the receiving institution, so those benefits should not drive the decision alone.
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Cost and what is included
$8,130; $11,570; $12,208; includes Tuition for the four-week course., Course materials, textbooks and academic field trips., On-campus social activities and off-campus recreational trips., Mandatory student health-center access., Residential option: shared residence-hall room and three daily dining-hall meals., Residential option: academic field-trip meals and two Saturday meals before recreational trips., Three units of university elective credit upon successful completion..
Accommodation
Shared university residence-hall rooms
Meals
Three daily meals for residential participants
Supervision or safety information
Residential advisors live in the halls and are available at all times, with campus public safety providing 24/7 patrols. Residential participants must be in their assigned hall by 10 p.m., with lights out at 11:30 p.m.
Provider details
Review the USC Pre-College provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
4 weeks; Los Angeles, California, United States.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Storytelling in the Digital Age need?
Effort level
High, with five to six instructional hours per class day.
Best started
Begin essay, recommendation and transcript preparation six to eight weeks before the next application deadline once announced, allowing longer for international visa planning.
Main challenge
Turning a researched topic into accurate, engaging content for a defined audience.
Typical preparation
List issues you care about and identify what reliable reporting would require.
Analyze a few strong articles, videos or podcasts and explain why their storytelling works.
Arrange your recommendation and school-uploaded transcript early.
Prepare your laptop and business casual clothing for company visits.
Useful if
You want to test your interest in journalism or multimedia production.
What do students do on Storytelling in the Digital Age?
You develop a content project while studying how journalism, technology and audiences interact. Each week adds a different layer, from choosing a topic to producing and distributing your work.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Assess your interests and abilities, choose a topic and plan the research, technology and platforms for your final project.
- 2
Analyze successful content across news, entertainment and the arts to understand its storytelling and audience appeal.
- 3
Study platform and attention economies while practicing the production tools your project needs.
- 4
Finalize your project and consider distribution, algorithms, media literacy and the benefits and harms of digital technologies.
Storytelling in the Digital Age dates and deadlines
Past
Storytelling in the Digital Age — International 2026 application deadline
13 March 2026
Storytelling in the Digital Age — Domestic 2026
22 June-17 July 2026
Application deadline; session 22 June-17 July 2026.
Storytelling in the Digital Age — International 2026
22 June-17 July 2026
Application deadline; session 22 June-17 July 2026.
Storytelling in the Digital Age — Summer 2027
21 June-15 July 2027
USC Summer Programs calendar; application information follows in November.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Storytelling in the Digital Age — Domestic 2026 application deadline | 8 May 2026 | Local | Past | |
Storytelling in the Digital Age — International 2026 application deadline | 13 March 2026 | Local | Past | |
Storytelling in the Digital Age — Domestic 2026 | 22 June-17 July 2026 | Local | Past | |
Storytelling in the Digital Age — International 2026 | 22 June-17 July 2026 | Local | Past | |
Storytelling in the Digital Age — Summer 2027 | 21 June-15 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming |
Eligibility and requirements
Attend high school and complete at least ninth grade before starting.
Pursue a rigorous high school curriculum.
Domestic and international high school students may apply.
Attend all class meetings; late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency or obtain a waiver.
International participants and domestic participants living abroad must reside on campus.
Commuters live with parents or guardians in Los Angeles or Orange County.
How much does Storytelling in the Digital Age cost?
Application fee
$85 — Nonrefundable.
Funding or discounts
- Domestic commuter: $8,130 — 2026 estimated program total.
- Domestic residential: $11,570 — 2026 estimated total including room and board.
- International residential: $12,208 — 2026 estimated USC total, including international service fees.
- Seat deposit: $1,000 — Nonrefundable; credited toward the program total.
- Financial aid: Not offered
- Visa application: $185 — Government fee where applicable.
- SEVIS I-901: $350 — Government fee where applicable.
What's included
Tuition for the four-week course., Course materials, textbooks and academic field trips., On-campus social activities and off-campus recreational trips., Mandatory student health-center access., Residential option: shared residence-hall room and three daily dining-hall meals., Residential option: academic field-trip meals and two Saturday meals before recreational trips., Three units of university elective credit upon successful completion.
How to apply to Storytelling in the Digital Age
- 1
Create an account or log in through USC's summer-program application portal using an email you check regularly.
- 2
Complete the online application and select up to three course preferences; you can repeat this course for all three choices.
- 3
Write your own 300-500 word essay using the instructions in the portal.
- 4
Request an online recommendation from a teacher, counselor or mentor.
- 5
Ask a school administrator to upload your PDF high school transcript through the application.
- 6
If applying internationally, provide accepted English-proficiency evidence or a waiver.
- 7
Pay the $85 nonrefundable application fee, review all completed tasks and click Submit.
- 8
Monitor your portal and email for the admission decision and subsequent requirements.
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What does Storytelling in the Digital Age cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Journalism and reporting
Practice interviewing, reporting and writing while examining changing journalism rules and story structures.
Multimedia production
Develop photography and video skills and use production tools suited to your final project.
Platforms and audiences
Study social media engagement, attention economies and distribution strategies for reaching an audience.
Media ethics and accountability
Examine media law, accountability journalism, misinformation and disinformation to inform responsible storytelling.
Generative AI and digital tools
Explore generative AI for content creation while weighing the benefits, harms and limitations of evolving technologies.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Storytelling in the Digital Age?
A typical day during the program.
Classes
Five to six instructional hours per day, with breaks for lunch or field trips.
Residential activities
Residential advisors and staff supervise activities such as game nights, movies and field games.
Recreational excursions
Trips can include local beaches, theme parks and sports events; commuters may participate.
Who teaches on Storytelling in the Digital Age?
USC Summer Programs courses are taught by USC faculty and experienced professionals from the university's academic community. Teaching combines lectures, hands-on workshops and other interactive activities.
Where do students stay on Storytelling in the Digital Age?
Residential plan
- Shared residence-hall rooms: Participants live in university halls with gender-specific roommate and floormate assignments.
- Residential meals: Room and board includes three daily dining-hall meals and specified field-trip meals.
- Live-in support: Residential advisors are available at all times, with USCard-controlled halls and 24/7 public-safety patrols.
- Residential routine: Supervised evening activities accompany a 10 p.m. hall curfew and 11:30 p.m. lights out.
Non-residential plan
- Local commuter option: Eligible participants live with a parent or guardian in Los Angeles or Orange County and attend every academic session.
- Activities and transport: Commuters may join evening activities with permission and weekend excursions, using program transport for field trips.
- Commuter meals: Meals are purchased separately; USC dining halls do not accept cash.
Roommate requests cannot be accommodated. International participants and domestic participants living abroad must reside on campus.
What happens after Storytelling in the Digital Age?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Complete a researched digital content project.
Earn three units of university elective credit upon successful completion.
Request an official graded transcript from USC's registrar.
Develop reporting, multimedia production and media-literacy skills.
Build relationships that may lead to faculty or staff recommendation letters.
Recommendation letters are not guaranteed, and each receiving institution decides whether to accept transferred credit.
Where does Storytelling in the Digital Age take place?
The program takes place at USC's University Park Campus in Los Angeles, with access to library reading rooms, computer labs and campus facilities. Academic and recreational field trips use USC Summer Programs transportation.
International participants arrange their own travel; early-arrival and late-departure housing cannot be provided.
Storytelling in the Digital Age FAQs
The course covers interviewing, reporting, writing, photography, video, social media, media law, accountability journalism, media ethics and generative AI. You also examine how platforms and the creator economy influence storytelling.
You plan a final project, research your chosen topic, develop production skills and finalize your content. The final week also explores how algorithms and platforms can help your work reach an audience.
Successful completion earns three units of university elective credit. Other colleges and universities decide whether to accept those credits.
USC Summer Programs courses are taught by USC faculty and experienced professionals from the USC academic community. Teaching combines lectures with practical workshops and other interactive activities.
Eligible local participants can commute while living with a parent or legal guardian in Los Angeles or Orange County. International participants and domestic participants living abroad must reside on campus.
Participants must bring their own laptops. Business casual clothing is needed for company visits, although ordinary class instruction has no dress code.
No. Participation can demonstrate academic interest, but it does not guarantee admission to USC or its schools.
Residential advisors live in the halls and are available at all times, with campus public safety providing 24/7 patrols. Residential participants must be in their assigned hall by 10 p.m., with lights out at 11:30 p.m.
Alternatives to Storytelling in the Digital Age
Compare these journalism and creative-writing programs if you want a different balance of reporting, writing and summer study.
Alternatives to Storytelling in the Digital Age
In-person summer journalism study in Cambridge
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Deadline: Not announced
From £7400
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Cambridge
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Best for
Students prioritizing journalism and media studies.
In-person creative-writing summer study in St Andrews
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Deadline: Not announced
From £7400
15-18
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Best for
Students whose main interest is creative writing.
In-person creative-writing summer course in Cambridge
Creative Writing
Deadline: Not announced
From £5495
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Best for
Older students comparing writing-centered summer study.
Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources & verification
Source types reviewed
- Summer Programs Application Management
- USC Summer Programs Transcripts | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs Tuition and Fees | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs FAQs | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs Policies | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs International Application | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Residential and Commuter Experience | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs Overview | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs Application and Admission | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs | USC Pre-College
- Digital Media Summer Program | USC Pre-College
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 5 Oct 2026)
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Published dates compared
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Credit conditions reviewed
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How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Storytelling in the Digital Age
by USC Pre-College
Upcoming
May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
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