Video Editors wear many hats. They are technically proficient, they must be storytellers, and they need a knack for creative thinking to be successful. If you’re a high school student who possesses all of these qualities, a career in video editing may be a great fit for you. Did you know you can start learning these crucial skills over the summer? Keep reading to learn more about summer video editing courses, including information about how to select the best program for you and the types of careers that await you.
Types of Video Editing Summer Programs for High School Students
There are several options available for high schoolers who are eager to learn about video editing over the summer. Most programs offer a remote learning option, but there are in-person classes for students who prefer this method of learning. Students can also choose from full-time and part-time programs for additional flexibility. Some may prefer a full-time program so they can spend the rest of the summer doing other activities, while others may choose a part-time program if they have additional commitments over the summer.
These programs also vary in the skills and software programs they teach. Some shorter courses only focus on one video editing tool, while longer courses typically teach students to use a variety of programs to enhance their work. Students can look up the different software offered in these classes to determine which program best aligns with their personal and professional goals.
#1: NextGen Bootcam - Video Editing with Premiere Pro
What is Taught in This Program?
NextGen Bootcamp provides a Video Editing with Premiere Pro course over the summer. In this program, students learn a wide range of video editing techniques, including green screen removal, transitions, and color correction strategies. The curriculum also covers how to resize and export videos, allowing students to share their work on social media or in a digital portfolio.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This program is designed for beginners and does not require previous video editing experience.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
Students can attend either in-person or live online. NextGen’s campus is located in New York City. Virtual students will participate via Zoom.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This program takes one week to complete. Students attend live sessions Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm EST.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
NextGen courses are designed for students in high school or college.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This program is priced at $1,299 per person. Virtual participants will need to download the software for the class, but NextGen provides support with setting up a free trial of the relevant programs. Financial aid is not currently available for this course. However, students can receive a discounted rate by attending NextGen Bootcamp’s Video & Animation Certificate, which combines the material from this program with an animation course.
#2: NextGen Bootcamp - Video & Animation Certificate
What is Taught in This Program?
NextGen Bootcamp’s summer Video & Animation Certificate is an excellent option for students who want a more comprehensive video editing education. The first half of the course covers video editing with Adobe Premiere Pro, while the second half focuses on fundamental animation techniques with Adobe After Effects. Students complete a variety of hands-on projects throughout the course, and many graduates choose to add these to a digital portfolio to help with college applications later on.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
Students must have basic computer skills to attend this program; no previous video editing experience is required.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This program is available both online or in-person. The school is located in the heart of New York City. Virtual attendees will use Zoom to connect with their peers and receive real-time guidance from their instructor.
How Long Does This Program Last?
Participants in this course receive 41 hours of live instruction.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
This program was specifically designed for high school and college students.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The tuition for this program is $1,999. This price includes a free retake option and an official certificate of completion to display on your LinkedIn profile or college applications. This particular class does not offer financial aid since the price is already marked down. Taking the animation and video editing courses separately would be $2,798, meaning this certificate is discounted by over 25%.
#3: Noble Desktop - Video Editing Certificate
What is Taught in This Program?
There is a Video Editing Certificate available at Noble Desktop. Students in this class learn to use Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition to create professional-quality video content. Throughout the course, students complete projects that they can add to a demo reel or digital portfolio, which can help them stand out when applying for college or a full-time job.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
Beginners are welcome in this class as long as they possess basic computer skills. Noble Desktop staff can assist with setting up your computer with the appropriate software before class begins.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
Students can participate in this class either remotely via Zoom or in-person at Noble’s Manhattan campus.
How Long Does This Program Last?
Students will spend two months in this class if they attend full-time; the part-time version takes four months to complete.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
High school juniors and seniors can take this class as long as they are 18 or turning 18 soon.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This program costs $2,995 per person. This certificate comes with a free retake within a year, as well as career mentoring sessions and an official certificate of completion. Noble Desktop does have payment plans and financing options available for those who cannot pay the full amount up front.
#4: Noble Desktop - Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate
What is Taught in This Program?
Noble Desktop also offers a Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate over the summer. This program covers several Adobe programs that are commonly used in video editing. Students will work with Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing, Adobe After Effects for animation, and Adobe Audition to edit the sound in their videos. As students complete projects during the course, they will add them to a demo reel to help them publicly display their skills.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This is a beginner-friendly program. Previous design experience is helpful, but not required.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
Students have the option to attend this program either virtually or in-person at Noble’s campus in New York City.
How Long Does This Program Last?
Students can participate either full-time or part-time depending on their preferences. The full-time program lasts two months and the part-time program lasts four months.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
High schoolers who are 18 or turning 18 soon can attend this course.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The tuition for this program is $4,995. This price covers the opportunity to retake the course for free within one year, which many students take advantage of since it helps them gain more practice and better retain information. This program also offers individual career mentorship sessions to help students update their resumes and learn essential tips for standing out in a competitive job market. Students can elect to pay their tuition through either student loans or a monthly installment plan.
#5: Certstaffix Training - Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2022 Course
What is Taught in This Program?
There is an Adobe Premiere Pro CC Course available with Certstaffix Training. The course is taught in a sequential order designed to mimic the creation of a video project in Premiere Pro. You’ll start by learning to navigate the interface, then move onto setting up and importing your project. By the end of the course, you’ll also know how to add effects and complete basic sound edits.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This beginner-friendly video editing course has no prerequisites. Participants are also provided with a free trial of Adobe Premiere Pro.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
All of Certstaffix’s classes are taught live online, so students will need to use their own computers. You can also use a computer at one of Certstaffix’s many computer lab locations across the country.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This course takes three weekdays to complete. Sessions are held from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm EST. Students need to register two weeks before their preferred course date, otherwise they may need to wait for the next available session.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Students should be 18 or older to attend, but they can contact the school directly if they will be turning 18 soon.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This course is priced at $1,330 per person. While financial aid or other discounts are not available, students can retake the course for free within six months if they feel they need additional guidance.
#6: Lumenbrite - Premiere Pro Training: Essential Skills 1
What is Taught in This Program?
Lumenbrite offers a Premiere Pro Training: Essential Skills 1 course. Students in this course will learn many fundamental video editing tools, like adding transitions, creating title and credit sequences, and creating various visual and audio effects. As an added bonus, classes are recorded so students can download the lessons after completing the program to refresh core concepts if they need.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This course doesn’t require any prior video editing experience.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This course is offered online. Lumenbrite also has in-person training centers in Texas, Arizona, Georgia, California, and Washington, DC.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This course lasts for three days. Sessions are held from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm CST with an hour break for lunch.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Lumenbrite typically accepts students 18 or older, but younger students are encouraged to call for more information.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This program costs $1,295 per person. Financial aid is not available for this program. The tuition does include relevant workbooks that students can keep after class has ended. Participants also receive an Adobe certificate of completion, which is nationally recognized.
Why Learn Video Editing During the Summer?
Video editing is becoming an increasingly prevalent means of communication across industries, but it’s not something most high school students are exposed to during their traditional schooling. However, learning about video editing at a young age is advantageous, even if you aren’t sure of your ultimate career goals. Learning to transform raw footage into a cohesive narrative is a highly creative process and is an entertaining way to enhance your digital literacy skills.
Learning video editing skills at a young age can also prepare students for an array of exciting careers. Video Editors are usually part of a larger team of creatives, and they all work together to ensure the final product matches the team’s initial vision. Motion Graphics Designers use a lot of the same tools required in video editing, but they are usually responsible for designing animations and graphics that will be added to a finished video project. Because video communication is becoming more prevalent across industries, these skills could also come in handy even if you enter a seemingly unrelated field, like marketing or education.
Which Video Editing Summer Program is Right for Me?
After reviewing just a small number of video editing summer programs available, you might be feeling a tad overwhelmed about how to make a decision. For most students, finances top their list of concerns or barriers towards pursuing additional education. It can be tempting to base this decision solely on the total price of a class, but digging a little deeper can reveal surprising information about how far your money will go.
Suppose you want to take an online video editing class, and you’ve narrowed your choices to Certstaffix’s Premiere Pro class and NextGen Bootcamps Video and Animation Certificate. With the Certstaffix course costing over $600 less, you might think this is your clear winner. However, the NextGen certificate teaches students to use multiple software programs and provides over twice the hours of hands-on instruction. Though the overall price of the NextGen course is higher, it actually provides a better value for your money; this class costs $49 per hour while the Certstaffix program works out to roughly $74 per hour.
You may also want to consider your professional goals before making a decision. If you’re feeling certain about pursuing a video editing career, it might be sensible to invest in a more comprehensive course so you can build more skills in a short time. On the other hand, those who are unsure whether video editing is a good fit may start with a shorter course to get a brief overview before spending more money on additional training.
Reflecting on your summer schedule is also crucial to a productive learning experience. Many high schoolers fill their summers with vacations, part-time jobs, and other extracurricular activities. It’s admirable to spend your summer learning an in-demand tech skill like video editing, but you don’t want to spread yourself too thin. Many courses are available part-time to make learning more accessible for busy students; if you’re too stressed, you won’t enjoy your courses and you likely won't retain the information very well, either.
The available video editing programs can certainly meet a range of financial and educational needs. While it can take some time to decide on the best program for you, this process will ensure you get the most out of your education. After all, you don’t want the investment of your valuable time and money to be a waste. Regardless of what you choose, you’re sure to build valuable skills for a successful future.