100 Adler Journalism Building
Iowa City, IA 52242
Academic Year Represented
2024
Mission Statement
In today’s accelerated media environment, the faculty of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication believes that the best journalism and media education is deeply rooted in the liberal arts. Such an education teaches students to think critically and holistically. Our program emphasizes issues of institutional power and professional responsibility. The craft of writing is paramount in our endeavors. We stress that training in the latest technology is important, but reflection on the uses of that technology is just as vital. We teach students to be engaged citizens and nimble, ethical professionals. We prepare our students to flourish in global communities. It is on this foundation that our program is based. We educate our students to be mediators of public life through the information they share and the stories they craft, work that is as accurate as it is truthful. We demonstrate these commitments in the classes we teach and the research and creative activities we pursue.
Technology/Equipment/Facilities
We stress that training in the latest technology is important, but reflection on the uses of that technology is just as vital. The Adler Journalism Building, which opened in 2005, covers 65,000 square feet and houses 14 classrooms, computer labs, broadcast studios, faculty offices and meeting rooms. The equipment in the four labs generally is replaced every three years, and software is updated annually.
Undergraduate Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication; Bachelor of Arts in Sport Media and Culture (first offered Fall 2023 - not accredited)
Graduate Degrees Offered
Master of Arts in Mass Communication; Master of Arts in Strategic Communication; Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication
Majors
Journalism and Mass Communication; Sport Media and Culture (first offered Fall 2023 - not accredited)
Tracks within Majors
No track; Multimedia Production and Design track; Reporting and Writing track; Strategic Communication track;
Internships Accepted for Credit
Undergraduate students may earn up to 6 s.h. of internship credit, registering with appropriate faculty sponsorship for JMC:2100 Journalism Internship (0-3 s.h.). Internships do not fulfill requirements for the major, but internship credit counts toward the total journalism and mass communication credit that students may apply toward a B.A. degree (maximum of 56 s.h.). Students may also take internships for no credit through CCP:1201 Academic Internship.
Internships Facilitated
Students also are encouraged to pursue opportunities for journalism experience on campus through student-operated media, including The Daily Iowan, Daily Iowan TV, and KRUI-FM radio.
Experiential and/or Immersion Programs for Credit
The school is committed to supporting experiential education unique to the journalism, strategic communication, and media industries. Courses in SCRIPT (Study Abroad, Community Engagement, Research, Internships, Professional Practice, Teaching) immerse students in real-world situations and encourage them to develop new skills, attitudes, and ways of thinking. Beginning in Fall 2025, all new JMC majors will be required to complete at least one SCRIPT experience prior to graduation.
Online Options
Master of Arts in Strategic Communication
Study-Abroad Options
Students are encouraged to pursue opportunities for Study Abroad through The University of Iowa International Programs office.
Graduate Programs
Master of Arts in Mass Communication Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication
Department Budget
$3,007,372
Amount Spent per Student
Undergrad Student Fees
$974
Undergraduate Student Fees Exclusive of Housing and Meal Plan
$974
Undergraduate Student Fees for Housing and Meal Plan
Undergrad In-State Tuition
$4,508
Undergrad Out-of-State Tuition
$15,490
Average Undergraduate Financial Aid
Average Undergraduate Student Debt
Graduate Student Fees
$None
Graduate In-State Tuition
Graduate Out-of-State Tuition
Average Graduate Financial Aid
Average Graduate Student Debt
Total Accredited Unit Enrollment
420
Undergraduate Enrollment
420
Graduate Enrollment
Number of In-State Students
247
Percentage of In-State Students
59
Number of International Students
3
Percentage of International Students
1
Male
122
Female
290
Not Specified
8
White
314
Black
10
Asian
13
Hispanic/Latino
41
Pacific Islands or Native Hawaiian
Native American or Native Alaskan
Other
42
Average Size of Skill Based Classes
20
Average Size of Non-Skill Based Classes
25
First Year Student (Freshman) Retention Rate at University
90
Four Year Completion Rate
64
Six Year Completion Rate
75
Full-Time Employment within Six Months of Graduation
Full-Time Employment Within Field of Study
Part-Time Employment Within Field of Study
Full-Time Employment Not In Field of Study
Part-Time Employment Not In Field of Study
Attending a Graduate Program
Unemployed
Unknown Status
Full-Time Faculty
25
Part-Time Faculty
3
Faculty with Tenure
12
Faculty on Tenure Track
4
Untenured Part-Time Faculty
3
Untenured Full-Time Faculty
7
Percentage of Faculty within Scholarship or Research Field
60
Male
11
Female
14
Unspecified
White
20
Black
2
Asian
Hispanic/Latino
Pacific Island or Native Hawaiian
Native American or Native Alaskan
Other
2
Faculty-to-Student Ratio for All Classes
25
Faculty-to-Student Ratio for Skill Classes
20
Comments on Quantitative Numbers
We have pulled these numbers from various university databases. We believe they are all accurate but of course many of these numbers shift daily and semester-to-semester. So this is really just a snapshot of the School.