2507 University Ave.
Meredith Hall 118
Des Moines, IA 50311
Academic Year Represented
2023
Mission Statement
Drake’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication educates strategic, global thinkers with diverse media and communication skills and a solid ethical underpinning who are prepared to respond to a rapidly changing media culture. The SJMC provides professional experience in a media-rich environment and professional mentors for life.
Technology/Equipment/Facilities
The SJMC is housed in Meredith Hall, a Mid-Century Modern building designed by famed architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The main floor features faculty offices, a computer lab and a collaboration classroom. The lower level houses a TV studio and control room, audio and podcasting suites, a photography studio, high-end computer lab and video editing facilities, the campus radio station and a fully stocked electronic equipment checkout available for students.
Undergraduate Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication
Graduate Degrees Offered
Master of Arts in Communication
Majors
Advertising Digital Media Production Magazine and Brand Media Multimedia Journalism Public Relations (On Campus and Online Degree Program Options) Strategic Political Communication Communication (By Petition Only) Digital Communication (Online-Only Degree Program)
Tracks within Majors
As a medium-sized, private university, many students are able to pursue multiple majors in their four years at Drake. In 2023, nearly 40% of SJMC graduates earned a double major or two degrees upon graduation.
Internships Accepted for Credit
The SJMC does not require internships, but strongly encourages them. Because of the wealth of opportunities in the Des Moines area, 95% of 2022 grads held an internship, with an average of 93% of students holding an internship over the last six years. SJMC has an embedded career development services staff member, who oversees our internship programs and who often pairs students with businesses and nonprofits seeking interns.
Internships Facilitated
Experiential and/or Immersion Programs for Credit
The SJMC operates a pioneering service journalism “apprenticeship” program with Dotdash Meredith Corp. It is a competitive internship for academic credit in which selected Magazine and Brand Media, Multimedia Journalism and Graphic Design students work at Dotdash Meredith for a school year under the joint supervision of Dotdash Meredith employees and a Drake Magazine and Brand Media professor.
Online Options
Drake SJMC students may pursue either a Digital Communication major or a Public Relations major in an online-only format. All courses are taught by the same award-winning faculty who teach on-campus courses. SJMC National Advisory Council members and industry professionals concur that online offerings are an important part of the SJMC’s future and an important component in training their future workforce.
Study-Abroad Options
SJMC faculty often lead study abroad seminars in January and May Terms. For example, SJMC faculty created the Drake Experience in Ghana, embedding students in communication and media organizations in Ghana during their study abroad program in January 2024. Another long-time SJMC faculty member, along with the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, led students on a trip to Europe in their study of the Holocaust.
Graduate Programs
The online Master of Arts in Communication degree program enables students to study communication through the lens of business, law, marketing, public policy, and other focus areas. The 33-credit program is customizable to align with students' personal and professional goals through tracks in Brand Communication, Communication Leadership and Public Affairs and Advocacy.
Department Budget
$1,693,621
Amount Spent per Student
$5,840
Undergrad Student Fees
$1,326
Undergraduate Student Fees Exclusive of Housing and Meal Plan
$1,326
Undergraduate Student Fees for Housing and Meal Plan
$18,328
Undergrad In-State Tuition
$49,466
Undergrad Out-of-State Tuition
$49,466
Average Undergraduate Financial Aid
Average Undergraduate Student Debt
Graduate Student Fees
$938
Graduate In-State Tuition
$21,879
Graduate Out-of-State Tuition
$21,879
Average Graduate Financial Aid
Average Graduate Student Debt
Total Accredited Unit Enrollment
342
Undergraduate Enrollment
290
Graduate Enrollment
52
Number of In-State Students
116
Percentage of In-State Students
40
Number of International Students
4
Percentage of International Students
1
Male
100
Female
190
Not Specified
White
231
Black
16
Asian
9
Hispanic/Latino
15
Pacific Islands or Native Hawaiian
Native American or Native Alaskan
Other
15
Average Size of Skill Based Classes
13
Average Size of Non-Skill Based Classes
25
First Year Student (Freshman) Retention Rate at University
84
Four Year Completion Rate
77
Six Year Completion Rate
76
Full-Time Employment within Six Months of Graduation
97
Full-Time Employment Within Field of Study
97
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
1
Full-Time Faculty
13
Part-Time Faculty
4
Faculty with Tenure
6
Faculty on Tenure Track
5
Untenured Part-Time Faculty
4
Untenured Full-Time Faculty
2
Percentage of Faculty within Scholarship or Research Field
100
Male
6
Female
7
Unspecified
White
10
Black
1
Asian
2
Hispanic/Latino
Pacific Island or Native Hawaiian
Native American or Native Alaskan
Other
Faculty-to-Student Ratio for All Classes
25
Faculty-to-Student Ratio for Skill Classes
13