The School is home to the first PhD program in the field of mass communication, and it continues to train emerging scholars in cutting-edge research. Our curriculum provides a strong foundation in humanistic and social science theories and methods. Research areas of strength include global media, digital media, sports media, health/science communication, journalism studies, and critical/cultural studies.

Brett Johnson (M.A. 2011), was recognized for his efforts to advance the understanding of the role of journalism in democracy. By crossing disciplinary and methodological boundaries to study the nexus of law and ethics, and to advance the understanding of the First Amendment, Johnson has achieved tremendous success.

“The main goal of the course is exploration,” Professor Ripka said. “It’s a 4000-level course, so students should have a good foundation in storytelling and journalism using traditional media. The crux of the class is taking those skills that are overarching and exploring how to best use them in these new media and find out what the media is and isn’t good for.”

“My speed networking experience was extremely valuable. I left feeling confident and encouraged after participating in so many great conversations,” said Sarah Hager, a fourth-year student in the journalism program. “I am not interested in pursuing a career in traditional print journalism, and many of the conversations I had left me with new ideas of jobs that could suit my passions.”

SJMC students enrolled in the Event Management Certificate's Sustainable Events course took a field trip to visit the Iowa City Landfill. The class met with Iowa City’s Recycling Coordinator, Jane Wilch, who showed the students the landfill and taught them valuable lessons about sustainability.

Kelly Q. Anderson (B.A. 2003) was named Director of Promotions for the famed Off-Campus Writers' Workshop, the oldest, continuously running writing workshop in the country. She is a Chicago-based writer and former newspaper columnist specializing in creative nonfiction, poetry, and flash.

SJMC students Sammy Sommerfeld and Jack McFarland launch podcast during the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the course of a year they interviewed many notable guests as well as current Iowa Hawkeye athletes.

Fernando Pizarro graduated from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a master’s degree in Journalism in 1993. Since his time as SJMC, Pizarro has gone on to become an Emmy award-winning and nominated journalist. 

Rebecca Morin graduated from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2016. Since then, she has worked as a breaking news reporter for Politico and is currently a White House reporter for USA Today.