SCRIPT Your Experience
Experiential learning is the practice of learning through applied experience - curricular or co-curricular - and guided reflection on those experiences (Kolb, 1984). Students "learn by doing" as they move through a four-stage cycle of active engagement, reflective observation, formation of new theories, and the application of learned theories to future experiences.
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication is committed to preparing students for meaningful work beyond graduation by 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. All journalism and mass communication majors are required to complete at least one SCRIPT experience prior to graduation.
"Requiring experiential education for JMC majors ensures that every student has equal access to transformative experiences, making participation in these opportunities a certainty rather than by chance."
Explore SCRIPT
Study Abroad
Appreciate the relationship between your own culturally informed communication methods and those of your global audience by earning credit around the globe.
Community Engagement
Collaborate with community partners by applying your media and communication skills to help solve real-world problems and make lasting change.
Research
Deepen your understanding of media research and creative discovery under the mentorship of faculty or gain experience in data collection.
Internships
Gain a competitive edge with on-the-job experience as you refine your career path and network with professionals in the field.
Professional Practice
Cultivate your journalistic skills in a semi-professional environment where in-class preparation complements off-campus work.
Teaching
Serve in leadership roles while assisting course instructors or providing mentorship and outreach to students in the major.
SCRIPT FAQs
Why is experiential learning important?
Experiential learning facilitates positive outcomes on student learning, retention, and graduation rates, especially for first-generation, Pell-eligible, and underrepresented minority students. These opportunities provide students with academic advantages, career development benefits and increased earning potential.
University of Iowa students who participate in experiential learning:
- Earn a post-graduation salary approximately $7000 higher than those who do not participate
- Receive more full-time job offers in their field of study after graduation than those who do not participate
- Graduate within four years at higher rates than those who do not participate
Does the SCRIPT requirement apply to me?
Undergraduate students who declare a major in journalism and mass communication (JMC) in Fall 2025 or after are required to successfully complete one SCRIPT experience prior to graduation. Students who declared their major in JMC before Fall 2025 do not need to complete an experiential learning course, but are still encouraged to do so.
The SCRIPT requirement does not apply to students majoring in Sport Media and Culture (SMC).
When should I start planning?
You can register for an experiential learning course at any point during your undergraduate studies. Some courses are more exploratory, while others are geared toward professional preparation and may have prerequisites. Most students complete a SCRIPT experience prior to enrolling in their capstone course.
Not sure where to start?
The school offers an introductory course to guide students through their SCRIPT options. This course also connects students to career resources and faculty experts in the field of journalism and mass communication.
JMC:1010 Introduction to Experiential Learning (1-credit)
Do 0-credit courses count?
Yes! The experiential learning requirement can be fulfilled with 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4-credit courses.
SCRIPT courses with 0-credit options are offered to:
- Eliminate tuition and fees associated with enrollment
- Provide transcript notation of your participation in an experience
- Fulfill the SCRIPT requirement for experiences that are paid or do not offer academic credit
How do I complete an experience?
Step 1
Explore all six categories of SCRIPT to determine which types of experiences resonate with you. Only one SCRIPT course is required to graduate, but students can—and often do—engage in more than one form of experiential learning.
Step 2
Decide which academic semester (fall, spring, summer) to enroll in your preferred course. Most students complete their SCRIPT experience prior to enrolling in a capstone course. Your academic advisor is a good resource to help you plan.
Step 3
Register for an approved course. A list of approved courses can be found within each category of SCRIPT. To fulfill the experiential learning requirement, the course must be completed with a satisfactory or passing grade.
Investing in Your Future
SJMC students thanked donors for their continuing support of the school and the scholarships.
$ 225K
General scholarships
Annual dollars awarded in general scholarships to JMC majors
$ 50K
Covered expenses
Annual expenses covered by the department to provide JMC students unique media experiences outside the classroom
$ 25K
Internship Funding
Annual dollars awarded to JMC students to fund internship salaries and scholarships
$ 20K
Study Abroad
Annual dollars awarded to JMC students to fund study abroad experiences
University Resources
The University of Iowa provides general information concerning research, internships, studying abroad, and experiential learning. For more information about these learning opportunities, please visit the following links: