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. Beginning in Fall 2025, all new journalism and mass communication majors will be 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
There are six different categories within SCRIPT, each containing a variety of courses to explore. Only one SCRIPT course (selected from any category) is required to graduate in the major, but students can—and often do—engage in more than one form of experiential learning.
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.
Show Me How
We offer an introductory 1 s.h. course to guide students through their SCRIPT options and make campus connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
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).
Why should I care about experiential learning?
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
How do I complete a SCRIPT experience?
Step 1: Explore
Review the six categories of SCRIPT to discover what type of experience resonates with you. Only one SCRIPT course (selected from any category) is required to graduate, but students can—and often do—engage in more than one form of experiential learning.
Step 2: Plan
Determine which academic year and semester is best 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
Enroll in an approved course on MyUI. A list of approved courses can be found within each category of SCRIPT.
- There is no minimum semester hour requirement.
- The course must be completed with a satisfactory or passing grade.
- The course number must be listed on your transcript to count toward the degree requirement.
Do courses offered for 0-credit 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
When should I enroll in a SCRIPT course?
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.
Who can help me?
Our Experiential Learning Specialist, Tamara Ewoldt, can assist journalism and mass communication students with SCRIPT course options, enrollment procedures, and completing the experiential learning degree requirement.
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: