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" through participation in educationally purposeful, structured activities and by reflecting on those experiences.
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication is committed to preparing students for meaningful work upon graduation and beyond 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 SCRIPT 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 preparing?
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. Many students complete their SCRIPT experience during their sophomore or junior year.
Not sure where to start?
The school offers introductory, 1-credit courses that guide students through their SCRIPT options. These courses also connect students to career resources and faculty experts in the field of journalism and mass communication.
JMC:1000 First-year seminar: Script Your Experience in Journalism and Mass Communication
JMC:10XX (Coming Spring 2026)
Do 0-credit courses count?
Yes. The experiential learning requirement is not dependent on the number of semester hours. It 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
- Fulfill the SCRIPT requirement for experiences that are paid or do not offer academic compensation
How do I complete an experience?
Step 1
Explore all six categories of SCRIPT to identify what type of experience will be most impactful to you. This step can be the most time consuming, so make sure to start your search early. 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
Determine which semester to enroll in your preferred course. Not all courses are offered every semester, and some may have prerequisites. 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. In order 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.
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication has invested heavily in experiential learning opportunities to help offset or eliminate the costs associated with participation. School-funded activities provide equitable access to a variety of real-world experiences, including partnerships with local nonprofits, community newspapers, sports media trips and professional conferences across the country.
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: