In 2024, the College of Journalism and Mass Communications was reaccredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, continuing the uninterrupted era of full accreditation that began in 1954. The four-person team of academics and professionals who visited the college in November 2023 stated that the college has:
- A strong, committed administrative team. The dean is widely regarded as a dynamic and successful fundraiser and innovator, and the associate deans are seen as collaborative and service-oriented –making for a strong team to shepherd the College’s ambitions.
- A collegial, collaborative, “can-do” faculty. Faculty appreciate and praise their colleagues – and pitch in together on projects – from painting the Experience Lab to collaborating on strategic plan goals.
- A “do it from day one” mantra is lived by all first-year students. The university requires that all academic units give students experiential learning opportunities, and the College is committed to giving students hands-on experience as soon as they arrive on campus. Much of that experience comes through its Experience Lab, an array of co-curricular programs.
- Research momentum. The College, energized by the addition of new hires in recent years, is moving from partner to leader in engagement around some of the university’s research priorities.
- Curricular innovation. Faculty are encouraged to offer special-topics and “pop-up” classes that keep curricular offerings fresh; minors and certificates, such as that in esports, give it a cutting-edge feel.
- Facilities that support the College’s priorities. The College leverages its space, equipment and technology in ways that invite faculty to innovate and experiment; students to collaborate and create; and industry partners to invest time and resources.
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln journalism program is the only accredited journalism program in Nebraska.
JMC Retention Rates (2010-2017)
| First-Time, Full-Time, Freshmen Cohorts (start in JMC and remain at University of Nebraska–Lincoln) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Cohort | Yr 1 | Yr 1% | University of Nebraska–Lincoln 1 | Yr 2 | Yr2 % | University of Nebraska–Lincoln 2 | Yr 3 | Y3% | University of Nebraska–Lincoln 3 |
| 2014 | 197 | 133 | 67.5% | 59.8% | ||||||
| 2015 | 190 | 146 | 76.8% | 69.2% | 124 | 65.3% | 60.2% | |||
| 2016 | 170 | 142 | 83.5% | 80.4% | 123 | 72.4% | 69.2% | 102 | 60.0% | 59.4% |
| 2017 | 184 | 151 | 81.5% | 80.0% | 128 | 69.6% | 69.1% | 114 | 62.0% | 60.8% |
| 2018 | 202 | 170 | 84.2% | 80.3% | 158 | 78.2% | 69.1% | 130 | 64.4% | 59.6% |
| 2019 | 198 | 181 | 91.4% | 82.8% | 177 | 89.4% | 70.8% | 180 | 82.8% | 68.0% |
| 2020 | 161 | 138 | 85.7% | 78.2% | 141 | 77.3% | 69.9% | 108 | 76.9% | 64.7% |
| 2021 | 146 | 128 | 78.7% | 81.5% | 125 | 85.6% | 72.1% | 117 | 80.1% | 67.6% |
| 2022 | 171 | 156 | 91.2% | 84.3% | 144 | 84.2% | 75.4% | |||
| 2023 | 179 | 157 | 87.7% | 86% | ||||||
JMC Graduation Rates (2008-2014)
| First-Time, Full-Time, Freshmen Cohorts (start in JMC and graduate from University of Nebraska–Lincoln) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Cohort | 4 Yr | 4 Yr % | University of Nebraska–Lincoln 4 | 5 Yr | 5 Yr % | University of Nebraska–Lincoln 5 | 6 Yr | 6 Yr % | University of Nebraska–Lincoln 6 |
| 2011 | 183 | 137 | 74.9% | 61.9% | ||||||
| 2012 | 186 | 119 | 64.0% | 60.0% | 123 | 66.1% | 63.3% | |||
| 2013 | 192 | 107 | 55.7% | 42.7% | 136 | 70.8% | 59.4% | 142 | 74.0% | 62.6% |
| 2014 | 197 | 121 | 61.4% | 43.3% | 149 | 75.6% | 61.2% | 154 | 78.2% | 64.2% |
| 2015 | 190 | 117 | 61.60% | 46.8% | 146 | 76.8% | 61.8% | 149 | 78.4% | 64.1% |
| 2016 | 170 | 99 | 58.2% | 47.5% | 115 | 67.6% | 60.8% | 150 | 68.7% | 63.1% |
| 2017 | 184 | 100 | 54.3% | 49.5% | 157 | 60.5% | 61.6% | 101 | 64.3% | 64.0% |
| 2018 | 172 | 106 | 61.6% | 47.9% | 132 | 76.7% | 62.2% | 132 | 76.7% | 64.6% |
| 2019 | 180 | 111 | 61.7% | 52.6% | 141 | 78.3% | 64.8% | |||
| 2020 | 141 | 92 | 65.2% | 49.9% | ||||||
First-Time Freshmen, 5 Year Totals
| First-Time Freshmen, 5 Year Totals | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Semester | First-Time Freshman Flag | Count |
| 2017 | Fall | Y | 150 |
| 2018 | Fall | Y | 157 |
| 2019 | Fall | Y | 172 |
| 2020 | Fall | Y | 142 |
| 2021 | Fall | Y | 147 |
| 2022 | Fall | Y | 171 |
| 2023 | Fall | Y | 181 |
| 2024 | Fall | Y | 215 |
First-Time Transfers, 5 Year Totals
| First-Time Transfers, 5 Year Totals | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Semester | Transfer Flag | Count |
| 2017 | Fall | Y | 21 |
| 2018 | Fall | Y | 27 |
| 2019 | Fall | Y | 30 |
| 2020 | Fall | Y | 20 |
| 2021 | Fall | Y | 14 |
| 2022 | Fall | Y | 30 |
| 2023 | Fall | Y | 30 |
| 2024 | Fall | Y | 24 |
Undergraduate Enrollment, 5 Year Trends
| Undergraduate Enrollment, 5 Year Trends | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Total |
| 2017 | 1040 |
| 2018 | 1052 |
| 2019 | 1,073 |
| 2020 | 1,055 |
| 2021 | 961 |
| 2022 | 944 |
| 2023 | 979 |
| 2024 | 1,047 |
The Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications invites all students, faculty and staff members, administrators and others to report incidents in which they can present evidence that a unit of ACEJMC has violated accreditation standards, policies or procedures. Such reports must be made in writing to the executive director of ACEJMC:
ACEJMC Executive Director
201 Bishop Hall
P.O. Box 1848
University of Mississippi
University, MS 38677
(662) 915-5504
A copy of the report should also be sent to the dean of the college:
Dean
College of Journalism and Mass Communications
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
P.O. Box 880443
Lincoln, NE 68588-0443
(402) 472-3041
(402) 472-8597 FAX
Complaints must be accompanied by documentation showing a specific, substantive violation of one or more standards, policies or procedures. The council does not adjudicate, arbitrate or mediate individual faculty or student grievances against the school; nor does it act as a court of appeals in individual matters of admissions, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty members or students. In considering complaints, the council will give careful attention to due process for both the complainant and the school.
Additional information about accreditation standards and procedures may be found at the ACEJMC Web site.