Malcolm S. MacLean Jr. (1930–1972) was a journalism educator and the fifth director of the University of Iowa School of Journalism, known for introducing systems thinking and experimental learning into journalism curricula. He served as director of the University of Iowa School of Journalism from 1967 until his untimely death in 1972.

MacLean’s academic background was deeply interdisciplinary. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Redlands in California and later completed graduate studies at the University of Washington, where he received his Ph.D. in communication. His doctoral work laid the foundation for his enduring interest in communication theory, behavioral sciences, and the application of simulation and game theory in media studies.

MacLean brought this innovative orientation to Iowa, where he sought to reimagine journalism education beyond traditional reporting models. His curriculum integrated tools from political science, psychology, and sociology to train students in the analysis of mass communication systems. Notably, he implemented teaching methods based on simulation and game theory, emphasizing experiential and systems-based learning.

However, his reforms also clashed with prevailing accreditation norms. In 1971, the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) revoked the School’s graduate program accreditation, citing concerns over the lack of defined course sequences and professional preparation tracks. MacLean acknowledged that these departures from traditional curricula were deliberate, but they ultimately contributed to the loss of accreditation.

Despite the controversy, MacLean’s legacy is widely recognized. He was posthumously inducted into the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication Hall of Fame in 1974. The University of Iowa Libraries’ Special Collections holds the Malcolm S. MacLean Papers, and his scholarly impact is further explored in A Heretic in American Journalism Education and Research: Malcolm S. MacLean, Jr., Revisited, edited by Luigi Manca and Gail W. Pieper.