Before entering academia, Professor McDowell spent over two decades in commercial television, including management positions in promotion, programming, and creative services. After earning his Ph.D. in 1998 from the University of Florida, and teaching for several years at Southern Illinois University, he joined the faculty of University of Miami in 2001.
 
Concentrating primarily on media management and audience research issues, Professor McDowell has published research studies in several academic journals including The Journal of Media Economics, The International Journal of Media Management and The Journal of Media Business Studies. In addition, Professor McDowell has contributed individual book chapters to The Handbook of Media Management and Economics and Mass Communication Education.

Professor McDowell has authored or co-authored several books serving both academia and the media industry. These include The Television Industry: A Complete Guide, Branding TV: Principles & Practices, Troubleshooting Audience Research, Understanding Broadcast and Cable Finance. A Primer for the Non-Financial Manager and the 10th edition of Head's Broadcasting in America: A Survey of Electronic Media.  

In 2009 The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) awarded Professor McDowell the Barry Sherman Teaching Award for excellence and innovation in the teaching of media management and economics.