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ADMISSION

When you are ready to apply, the best method is to do so online at www.uiowa.edu/admissions/graduate/apply. You can also download a paper application from this site.

Application for admission should include a statement of purpose that explains objectives for graduate study and indicates the program of study at Iowa that is best suited to meet those objectives. This should be sent directly to the department.

The following additional materials are required:

A brief personal essay that explains your objectives for graduate study and indicates the program of study at Iowa best suited to meet those objectives, sent directly to the department
official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (scores up to 5 years old are acceptable);
transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work, one copy (official) sent to the Admissions office and one to the Department of Religious Studies;
three letters of recommendation, sent directly to the department, for which this recommendation form may be used;
a writing sample demonstrating the ability to engage in critical thinking, sent directly to the department; and
Application (or Waiver of Consideration) for Graduate Assistantships, see Application.pdf , sent directly to the department.

Ordinarily, the department requires a combined verbal-quantitative score of 1050 on the GRE General Test and a 3.0 grade point average for M.A. admission, and a combined verbal-quantitative score of 1150 on the GRE General Test and a 3.4 grade point average for Ph.D. admission. Foreign students are required to take the TOEFL Exam (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and achieve a minimum score of 600 on the paper version or 250 on the computer version.

Students admitted without substantial academic preparation in religion may be required to make up deficiencies by taking up to 12 semester hours of designated course work at Iowa. Credit for such courses does not count toward the graduate degree.

FINANCIAL AID

Approximately 80 percent of the department’s graduate students receive some form of University financial assistance. Persons enrolled in the Ph.D. program are given preference for awards.

Assistantships
The Department of Religious Studies offers research and teaching assistantships. The awards are made annually on a competitive basis, with stipends ranging between $16,000 and $18,000 for half-time assistantships.

Assistants receiving quarter-time and half-time appointments are classified as in-state residents for fee purposes, resulting in a savings of more than $3,000 each semester for full-time enrollment. Students who make appropriate progress in their academic programs are ordinarily supported for four years.

Enrolled graduate students at the University of Iowa who also are holding a University appointment of at least 25 percent time are eligible to receive a contribution from the University toward the cost of their health insurance coverage.

The Gilmore Scholarship
Established for doctoral students interested in the relationship among religion, the visual arts, and humanistic values, this one-year award may pay a monthly stipend or up to full tuition. This scholarship is faculty nominated.

Presidential Fellowship
The Presidential Fellowship program begins accepting nominations from departments in early January. Students wishing to be considered for these highly competitive fellowships should make early application.

DEADLINES:

Deadline for receipt of all application materials for fall semester if requesting departmental financial assistance is February 1. Applications (or waivers of consideration) for departmental financial assistance are due with completed application materials. Admission decisions are usually made by April 1. Applications received after February 1 will be considered for financial assistance only in second or third round decisions if funds are available.

May 1: Deadline for receipt of all application materials (including the application (or waiver of consideration) for graduate awards) for the fall semester if no funding is requested.

November 1: Deadline for receipt of all application materials for the spring semester. (Funding is not usually available for Spring).

It is the applicant's reponsibility to check if the Department has received all application materials.

Click here for specific information about the University's Graduate College

Click here to apply online

For More Information:

Graduate College Admission
Review the University of Iowa Graduate College and Office of Admissions web sites.

Financial Aid
Review the University's Student Financial Aid site.
For information about the Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship in Humanistic Studies click here.

Graduate Student Organization
Review the RGSO web site.

General inquiries about the Department of Religious Studies:
319-335-2164 [telephone]
319-335-3716 [fax]
religion@uiowa.edu

More specific inquiries about graduate study:
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Religious Studies
Professor Morten Schlütter

Page updated 7/08