College of Liberal Arts & Sciences The University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication The University of Iowa

How to apply

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication invites applications to our Master of Arts programs from people who will have completed four-year bachelor’s degrees by the time they enroll.  Students applying for admission to the PhD program must have completed a master’s degree in an English-speaking country by the time they enroll.  Applicants must have a grade-point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.  Applicants to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication must submit scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) before their applications will be considered complete.

All graduate programs begin in the fall semester.

To apply for admission to a graduate program in the School of Journalism and Mass

Communication, you need to submit materials to both the School and the Graduate Admissions Office. Information about the general graduate admissions process is found on the Graduate Admissions Office page of the University of Iowa website.

You may apply to the Graduate College online or print out a copy of the application form found on the Graduate Application Process page and mail it. Online applications are preferred.

Note: If you are applying for admission to the joint journalism/law degree program, you must apply to both the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the College of Law

In addition to your application to the Graduate College send the following by mail directly to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication:

  1. A personal statement about your particular interests in graduate studies and your career objectives (Item E on the Graduate College application).
  2. Official academic transcripts from each institution of higher education you have attended.
  3. Three letters of recommendation by people familiar with your academic and/or professional background. These must be printed on the letterhead of the person’s academic institution, business, or association and include complete contact information. We prefer academic recommendations for applicants to the MA thesis and PhD programs.
  4. A description of your experience and accomplishments in journalism or mass communication as well as other areas of employment. Provide dates and describe your responsibilities.
  5. A description of skills or areas of knowledge, including knowledge of computer software, you would bring to a teaching or research assistantship. We offer assistantships requiring experience in one or more of these areas: news writing, editing, photojournalism, digital video, knowledge of graphics or web authoring software, legal expertise, fluency in foreign languages, research methods and background in social sciences or history.
  6. An up-to-date resumé or curriculum vitae.
  7. A sample of your academic writing if you are applying to the Ph.D. or M.A. Thesis program; or professional writing if you are applying to the M.A. Professional program.
  8. An application for Graduate Awards if you seek financial assistance.
  9. Send these materials to:
         Graduate Secretary,
         School of Journalism and Mass Communication,
         100 Adler Journalism Building, Room E305,
         University of Iowa,
         Iowa City, IA, 52242.

We begin reviewing applications on January 10. Applicants seeking financial aid should apply by that date. Applications must be complete to be reviewed for admission.

Direct questions about applications to the Graduate Secretary at (319) 335-3401.

We look forward to receiving your application.