Graduate Admission and Financial Aid
ADMISSON:
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.
The following required materials should be sent directly to the Department of Religious Studies, The University of Iowa, 314 Gilmore Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242:
- One official copy of transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work
- Three letters of recommendation for which this recommendation form may be used
- Application (or Waiver of Consideration) for Graduate Assistantships, see Application form
- 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
- A writing sample demonstrating the ability to engage in critical thinking
The following materials are required and should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions, The University of Iowa, 107 Calvin Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242-1396:
- One official copy of transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work
- Official record of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores (up to 5 years old are acceptable; submitted electronically
- International students must send their official TOEFL scores from the Educational Testing Service (the University's institutional code is 6681).
- Once recommended for admission, international students must send a Financial Statement.
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.
Students whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL Exam (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Ph.D. applicants are normally expected to achieve a minimum score of 600 on the paper version or 100 on the internet-based version; M.A. applicants are expected to score at least 560 on the paper-based version or 83 on the internet-based version.
Students admitted without substantial academic preparation in the academic study of Religion may be required to make up deficiencies by taking up to 12 semester hours of designated course work at The University of Iowa. Credit for such courses does not count toward the graduate degree.
FINANCIAL AID
All Ph.D. students accepted into the program receive funding. Ordinarily, no departmental funding is available for M.A. students. There are three primary forms of financial aid offered:
1. Assistantships
The Department of Religious Studies offers research and teaching 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.
The awards are made annually on a competitive basis, with stipends ranging between $16,000 and $18,000 for half-time assistantships.
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.
2. Aid for which you can be nominated
The University of Iowa supports several other fellowships for which departments can nominate incoming students. Students hoping to be considered for these highly competitive fellowships should be sure to have their applications in by the middle of January. For information about the fellowships see http://www.grad.uiowa.edu/aid-youre-nominated-for.
3. Other scholarship opportunities
The University of Iowa has several other types of aid that you may be eligible to apply for (see http://www.grad.uiowa.edu/aid-you-can-apply-for).
DEADLINES:
Deadline for receipt of all application materials for fall semester 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. Applications received after April 1 will not be considered for the upcoming fall semester.
It is the applicant's responsibility to check if the Department of Religious Studies has received all application materials.
For specific inquiries about graduate study, please contact the Director of Graduate Studies: Professor Morten Schlütter.
For general inquiries about the Department of Religious Studies, please email (religion@uiowa.edu), call (319-335-2164) or fax (319-335-3716).
Additional Information:
• Courses taught in the Department of Religious Studies on ISIS (click on the "Courses" tab, choose "Religious Studies" from the department list, and then select a term)
• Religious Studies Admission and Financial Aid
• Religion Graduate Student Organization
• Graduate College
• Office of
Admissions online application
• Office of Student Financial Aid