The University of Iowa Department of English
     
   Admissions Guidelines for Graduate Studies in English
 .

Portrait of Irena by Ludomir Slendzinski, 1925
The Department recommends that: Applicants to the M.A. and Ph.D. programs have at least a 3.5 GPA.; Applicants score in the top 25% of the verbal part of the GRE; and Applicants whose native language is not English score 640 or above on the TOEFL.

Non-native speakers of English should know that most students are funded through teaching, and the Iowa Board of Regents mandates that all non-native speakers of English pass an oral English test in order to teach. The department recommends that non-native speakers of English contact us about a preliminary oral fluency test before accepting admission to the program.

Admissions Requirements
     and Application Materials

In addition to the materials required by the Graduate College, the Department of English requires applicants to submit in writing (rather than electronically) the following materials directly to the Department:

* Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar enough with the applicant's intellectual attainments to evaluate the applicant's potential as a graduate student in English (or in writing ability if applying for the Master of Fine Arts in Nonfiction Writing),

* A brief statement (1-2 pages) explaining the applicant's intellectual interests and reasons for choosing Iowa's M.A. in Literary Studies, M.F.A. in Nonfiction Writing, or Ph.D. program.

* A sample of the applicant's best critical or scholarly writing. Applicants to the Ph.D. or M.A. in Literary Studies should follow the directions on the Writing Sample Requirement sheet and the Writing Sample Cover Sheet, while applicants to the M.F.A. in Nonfiction Writing program should follow the directions on the page describing that program.

Applications for admission to a degree program are considered by the English Department's Admissions Committee only after these materials and those required by the Graduate College have been received by the appropriate offices. In summary, then, here is an overview of application materials, addresses, and deadlines:

The deadline for fall admission is January 1 for the M.F.A. in Nonfiction Writing program, January 15 for the Ph.D. in English or the M.A. in Literary Studies programs. -

The University of Iowa does not discriminate in employment or in its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or veteran status. The University also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to University facilities without reference to affectional or associational preference. For additional information on nondiscrimination policies, contact the Coordinator of Title IX, Section 504, and the ADA in the Office of Affirmative Action, telephone 319-335-0705, University of Iowa, 202 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242-1316.

If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in these programs, please contact the English Department at 319-335-0440, University of Iowa, 308 English Philosophy Building, Iowa City, IA 52242-1492 to discuss your needs.

 

For admission to the M.F.A. in poetry or fiction, write to: The Writers' Workshop The University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 52242-1408

See also:
• The Graduate and Professional Admissions

• How to Apply (PDF)

Grad College online Application

Campus Visits

• A Step by Step Guide to Financing Your
Graduate Education

 


HomeAboutUndergraduateGraduateFaculty/Staff  •  Specialties  • Journals  •  Works  •  AlumniResourcesSearch
Report site problems, ask department questions: english@uiowa.edu - Page updated May 18, 2007 10:37
Copyright © 2004-2007 The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.
University Accessibility Policies and Procedures  •  College of Liberal Arts & Sciences  •  English Contacts