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% (above 550 scaled score) of the verbal part of the GRE. Official TOEFL or IELTS test scores for applicants whose native language is not English should score at least 111 iBT; 273 CBT; 640 PBT.  

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 (a minimum iBT TOEFL SPEAK test score of 26 is required).  If you are an international student, we consider your TOEFL scores and additionally will conduct a telephone interview with you at an appropriate time in order to discern mastery of spoken English. 

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 (preferably from instructors of your college English courses or from professionals familiar with your writing abilities and work habits).

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

A sample of the applicant's best critical or scholarly writing (originally written for a class, with the original instructor’s comments included), please follow the directions on the Writing Sample Requirement sheet and the Writing Sample Cover Sheet.

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 deadline.

• Send an Application for Graduate Study ($60.00 application fee, $85.00 International students). 
• Official academic records/transcripts of all previous college and graduate work.
• Official GRE scores (general test only required), (the University’s institutional code is 6681; the English Departmental code is 2501).
• International student must submit their official TOEFL (the University’s institutional code is 6681; the English Departmental code is 2501) scores to the
  
      Office of Admissions
      The University of Iowa
      107 Calvin Hall
      Iowa City, IA 52242-1396
  

Materials to send to the department:

• Send 3 letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages) that includes your research interests, qualifications and particular reasons for choosing the Ph.D. or M.A. program.
• The Writing Sample with Cover Sheet
• Application for Graduate Awards (PDF)
• Official GRE scores (the University’s institutional code is 6681; the English Departmental code is 2501)
• Official TOEFL (the University’s institutional code is 6681; the English Departmental code is 2501)
• Official academic records/transcripts of all previous college and graduate work
•  Departmental Financial Aid Application (if requesting financial support) to the
  
       Office of Graduate Studies
       Department of English
       The University of Iowa
       308 English Philosophy Building
       Iowa City, IA 52242-1492

The deadline for fall admission postmarked by January 7.

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.