How many applicants do you accept into your graduate program each year? 

Admission is quite competitive and we are typically only able to accept a small percentage of applicants. We usually admit 2-3 students to the PhD and MA track each. 

How do I apply? 

Go to the Graduate Admissions website: https://grad.admissions.uiowa.edu/academics/religiousstudies-ma-or-phd  

Note that the application procedures have two steps, as explained on the website. 

When can I apply and what is the deadline for application? 

You can begin the application process during the Fall semester the year before you wish to enter the program. The deadline for application is January 15 for Fall admissions in the same year. We only accept applications for Fall admissions. 

What materials do I need to submit with the application? 

Everything is detailed on the Graduate Admissions website: https://grad.admissions.uiowa.edu/academics/religious-studies-ma-or-phd  

I see on the Graduate Admissions website that I am required to submit a personal essay that explains my objectives for graduate study and a writing sample. What should these documents contain and how long should they be? 

There is no set length for either document. The personal essay should state as clearly as possible what you hope to study and why you think the UI would be a good fit for you; typically between one to four pages. The writing sample should give a good example of your writing abilities, and can be a paper from a course you took, a BA or MA thesis, or an essay that you wrote specifically for the application; these are typically between ten and forty pages. 

Do I need to make contact with a faculty member in the Department of Religious Studies before I apply? 

No, but you may do so, and it is always a good idea to look at what faculty members in the department have interests that align with yours, to determine potential advisors. You can see a list of faculty members and their academic areas on our website under “People.” 

Do you require the GRE test? 

No, the GRE is not required. 

Can I apply for a waiver of the application fee? 

Yes, write to grad-rel@uiowa.edu for more information. 

How do I apply for graduate-student funding? 

Almost all of our funding is in the form of Graduate Assistantships (Teaching Assistantships or Research Assistantships, both require up to 20 hours of work a week). As part of the application process you must submit an Application for a Graduate Assistantship (or, if you have other funding, a Waiver of Consideration). Normally, all admitted PhD students will be offered a Teaching Assistantship, which also covers tuition. Admitted MA students are not usually offered a Graduate Assistantship, although we will try to find funding for them. 

What is the minimum GPA? 

The University of Iowa Graduate School has set the minimum GPA for admission to graduate programs as 3.40 for PhD and 3.00 for MA, or the international equivalent as determined by the Office of Admissions. 

What are the English proficiency requirements? 

These are also set by the Graduate School, see https://grad.admissions.uiowa.edu/englishproficiency-requirements. This includes a list of exemptions. 

Are there any other language requirements? 

Yes, the graduate program in the Department of Religious Studies requires demonstrated proficiency in one language besides English that is useful for the graduate student’s research. This requirement must be met by a PhD student’s third year in the program. The second language can be a student’s native language if relevant for their research. 

Do you do Zoom interviews as part of the application process? 

Yes, we will set up Zoom interviews with selected applicants, typically in February. 

Do you have funding for campus visits for accepted applicants? 

Yes, once you have been accepted into the program, we can help fund a visit to the University of Iowa campus and the department.