Requirements

Applicants must meet the Graduate College's requirements for admission to graduate study; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College or the Graduate College section catalog. More information regarding admissions may be found on The University of Iowa's Graduate Admissions page.

Strong applicants hold a master’s degree in a related area, have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.50 in work toward the master’s degree, and speak and write English and another language at a professional level.

Deadline for Application

January 15

Application Overview

Your complete application, in addition to the materials required by the Office of Graduate Admissions, includes a writing sample and a statement of purpose. The writing sample, which might be a paper you wrote for a graduate course, should demonstrate your ability to synthesize and analyze information from academic sources using standard academic English. The statement of purpose should contain information about your background and why you want to pursue doctoral study in general and second language acquisition at the University of Iowa in particular.

The writing sample, the statement of purpose, your curriculum vitae, official transcripts, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, and three letters of recommendation from faculty members familiar with your academic work must be supplied before your application can be considered. International students are expected to send a current TOEFL score. We will use your statement of purpose and your sample of academic writing to evaluate your ability to present your views clearly and convincingly, as well as your ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate academic literature.

The Admissions Committee meets through February and March. Applicants will be notified about admission and financial aid no later than April 15.

Application Materials

Admissions materials are divided into two sections: (1) items sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions and (2) items sent to FLARE.  Use this application checklist to make sure your application is complete.

If you Apply Online, the $60 application fee ($100 for international students) is payable by MasterCard or Visa. If you cannot pay by credit card, you may Download and Print an Application and pay the fee by check or money order in U.S. currency made payable to "The University of Iowa."

Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages)

Your statement of purpose should address your academic interests and career objectives.  We read a student’s statement of purpose for both evidence of fit with our program and a clear focus of scholarly interest. Please tell us about your prior training, your intellectual aspirations, and your reasons for applying to FLARE. Tell us about your master’s work and how it has led you to your current special interests within SLA. Include other experience, such as work, internships, and study abroad that are relevant to your goals.

A Sample of Your Academic Writing

The writing sample is among the most important document in your admissions dossier. You may use a course paper or a portion of your master’s thesis. If you use the latter, please write a cover memo to locate it in the larger work. (The sample will not be returned.)

Your Official Academic Records (i.e., transcripts)

Please send official transcripts from all institutions attended (original to Graduate Admissions, copy to FLARE). Please see the Graduate Admissions Application for specific requirements regarding academic records.

TOEFL Scores

The TOEFL requirement is automatically waived for nonnative speakers of English who have received a bachelor’s degree or higher degree from a university in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada (excluding French Quebec), English-speaking Africa, Australia, or New Zealand.

For nonnative speakers who do not have a bachelor’s degree or higher from the above countries, FLARE requires a minimum TOEFL score of 100:BT. 

Please have your TOEFL scores sent directly from Educational Testing Service. Photocopies are not accepted. Scores are valid for two years after the test date. The University’s TOEFL code is 6681. Please make sure these scores reach The University of Iowa by January 15.

Please contact Graduate Admissions (admissions@uiowa.edu or 1-800-553-IOWA) if you have any questions or concerns about the Graduate College’s TOEFL requirements.

Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE)

The GRE is required for admission. Your scores should reach The University of Iowa by January 15. If you have not taken the examination within the last five years, contact a nearby university for information on registration, dates, and cost. Information also can be found on the Educational Testing Service web site. Have the scores sent directly from the testing agency to The University of Iowa. The University’s GRE code is 6681.

Three Letters of Recommendation

Please have three letters of recommendation mailed to us by people familiar with your academic and/or professional background. Referees should write on their professional letterhead and send their letters directly to FLARE:

Attention: Elena Osinskaya
FLARE
111 Phillips Hall
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242

If there is anything else that you think we should know in order to evaluate your application, please include it in the application materials that you send directly to FLARE.

To receive first consideration for admission and financial aid, FLARE and Graduate Admissions should receive all materials by January 15.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications for Graduate Awards and Appointments

Please include the Applications for Graduate Awards and Appointments if you would like to be considered for funding opportunities, such as a university fellowship or an assistantship.

Some tips for completing your application to FLARE

• Do not wait until the last minute to compile all your materials. Plan to send in your application well before the January 15 deadline.
• Contact your letter writers well in advance to give them the time to compose your letter of recommendation.
• Have a trusted friend proofread your writing sample, personal statement and CV. It is better that s/he finds the dangling participle than if the application committee does.
• Do not forget to complete the Application for Graduate Awards; you need funding!
• There is an important distinction to make between FLARE and SLA. Students completing their doctorates will receive a degree in Second Language Acquisition from the interdisciplinary unit of department of Foreign Language Acquisition Research and Education. When filling out the application, note that the administrative unit is FLARE; the doctoral program and degree are SLA.