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Application & Admission

PLEASE NOTE: NEW APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS ARE COMING SOON - PLEASE CHECK BACK

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this M.A. program, we recommend that interested students contact the Associate Director of Academic Programs at 319-335-0368 or ip-intlstudies@uiowa.edu to discuss their academic objectives.

Students who may want to later pursue a disciplinary Ph.D. should consult with the department that will grant that degree well in advance to be sure the M.A. in International Studies (ISMA) will qualify them for admission to the program.

Admissions Requirements
Application Deadline
Application Procedures
Preliminary Plan of Study and Rationale
Financial Aid

Admissions Requirements

Students interested in the ISMA must meet all Graduate College Admissions Requirements.

Application Deadline

Students are admitted to the ISMA once per year.

  • Fall semester - February 15 - all application materials must be received-
  • Spring semester – no admissions
  • Summer session – no admissions

Application Procedures

  1. Be certain this program is appropriate for you.
    • Read the Guide to Graduate Study for the M.A. in International Studies carefully
    • Contact the International Programs Associate Dean at 319-335-0368 or by email at ip-intlstudies@uiowa.edu about your area of interest
    • Use ISIS to search for courses to support your intended program of study
    • Use the International Studies Mentors Directory to learn about faculty at the University who are engaged in work related to your intended research area.
    • Create your Preliminary Plan of Study and Rationale (see page 5 in the Guide to Graduate Study for additional instructions)
  2. Download the application.  You may not apply for our program online; instead you must download the Graduate College Application Packet.
  3. Fill out the recommendation release form and give it to each person writing a letter for you along with a stamped envelope addressed to International Programs at the address listed below.
  4. Prepare the following Application Materials
    1. Application for Graduate Admissions—Items A-C
    2. Application for Graduate Admissions—Items G-J (please sign and date)
    3. Application fee
    4. Official academic records
    5. Official GRE score report
    6. Official TOEFL score report, if applicable

    Send To:
    Office of Admissions
    The University of Iowa
    107 Calvin Hall
    Iowa City, IA  52242-1396  USA

  5. Prepare the following Application Materials
    1. Application for Graduate Admissions—Items A-C
    2. Application for Graduate Admissions—Items D-F
    3. Include the Statement of Purpose (Item E) on a separate sheet
    4. Official academic records
    5. Three letters of recommendation
    6. Preliminary Plan of Study and Rationale (see page 5)

    Send To:
    Associate Dean
    International Programs
    The University of Iowa
    1111 University Capitol Centre
    Iowa City, IA 52242  USA

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Preliminary Plan of Study and Rationale

International Programs wants to be sure that your interests can be supported by the faculty members and course offerings available at The University of Iowa. The Preliminary Plan of Study and Rationale is required of all applicants to the ISMA so that both prospective students and the admissions committee can determine if the University and this program are a good fit for the student's academic goals.

The Preliminary Plan of Study and Rationale should be 2-3 pages in length and should address the following:

  • Why will an interdisciplinary degree serve you best? Are you certain that there is not a degree program already available elsewhere at The University of Iowa or at another institution that is more specific to your interests and a more direct route to your future educational or career path?
  • What two or more disciplines do you believe could be woven together to meet your needs?
  • Given the requirements for this degree, as outlined in Part III, what courses at The University of Iowa would you take to attain this degree? (Please include alternates, as well).
  • Include a course plan that meets the requirements and shows how you would complete the program in two years (including the required international research).
  • Explain how this course plan forms an intellectually coherent and defensible program, meets your objectives, and prepares you to meet your future educational or career goals.
  • Soon after you begin your M.A. program, with the assistance of the Associate Dean of International Programs, you will need to form a Faculty Advisory Committee to advise you on courses and to supervise your thesis. Which faculty members would be potential members of your advisory committee and why? See "Making the Most of Faculty Advising" in the Guide to Graduate Study.

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Financial Aid

Although International Programs cannot guarantee graduate assistantships or teaching assistant positions for each of our ISMA students, students are encouraged to apply for positions within our program. Recent assistantships have included, but are not limited to, the Office for Study Abroad, Office of International Students and Scholars, International Studies and academic programs, and a teaching assistantship for an undergraduate course. If you would like to be considered for an International Programs assistantship:

  • Submit to Lorena Gingerich, Human Resources Coordinator, International Programs, The University of Iowa, 1111 UCC, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA, the Application for Graduate Awards by February 1.
  • If you are admitted to the ISMA program, contact Lorena Gingerich at lorena-gingerich@uiowa.edu to indicate your interest in a position. Include a copy of your resume and a one-page cover letter.

Students should also acquaint themselves with the Guide for Financing Graduate Education provided by the Graduate College.

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