Admission Requirements

Students are considered for admission based on:

• Grade point average of 3.0 [B=3.0]
• Graduate Record Examination (Aptitude Test): At or above the 50th percentile for each section is recommended
• Statement of purpose (which identifies a focus or interest area)
• Three letters of reference
• International applicants are required to score a minimum of 100 on the computerized TOEFL exam.
• A minimum of two years of clinical experience may be considered highly desirable, depending on the area of research interest.

Admission Procedures

The applicant must complete the online Graduate College application. The Admissions Office evaluates application materials to ensure that minimum Graduate College standards are met. Once the Graduate College application is submitted, the applicant will receive an email with instructions on how to upload the required supporting documents including letters of reference.  Deadlines for the completed written applications are October 15 (notification by December 15); March 15 (notification by May 15); and May 15; (notification July 15). Following a review of the applications by the PhD Admissions Committee, a decision is made whether or not to interview the applicant. An on-site interview at The University of Iowa is preferred, but a telephone interview may be conducted when extenuating circumstances prevail. The PhD Admissions Committee recommends to the faculty those applicants to whom acceptance into the program is offered. It is highly recommended that applicants accepted into the program commence their studies in the summer or fall academic semesters.

Grade-Point Average Requirement

Students pursuing the PhD degree are required to meet the general academic requirements and minimum academic standards of the Graduate College which includes maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 on all graduate work undertaken at this University. Additional information can be found in the University's Graduate College Manual.

Advising

Students pursuing the PhD degree are advised by a program adviser in the area of specialization in which the student is interested (see listing of graduate faculty by specialty area). PhD degree candidates should arrange meetings with their program adviser for the purpose of preparing a preliminary plan of study during the first session in which they are enrolled. When the preliminary plan of study is completed, a signed and dated copy by the faculty adviser and the candidate is submitted to the PhD Program Committee for review/approval. Copies of the signed preliminary plan of study will be sent to the candidate and the faculty adviser for their records.