M.A. Degree

Applicants to the M.A. degree program in art history must possess a Bachelor's Degree, preferably in art history or a related field. Although exceptions may be made (in cases where other components of the applications are strong), applicants should have an undergraduate grade-point average of at least 3.25 on a 4.00 scale.

In addition to submitting admissions materials required by the Graduate College, all applicants must submit the following to the School of Art & Art History in order to be considered for admission to the art history graduate program:

• a research paper (preferably from an art history course) or undergraduate thesis demonstrating the applicant's potential to undertake research in art history;
• a 1000-word personal statement indicating the applicant's purpose in pursuing graduate studies. The statement must include a description of the applicant's intellectual development, academic interests, and career goals. The personal statement must also include the name of The University of Iowa faculty member under whose guidance he or she hopes to work, and how that professor’s area of expertise (or the Art History Division’s graduate program more generally) is especially suited to the applicant’s interest and goals;
• three letters of recommendation (sent directly from those making the recommendation), that assess the applicant's potential for graduate study;
• transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
• The Graduate College requires the submission of TOEFL scores from international students if they have not received a degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.

Deadline for Application: Completed applications for the master's degree program must be submitted to the Graduate College and to the departmental Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) by December 15.

Ph.D. Degree

Applicants for admission to the Ph.D. degree program in art history must possess an M.A. in art history or a related graduate degree and need to prove proficiency in either French or German. Proficiency in a second, non-English language relevant to the field of expertise will be required by the end of the third semester of Ph.D. work at The University of Iowa. Although exceptions may be made (in cases where other components of the application are strong), applicants should have a graduate grade-point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale.

A student who has completed an M.A. degree at The University of Iowa and who wishes to enter the Ph.D. program must apply formally. His or her application is evaluated in the context of the entire pool of applicants from outside institutions for that year.

In addition to submitting admissions materials required by the Graduate College, all applicants must submit the following to the School of Art & Art History Graduate Program Coordinator in order to be considered for admission to the art history graduate program:

• a copy of a M.A. thesis or other substantial M.A. research paper;
• a 1000-word personal statement indicating the applicant's purpose in pursuing graduate studies. The statement must include a description of the applicant's intellectual development, academic interests, and career goals. The personal statement must also include the name of The University of Iowa faculty member under whose guidance he or she hopes to work, and how that professor’s area of expertise (or the Art History Division’s graduate program more generally) is especially suited to the applicant’s interest and goals;
• three letters of recommendation (sent directly from those making the recommendation), including one from the applicant's M.A. thesis supervisor, that assess the applicant's potential for doctoral study in the art history discipline;
• transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
• The Graduate College requires the submission of TOEFL scores from international students if they have not received a degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.

Deadline for Application: Completed applications for the Ph.D. degree program and requests for financial aid must be submitted to the Graduate College and to the departmental Graduate Program Coordinator (120 Art Building West) by December 15.

Admission Status

See Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College, Part 1, Section I-G, for details. This document is available online at: http://www.grad.uiowa.edu/graduate-college-manual?portal=current-students.

A student admitted for a specific semester may delay his/her admission for only two sessions; this includes Summer Session. In other words, admission cannot be delayed for a full year (three sessions).

Readmission

See Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College, Part 1, Section I-I, for details. This document is available at the Graduate College Office, 205 Gilmore Hall, or online at https://www.grad.uiowa.edu/manual-part-1-section-I-admission-to-the-graduate-college#1.1.I.