Graduate Degree Programs

Aba Mbirika (PhD, 2010) holding class outdoors on a pleasant day on the UI Pentacrest

Aba Mbirika (PhD, 2010) holding class outdoors on a pleasant day on the UI Pentacrest

The Ph.D. program places strong emphasis on preparation for research and teaching. Students must earn at least 72 semester hours of graduate credit and spend at least three years in residence at a graduate college, including at least one year at the University of Iowa. They must complete specific courses designated as preparatory for the Ph.D. qualifying examinations; pass the qualifying and comprehensive exams; and write a Ph.D. thesis. For a complete description of these requirements see the Graduate Student Handbook.

Students earn the M.S. through courses and comprehensive examinations. There is no M.S. thesis.