If you don't find your answer here, please feel free to contact us via email at igpi@uiowa.edu.

Does the Informatics program accept applications for all semesters?
The department accepts M.S. and Ph.D. applications for the fall semesters only; application to our Certificate Programs can be made at any time of the year. 

What are the deadlines for M.S. and Ph.D. applications?
Applications for the fall semester:  January 1st.
Spring and summer applications are not accepted.

Is a personal interview required for application? 
Ph.D. applicants who make it past a first round of admissions review will be asked to participate in a brief interview online. MS and Certificate applicants, at this point, are not asked to participate in an interview. In addition, the department recommends that Ph.D. applicants establish contact with Informatics-affiliated faculty with similar research interests before or during the application process. 

Are certain undergraduate degrees required for an Informatics Degree?
No specific undergraduate degrees are required; we accept students from a variety of undergraduate study areas. However, having some background in software development/programming or other quantitative areas (e.g., mathematics, statistics, science) is helpful.

Are there any prerequisite courses for admission - specifically computer or programming coursework?
There are no prerequisites for admission to the program.  Initial core coursework in informatics includes both database and programming classes.  

Are English proficiency tests required for International Students?  If so, what are the minimum required scores?
English proficiency requirements are established by the Graduate College.  A minimum TOEFL score of 550 is required for the paper-based test (PBT); an 81 is required for the internet-based test (IBT). However, students with TOEFL scores below 100 on Internet-based testing are generally not admitted to this program. Note that other tests are also accepted and we would be looking at equivalent performance. Exceeding these scores does not guarantee admission and average scores of students who are awarded financial aid are significantly higher. Newly admitted students who present TOEFL scores below 600 on the PBT, or below 100 on the IBT, are required to complete an English Proficiency Evaluation on campus before their first registration.

Is a minimum GRE score required for application?
The GRE is now optional and there is no minimum GRE requirement. Applicants currently being admitted to our program generally have both Quantitative and Verbal GRE scores in the 155-160+ range (based on the new GRE scale).  Admission decisions take into account all aspects of an application.

Does the Informatics department offer financial support for both M.S. and Ph.D. students enrolled in the program?
Our program offers financial support to students admitted to the PhD program unless they come with another source of financial support (e.g., from their country of origin, or from an employer). We encourage MS students to apply for the many research assistantship (RA) and teaching assistantship (TA) positions within the University, once they are admitted to our program. MS students, however, should be able to pay for tuition and fees as we do not guarantee them support.

May I complete the Certificate, M.S. or Ph.D. program from a distance?
Informatics does not currently offer a distance education program.  There are a few courses that are web-based, but most courses require on-campus attendance.

How long does it typically take to complete each program? 
Most MS students are able to complete their program of study in two years.  The length of time for Ph.D. program completion in Informatics varies based on each student’s area of research, but it typically takes around five to six years.

Is the program a STEM program?

While there are no official designations of what is and is not a STEM program, all degrees offered by the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Informatics are STEM by definition.

Do you offer application fee waivers?

We follow the Graduate College's policies on application fee waivers.