Graduate applications

Acceptance into the MFA program in dance requires admission into the Graduate College of the University of Iowa, as well as admission into the Department of Dance. All application materials must be complete before candidates can be considered for an audition and for fellowships and assistantships. Decisions regarding admission and assistantships cannot be confirmed until all required applicant files are completely satisfied.

How to apply

1. Apply online via the UI Graduate and Professional Admissions website.

After you submit your application, you will receive email instructions on how to establish your HawkID and password in order to access your Admissions Profile on MyUI, our online portal for students. All supporting materials can and should be uploaded through your admissions profile on MyUI. If your academic program requires letters of recommendation, you will be asked to provide the contact information of your recommenders on your profile. The recommender will then receive an email from the Office of Admissions instructing them on how to upload a recommendation letter and/or recommendation form.

Applicants for admission to the graduate program must meet the Admission Requirements of the Graduate College and the department offering the degree program (review the General Catalog for departmental requirements). See the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College on the Graduate College website for additional information.

2. Upload required supplemental documents through a secure portal.

The following supporting materials should be uploaded through your admissions profile:

  • Complete résumé
  • Three letters of recommendation assessing potential as a graduate student
  • A copy of all undergraduate transcripts and/or graduate work completed to date
  • Statement indicating area of emphasis and why.
    • All students will study both choreography and performance, however the area of emphasis informs electives and the MFA thesis.
  • Graduate Teaching Audition Application
  • Professional work samples–Please submit links to three samples of your work in choreography or performance. All samples must be viewable online:
    • Choreography emphasis
      • Must submit complete works.
      • Minimum 10 minutes of choreography submitted in total
      • Maximum 30 minutes of choreography submitted in total
    • Performance emphasis:
      • Minimum of three pieces submitted
      • May be excerpts or complete works
      • Minimum 10 minutes of performance submitted in total
      • Maximum 30 minutes of performance submitted in total

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Those whose native language is not English must take and pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), unless they have received a degree from an accredited college or university in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada (except Québec), Australia, or New Zealand. International graduates must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test (PBT) or a score of 81 on the Internet-based test (IBT) or score a 7.0 with no section lower than 6.0 on the IELTS in order to be admitted into the Graduate College. TOEFL scores in the range of 550-600 will require an English evaluation on campus and English courses may be required in the first year of study at the University. Therefore, a total score of 600 on the TOEFL exam is preferable.

Regardless of the score, all applicants submitting an IELTS score will be required to sit for an English evaluation upon arrival in Iowa City. The TOEFL examination is given at various time of the year, and in many centers throughout the world. Inquires should be addressed to Director, TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08541.

Foreign student applicants whose native language is other than English must take and pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) unless they have received a degree from an accredited college or university in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada (except Quebec), Australia, or New Zealand.

International graduates must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test (PBT) or a score of 81 on the Internet-based test (IBT) or score a 7.0 with no section lower than 6.0 on the IELTS in order to be admitted into the Graduate College. TOEFL scores in the range of 550-600 will require an English evaluation on campus and English courses may be required in the first year of study at the University. Therefore, a total score of 600 on the TOEFL exam is preferable. Regardless of the score, all applicants submitting an IELTS score will be required to sit for an English evaluation upon arrival in Iowa City. Information on the English Evaluation.

Inquiries should be addressed to the Director, TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey, 08541. The National TOEFL Registration Center in Baltimore may be contacted by calling 1-800-GO-TOEFL.

Learn more about TOEFL