The MFA in Theatre Arts with a focus in Dramaturgy is awarded by the Graduate College. Instruction is offered through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the Admission Requirements of the Graduate College and the department offering the degree program (review the department's web site or the General Catalog for departmental requirements).

Estimated Cost of Attendance

Tuition and fees vary by degree program and the type of student you are.

Financial Assistance for Theatre Arts Students

Application Deadlines

This graduate program accepts new students every one to two years. The next acceptance cycle will begin with applicants for Fall 2023. Future admission cycles will begin with students applying for Fall 2023, Fall 2025, Fall 2026, etc.

  • Fall 2023: Admit 2
  • Fall 2024: No admissions
  • Fall 2025: Admit 1
  • Fall 2026: Admit 2

Deadlines to note:

  • Fall semester—Jan. 15
  • Spring semester—Not offered
  • Summer session—Not offered
Application Procedures

The graduate application process has two steps

  • You must first submit the online application to the Graduate College and pay the $60 application fee by credit card ($100 for international applicants).
  • Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email instructing you on how to upload your supporting documents and submit letters of recommendation. A few programs require materials be sent directly to them. However, almost all supplemental material can and should be uploaded from your Admissions Profile in MyUI, our online service center for applicants and students. You can only access this AFTER you have submitted your application.

GRE scores are not required for this program.

Degree Program Supplemental Materials

  • A résumé
  • A statement (two to three pages) detailing your personal, academic, and theatrical background, including your reasons for pursuing graduate study in dramaturgy and your professional goals. 
  • Two samples of your critical writing on drama or performance; these may include articles or essays prepared in the context of work as a production dramaturge. Alternatively, you may submit a dramaturgy protocol or casebook prepared for a course or in connection with a production, as long as it includes representative samples of your writing.

Recommendations

The application requirement section of your Profile includes an electronic letter of recommendation feature. If your program of study requires letters of recommendation, you will be asked to give the contact information of your recommenders including their email on your Admissions Profile. The recommender will then get an email giving them instructions on how to upload the recommendation letter and/or form.

  • Three letters of recommendation

Materials to send to Admissions

  • A set of your unofficial academic records/transcripts uploaded on your Admissions Profile. If you are admitted, official transcripts will be required before your enrollment. For international records, all records should bear the original stamp or seal of the institution and the signature of a school official.  Documents not in English must be accompanied by a complete, literal, English translation, certified by the issuing institution.
  • International students may also be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or DuoLingo scores to comply with the university's English Language Proficiency Requirements.
  • Once recommended for admission, international students must send a Financial Statement.
Apply

Apply Online, the $60 application fee ($100 for international students) is payable by Discover, MasterCard, or Visa.

Contact

Department of Theatre Arts
The University of Iowa
107 Theatre Building
Iowa City, IA 52242
theatre@uiowa.edu
1-319-335-2700

Enrollment Management
The University of Iowa
2900 University Capitol Centre
201 S. Clinton St.
Iowa City, IA 52242
admissions@uiowa.edu
1-319-335-1523