Overview
Iowa State was chartered in 1858 and became the land-grant institution for the state of Iowa after the passage of the Morrill Act. Graduate study was offered almost as soon as classes began in 1868, and the first graduate degree was conferred in 1877. The University's motto, "Science with Practice," suggests the importance placed on both the learning of theory and the discovery of applications in the many areas in which Iowa State excels.

There are 25,972 students, including 4,618 graduate students, enrolled at the University. Most graduate students attend full-time; 41 percent are women, and 34 percent are international students. More than 50 percent are awarded graduate assistantships.

The Location and Community
The University is situated on a 1,000-acre tract in Ames, Iowa (population, 50,000), 35 miles north of the state capital of Des Moines. Ames is at the crossroads of three interstate highways: running north and south, I-35, and running east and west, U.S. 30 and (30 miles to the south) I-80. The city offers a calendar of social, cultural, and athletic activities that surpasses that of many other metropolitan areas. Students, faculty members, and Ames residents are a cosmopolitan group, representing more than 120 countries. The city maintains more than 700 acres of woods, streams, and open meadows as parks, and the general atmosphere of Ames is relaxed and friendly.

Programs of Study and Degree Requirements
Iowa State University provides outstanding facilities for graduate study and research in the Colleges of Agriculture, Business, Design, Education, Engineering, Family and Consumer Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. Faculty members from more than 100 graduate programs offer advanced study opportunities. Advanced degrees include the research-oriented Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees; in certain fields, the Master of Science without thesis and the Master of Arts without thesis; and the advanced technical or professional degrees of Master of Accounting, Master of Agriculture, Master of Architecture, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Business Administration, Master of Community and Regional Planning, Master of Education, Master of Engineering, Master of Family and Consumer Sciences, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Public Administration, and Master of School Mathematics.

Although there is flexibility in planning each student's graduate program, certain minimum requirements are set for advanced degrees by the graduate faculty as well as by individual programs. Minimum Graduate College requirements include maintaining a B average and generally completing the degree requirements within five years for a master's degree and seven years for the Ph.D. Graduate students are advised by almost 1,500 graduate faculty members, who have been selected because their research activity, professional involvement, and publications qualify them to guide the research of graduate students.

Facilities & Resources
Graduate assistants play an integral role in the research of numerous institutes, centers, and laboratories at Iowa State. Major research units associated with the University include the Ames Laboratory, the Plant Sciences Institute, the National Soil Tilth Laboratory, the National Animal Disease Center, the Institute for Physical Research and Technology, the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Iowa State University's Biotechnology Program, the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, the Center for Transportation Research and Education, the Veterinary Medical Research Institute, the Institute for Social and Behavioral Research, the Ames Center for Animal Health, the Statistical Laboratory, the Center for Academic Information Technology, the Center for Designing Foods to Improve Nutrition, the Iowa Energy Center, and the Information Assurance Center.

The University library, with a collection exceeding 2 million volumes and an equally extensive number of nonprint holdings, is nationally recognized for its collections in the basic and applied fields of the biological and physical sciences. Its major strengths for research include holdings in agriculture, design arts, statistics, and veterinary medicine. An online catalog system provides computerized access to the collections from on and off campus.

Expenses and Aid
The graduate fees for a semester of full-time study total $3,744 for state residents and $8,557 for nonresidents. Fees for a partial schedule or for off-campus courses are determined on a per-hour basis. Students appointed to graduate assistantships are considered full-time students and are assessed the state resident fees. Most graduate assistants also qualify for a tuition scholarship award.

Financial Aid:
Graduate assistantships, fellowships, and special research grants have been established to encourage graduate study and promote research. Information on these awards is available from individual programs. Other types of financial aid include a deferred fee payment plan, Federal Direct Student Loans (low-interest, deferred repayment), and University Emergency Loans.

Housing/Living Expenses:
The University provides housing for single and married graduate students. Costs ranged from $3846 per academic year for a double-occupancy residence hall room to as low as $457 per month for a University student apartment. Students may also secure off-campus rooms, apartments, or duplexes in Ames and the surrounding communities. The costs for off-campus housing ranges from $500 to more than $1000 per month, depending on the size and location of the housing.

Multucultural Students
Iowa State University is proud of the ethnic, cultural, and national diversity of its students, faculty, and staff, and strives to celebrate diversity in all facets of campus life. Among its 26,000 students, Iowa State enrolls approximately 2,100 U.S. ethnic students, comprising almost 8% of our total enrollment. Through 550 recognized student organizations, the university encourages students from different cultures to work, study, provide community service, and participate in recreation together.

The Graduate Minority Assistantship Program offers financial assistance to U.S. citizens who are members of ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education. GMAP is among the university’s most widely applied financial programs for graduate students.

To be eligible for tuition and assistantship funding, you must be a U.S. citizen and a member of one of the following uderrepresented groups: American Indian, African American, or Latino. You also must be admitted into a degree-seeking masters or Ph.D. program and nominated by a department/program or administrative office. Learn more...

International Students
Iowa State University is the "home away from home" for approximately 2,300 international students from all over the world. Learn more...

How to Apply / Application
The Iowas State University Graduate College Web site contains directions for applying, contacts, admission requirements for each graduate program, and access to the application. If financial assistance is a priority, the application, accompanied by a $30 application fee ($70 for international students) and an official transcript from each college attended, should be sent to the address for each major (as listed at http://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/academic program/academic.html) by January 1 for summer or fall admission and October 1 for spring admission priority consideration. Applicants should correspond with the appropriate program, which provides guidance about graduate assistantships, fellowships, and special research grants.

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