Program Information
When are the deadlines?
For guaranteed consideration, please submit your application by December 1st. Applications may still be reviewed after this date, depending on how quickly available spaces fill.
How many students will you recruit?
Recruitment numbers vary by program and depend on available funding resources.
How do I know if your faculty are a good fit for me?
To determine if our lab-based graduate training programs align with your interests, we recommend reviewing our faculty directory. This will help you identify potential mentors whose research matches your goals.
What courses are required to graduate?
A complete list of required graduate coursework can be found under Current Students → Academic Progress Form (formerly POSC)
on the webpage of the program you are applying to. These courses are carefully designed to support your academic and research development throughout the program.
- Note: Because the FAQ content is shared across multiple programs, the Genetics and Genomics program webpage is used as the central reference. If you accessed this page from BCB, ImBio, or MCDB, please use your browser’s back button to return to your program’s webpage and view the appropriate Academic Plan.
How long does it take to complete a degree?
On average, it takes 5.5 years to complete a Ph.D. and 2.5 years to complete an M.S. in our programs.
Can you tell me if I’ll be admitted if I send my transcript or resume?
Unfortunately, no. Admission decisions are based on a holistic review of your full application. There are many factors considered by the admissions committee, so the only way to receive an accurate evaluation is to submit a complete application.
What can I do with this degree?
Our graduates follow many different paths. This degree can help you build the foundation for a career that fits your interests—whether you already have a clear goal or are still exploring your options.
Stipend and Tuition
How much would I get paid?
Assistantships begin at $10,436 per semester.
Do you cover tuition?
Students on assistantships receive a TUITION SCHOLARSHIP: 100% for Ph.D. and 75% for M.S. (assessed at in-state rates). Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA during graduate training to receive the tuition scholarship.
Do you cover textbooks and fee?
All Students are responsible for fees and text books.
Will I receive health insurance?
Students on assistantships receive paid single health insurance
Do you recruit international students?
Yes
Do you have fellowships available?
Multiple-year fellowships are available but competitively awarded domestic and international students eligible.
GPA, GRE, and TOEFL
What is the required GRE?
We do not require GRE scores.
What about TOEFL's?
We look for a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) or 79 (internet-based).
What about GPA's?
We appreciate GPAs around or better than 3.0 Students who apply and are admitted into the program, whose undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0, will be admitted as restricted. This means that you would receive a stipend and health insurance, but NOT a tuition scholarship, UNTIL you have completed 9 credits of graded graduate classroom coursework. An overall GPA of 3.0 is required during graduate training.
What is the University code for GRE/TOEFL?
Iowa State University is 6306.
What does it mean to be a rotation student?
Rotation students work in three different laboratories during the fall semester before deciding on a major professor and research project. The program will provide your assistantship, tuition, and health insurance during this period of time. After selecting a laboratory, the faculty member will be responsible for your financial support.
Do you have a student visit weekend?
We are planning an open house either in person or by Zoom, probably around late January or early February. If you are one we want to consider for admission, you will meet in person or by Zoom.
7/14/2025