As a comprehensive liberal arts college at the heart of a major research university, CLAS offers plentiful opportunities for interdisciplinary study and collaboration in research and creative production, as well as opportunities for developing teaching skills.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the academic home of approximately 1,700 graduate students at the University of Iowa. As the largest of the university's 11 colleges offering advanced degrees through the Graduate College, CLAS supports cutting-edge research, scholarship, and creative work through nearly 50 graduate and professional degree programs in the arts, humanities, and sciences.

Graduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the research support and many opportunities for professional development offered by CLAS, the Graduate College, International Programs, and the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies.

33 %

of University of Iowa graduate students study in CLAS programs

47

CLAS programs have active graduate students

Graduate student stories

Laura Schmitt

CLAS CSD faculty member and graduate students help lead dementia workshop

Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Clinical assistant professor Laura Schmitt and a group of speech-language pathology graduate students took part in a four-part workshop for care partners of individuals living with dementia.
Israel Wipf

CLAS biology graduate student uses fruit flies to explore connection between obesity and cancer cell movement

Monday, December 2, 2024
Israel Wipf won this year’s Three Minute Thesis competition, in which graduate students share their research in three minutes or less to a general audience,
An image of Schaeffer Hall in the spring with green leaves

University of Iowa remains top public school for writing across disciplines

Monday, October 14, 2024
Many of the prestigious writing programs are housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.