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

CSD students provide hearing screenings to athletes as part of the Special Olympics Healthy Hearing initiative.

CLAS CSD students and faculty provide hearing screenings at Special Olympics event

Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Volunteers from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Iowa provided hearing screenings to athletes as part of the Special Olympics Healthy Hearing initiative.
Vishuka Pathirana

CLAS PhD student focusing on using organic chemistry to address worldwide food sustainability

Monday, May 5, 2025
Vishuka Pathirana, a second-year doctoral student in chemistry at the University of Iowa, addresses global issues by starting at the molecular level. With an emphasis on organic chemistry, Pathirana focuses on worldwide food sustainability by developing compounds to increase crop yield.
Faculty and graduate students conducted speech, language, and hearing screenings for children in local preschools and daycares last month.

CLAS CSD faculty and students conduct screenings for young children

Monday, May 5, 2025
Faculty and graduate students conducted speech, language, and hearing screenings for children in local preschools and daycares last month.