The University of Pittsburgh

About the University

The University of Pittsburgh is an internationally respected center of learning and research, offering exceptional educational opportunities in the humanities, sciences, and professions. The University's mission is to advance teaching, research, and public service. This tripartite commitment enables the University to serve others by:

History

The University began in the Pennsylvania wilderness as the Pittsburgh Academy in 1787, the year the U.S. Constitution was adopted. Thirty-two years later, the Pittsburgh Academy became the Western University of Pittsburgh, and in 1908, the school changed its name to the University of Pittsburgh.

The recognition of graduate study at the University of Pittsburgh began with the awarding of Master of Arts degrees in 1836. By 1870, over 30 MA degrees had been awarded. These degrees were conferred for study beyond the Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1884, Chancellor Milton Goff set up a two-year professional study program leading to either a Master of Philosophy (predecessor of the Master of Science degree) or a Master of Arts degree and a three-year program leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Before admission to these programs, each student was required to show proficiency in three areas of study. Both master's and doctoral candidates were required to prepare and defend theses.

In 1906, new rules were formulated for graduate study, requiring students to be in residence and requiring the completion of one year of study or 30 credits for the master's degree and three years or 90 credits for the doctoral degree. The catalogues of 1908 and 1909 announced the establishment of the Graduate School with five departments offering courses for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. These departments, plus five others, offered courses for the Master of Arts degree.

In 1910, a faculty committee drafted proposals, adopted by the board of trustees in 1913, making the Graduate School an independent administrative unit of the University and authorizing the selection of a Graduate Council. The Graduate School was grouped into three divisions (Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences) in 1947. Until 1956, the administration of graduate study was the responsibility of the dean of the Graduate School and the Graduate Council. At that time, the individual schools and the three divisions were given direct administrative responsibility for their graduate programs in accord with the regulations established by the University Council on Graduate Study—formerly the Graduate Council. In 1968, the dean of the Graduate School retired from his administrative role, and the position he had held was discontinued. General responsibility for the
University's graduate programs was assigned to the provost pending reorganization of the University's graduate structure. The University Council on Graduate Study, the University administration, and members of the Graduate Faculty cooperated in drafting a proposed reorganization of graduate study, which was approved by written ballot by the entire Graduate Faculty and, in turn, accepted by Chancellor Wesley Posvar. This organizational structure became effective July 1, 1971 and is still the official structure.

Thus, during the 200-plus year history of the University, graduate education has grown to encompass the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and all 13 of the professional schools, which share a commitment to meet the nation's need for well-educated researchers, scholars, and leaders of professions and the tri-state region's need for trained professionals.

A private institution for most of its past, the University of Pittsburgh became state-related in 1966, establishing a relationship with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that continues to benefit both partners. Today, as an elected member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, the University of Pittsburgh claims its place among the top public research universities in the nation.

Accreditation

The University of Pittsburgh, including its four regional campuses, is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Higher Education. In addition, schools, programs, and departments may be accredited by discipline-specific accrediting bodies. See Schools, Departments, and Programs section of this bulletin for this information.

Academic Organization and Pittsburgh Campus Overview

An independent, state-related, coeducational institution, the University of Pittsburgh's Pittsburgh campus offers a multitude of degree-granting and other programs housed in 16 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools. The University system includes the Pittsburgh campus and four regional campuses at Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown, and Titusville; the regional campuses offer undergraduate programs only.

More than 90 buildings are located on the Pittsburgh campus, which covers 132 acres in the culturally rich Oakland neighborhood. At the heart of the campus stands a central landmark—the Cathedral of Learning, a 42-story Gothic tower, which is the tallest school building in the western hemisphere. The Cathedral contains the remarkable Nationality Rooms: 26 classrooms, each of them designed to reflect a distinct culture.

On the Pittsburgh campus, over 3,400 faculty serve 25,900 students, including 9,100 graduate and 16,800 undergraduate students. Alumni accomplishments range from managing Fortune 500 corporations, to writing best-selling novels, to unlocking the secrets of DNA...and more.

The University of Pittsburgh remains a place of enduring tradition and vitality, true to the work ethic of western Pennsylvania, rich in intellectual rigor, and committed to preparing students for their lives and careers. 

Web Address

For more information on the University of Pittsburgh, see the University's Web site at http://www.pitt.edu/.

Organization of Graduate and Professional Education at the University

While the University Council on Graduate Study (http://www.pitt.edu /~graduate/ucgs.html), acting for the Graduate Faculty, develops minimum standards for graduate work throughout the University, the immediate responsibility for developing and administering graduate programs is assigned to the deans and Graduate Faculty members of the several schools and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. This responsibility applies both to the traditional MA, MS, and PhD
programs and to programs leading to advanced professional degrees, except for first-professional degrees (i.e., the MD, JD, LLM, PharmD, and DMD). The provost has responsibility for the general supervision of graduate and professional programs, including first-professional degree programs, throughout the University, giving leadership to the deans and faculties in maintaining high standards of instruction and research.

Faculty are appointed to the Graduate Faculty by the provost upon recommendation by the dean on the basis of an appraisal by the faculty of a department or other appropriate faculty group. Graduate Faculty are competent in graduate instruction and in supervision of student research at all levels and are active in advancing knowledge through their own research. 

Application for Admission

Graduate admissions to the University of Pittsburgh are handled by the particular graduate school or program; there is no central admissions office for graduate and professional schools at the University.

This section details only the University requirements and procedures for admission to the University. The Graduate Admissions Office of each school provides admissions information for prospective students to that school. Schools' admissions requirements are listed under the Schools, Departments, and Programs section of this bulletin.

The admissions information in this section is subject to change at any time. It is intended to serve only as a general source of information.

Graduate Admissions

Decisions regarding admission are based on an overall evaluation of all the credentials submitted by the candidate and in accord with the availability of faculty, facilities, and student support necessary to meet the applicant's expressed academic and research needs and interests. Many departments or programs have a limited number of places available. Interested students should refer to the Schools, Departments, and Programs section of this bulletin in addition to the general admission information provided here.

Application Procedures

Students seeking admission should call or write for application forms and descriptive materials to the school or program of intended graduate study. In many cases, application materials are available online; prospective students are encouraged to check the Web site of their programs of interest. See Schools, Departments, and Programs sections of this bulletin for contact information.

Students should then return to the department or school the completed application forms and a check (not cash) for the application fee payable to the University of Pittsburgh. Generally, students applying online have the option of paying application fees online via credit card or by sending a check. The application fee is required of all applicants and is non-refundable; it does not apply toward the payment of tuition. The fee varies from school to school, so prospective students should refer to the information on the relevant school in the Schools, Departments, and Programs section of this bulletin for the specific application fee required or go to that school's or department's Web site.

Applicants must also request that the registrars of all undergraduate and any graduate schools attended send official transcripts of their records to the department or school of intended graduate study. In addition, many schools and departments require additional material. These materials may include any or all of the following: scores achieved on standardized examinations such as the Graduate Record Examination or the Graduate Management Admission Test, letters of recommendation, term papers written during previous study, evidence of work/life experience, evidence of motivation for graduate study, and a statement of career objectives. Applicants should arrange for a personal interview if requested by the department or school.

Application Deadlines

See the Schools, Departments, and Programs sections of this bulletin for specific application deadlines, but note that students applying for fellowships and assistantships should file their applications at the earliest possible date. Applicants interested only in admission may be considered up to the deadline dates, but postponing applications may entail the risk that available spaces will be filled. Some programs admit students only for a particular term, so prospective students are encouraged to check with the school and program for specific admissions information.

Graduate Admissions of International Students

Students from other countries should start the application process for admission nine to 12 months in advance of the date of intended enrollment and complete the process no less than three months before the registration date for the student's first term. Some schools may require even earlier applications. Applicants wanting to be considered for financial assistance must submit completed applications much earlier. Requests for application forms should be directed to the school in which the student wishes to enroll. All applicants should also take note of specific school and program requirements, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE scores). Specific requirements are listed in the Schools, Departments, and Programs section of this bulletin.

International Student Application Deadlines and Application Fee

International students should contact the individual department or program to which they are applying to determine the required application deadlines for submitting a completed application, financial aid form, and application fee. Many programs have their application materials online via their Web sites. In general, international students should submit applications no less than three months before the term in which they want to begin taking classes. The deadlines and fees vary according to the school and program to which the student is applying. The fee must be submitted in the form of a check or money order made payable to the University of Pittsburgh. See the individual school's international application information in the Schools, Departments, and Programs section of this bulletin for details or go to the school's or department's Web site.

International Student Academic Background and Credentials

The minimum requirement for admission to a graduate program is the completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States or the completion of a level of education that the University of Pittsburgh deems comparable to a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.

Applicants are required to submit official original academic credentials. Official original academic credentials that are issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. In addition, in cases where the grade reports, academic record, examination results, or transcript does not attest to the awarding of a degree or other academic qualification, a certified copy of the original certificate or diploma awarding the degree or qualification must be submitted. Certificates or diplomas that are issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Graduate students must possess sufficient proficiency in English to enable them to understand lectures, participate successfully in class discussion, and, in general, to be able to study without being hindered by language problems. To facilitate determination of proficiency, official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are required if the applicant's native language is not English; this applies even if English has been the medium of instruction. A minimum score of 550 or higher on the TOEFL is required for admission to graduate study (or a TOEFL score of 213 on the computer-based test).

All students with a TOEFL score less than 650 (or 280 on the computer-based test) may be required by the department, program, or school to take the Michigan Test of English Proficiency upon arrival. Based on the test results, students may be required by their academic department to take courses in English as a foreign language before registering for graduate courses or may be required to take one or two such English courses in addition to graduate courses.

Any student scoring over 650 on the paper-based test (over 280 on the computer-based test) is exempted from further testing. The requirement to submit the results of the TOEFL may be waived if the applicant has recently received a satisfactory score on other tests of English language proficiency or has recently earned a degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States.

The Educational Testing Service administers the TOEFL test at testing centers throughout the world. Students may take the test either in a traditional paper format or on a computer. Further information, testing dates, and test applications are available directly from the Test of English as a Foreign Language, Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey, 08541, USA or by contacting a U.S. Consulate, an office of the U.S. Information Agency, an office of the U.S. Educational Commission, or a binational center. Information about the TOEFL is also available on the World Wide Web at http://www.toefl.org/ . Applicants seeking September enrollment must take the TOEFL no later than the preceding March.

International students who are non-native speakers of English can contact the English Language Institute (ELI) on the University of Pittsburgh campus for assistance in meeting English proficiency requirements and taking the TOEFL. See the Campus Facilities & Student Services section of this bulletin, page 9, for more information on the ELI.

English Language Fluency for Teaching Assistants/Fellows

Teaching assistants (TAs) and teaching fellows (TFs) who are non-native speakers of English must be evaluated through a test designed to assess spoken English and English comprehension, approved by the Office of the Provost and administered by the English Language Institute (ELI). The Office of the Provost in consultation with ELI will establish minimum scores acceptable to permit a TA/TF to teach. Individual academic centers or departments may require higher scores than the established University minimums. All TAs/TFs with unsatisfactory scores on this test will be given non-teaching assignments and are required to take special course work until they attain a passing score. An unsatisfactory score at the time of reappointment is sufficient cause for nonrenewal of the student's TA/TF appointment. See relevant school section in Schools, Departments, and Programs for more details.

Financial Support and Visa Documents

While admission decisions are not based on financial support information, all applicants who are not U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents must submit a Financial Support Statement with their applications, even if applying for financial aid from the department. An award may not cover the entire cost of studies.

The Office of International Services cannot issue the document needed to apply for a student visa to enter the United States or to transfer non-immigrant status to the University of Pittsburgh until evidence of financial support adequate to cover the entire program of study has been submitted. Therefore, submission of a Financial Support Statement with an application will facilitate the issuance of a visa document.

Additional International Student Requirements

The University of Pittsburgh reserves the right, even after arrival and enrollment, to make individual curricular adjustments whenever particular deficiencies or needs of a student are identified. In such instances, students may be required to take, at their own expense and without receiving credit, courses in English as a foreign language (see English Language Proficiency Requirements above) or courses prerequisite to their course of study to make up deficiencies.

It is strongly recommended that students arrive in Pittsburgh at least two weeks before the start of the term to allow sufficient time to make housing arrangements and take part in the orientation program conducted by the Office of International Services. In addition, the advising section of the Office of International Services, located in 708 William Pitt Union, offers assistance on a wide range of matters of concern to students from other countries. Call (412) 624-7120 or see http://www.pitt.edu/~osaweb/ois/oisinfo.html for more information.

Admissions Status

Admission may be granted or denied only by the dean of the school or his or her designee. However, non-immigrant students may be denied visa documents for non-academic reasons by the Office of International Services. Acceptable students are admitted to graduate study in a specific department or school with "full," "provisional," or "special" graduate status depending on their qualifications and objectives. The qualifications described below represent the minimum standards of the University. These may be made more stringent or specific at the option of the department or school.

Full Graduate Status

For admission to full graduate status, an applicant must be a graduate of an accredited U.S. college or university and must be considered qualified for advanced study by the department or school. This normally is demonstrated by a B average (a quality point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better in the total undergraduate program. (Note: the Faculty of Arts and Sciences requires a B average in the major field of study, and some of that school's departments require higher levels of achievement.) If students with less than a B average present alternative evidence (such as completion of an advanced degree or successful relevant work experience) of superior ability, they may be considered for full graduate status on the recommendation of the department of proposed graduate study. Only students with full graduate status may take the PhD preliminary evaluation, take the MA/MS or PhD comprehensive examination, be considered for the award of an advanced degree or certificate, or be graduated.

Provisional Graduate Status

Applicants who are graduates of a recognized college or university but who do not qualify for admission to full graduate status because of deficiencies in either their undergraduate program or their scholastic achievement may be considered for provisional graduate status if strong supporting evidence of their ability to complete a graduate program is provided. Courses taken to remove deficiencies do not contribute toward completion of graduate degree requirements. Transfer from provisional to full graduate status is initiated and recommended by the department and is possible only after removal of deficiencies and other conditions noted at the time of admission and satisfactory progress in graduate work.

A student on provisional or special status or on probation is not eligible to take the PhD preliminary evaluation, to take the MA/MS or PhD comprehensive examination, or to be graduated.

Special Status

Students may be granted temporary admission as "special status" under the following circumstances:

1. Students who are seeking advanced degrees but who are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required credentials for admission may be granted temporary admission provided they present acceptable evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study. Regular admission must be accomplished within the first term of registration.

2. Students who are not seeking an advanced degree but who have specific qualifications for one or more courses, including courses required for learning or certification, may register for such courses subject to review by the department and the dean of the school. Schools providing such an opportunity may specify the number of credits or courses for which a student may enroll while in this status and should also clearly specify the limitations on transfer of such credits toward a graduate degree if the student is subsequently admitted to a graduate degree program.

See Schools, Departments, and Programs section for specific requirements connected to special status students.

Guarantees and Early Admission to Graduate and First-Professional Programs

Undergraduate students receiving an academic merit scholarship who indicate certain professional programs (including communication science, dental medicine, education, law, medicine, physical therapy, and public and international affairs) as their intended field of study on the Freshman Application to the University of Pittsburgh will be
automatically reviewed for guaranteed admission into that professional program. Early application is recommended, as spaces are limited.

Exceptionally able undergraduate University of Pittsburgh students may be admitted to full graduate status if their graduate and undergraduate schools have approved early admission as a permitted option and have established standards and procedures, and if the student needs no more than 24 credits to complete the baccalaureate degree. Credits earned while enrolled in the graduate program may also be counted toward fulfilling undergraduate degree requirements. See Schools, Departments, and Programs section for further information on the possibility of early admission to specific programs.

Tuition Deposit

Once a student is admitted to a program, some of the graduate and professional schools at the University of Pittsburgh require a tuition deposit of $100 to $500 to secure the student's place in the incoming class. Students should refer to Financial Issues: Tuition, Fees, Loans, & Scholarships, page 6, or to the admissions information for their specific school to determine the amount required for the tuition deposit.

Deferred Admission

If a department or school so approves, a student may defer admission for one year without having to complete any additional applications. If approved, the student is sent a new admission letter. Approval of a student's request to defer admission does not necessarily mean that any financial aid awarded is also deferred. See Aid Deferrals, page 8, for more information on deferring financial aid.

Readmission

A student who has not registered for at least one credit or full-time dissertation study during a 12-month period will be transferred automatically to inactive status and must file an application for readmission to graduate study (and pay the application fee) before being permitted to register again. Inactive students cannot apply to graduate, nor take preliminary or comprehensive exams. Readmission is not automatic nor does it necessarily reinstate the student to the academic status enjoyed prior to becoming inactive. When readmitted, the student must be prepared to demonstrate proper preparation to meet all current admission and degree requirements. Readmission is automatic, however, for students who receive prior approval for a formal leave of absence.

Changing the Field of Graduate Study

A student already admitted to graduate study and desiring to change a major department of graduate study must file an application for such a change in the office of the dean or the department of the school the student wishes to enter. The application for admission to the new department will be evaluated in the same manner as an application from a new student.