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Doctoral Admissions

Graduate Admissions FAQ

For a list of frequently asked questions and answers, visit our Graduate Admissions FAQ page.

Deadlines

Application deadlines can be found on our graduate FAQ page.

Program Specific Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science

Students may be admitted to the PhD program even if they do not have an MS degree. Moreover, students admitted to the MS program are eligible to complete the requirements for the PhD degree, and if they wish to transfer to the PhD program, they must apply to the admissions committee, which will make its decision based on the student’s performance in the MS program and on faculty recommendations.

The department is open to applications from exceptional students transitioning to graduate study in Computer Science from other undergraduate fields. Transitional students with demonstrated computing aptitude, as evidenced by outstanding grades in at least 4 of the required computer science courses noted below, may be considered for admission to the graduate program. Completed minimally a selection of courses in the following topical areas (the corresponding Pitt course numbers are indicated):

In Computer Science, one course in each of:

In Mathematics, the following:

For International Applicants: Graduate students must possess sufficient knowledge of English to participate successfully in graduate study. International applicants must submit either the TOEFL, Duolingo, or the IELTS (taken within two years of the date of application) with appropriate scores. Please see this page for details.

If you are currently working on or have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the U.S. and your native language is not English, the TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo test requirement may be waived by program. Please see this page for details.

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science

IS PhD applicants must either have or demonstrate the following prerequisite knowledge. These courses or their equivalents should be taken before seeking admission but may be taken during the first four terms of study. All courses must be at the graduate level and may have been taken in the course of pursuing another graduate degree:

Applicants must have a Master’s degree from an accredited university, a recognized international program, or the equivalent is required and have attained a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 (on a scale with an “A” having a value of 4 points per credit). Exceptional students with a technical Bachelor’s degree may also be admitted. Such students must still satisfy all other requirements that follow. An international student’s GPA will be calculated on the basis of equivalency from universities that use a different scale.

Your application should include:

  • Letters of Recommendation: identify and seek the recommendations of three individuals (e.g., professors, employers, information professionals) who are in a position to evaluate your academic performance or your potential as an information professional. Two must be from professors, preferably with PhDs.
  • Transcripts: Only scanned copies of official transcripts will be accepted and processed at the application stage.
  • Other Required Documentation: Please include the following with your online application:
    • CV; and
    • Statement of Intent (not to exceed 1,000 words) indicating, as specifically as possible, you’re your academic and professional goals related to the Information Science doctoral program and identifying potential areas and/or topics in which the student expects to pursue dissertation research.

  • For International Applicants: Graduate students must possess sufficient knowledge of English to participate successfully in graduate study. International applicants must submit either the TOEFL, Duolingo, or the IELTS (taken within two years of the date of application) with appropriate scores. Please see this page for details.

If you are currently working on or have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the U.S. and your native language is not English, the TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo test requirement may be waived by program. Please see this page for details.

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science with a concentration in Telecommunications

All applicants to the School of Computing and Information must adhere to the admissions requirements outlined in the School’s policies. In addition, the following are requirements for admission to graduate study in Telecommunications for pursuing a PhD degree:

  1. A Master’s degree from an accredited university, a recognized international program, or the equivalent. Exceptional students with a technical Bachelor’s degree may also be admitted. Such students must still satisfy all other requirements that follow.
  2. Attainment in graduate work of a minimum grade point average of 3.3 (on a scale with A having a value of 4 points per credit). An international student’s grade point average will be calculated on the basis of equivalency from universities that use a different scale.
  3. As evidence of the ability to undertake doctoral work, an essay (not exceeding 1000 words) indicating, as specifically as possible, the student’s academic and professional goals in relation to the Telecommunications doctoral program and identifying potential areas and/or topics in which the student expects to pursue dissertation research.
  4. At least three references from persons in the professional and academic communities. The faculty may, on occasion, require additional references.
  5. Evidence of academic completion of:
  • Two different scientific computer programming languages, 
  • Introductory class in probability and statistics 
  • Differential and integral calculus 

In addition, a candidate may elect to include the following optional material: 

  1. A complete curriculum vitae that provides an overview of education, work, publication, and other professional activities.
  2. An example of published writing.
  3. A description of any published or unpublished research, contributions to the professional or scholarly literature, and other professional or academic experience relevant to an assessment of his or her capacity to pursue doctoral study successfully.

Students whose complete credentials are not available for full admission may register as special students until the completed credentials are received, provided all other requirements have been satisfied. Students with deficiencies in either coursework or scholastic achievement may be admitted provisionally. Prerequisite courses should be completed within the first two terms.

For International Applicants: Graduate students must possess sufficient knowledge of English to participate successfully in graduate study. International applicants must submit either the TOEFL, Duolingo, or the IELTS (taken within two years of the date of application) with appropriate scores. Please see this page for details.

If you are currently working on or have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the U.S. and your native language is not English, the TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo test requirement may be waived by program. Please see this page for details.

Doctor of Philosophy in Intelligent Systems

The application consists of the standard SCI admission forms along with the following materials:

  • A concise statement of purpose, providing information on the following points:
    • Objective in pursuing a PhD in intelligent systems.
    • Theoretical background in relevant areas.
    • Background in relevant tools and applications, particularly programming languages, including your level of proficiency.
    • Relevant practical experience, including industrial or commercial experience.
  • Recommendations provided by three persons familiar with your accomplishments. At least one should be familiar with the field of intelligent systems.
  • Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate study.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) will no longer be required for admission to the PhD degrees studies in the Intelligent Systems Program (ISP) starting Fall 2022. Applicants may still submit GRE scores, and they will be used in the review process if they are submitted.
  • For applicants who are not native speakers of English, TOEFL scores are required. All students need to submit a TOEFL – or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Duolingo English Test are also accepted. For a listing of TOEFL and IELTS minimum scores, visit our Graduate Admissions FAQ.

For International Applicants: Graduate students must possess sufficient knowledge of English to participate successfully in graduate study. International applicants must submit either the TOEFL, Duolingo, or the IELTS (taken within two years of the date of application) with appropriate scores. Please see this page for details.

If you are currently working on or have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the U.S. and your native language is not English, the TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo test requirement may be waived by program. Please see this page for details.

Applicants interested in Biomedical Informatics

Applicants to the Biomedical Informatics track of the Intelligent Systems Program must specifically indicate their interest in this track on their application to the Intelligent Systems Program. Applicants interested in Biomedical Informatics might also consider the School of Medicine’s Biomedical Informatics Training Program.

Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science

The following are requirements for admission to the PhD in LIS Program:

  • Official transcripts from bachelor’s and/or master’s study.
  • Attainment in previous degrees of a preferred minimum of 3.00 average GPA (on a scale with A having a value of 4 points per credit). An international student’s quality point average will be calculated on the basis of equivalency from universities that use a different scale.
  • Participation in an interview (in person, by telephone or via video conference), after an initial screening of their application materials.
  • Submission of an application fee.

The Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship welcomes applicants with bachelor’s degree and/or advanced degrees from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. Applications from prospective students are reviewed by the ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies.

Students who are applying for financial aid should be aware that they must be admitted and meet financial aid deadlines to ensure consideration for funding.

Supporting Documents for Admission

As evidence of the ability to undertake doctoral work, the student’s application must be accompanied by:

  • Statement of Interest: Your statement of interest should be an essay of approximately 2000 words.  It should include:
    • Your academic and professional goals in relation to the Library and Information Science doctoral program.  What’s motivating your decision to pursue a graduate degree?
    • Potential areas and/or topics in which you expect to pursue dissertation research.  Which research interests you and why?
    • Describe prior research experieces, coursework, and/or projects that have prepared you for doctoral research.  Please explain the status of any published or unpublished research, thesis, code, visualizations, or other projects or contributions to the professional or scholarly literature, and other professional, community, or academic experience relevant to an assessment of your capacity to pursue research successfully.
    • Identify one or more ICDS faculty members with whom you want to work and why you have identified these faculty as potential advisors.
    • Optional: Feel free to describe the full range of experiences, whether educational, professional, social, cultural, or familial—whether oppertunities or challenges—that have contributed substantially to your decision to pursue a graduate degree.
  • Current curriculum vitae: A curriculum vitae that provides an overview of education, publications, work, and other activities.
  • Example of scholarly or professional project: One sample of scholarly researchm professional or academic writing,or a project.  Examples are a published article, grant proposal, undergraduate or masters thesis, conference presentation, community engagement work, code, visualizations, or professional, community, or academic project.  Please include a statement of context or description, including details on your contribution if the work is collaborative in nature.
  • Letters of reference: At least three references from persons in the academic and professional communities.  The ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies may, on occasion, require additional references.

For International Applicants: Graduate students must possess sufficient knowledge of English to participate successfully in graduate study. International applicants must submit either the TOEFL, Duolingo, or the IELTS (taken within two years of the date of application) with appropriate scores. Please see this page for details.

If you are currently working on or have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the U.S. and your native language is not English, the TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo test requirement may be waived by program. Please see this page for details.

Credentials of prospective students are reviewed by the ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies.

Students who are applying for financial aid deadlines to ensure consideration for funding.

Beyond the criteria and materials previously outlined for application submission, this program does not require specific coursework for admissions consideration.