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How to Apply

Domestic Applicants (US citizens and current US residents)

  • Complete the online application form: https://gradcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/
    • The online application form will be open in mid-September.
    • Please be sure to indicate that you are applying for the Fall 2027 term.
    • The application fee for both domestic and international graduate applications is $75 per application.
  • Required Writing Sample:  5-10 pages of your own writing; not a group effort. If you wish to be considered for merit fellowships and have research-oriented writing samples, we strongly suggest submitting one of those as your sample.
  • Unofficial transcripts for all college-level institutions attended (undergraduate and graduate study). A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for admission.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • CV/Resume.
  • Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted by January 15th.  

International Applicants

  • All of the above plus:

  • International graduate applicants must possess proficiency in English at a level that enables them to succeed in graduate-level studies. Applicants in the following categories meet this requirement: citizens of a country whose official language is English; graduates of regionally accredited institutions in the U.S.; graduates of institutions whose language of instruction is English and located in countries whose official language is English.

    The University of Pittsburgh uses the official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and the Duolingo English Test as a measure of English language proficiency. 

    Minimum requirements for all Dietrich School graduate programs (several graduate degree programs have higher requirements, please check the specific requirements of your prospective program):

    -TOEFL: Effective January 21, 2026, the TOEFL score scale will change from 0-120 to a new scale ranging from 1 to 6 in increments of 0.5.  This shift is intended to better align TOEFL scores with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), a globally-recognized scale for assessing language proficiency.

    The DSAS current TOEFL score 90 will shift to a minimum overall score of 4.5 with 4.5 in the speaking, reading, writing sub-section and a 5.0 in the listening sub-section.  TOEFL provides a comparison between the new and old scoring systems, including recommendations for common score requirements. 

    TOEFL scores submitted must not be more than two years old.

    -IELTS: score of 7.0, with at least 6.5 in each of its four sections. IELTS scores submitted must not be more than two years old.

    -Duolingo English Test: Minimum score: 120. Duolingo scores submitted must not be more than two years old. The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on-demand, in under an hour. Effective April 2, 2023, the cost of a single test will be $59 . The test is taken via a computer with a camera and includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample which are shared with the University of Pittsburgh when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session.

  • Application fee - $75
  • Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted by January 15th.
  • Upon admission, you must take an English Proficiency test. You will be sent the instructions from the Graduate Administrator a month before the term starts to enroll in the test.  You will not be able to register for courses until you complete this testing.  It is highly advised that you take any English courses that are recommended after taking the English Proficiency test, but not required.

Specific questions about the application procedure should be directed to the departmental Graduate Administrator at gpsgrad@pitt.edu.

Any questions or concerns regarding obtaining a U.S. student visa should be directed to Pitt's Office of International Services. Please also see Pitt OIS' page on International Travel.

Helpful Guide

Fee Waivers

In an effort to reduce financial barriers to attending graduate school, the Kenneth P. Dietrich Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers application fee waivers. Please note that fee waivers are approved on a case-by-case basis and not all fee waiver requests will be granted. 

Most requests received will be reviewed and responded to within 3-5 days during normal business hours: Monday - Friday 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. EST.  During high-volume periods, fee waiver reviews may take up to 7 business days. We encourage you to apply for a fee waiver as early as possible to ensure it is reviewed before your department’s application deadline. To be considered for a fee waiver, Please complete the following fee waiver survey for review: https://www.asgraduate.pitt.edu/admissions/application-fee-waivers.