• PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS
• QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADMISSION
• ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
• DEADLINES
• GETTING MORE INFORMATION OR AN APPLICATION

The Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science program prepares students for advanced work in research and teaching. It provides research-oriented graduate study and professional specialization in the science of information. The candidate must give evidence of superior scholarship and mastery of a specialized field of knowledge and must demonstrate his/her ability to do significant and relevant research. Prospective applicants to the PhD program in information science should review the PhD Guidebook, which explains the program guidelines and admission process, in detail. In preparing an application, careful thought should be given to the Statement of Goals and how it relates to the research interests of the faculty. Prospective candidates would benefit from meeting with potential faculty advisors before applying to the program, if possible.

The school also offers a separate Ph.D. track in Telecommunications

Graduate students must possess sufficient knowledge of English to study without being hindered by language problems, to understand lectures, and to participate successfully in class discussion. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be taken if the applicant's native language is not English. A minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 80 (Internet-based) on the TOEFL is required for admission to graduate study in DIST. The requirement to take the TOEFL may be waived if the applicant has received a degree from an accredited institution in the United States. Upon arrival, students with TOEFL scores less than 650 (paper) or 280 (computer) will be given the on-campus administered Michigan Test of English Proficiency, which is given by the Office of International Services. If remedial courses in English as a foreign language are recommended as an outcome of the Michigan Test of English Proficiency, the student must complete the remedial course during the first two terms of study.

All application materials for PhD applicants should be received at the school by January 15 for admission the following Fall Term. A separate application financial aid should be submitted at this time, if desired. Applications submitted at an earlier date will be considered in exceptional circumstances upon a strong recommendation from a potential faculty advisor.

Online Application Is Available. We offer a Web-based application in hopes that it will make our application process as easy and convenient as possible for you. You can get started right now.

Other application materials:

• Form for letter of recommendation: PDF format
• Financial Aid Application Form: PDF format
• International Graduate Student Information and International Graduate Student Supplemental Form (PDF format)

Other documents:

• Information about financial aid (html)

If you are unable to download and print the application material, you may request the same material via mail, email or fax from the address below. You should expect a six week delay (ten weeks for international requests) in receiving the material. The application material that you receive via mail is identical to what is available on-line and there is no need to contact the graduate office for an application, if you are able to download the material directly.

Please do contact the office below if you are having trouble downloading the material and we will advise you on the proper method to download the application material to your computer and printer, or if necessary, send the application form via postal mail.

Shabana Reza
Recruitment, Admissions, and Financial Aid
School of Information Sciences
University of Pittsburgh
505 IS Building
135 North Bellefield Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Phone: (412) 624-3988
Fax: (412) 624-5231
Internet: isinq@mail.sis.pitt.edu