General Application Information
The University of Pittsburgh requires online applications for graduate programs. We recommend that you explore the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences Graduate Studies, Graduate section of our site, and the online Graduate Handbook (PDF) when preparing your materials. Online applications will be available mid-October.
Admission applications for the Fall 2025 PhD program will be accepted starting September 2024.
Admission applications for the Fall 2026 MFA will be accepted starting September 2025.
Before applying, please review the list of required materials for the PhD program and MFA program.
Please note: The department is not able to review applications and give feedback in advance of submission and applicants do not need to confirm an advisor before applying. Due to the number of applications received, we are not able to give individual feedback after admission decisions are finalized.
Financial Aid
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. All requests received will be reviewed and responded to within 48 hours during normal business hours: Monday - Friday 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. EST. To be considered for a fee waiver, please complete the following fee waiver survey for review. The Application Fee Waiver Request Form will be unavailable starting the morning of Friday, December 20, during the winter recess. The form will reopen on Wednesday, January 1, and responses will be processed in the order they are received starting Thursday, January 2.
For application information and deadlines, please contact the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.
The department offers a number of assistantships and fellowships involving teaching, administrative and technical work, assistance to faculty members, and combined duties. The requirements established by the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid must be met in order for students to be eligible for department teaching assistantships (TAs) and teaching fellowships (TFs). All students receiving TAs and TFs, receive a full aid package that includes tuition, health benefits, and a stipend. Doctoral students also are eligible for university fellowships, including the Provost’s Humanities Fellowship and K. Leroy Irvis Fellowship. See the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences Graduate Studies for more details.
Note that the university assistantships and fellowships normally provide support for the eight months of the academic year only.
Current stipend rates for Graduate Student Assistants (GSA), Teaching Assistants (TA), and Teaching Fellows (TF)
Contact
For information on the application process, please contact
LJ Woolcock
Graduate Student Administrator
liw151@pitt.edu
For questions or information regarding the Theatre Arts Graduate Programs, please contact:
MIchelle Granshaw
Director of Graduate Studies
mkg31@pitt.edu