PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies Admissions and Application Information

Admission applications for the fall 2025 PhD program will be accepted starting September 2024. Applications are due January 15, 2025.

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Director of Graduate Studies, Michelle Granshaw.

Entrance Qualifications

The Doctor of Philosophy program typically admits applicants who will complete MA and MFA degrees prior to registration at Pitt. The Department also will consider for admission BA applicants that demonstrate strong potential and capacity for doctoral level work. If admitted, BA students may choose to receive an MA en route to the PhD.

International students - The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences requires a TOEFL score of 90 (with at least a score of 22 in all of the four sections of speaking, listening, reading and writing); or a minimum IELTS of 7.0 (with at least 6.5 in each of its four sections).

Selection Criteria

Applicants to the PhD program in Theatre and Performance Studies should demonstrate a desire for rigorous research at the PhD level; potential for teaching excellence; interest in the exploration of artistic practice; and capacity for creative and critical risk-taking (in terms of research, artistic practice, and teaching).

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.

For more information on what the department is looking for in an application, please see the PhD Admission Rubric.

The following must be submitted to the online application.

PhD Application Material Requirements ​- GRE no longer required

  1. University of Pittsburgh’s on-line application (there is a $75.00 application fee). 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
  2. A personal statement indicating your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh and your academic and professional goals.
  3. Official or Unofficial College Transcripts are uploaded with application. After a student is recommended for admission, official copies of all college transcripts will then need to be sent directly from the institution(s) to the Dean’s office before a student can be matriculated.
  4. CV
  5. Diversity-write up -We are a program that values departmental citizenship. This plays out in multiple spaces: seminars, teaching, and production work, among others. Please discuss how you have engaged diversity with respect to race, gender, sexuality, disability, and/or class, or might negotiate it in one of these spaces.
  6. Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
  7. Two (2) samples of academic writing. 
  8. Non-US citizens: TOEFL or IELTS scores - this is mandatory and cannot be waived.  Review Guidelines and Expectations for the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo.

Contact

For information on the application process, please contact
 
LJ Woolcock-Srolovic
Graduate Student Administrator
 

For questions or information regarding the Theatre Arts Graduate Programs, please contact:

Michelle Granshaw
Director of Graduate Studies
mkg31@pitt.edu