Admission

Admission Requirements

Qualifications of Applicants

• For MS and PhD degrees: Applicants must have a bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences or a related area.
• For MPH Concentration in Bioscience of Infectious Diseases and DrPH degree: Applicants must have a bachelor's or higher degree in a related area.
• For MPH Concentration in Community and Behavioral Intervention of Infectious Diseases degree: Applicants must have a bachelor's or higher degree in a related area.
• For LGBT certificate applicants please visit the LGBT admission Web page.
• All applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements of the Graduate School of Public Health.

Enrollment

• All admissions are for the FALL term only.
• The Department offers PhD, DrPH, MS and MPH degrees.

Deadline and Review of Student Applications

• The application deadline for the fall of 2010 is January 4, 2010.
• Foreign applicants are strongly encouraged to submit application materials as far in advance of the deadline as possible to avoid delays in visa processing.
• Starting in mid-January, the Admissions Committee reviews all of the applications on a rolling admission basis until all positions are filled.
• Throughout the process we maintain a dialogue with applicants and encourage them to contact us with questions about the program, curriculum, financial aid, and living in Pittsburgh.
• Outstanding students are notified of their acceptance in mid-February.
• Late applications may be considered for highly qualified applicants. Please contac the IDM Academic Office for late application information.

Admission Qualifications

Standard admission requirements for all IDM programs

• A minimum overall undergraduate QPA of 3.0 on a 4.00 scale. Grades obtained in certain academic courses, such as those in the applicant's major field, are given greater weight than those in courses with less relevance for the applicant's program. If students with less than a B average present alternative evidence of superior ability, they may be considered for full graduate status.
• General GRE verbal and quantitative combined score of 1000 or above. An analytical writing score of 4 or better. GRE scores submitted should have been taken within three (3) years. The GRE code for GSPH is 4234. This is the only code necessary. GRE scores are to be submitted to GSPH only. GRE waivers are granted in certain circumstances, please review our policy to verify whether you are eligible.
• Strong letters of recommendation from persons directly familiar with the academic performance of the applicant.
• Minimum of three credits of post-secondary (college) level mathematics, algebra or higher, or statistics taken in a mathematics department with a final grade of C or better. This is a requirement of all GSPH applicants.
• Minimum of three credits of post-secondary (college) level biology, including a basic course in biology with a final grade of C or better. A course in animal or human physiology is preferred. This is a department requirement.
• The University of Pittsburgh requires all foreign students to take the TOEFL examination and have a minimum score of 550 on the written exam or a minimum score of 80 on the iBET Internet based test. More information on international requirements can be found on the Graduate School of Public Health's Web site and on the University of Pittsburgh's Office of International Services Web site. The TOEFL code for SOPHAS is 5688. This is the only code necessary. TOEFL scores are to be submitted to SOPHAS only.

Additional requirements for MS and PhD programs

• A minimum overall undergraduate QPA of at least 3.0 and a minimum 3.0 combined average in biology, chemistry, math, biochemistry and/or molecular biology and/or immunology.
• Relevant research experience in biochemistry, immunology and molecular biology.
• Applicants should be prepared in the following subjects: (1) college biology with or without microbiology; (2) chemistry, including organic chemistry with laboratory and biochemistry; (3) college level algebra.

Additional requirements for the MPH programs (Concentrations-Bioscience of Infectious Diseases and Community and Behavioral Intervention of Infectious Diseases)

• Minimum of six credits of post-secondary (college) level behavioral science to include at least one course in sociology, social psychology, and an additional course in anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, or sociology with a final grade of C or better. This is a requirement of all GSPH MPH applicants.

Early admission into the MS program
For current University of Pittsburgh undergraduate students only.
Please seek additional information on the Graduate School of Public Health's Web site or contact the office of student affairs at 412-624-3002 or via e-mail.

Financial Support

Click here for more detailed information on financial support.

Doctoral Students

Financial support consisting of a personal living stipend and tuition waiver will normally be awarded to all doctoral students. All doctoral students must maintain full-time status, meet the course and research requirements, and maintain a minimum QPA of 3.0 to remain in the program.

Master Students

Applicants for the master's program are not normally awarded financial support. Students have sought additional funding from faculty in GSPH working as work study or . Information on scholarships and aid at the School level is available on the Graduate School of Public Health Web site.

Contact Persons