Admission Requirements
To qualify for admission to full graduate status, an applicant must have a bachelor's degree in mathematics or a closely related field, a minimum overall QPA of 3.0 (relative to a possible maximum of 4.0) in all undergraduate subjects, and a minimum QPA of 3.25 in the mathematics curriculum. It is desirable that the applicant's undergraduate background include courses in calculus, linear and abstract algebra, differential equations, and real and complex analysis. GRE scores are not required for application to, and acceptance to, our program. Scores may be submitted, and high scores on these exams will contribute to an application's chance of admission.
How to Apply
Before applying, please read the descriptions of the graduate programs. Please also refer to the admission requirements.
All applicants to the program must apply online. We are not permitted to accept hardcopy applications.
The deadline for consideration for admission and financial aid for graduate applications is January 15 for the following fall semester.
If you are having issues with any part of your on-line application for the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences please reach out to the GradCas Applicant Help center: https://help.liaisonedu.com/GradCAS_Applicant_Help_Center If you cannot find the answer to your question you can also contact them by phone 857-304-2086 or via email: gradcasinfo@liaisoncas.com. For the quickest response it is best to contact them via chat on the Applicant Help center page.
- $75 check or payment voucher if you chose to pay your application fee by credit card
- We are aware that many opportunities to take the GRE exam have been canceled. The GRE test is not required and applications without GRE will receive full consideration. However, if possible, applicants should provide their scores on the GRE General Test and, if also possible, on the GRE Subject Test in mathematics.
- Students will be required to upload copies of their undergraduate transcripts and when applicable graduate transcripts. Certified transcripts and translations of all undergraduate and graduate study will be required at the time of matriculation (upon arrival prior to registration). Admissions will be contingent upon submission of official transcripts certifying the receipt of the baccalaureate degree.
- Three letters of recommendation from evaluators who can address your potential for success in a graduate program in the mathematical sciences.
- A statement of purpose (intellectual and professional goals and a short essay on why you want to study in this department).
International Applicants
- Submission of the TOEFL or IELTS is a University requirement for all applicants whose native language is not English (even if English has been the medium of instruction in your courses). The required minimum TOEFL score of 90 (with at least a score of 22 in all of the four sections of speaking, listening, reading and writing) will be required for applicants. The required minimum IELTS score of 7.0 (with at least 6.5 in each of its four sections) will be required for applicants. TOEFL scores submitted must not be more than two years old (only applicants who have recently received a degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States are exempt from submission of the TOEFL). An official copy of the test score must be sent directly from ETS or IELTS The institution code number for the University of Pittsburgh is 2927. Personal copies of test scores are not acceptable.
- The Dietrich School will accept the Duolingo English Test as an alternative to TOEFL and IELTS for the 2023/24 application season. The minimum Duolingo score acceptable for admission to DSAS graduate programs is 120. Applicants must share their Duolingo test results either by uploading them as a PDF under ‘Additional Information’ in their online application (preferable) or by sending the test results in PDF format to the Graduate Administrator for the admitting program. For more information, please visit Duolingo’s website.
- Students who need a visa to study in the United States: review the Office of International Services’ website for more information about requesting and receiving an immigration document for your student visa application.
If you are having ETS send documents directly, you will need the correct codes. The code for the University of Pittsburgh is 2927. The code for GRE scores for the Department of Mathematics is 0703 and the code for the TOEFL score is 72.
Financial Aid
Teaching assistants and teaching fellows (PhD students only) normally conduct six hours of undergraduate recitation and laboratory sections per week, hold office hours, and do some grading. In return, they receive tuition remission (\$26,350 for in-state, \$45,556 for out-of-state), a living stipend, and healthcare benefits. The current (2024-2025) two-term total stipend of a teaching assistantship is $23,464; teaching fellowship, $24,392.
Research assistantships are given by faculty members who hold research grants that include money for graduate student assistants. Therefore, duties and stipends vary. However, students receive the same tuition remission and healthcare benefits as teaching assistants. A research assistantship currently has a stipend ranging from \$20,600-\$27,466 for a two-term total.
Mellon fellowships (PhD students only) are University fellowships that offer tuition remission and living stipends, similar to teaching assistants. Mellon fellows have no duties other than those imposed by their academic programs of study. Exceptionally strong second- and third-year students are encouraged to apply for these fellowships. The current two-term total stipend of a Mellon fellowship (2024-2025) is $24,392.
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: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cD38CmmjcOT3Tvw.
Application Fee Waiver Request Form will be temporarily unavailable during the winter recess. The form will be shut down starting the morning of Friday, December 20 and it will re-open on Wednesday, January 1. Any requests submitted prior to December 20 will be processed by the end of the business day leading into the break.