The following are requirements for admission to graduate study in Telecommunications for pursuing a Ph.D. degree.

1. A master’s degree from an accredited university, a recognized international program, or the equivalent. Students must submit official transcripts as evidence.
2. Attainment in graduate work of a minimum quality point average of 3.3 (on a scale with A having a value of 4 points per credit). An international student’s quality point average will be calculated on the basis of equivalency
   from universities that use a different scale.
3. Submission of scores from a predictor test such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or equivalent examination. Scores on all three sections (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) of the GRE must be submitted.
4. At least three references from persons in the professional and academic communities.
   The TPC may, on occasion, require additional references.
5. Submission of an application fee of $50.
6. As evidence of the ability to undertake doctoral work, an essay (not exceeding 1,000 words) indicating, as specifically as possible, the student’s academic and professional goals in relation to the Telecommunications doctoral program and identifying potential areas and/or topics in which the student expects to pursue dissertation research.
7. Evidence of academic completion of:
   • Two different scientific computer programming languages
   • Introductory class in probability and statistics
   • Differential and integral calculus

In addition, a candidate may elect to include the following optional material:

1. A complete curriculum vitae that provides an overview of education, work, publication,
   and other professional activities.
2. An example of published writing.
3. A description of any published or unpublished research, contributions to the professional or scholarly literature, and other professional or academic experience relevant to an assessment of his or her capacity to pursue doctoral study successfully.

The completed application and supporting documents should be submitted to:

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

Applications from all individuals, regardless of citizenship, who have a degree from a non-U.S. institution must be reviewed by the University Office of International Services (OIS) prior to their review by the TPC.

International students must submit evidence of competence in the English language. The status of English in the country of origin may constitute such evidence. A minimum score of 600 on the TOEFL or a minimum score of 86 on the Michigan
Test is required for international students. In addition, University policy requires that all international students be retested on English language abilities upon arrival at the University of Pittsburgh.

Credentials of prospective students are reviewed by the TPC and voted upon by those members.

Students whose complete credentials are not available for full admission may register as special students until the completed credentials are received, provided all other requirements have been satisfied. Students with deficiencies in either coursework or scholastic achievement may be admitted provisionally. Prerequisite courses should be completed within the first two terms. Only students whose transcript shows full graduate status may be graduated.