| Application Process for MST and Ph.D. in Telecommunications
I. Qualifications for Admission
Applicants for graduate study must have earned a baccalaureate
degree from an accredited college or university with a scholastic
average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better. The Telecommunications
and Networking Program seeks students with diverse interests
and abilities. The admission requirements reflect the interdisciplinary
nature of our program and roughly correspond to an undergraduate
degree in a technical discipline (e.g., math, physics, computer
science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, information
science, etc.) with appropriate grade point average and GRE
scores. Prerequisites for admission to the MST program include:
- Computer programming skill in at least one scientific programming
language
- Probability (a 3-credit course)
- Calculus (a 3-credit course)
Students who lack any of the prerequisite courses may be provisionally
admitted pending completion of the prerequisites during the
first term of study.
Prospective applicants for admission to the PhD program in
Information Science with Telecommunications and Networking
concentration must have earned a Master's degree from an accredited
university in Telecommunications or a closely related field
(e.g. IS, CS, EE, etc.) with a minimum quality point average
(QPA) of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. Demonstration of potential research
ability through a Master’s thesis or publications is
recommended as admission is competitive. The Graduate Record
Exam (GRE) is required for admission. The institution number
for the University of Pittsburgh is 2927 and
the department code is 0404.
II. English Language Proficiency
Graduate students must possess sufficient knowledge of English to study without
being hindered by language problems, to understand lectures, and to participate
successfully in class discussion. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
must be taken if the applicant's native language is not English. The institution
code for the University of Pittsburgh is 2927 and the department code is 90.
A minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 80 (Internet-based)
on the TOEFL is required for admission to graduate study in DIST. The requirement
to take the TOEFL may be waived if the applicant has received a degree from
an accredited institution in the United States. Upon arrival, students with
TOEFL scores less than 650 (paper) or 280 (computer) will be given the on-campus
administered Michigan Test of English Proficiency, which is given by the Office
of International Services . If remedial courses in English as a foreign
language are recommended as an outcome of the Michigan Test of English Proficiency,
the student must complete the remedial course during the first two terms of
study.
III. Deadlines
All application materials for PhD applicants should be received at the school
by January 15 for Fall Term and Summer Term and September
15 for Spring Term. A separate application financial aid should be
submitted at this time, if desired. Each term the faculty awards financial aid
to outstanding full-time students in the form of graduate student assistantship
or graduate research assistantships. These awards are competitive and granted
on the basis of academic achievement and financial need. Follow these deadlines
for financial aid applications:
| Fall Term: |
January 15 |
| Spring Term: |
September 15 |
| Summer Term: |
January 15 |
IV. Financial Aid
The Telecommunications and Networking Program has a limited amount of financial
aid available, on a competitive basis, for students entering or continuing
in its programs and who meet its academic requirements for admission.
To be considered for any of the types of aid listed below, submission of
a Application
for Financial Aid is required. Applications for financial aid will be considered
by the Financial Aid Committee AFTER the student has been accepted/admitted
into the Telecommunications and Networking program.
When Financial aid is awarded, it is within one of the following categories:
- Graduate Student
Assistant (GSA) HALF AND FULL
GSAs receive remission of either half or full tuition, health insurance benefits,
and a stipend for either a 10 or 20 hour per week work assignment in the
Telecommunications and Networking Program, the Information Sciences Program,
or the SIS labs.
- Graduate Student
Researcher (GSR) HALF AND FULL
GSRs receive remission of either half or full tuition, health insurance benefits,
and a stipend for working either 10 or 20 hours per week with a faculty member
on a funded research project.
- Teaching Fellowship (TF)
Teaching Fellows receive remission of full tuition, health insurance benefits,
and a stipend for teaching a course.
- Tuition Scholarships (Full or Partial). Tuition scholars receive
full or partial tuition waivers.
- Scholarship
for Service: (US citizens only). SFS scholars receive full tuition
and books, health insurance benefits, a stipend, conference travel support,
and a paid summer internship. SFS scholars are restricted to studying the
Information Assurance (security) track in Telecommunications and must work
for a federal agency for at least two years upon graduation.
For stipend
information and policies, click on the links above.
V. More Information on Application Forms
- form for letter of recommendation: pdf
- supplemental application form for international student: pdf
- financial aid application form: pdf
If you have trouble downloading any application material, you may request the
material via mail, email or fax from the contact address listed below. However,
please be advised to expect a six week to ten week delay in receiving material.
Pre-admissions Advisor, Graduate Programs
University of Pittsburgh
Telecommunications Program
732 IS Building
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: 412.624.9402
Fax: 412.624.2788
Email: teleinq@mail.sis.pitt.edu
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