Applicants for admission to the graduate program in History and Philosophy of Science should have a suitable undergraduate degree and some knowledge of the natural or social sciences. Candidates should provide evidence of aptitude in history and philosophy of science and an interest in the interdisciplinary study of science. Familiarity with a particular science is an advantage, as is previous research experience in HPS and areas related to it. The writing sample should demonstrate the author’s analytical skills, their potential for creative research and some familiarity with the existing literature. Applicants are very welcome to visit the department to meet and talk with faculty and graduate students. Arrangements can be made through the HPS administrative office.
Applications must be submitted online. The University of Pittsburgh no longer accepts paper applications. (instructions for Online Applications are provided below.)
Applicants should familiarize themselves with the information on this site, and especially with the Graduate Handbook, before applying.
The deadline for completed applications is January 10.
Questions can be sent to Jennifer Berkebile.
Application Requirements
- Completed online application form
- Transcripts of previous academic work
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of career objectives
- One sample of written work, PREPARED FOR ANONYMOUS REVIEW
- TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores are required for international applicants who are non-native English speakers unless you are a citizen of a country where the national language is English, or you have graduated from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from an institution where both the language of instruction is English and the official national language of the country in which the institution is located is English.
Note: For international applicants, the required minimum TOEFL score is 90 (with at least a score of 22 in all of the four sections of speaking, listening, reading and writing). The required minimum IELTS score is 7.0 (with at least 6.5 in each of its four sections). The required minimum Duolingo score is 110. Make sure to take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test in time for official scores to be reported by the January 10 deadline. Test scores submitted must not be more than two years old.
Online Applications
The University of Pittsburgh now uses GradCAS by Liaison for online applications. The application can be found here: https://www.asgraduate.pitt.edu/admissions/application
Please make sure to select the correct term when beginning your application. The Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences only accepts new students beginning in the fall term.