GRADUATE

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Admissions

Students applying for admission to the graduate program are evaluated on the basis of previous academic performance, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a writing sample. Students are expected to hold a BA or MA or an equivalent degree in Spanish or Portuguese literature, comparative literature, cultural studies, or a related field (other literatures, Latin American-focused major or MA specialization), and to be fluent in Spanish and English. (A score of 213/550/80 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language [TOEFL] exam or 6.5 or above on the International English Language Testing System [IELTF] exam is required for non-native speakers of English to be considered for entrance into the program.)

Application Procedures

Students seeking admission to graduate study in the Department of Hispanic Languages and Literatures can e-mail the department for clarification regarding the required materials for admissions to graduate study and the admissions process, or for answers to specific questions not dealt with elsewhere.

The application forms can be filled out and submitted on the Web through the School of Arts and Sciences’ online application form.

In addition to completed forms, applicants are required to submit a fee of U.S. $50, a brief (2–3 pages maximum) statement of academic interests, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts of all post-secondary academic work, and official translations if these are not in English.

Applicants for the graduate program must submit a sample of written work, at least 15–20 pages in length, in Spanish, Portuguese, or English. If the paper submitted is in English, we ask that a 3-5 page text in Spanish also be submitted.

All documents and materials in support of the application should be sent directly to:

University of Pittsburgh
Department of Hispanic Languages and Literatures
1309 Cathedral of Learning
Attn: Graduate Office
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

The department's Admission Committee evaluates all completed applications and makes recommendations regarding admissions and financial aid. The applications of those students recommended for admission, with or without financial assistance, are forwarded to the dean of graduate studies for final approval. Students are notified by mail, e-mail, or, in some cases, by telephone of the decision.

The application deadline for fall term admission and most forms of financial aid is January 15. Incomplete applications, or applications arriving after the deadline, are at a significant disadvantage and may not be considered for either admission or financial support. International students are encouraged to apply as early as possible to allow for delays in the postal service, evaluation of foreign transcripts, and matters related to immigration procedures.

International Applicants

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTF) exam is required for applicants whose native language is not English; only students who have earned a bachelor's or master's degree at an accredited university in the United States or in another English-speaking country are exempt from this requirement.

A minimum score of 213/550/80 on the TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTF is required for consideration for admission to graduate programs at the University of Pittsburgh.  Additionally, individuals with TOEFL scores below 250/650/100, if subsequently admitted, are required to take the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency upon arrival. The University requires that all teaching assistants speak comprehensible English as certified by the University’s English Language Institute. Based upon the outcome of these tests, students may be required to enroll in courses to improve their command of English.

In addition, foreign applicants are required to show that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their tenure as graduate students. The stipend awarded for teaching assistantships and fellowships is generally sufficient to support a single student, but additional funds may be required to support students with dependents. Download the International Graduate Student Supplemental Application Packet to obtain necessary forms and instructions.

Transfer Students

Students who have completed graduate level course work in degree-granting graduate programs at other accredited institutions prior to admission to the University of Pittsburgh may petition the department for acceptance of up to six credits toward the Master of Arts or PhD. Students who have received an MA in Spanish or a related field at another university may petition for the transfer of up to 24 credits toward the PhD, and up to 23 credits of additional credit for any work carried out beyond the MA.  Acceptance of more than six such credits, however, would reduce the term of funded support for the PhD by one year, entitling them to four years rather than the usual five.