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Students will complete the Ph.D. in five years. Students who have already earned a master's degree Africana Studies can often receive credit for previous coursework which may shorten the time needed to earn a Ph.D. by as much as a year. Students accepted without this disciplinary training will earn an MA in Africana Studies in the course of working toward the Ph.D. Applications are considered once a year for fall admission only. All students wishing to apply must submit their application electronically through the university’s online application process by January 27th, 2024.
The following application materials are required:
• An application form must be submitted to the School of Arts & Sciences online using the link below:
https://gradcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/
• A non-refundable application fee of $75. The University offers fee waivers for the following national programs that cover application fees: Gates Millennium 3 Scholars Program, McNair Scholars, and Society for Advancement of Chicanos & Native Americans and applicants who are currently serving or who previously served as members of the U.S. Armed Services. To apply for a fee waiver, you need to fill out the application form at the link below:
https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cD38CmmjcOT3Tvw
• A statement of purpose describing the applicant’s intellectual interests and professional aspirations. The applicant should also be able to explain how their intellectual interest aligns with our faculty areas of expertise. Be as specific as possible about your research interests and qualifications.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation intended to provide independent evaluation of each applicant's potential. Letters should come from current or former teachers or others who can evaluate your intellectual and academic qualifications for graduate study. Reference writers will submit these forms and letters independently from the application using a link embedded in an e-mail they receive from the "apply online" process.
• Unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended. If non-US citizens, please submit transcripts in the native language accompanied by notarized English translations. The University requires at least a 3.0. GPA. Note: official transcripts will need to be sent if admitted into the program.
• English Language Scores for all non-US citizens: All non-U.S. citizens applying to the graduate program - except for those who have received degrees from a U.S. institution or from other English-speaking countries - must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), IELTS, or Duolingo as part of their application packet to demonstrate a sufficient command of English to meet the requirements of their field. The minimum scores are 90 for TOEFL (with at least a score of 22 in all of the four sections of speaking, listening, reading, and writing), 7.0 for IELTS (with at least 6.5 in each of its four sections), and a 120 for Duolingo.