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Admissions

Clinical Participation Requirements

Admission Requirements

  • Resources, including research mentors, must be available to enable the student to engage in a plan of study and research in the student’s major area of interest in rehabilitation research. Therefore, it is important that there is a match between the research interests of an applicant and an SHRS Rehabilitation Science graduate faculty member. A letter of support must be provided by the Research Mentor directly to the SHRS Admissions Office before an application will be reviewed.
  • A master’s degree in an area related to rehabilitation science from an accredited institution. The exceptional student with a bachelor’s degree, six or more credits of graduate course work, and compelling clinical/research experience in rehabilitation science will be considered.
  • A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent in all college work is required.
  • Verification of English language proficiency is required unless the following apply:
    • the applicant is not a citizen of a country whose official language is English but has completed a degree program at an institution outside of the U.S. where the language of instruction is English and where the official national language of the country in which the institution is located is English. 
    • the applicant has completed a degree program at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S., or
    • the applicant is a citizen of a country whose official language is English,

Application Requirements

  • Complete the GradCAS application.
  • Submit the application fee of $50 (U.S.).
  • An essay stating career goals, specific research interests and experience, and clinical interests and experience.
  • Three to four academic or work-related letters of recommendation (including at least one academic reference). 
  • An additional letter of support from your Faculty Research Mentor.
  • At least one example of written work (class project, course assignment, publication for which candidate is first author, etc.).
  • A resume including work history, formal education, continuing education, licensing and certification, professional organizations, honors and awards, publications, presentations, and grants.
  • Transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended.
  • A course-by-course evaluation with GPA conversion for all higher institutions you have attended outside the U.S. The evaluation may be from World Education Services (WES), Inc. or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), Inc.
  • All admitted students will be required to provide official transcripts or credential evaluations to the SHRS Admissions Office prior to enrolling in classes.

If applicable:

  • Request official English Language Proficiency test scores be sent to the University of Pittsburgh from one of the following options. Minimum scores accepted and instructions for sending official test scores follow:
    • Duolingo English Test: minimum score of 130. Scores should be made available electronically to “University of Pittsburgh – School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.”
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 7.0. Scores should be made available electronically to “University of Pittsburgh Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.”
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 100. Scores should be submitted electronically through ETS to institution code "2927."
    • Limited exceptions to the minimum required scores may be made with additional documentation.
    • Unofficial scores may be provided via GradCAS (in addition to the official scores required).

 

Application Deadline

May 1, 2025. Your application will be reviewed once it is complete.

Additional Information

  • Applicants are evaluated by the PhD Admissions Committee. Admission to the program requires (1) the applicant to meet the standards for a PhD student in SHRS, and (2) that a faculty member of the PhD program has an opening for an additional PhD student and agrees to be the Academic Advisor for that applicant.
  • Financial support is limited, and awards are made based on availability of funding.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE General) scores are not required.

Contact the SHRS Admissions Office for more information or questions.