Please note:   For a more in-depth look at our gradute program, please view our student handbook

All applicants to the Department of Human Genetics must meet the following requirements:

• A bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the biological or behavioral sciences from an accredited college or university, with a minimum quality point average (QPA) of 3.0
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the verbal, quantitative and analytical tests should be above the 70th percentile in each of these three areas.
• A first (introductory) course in each of the following: genetics, general biochemistry, calculus, and a behavioral or social science.
• Minimum TOEFL score on the written exam is 550, on the computer based exam is 213, and on the internet exam is 80
• Admission to the Genetic Counseling Program requires an interview by the faculty and clinical staff involved in the counseling internship programs.

When applying to the Department of Human Genetics, the following procedure should be followed:

SOPHAS Applicants


Applicants to all degree certificate programs must apply through the online centralized application service for CEPH-accredited schools of public health: SOPHAS.


• Apply online through SOPHAS
• Pay application fee directly to SOPHAS
• Submit personal statement through SOPHAS
• Submit letters of recommendation directly to SOPHAS
• Submit official transcripts for ALL education directly to SOPHAS
  
• Submit official GRE scores to GSPH code 4234 with no department code
• Submit official TOEFL scores (if applicable) to SOPHAS code 5688


SOPHAS submits applications to the Graduate School of Public Health only after all required materials are received. Applicants who have submitted applications may track the status online at www.sophas.org.

Applicants to the dual MS Genetic Counseling/MPH Public Health Genetics program will apply through SOPHAS. They must submit their letters of recommendation and official transcripts directly to SOPHAS. Submit official GRE and TOEFL scores (if applicable) to the University of Pittsburgh institution code 4234, with no department code. (Please note, effective July 1, 2008, SOPHAS will no longer accept GRE and TOEFL scores.)

International students are required to submit an official score report from the TOEFL exam. The Universirty of Pittsburgh requires a minimum TOFEL score of 550 on the written test, 213 for the computer test, or 80 on the Internet test for all foreign students. Foreign students with a TOFEL score lower than 550, 213, or 80 are not eligible for admission. TOFEL must be taken within last two years of the application to GSPH.

Applications are to submit their official TOEFL test score from the Educational Testing Service either SOPHAS code 5688 or University of Pittsburgh code 2927. Copies of test results are not accepted. Students must also meet the requierments of Pitt's Office of International Services. More information about these requirments can be found at http://www.ois.pit.edu

Please be sure to adhere to the application deadline for international students listed below:

Master of Science (MS)	Master of Public Health (MPH)	Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
January 4 fall admission, January 4 GC/MS fall admission only; Rolling spring admission	January 4 fall admission; Rolling spring admission	January 4 fall admission only

The University's international admission office first reviews applications from prospective students with educational documentation outside the United States. This review may take two to four weeks, after which applications are forwarded for GSPH departmental review, which takes on the average four to six weeks. When an application is forwarded from the department of the GSPH assistant dean for student affairs, the applicant will be officially notified of the school's decision. If accepted, the international student will be required to provide a supplemental packet, certificate of financial responsibility, and bank statments for the I-20 processing. More details about these requirements will be sent to the student when accepted.

Applicants to GSPH will be notified by email when their application is received and when it is complete. They will also be periodically emailed with the status of an incomplete application. For prospective students with education outside the United States, the Office of International Admissions first reviews their applications. This review may take two to four weeks, after which the applications are forwarded for departmental review.

Review by departmental committees takes on the average four to six weeks. As soon as an application is returned to the Office of Student Affairs, the applicant will be notified of the admissions committee's decision by mail.

Please Note: A departmental committee evaluates applications and makes a recommendation to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. Admission is not final until the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs issues a letter of acceptance.

In the following circumstances, application materials will be kept for one year from the date the application was received and then be destroyed:

1. Application remains incomplete.
2. Application is not accepted.
3. Application is accepted, but applicant does not respond.

For details about possible financial support, please see the Department of Human Genetics Student Handbook. In the past, we have been successful in finding financial support for our Ph.D. students.

Information about tuition, financial aid, and scholarships can be found at the GSPH webpage

At the top of the webpage is a link for 'Student Affairs' and under this is a link to Financial Aid. When you select the Financial Aid link, you will see information for financial aid, tuition costs, and scholarship.

Genetic counseling students are eligible for part time student positions. In the past our students have been successful in obtaining positions that involve working 20 hours a week for a faculty member and in return get a stipend. In addition, we suggest to students to seek positions that involve research that can become part of the student's thesis projects. With these part time/hourly positions the stipend is variable and depends on the faculty member's particular position. Tuition remission is not available.