| The Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science
program prepares students for advanced work in research,
teaching, and administration. The primary purpose of the
PhD program is to develop an understanding of library and
information science beyond the Master's degree, with particular
emphasis on the conduct of original research, the production
of significant and generalizable research findings, and the
contribution of such findings to public knowledge.
PhD/LIS ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The following are requirements for admission to the PhD/LIS
Program
- A master's degree from a program accredited by the
American Library Association, a recognized international
program, or the equivalent in a closely related field
of study. Students must submit official transcripts as
evidence.
- Attainment in graduate work of a minimum quality
point average of 3.50 (on a scale with A having a value
of four points per credit). An international student's
quality point average will be calculated on the
basis of equivalency from universities that use a different
scale.
- Submission of scores from a predictor test
such as the Graduate
Record Examination (GRE) or the
Miller Analogy Test, taken within the last five years.
- At
least three references from persons in the professional
and academic communities. The Committee on
Doctoral Studies may, on occasion, require additional
references.
- Submission of an application fee of $50.
As evidence of the ability to undertake doctoral work,
the student's application must be accompanied by:
- An essay (not exceeding 1,000 words) indicating, as
specifically as possible, the student's academic and
professional goals
in relation to the Department of Library and Information
Science doctoral program and identifying potential
areas and/or topics in which the student expects to pursue
dissertation
research.
- A complete curriculum vitae that provides
an overview of education, work, publication, and other
professional
activities.
- At least one example of scholarly research
or professional writing in any format (print or electronic).
The
student should describe fully any published or
unpublished research, thesis, contributions to the professional
or scholarly literature,
and other professional or academic experience relevant to an assessment
of his
or her capacity to pursue doctoral study successfully.
- If the candidate
has had appropriate professional work experience in
libraries, information centers, publishing, the information
industry,
education, or similarly
related areas of professional activity, a brief description should
be provided.
A telephone interview may constitute part of the admissions
process at the request of the Admissions and Review Committee
or of the applicant.
Applications from all individuals, regardless of citizenship,
who have a degree from a non/U.S. institution must be reviewed
by the University Office
of International Services (OIS) prior to their review by the Admissions and Review Committee
of the DLIS Committee on Doctoral Studies.
International students must submit evidence of competence
in the English language. The status of English in the country
of origin may constitute such evidence. A minimum score
of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL (or equivalent score of
231 on the computer-base TOEFL) is required for international
students. In addition, University policy requires that
all international students be retested on English language
abilities upon arrival at the University of Pittsburgh.
Credentials of prospective students are reviewed by the
Admissions and Review Committee and voted upon by the DLIS
Committee on Doctoral Studies throughout the year. However,
students who are applying for financial aid should be aware
that they must be admitted and meet financial aid deadlines
to ensure consideration for funding.
PhD students may begin their studies only in the Fall
Term in order to ensure a coherent program of study.
Students whose complete credentials are not available
for full admission may register as special students until
the completed credentials are received, provided all other
requirements have been satisfied.
Requirements for the PhD degree, a 54-credit program,
include a minimum of 36 course and seminar credits beyond
the master's degree and 18 dissertation credits. Doctoral
students must give evidence of superior scholarship, mastery
of a specialized field, and the ability to do significant
research in library and information science.
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