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Pitt SHRS is an international leader in rehabilitation and disabilities education committed to fostering an inclusive academic environment. We value the experiences and perspectives international students bring to our programs and are proud to include students and alumni from over 60 countries in the Pitt SHRS community.

Faculty from every department of SHRS have extensive networks around the world. They are presenting at international conferences, consulting, and conducting research with foreign governments and universities, establishing global clinics, and initiating unique study abroad programs. 

If you are an international student applying to an upper-level undergraduate program at SHRS please contact the SHRS Admissions Office.

SHRS offers residential, hybrid and online programs. Specific admission requirements including application deadlines, credential evaluation, and English language proficiency requirements are included on the admissions pages of each of our graduate programs.

Note: Given the nature of the online format for the didactic year of the Physician Assistant Hybrid program, all applicants and matriculants need to identify as U.S. citizens, have documentation of permanent residency or have dual citizenship status. While an F-1 Academic Student Visa is permissible for in-person courses, this Visa only deems such students eligible for one online course per term, hence excluding participation in this hybrid format. International students are encouraged to pursue the University of Pittsburgh residential Physician Assistant program, as an Academic Student Visa can be honored with residential training.

Application Deadlines

Deadlines are set by program or, in some cases set earlier to meet the University of Pittsburgh Office of International Services’ term specific immigration deadlines.

Academic Credential Evaluations

Students who have completed the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree or higher at an institution outside of the United States are required to provide an academic credential evaluation from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. or World Education Services (WES), Inc. with their application. A course-by-course evaluation with GPA conversion is required.

Evaluations are not required for degrees earned in the United States.

If you have attended an English Canadian institution, please contact the SHRS Admissions Office.

Verification of English Language Proficiency

The University of Pittsburgh accepts the official results of the Duolingo English Test, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as a measure of English language proficiency. Verification is required unless the following apply:   

  • The applicant is a citizen of a country whose official language is English.
  • The applicant has completed a degree program at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.
  • 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.

Minimum scores vary by program at SHRS. More information is available here

Financial Information

The Office of International Services provides a financial document to inform international graduate students of the financial requirement in order to issue a student visa document (Form I-20 or DS-2019). The document is updated annually. Link to the International Graduate Financial Information 2024-2025.

International students are not eligible for Federal Student Financial Aid through the University of Pittsburgh.

International students are eligible to work on campus.  Please find additional information on the Office of International Services (OIS) website.

International students may be eligible for a limited number of graduate student researcher positions (these positions are typically awarded to students in our Doctor of Philosophy programs) as well as certain SHRS scholarships. Check scholarship details for eligibility requirements and guidelines.

Information for Admitted Graduate Students

Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended are required. If official transcripts were provided with your academic credential evaluation, and your degree was conferred, additional transcripts will not be required. If your undergraduate degree was in progress when you applied to SHRS, an official transcript and/or diploma showing completion of your undergraduate degree must be submitted before enrolling in classes.

Once you have confirmed your admission to the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) at the University of Pittsburgh, SHRS will notify the Office of International Services (OIS) of your future attendance. OIS will then email you to complete the information required to either create or verify your immigration documents. This email will also include information about the timeline for receiving a new immigration document and international student orientation.

Students with a Duolingo score of less than 130, a TOEFL score of less than 100 on the internet-based test, or less than Band 7.0 on the IELTS, will be required to take an English Language Proficiency Test when they arrive in Pittsburgh to better assess their English Language skills. The results of this exam may be used to recommend (not require) additional English language instruction that may supplement your education. If you have additional questions about the test, please click here. International students should meet with their academic advisor to discuss proficiency test results and recommendations.


Please visit the University of Pittsburgh's Office of International Services for information about immigration, events, outreach, and for additional resources.