PhD Slavic Languages & Literature at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

The doctoral programme in Slavic Languages and Literatures covers Slavic literature, culture and language, with a Literature MA (36 credits) and PhD (72 credits, 36 beyond the MA). The department also hosts a PhD in Film Studies with a Slavic concentration and an intensive Summer Language Institute.

Faculty: Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences | Department: Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures | Duration: 72 graduate credits | Intake: Fall | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

The Literature PhD requires 72 graduate credits (12 may be dissertation credits), a qualifying examination, 9-15 credits in an approved second area, and reading competence in a research language other than Russian or English (French or German examination or coursework). Literature seminar topics have included Russian journals, folklore, Silver Age symbolist prose, formalism and structuralism, and Solzhenitsyn.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Online application: application form, statement of purpose (about 2 pages), personal/diversity statement (about 2 pages), transcripts, three letters of recommendation, writing sample in English (about 20-25 pages; optional second sample in Russian). Deadline January 15. International applicants: TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Domestic applicants: USD 27,412 a year (2026-27). Pennsylvania-resident graduate tuition, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

International applicants: USD 49,272 a year (2026-27). Out-of-state (non-PA resident) graduate tuition, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

Intake: Fall

Duration: 72 graduate credits

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