University of Pittsburgh

UNDERGRADUATE
Bulletin

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) offers educational programs leading to a baccalaureate degree in the following areas:

  • Athletic Training
  • Clinical dietetics and nutrition
  • Communication science
  • Emergency medicine
  • Health information management
  • Rehabilitation science

SHRS participates in the University Honors College. Students with high GPAs, and whose studies demonstrate breadth and depth, may apply to complete a research thesis and earn a Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil) degree in their area of major study.

The school also offers four certificate programs in the following areas:

  • Assistive Technology in Rehabilitation
  • Emergency Medicine in Rehabilitation
  • Pathokinesiology in Rehabilitation
  • Psycho-Social Issues in Rehabilitation 

SHRS previously offered a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy. This program has transitioned to the graduate level. Refer to the Graduate Bulletin for program information, prerequisites, and curriculum.

The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is an integral part of the world-class University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). The medical center comprises a variety of hospitals and clinical facilities that afford students a wealth of opportunities for professional experience.

The mission of the school is to advance the theoretical base of knowledge underlying the practice of health and rehabilitation disciplines and professions through research, teaching, and professional service.

Contact Information

University of Pittsburgh
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Office of Admissions
4019 Forbes Tower
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-383-6558
admissions@shrs.pitt.edu
www.shrs.pitt.edu

Admission Requirements

General requirements for admission to SHRS’s baccalaureate degree programs include successful completion of a minimum of 60 college-level credits with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.500 (based on 4.000). Included in the 60 credits, specific prerequisite courses are required by each program. A minimum grade of C- is required for courses designated as prerequisites. Please view this information under prerequisite information on www.shrs.pitt.edu.

Students typically apply to SHRS in the spring semester of their sophomore year of college while in the process of completing all admission requirements. In order to assist the Committee on Admissions in making a more accurate evaluation of academic suitability for the program, applicants should complete as many of the prerequisite courses as possible before applying to SHRS.

Please note that admission to SHRS undergraduate programs is on a competitive basis as class sizes are limited. It is the responsibility of the applicant to complete all admission requirements prior to enrollment.

Application Procedures

Freshman application is made through the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. Students wishing to transfer from other colleges/institutions must complete a University of Pittsburgh transfer application and submit an application fee of $45 to the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid. This information and application can be viewed on www.pitt.edu/~oafa/transadm.html.

International applicants must first complete the International Undergraduate Student application available on the following Web site: www.ois.pitt.edu and if eligible must complete the SHRS Online application.

University of Pittsburgh students applying to the Athletic Training, Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition, Health Information Management, and Rehabilitation Science programs must complete the SHRS Online application. Pitt students transferring to the Communication Science and Emergency Medicine programs are only required to complete an Academic Program Change form after completion of at least 40–45 credits. An application fee is not required of current Pitt students applying to the SHRS undergraduate programs.

The following information is required as part of the application process:

  1. Essay: A typed statement discussing applicant’s interest in the field and program to which they are applying and outlining their long-term professional goals.
  2. One letter of recommendation: This letter should be from a college level instructor, employer, or a clinical supervisor. These individuals should be able to comment on your academic, professional, and interpersonal abilities. This recommendation can be submitted electronically through the online application system or by completing the hard copy form and attaching the letter.
  3. Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges attended. The High School transcript is also required by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions of transfer applicants. Credits shown on a transcript as transfer credits from another institution cannot substitute for the official transcript of the college or university at which the credits were earned.

Admission Status

Students are admitted to SHRS on one of the following statuses: full, conditional, or non-degree status.

  • Full admission status is granted to those who have met all admission criteria and have been admitted either as full-time or part-time students for study toward the baccalaureate degree.
  • Conditional status is granted to those who are in the process of completing prerequisite courses. These students must complete all requirements successfully prior to matriculation.
  • Non-degree status: Applicants not matriculated in any school in the University who wish to take courses for credits without reference to a degree may be admitted as non-degree seeking students. Students admitted to SHRS on this status may take a maximum of 6 credits. A student wishing to register for more than 6 credits as a non-degree student must receive approval from the Department Chair or appropriate designee. A student wishing to complete coursework as a non-degree student should contact the SHRS Admissions Office at 4020 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 or by emailing admissions@shrs.pitt.edu.

Acceptable Academic Status

All students must receive a C- or better in all required courses in the professional curriculum. Students who receive a grade below a C- must repeat that course and attain a grade of C- or better. Students will not be permitted to register for a course if they receive a grade below C- in a prerequisite for that course.

Repeating Courses

  • A sequence course may not be repeated for credit if the student passes a higher sequence course with a C or better grade.
  • A student may not enroll in the same course at another institution and have that grade replace the original grade earned at the University.
  • The original course and grade remain on the transcript; however, the grade and credits originally earned are not counted in the calculation of the GPA.
  • The grade earned by repeating a course is used instead of the grade originally earned. W, R, and N grades reported for the repeated course will not be identified as a course repeat, and therefore the original grade earned will continue to be counted in the GPA. Incomplete grades (G and I) are not identified as repeated courses until the coursework is completed.
  • Students are only permitted to repeat a course twice. Any grade earned in the repeated course will be recorded on the academic transcript, even if it is lower than the original grade.

Class Designation

Class designation of undergraduate students is based on successful completion of course requirements for each curricular year in the school. Therefore, all requirements in the junior year must be met before promotion to the senior year.

Statute of Limitations

Part-time students must complete bachelor’s degree requirements within a reasonable period of time. A plan of study will be worked out with the student’s advisor detailing the length of time needed to complete the program.

Advanced Standing

A maximum of 60 credits will be posted on the SHRS transcript unless indicated to the Office of Student Services via the plan of study that the student qualifies for more than 60 credits. Grades of D will be accepted for advanced standing from all universities and colleges provided the D indicates passing. However, a D grade will not be accepted for advanced standing if it occurs in a prerequisite course.

Advanced standing for courses in the professional curriculum is a departmental decision. If advanced standing is not granted, credit by examination for specified courses may be taken to demonstrate mastery of the course content. Advanced standing is reflected on the plan of study, which the student completes with his/her academic advisor. The Office of Student Services will post advanced standing only as indicated by the plan of study.

Clinical Education—Directed Practice

Clinical or field learning experience is an integral and essential part of SHRS undergraduate professional programs. All students preparing to be athletic trainers, clinical dietitians, emergency medicine technicians (paramedics), speech-language pathologists, audiologists, rehabilitation counselors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, or health information managers will spend a specific amount of time in a variety of clinical education experiences. These experiences are planned sequentially and in coordination with classroom or laboratory courses taken on campus.

All clinical education experiences take place at sites that have signed contracts with the University of Pittsburgh. An SHRS faculty member, usually called a coordinator of clinical education, assigns students to these sites. Supervision or instruction during clinical education is provided by health professionals qualified appropriately for the type or level of content studied by the student. Students are required to carry professional liability insurance and personal health insurance during all phases of clinical education.

Students may be required to travel a distance or to relocate outside the city for their clinical education assignments. All expenses for transportation, housing, food, etc., are the student’s responsibility.

Students must wear proper attire, which may vary according to the clinical education site. Students studying to be health information managers, for example, will dress in street clothes, while students studying to be clinical dietitians may wear white lab coats. Safety may be a consideration. The coordinator of clinical education will provide specific information about clothing or uniforms for each program.

Because of clinical education time requirements for accreditation purposes, any student who misses clinical time for any reason must contact the appropriate practicum instructor or coordinator of clinical education.

Graduation

Candidates for a bachelor’s degree from the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences must have satisfactorily completed a minimum of 120 credits, 30 (at minimum) of which must have been taken while registered in the school, and candidates must have completed the requirements for the program in which they have enrolled. The student’s advisor must approve these credits. To qualify for graduation, students must have completed all courses and other degree requirements and must have a plan of study on file in the Office of Student Services, 4024 Forbes Tower.

The GPA used for graduation and for the awarding of honors will be calculated as a composite of all courses taken at the University of Pittsburgh counting toward completion of the degree. The baccalaureate degree student attaining an outstanding scholastic record may, upon vote of the faculty, be graduated with program honors if a minimum of 60 letter-graded credits have been earned at the University of Pittsburgh. A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required to graduate. A student failing to remove a D, F, G, or I grade in a required course will not graduate.

An application for graduation must be filed in the SHRS Office of Student Services at the time of registration for the term in which the student expects to complete all requirements for graduation. Students who have maintained an excellent academic record may also graduate with University honors.