University of Pittsburgh

UNDERGRADUATE
Bulletin

SPECIAL ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES

The University of Pittsburgh makes many special academic opportunities available to all of the University’s undergraduate students. These opportunities provide students with ways to augment their education and experience with expanded study programs both on campus and off campus, in both University and professional settings.

 

AREA OF CONCENTRATION (Sub-Plan)

An area of concentration is an approved educational experience that results in concentrated training in or knowledge of a particular area within the discipline of a degree program. For more information about specific areas of concentration, see individual school sections.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Students may broaden their educational experience by electing to take an academic interdisciplinary certificate program in the areas listed below. The certificate may partially fulfill the degree requirements of the student’s school. The requirements for each certificate vary, and students should contact the certificate program director. For more information about these certificate programs, see their individual listings in the school or center section identified in parentheses.

  • Accounting (CGS)
  • African Studies (UCIS)
  • American Sign Language (A&S)
  • Asian Studies (UCIS)
  • Assistive Technology in Rehabilitation (SHRS)
  • Children’s Literature (A&S)
  • Civil Engineering and Architectural Studies (ENGR)
  • Communications (CGS)
  • Community Health Assessment (CGS)
  • Conceptual Foundations of Medicine (A&S)
  • Corporate/Community Relations (CGS)
  • Dental Hygiene (DEN)
  • Digital Media (CGS)
  • Emergency Medicine in Rehabilitation (SHRS)
  • Energy Resource Utilization (ENGR)
  • English Writing (CGS)
  • European Union Studies (UCIS)
  • Fessenden Honors Engineering (ENGR)
  • Geographic Information Systems (A&S)
  • German Language (A&S)
  • Global Studies (UCIS)
  • Historic Preservation (A&S)
  • History and Philosophy of Science (A&S)
  • Information System Design (CGS)
  • International Business (CBA)
  • International Engineering Studies (ENGR)
  • Jewish Studies (A&S)
  • Latin American Studies (UCIS)
  • Leadership (A&S)
  • Leadership and Ethics (CBA)
  • Managing Health Services Programs and Projects (CGS)
  • Medieval and Renaissance Studies (A&S)
  • National Preparedness and Homeland Security (CGS)
  • Nonprofit Management (CGS)
  • Nuclear Engineering (ENGR)
  • Pathokinesiology in Rehabilitation (SHRS)
  • Photonics (A&S)
  • Product Realization (ENGR)
  • Psycho-Social Issues in Rehabilitation (SHRS)
  • Public and Professional Writing (A&S)
  • Russian and East European Studies (UCIS)
  • Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality (A&S) (CGS)
  • Sustainable Engineering (ENGR)
  • West European Studies (UCIS)
  • Writing for the Professions (CGS)

Abbreviations are as follows:

A&S = Arts and Sciences
CBA = College of Business Administration
DEN = School of Dental Medicine
CGS = College of General Studies
ENGR = Swanson School of Engineering
UCIS = University Center for International Studies

COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS

The University has established some arrangements with industry that permit students to rotate four-month terms between the workplace and the classroom. These programs are administered by the Swanson School of Engineering and available to engineering, computer science, and chemistry students. The experience normally starts in the sophomore or junior year. Call 412-624-9826 for more information or see www.engr.pitt.edu/coop.

CROSS REGISTRATION

Cross-college and cross-university registration is a program designed to provide enriched educational opportunities for undergraduates in any of the following participating Pittsburgh-area institutions: Carlow University, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, Community College of Allegheny County, Duquesne University, La Roche College, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Point Park University, Robert Morris University, and the University of Pittsburgh. For requirements and limitations, see the Registration section of this bulletin or visit www.pchepa.org.

DOUBLE AND JOINT DEGREES

Students may simultaneously pursue more than one undergraduate degree (e.g., a BA and a BS within Arts and Sciences, or an undergraduate degree in the Swanson School of Engineering and in Arts and Sciences). Students must be admitted to both schools offering the degrees and fulfill the degree requirements of both schools. For the double degree (whether within or between schools), the student must complete not only the requirements for both degrees, but also a minimum of 30 credits beyond what is normally required for the primary degree (e.g., a student earning two A&S degrees would need at least 150 credits, rather than the usual 120; a student earning an A&S degree as the primary degree and a degree from another University of Pittsburgh school as the secondary degree would need at least 150 credits). Students must maintain a 2.00 GPA in all courses. Check with the individual school for other specific requirements that apply.

GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

Graduate school provides students with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and qualifications in areas of academic and professional interest. All students can take advantage of being at a major research and graduate institution by exploring the many possibilities for graduate study that exist at the University. See the University’s graduate studies Web page for general information: www.pitt.edu/~graduate. For program information, see the Graduate and Professional Bulletin "Enrollment in Graduate Courses as an Undergraduate" at www.bulletins.pitt.edu/graduate/regulations.htm.

University of Pittsburgh undergraduate students with sufficient preparation are permitted to enroll in certain graduate courses at the University following procedures determined by each school. The graduate credits earned may be counted toward the undergraduate degree if approved by the student’s school. These may not be counted as credits toward a graduate degree except as noted below.

Undergraduate students who need fewer than 15 credits to complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree and who intend to continue study toward an advanced degree may be permitted during their final term to register for graduate courses that will later apply toward a graduate degree. See the Graduate and Professional Bulletin at www.bulletins.pitt.edu/graduate/index.html for more information.

Some schools offer accelerated admission into certain graduate and professional schools through a combined program leading to both a bachelor’s and graduate or professional degree. The participating undergraduate schools and their early admissions graduate school partners are listed below:

  • Arts and Sciences (A&S)—Communication Science Program (speech, pathology, and audiology) within the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS)
  • A&S—Physical Therapy Program within SHRS
  • A&S—School of Dental Medicine
  • A&S—Computer Science within A&S
  • A&S—Statistics within A&S
  • A&S—School of Law
  • All undergraduate schools—GSPH
  • School of Nursing—RN-Option Program (RN-MSN option)
  • SHRS—Health Information Management Program

HONORS COLLEGE AND HONORS COURSES

The University Honors College (UHC) seeks to meet the special academic and cocurricular needs of the University’s most able and motivated undergraduate students. The University Honors College offers a variety of carefully designed courses from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, along with special advising opportunities for an academic community of motivated students, and a special baccalaureate degree in any undergraduate school of the University. Call 412-624-6880, visit www.honorscollege.pitt.edu, or see the University Honors College section of this bulletin for more information. In addition, some schools and departments offer an honors major. Students should see their school for more information on this opportunity.

INTERNSHIPS

Some schools provide internship experiences appropriate to the student’s academic discipline. An internship is a supervised, work-related experience, either on a volunteer or compensated basis. It is intended to be a new experience, not an existing position in which the student is already working. Students will only get internship credit for a current employment situation that has been pre-approved as an internship by the relevant school or department.

MINORS (Plans)

A minor provides an option for a student obtaining a degree in a particular discipline to attain knowledge of another discipline. Students may earn minors in schools other than the school in which they are enrolled. After the student lists the official minor on his or her graduation application, the minor appears on the student’s academic record and official transcript when the degree is awarded. (See the Schools and Academic Programs section of this bulletin for available minors.)

RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS (ROTC)

ROTC is an educational program designed to provide full-time students an opportunity to become military officers while completing a bachelor’s or a graduate degree. Students may elect to participate in either the Air Force or Army ROTC program at the University of Pittsburgh or the Naval ROTC program at Carnegie Mellon University. Students in the Army and Air Force programs have the option of completing a two- or a four-year program. Students in the Naval ROTC program at CMU have the option of completing a two-, three-, or four-year program. Completion of the Air Force ROTC program leads to a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Completion of the Army ROTC program leads to a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, the Army National Guard, or the U.S. Army Reserve. Completion of the Navy ROTC program leads to a commission as an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps. All three programs offer stipends or scholarships. Call 412-624-6396 or see http://www.afrotc.pitt.edu/ for more information on the Air Force ROTC program, 412-624-6197 for more information on the Army ROTC program, and 412-268-5109 or http://www.cmu.edu/nrotc for more information on the Navy ROTC program.

STUDY ABROAD

Students are encouraged to add an international dimension to their undergraduate education through study abroad. Programs of study exist in almost every corner of the world and will fulfill requirements for almost any field of study. second language proficiency is not a requirement, as most programs offer courses taught in English. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Interested students should come to the Study Abroad Office in 802 William Pitt Union to discover their many options. Call 412-648-7413 to schedule an Essentials of Study Abroad Session or explore www.abroad.pitt.edu. The Engineering Study Abroad Office is in B-80G Benedum, and the CBA Study Abroad Office is in 2514 Sennott Square.

SUMMER SESSIONS

The University offers a large selection of courses in a variety of compressed sessions throughout the summer. Current students can register through their school. Additional information is available through the Office of University Summer Sessions at 412-383-8600 or www.summer.pitt.edu.