The following students (except international students) are admitted to Arts and Sciences by the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. These students should see the Application for Admission section of this bulletin for general admissions information.
- Freshmen (see Pittsburgh Campus Freshman Admissions for general admissions information).
- Transfer students who have previously enrolled at a college or university other than the University of Pittsburgh. These include former University of Pittsburgh students who have since earned college credits at another institution and now wish to return to A&S.
- Continuing education students: Adults who wish to begin or continue to work toward an undergraduate degree by taking a full- or part-time load of day classes should apply as new or transfer students through the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.
- Students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree from an institution other than the University of Pittsburgh and now wish to earn a second undergraduate degree.
Admission through Arts and Sciences
The following students must apply directly to A&S for admission:
Transfers from Other University of Pittsburgh Schools at the Pittsburgh Campus
Students who wish to transfer to A&S from other schools at the Pittsburgh campus should contact the school in which they were most recently enrolled in order to have their records sent to A&S. A&S will evaluate the records and send the student a letter of admission or rejection. To qualify for transfer, a student must have an overall average of at least 2.00, and students in the College of General Studies (CGS) must have at least 24 credits earned in residence in CGS. In addition, it is preferred that students complete the A&S basic skills requirements in intensive composition and algebra before applying for transfer to A&S.
After acceptance, students will receive an evaluation of their previous course work in reference to A&S skills and general education requirements. Students will receive a maximum of 18 non-A&S credits toward graduation from A&S. Also, students must earn the last 30 credits toward the A&S degree and at least half of the credits for the A&S major while enrolled as an A&S student.
Transfers from University of Pittsburgh Regional Campuses
Students enrolled at one of the University of Pittsburgh’s regional campuses who now wish to attend Arts and Sciences at the Pittsburgh campus should apply for admission by contacting the campus where they were most recently enrolled in order to have their records sent to A&S. A&S will evaluate the records with respect to A&S skills and general education requirements and send a letter of rejection or admission. The minimum requirements for transfer to A&S from a regional campus are 48 credits and an overall average of at least 2.75. It is preferred that students at regional campuses complete A&S basic skills requirements in intensive composition and algebra before transferring to A&S.
Students Seeking a Second University of Pittsburgh Undergraduate Degree
Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in any University of Pittsburgh school or regional campus and now wish to earn a second undergraduate degree should apply directly to A&S. Applicants should note the following:
- Course work for the second degree will continue on the original University of Pittsburgh undergraduate transcript.
- All appropriate course work from the first degree will apply to the second degree, up to a maximum of 90 credits. This will be indicated on the academic record during the student’s first term of enrollment as a second-degree student. A minimum of 30 new credits must be earned toward the second degree.
- A total of 18 non-arts and sciences credits (e.g., business, nursing, engineering, etc.) may be applied to an A&S degree.
- The cumulative QPA and credit total will be based on all credits from the first degree and all new course work taken that applies to the second degree.
Students Seeking Reinstatement
The following students must apply for reinstatement through A&S:
- A&S students who have not enrolled for three consecutive terms (one calendar year),
- A&S students who have been suspended from the college and now wish to continue their studies, and
- students who last attended another school at the University’s Pittsburgh campus but have not enrolled in classes for at least one year, have not attended another institution, and now wish to be admitted to A&S.
Deadlines are August 15 for fall term, December 15 for spring term, and one week before the beginning of classes in the summer term or sessions. There is an application fee of $25. Students who last attended another University of Pittsburgh school on the Pittsburgh campus must meet the admissions requirements for transfer to A&S. Students’ academic standing upon reinstatement will be that attained at the end of their last term in residence.
Students who are reinstated for a particular term but do not enroll for that term must apply for reinstatement again if they wish to attend for a later term. Students who have been away from the University for two or more years may be subject to the requirements of the college and of their major in force at the time of their reinstatement, rather than those in force at the time of their last attendance.
Guest Students
Qualified degree-seeking students at other institutions may be admitted to A&S for the fall or spring term to earn credits for transfer to their home school for use toward graduation. Applicants must be in good academic standing at their home institution, with a minimum 2.50 cumulative QPA, and must certify that the home school will accept the A&S courses in transfer. There is a one-time application fee of $25, and admission is only valid for one term. Students desiring enrollment for subsequent terms must resubmit certification from the home school. The deadline for applications is two weeks before the start of classes. For more information, contact the A&S Advising Center.
Summer admission of guest students is handled by the Office of University Summer Sessions. See the Summer Sessions section of this bulletin for information.
Postbaccalaureate Students
Students who have completed an undergraduate degree and wish to take additional undergraduate courses on a nondegree-seeking basis may apply directly to A&S. Most postbaccalaureate students take courses in order to facilitate a career change, as prerequisites for a graduate program, or for personal enrichment. Students must submit proof of the undergraduate degree received (either a copy of the diploma or a transcript showing the degree and the date it was awarded). The application deadline is two weeks before the start of classes. There is a one-time application fee of $25, and admission is valid for one calendar year. Students desiring enrollment for subsequent terms must submit a letter stating the reasons for which they are requesting an extension.
Accelerated High School Students
Accelerated high school students are high school juniors and seniors who take a maximum of two courses in A&S while continuing their high school program. They attend regular on-campus day classes with college undergraduates and are not identified in the classroom as high school students.
To participate, students must have the approval of their parents or guardian and their high school counselor or principal. Students may not take courses that are available to them in their high school curriculum. Depending on the course(s) selected, students may be required to take a placement test or two prior to registration.
The application includes sections that must be completed by parents or guardians and school officials and must be submitted along with other application materials. Applications for fall and spring terms must be submitted to the A&S Advising Center. The deadline is two weeks before the first day of classes. There is a one-time application fee of $25, and admission is valid for only one term. Students must resubmit certain specified application materials for subsequent terms. For more detailed information, contact the A&S Advising Center in 252 Thackeray Hall.
Applications for summer term must be submitted to the Office of University Summer Sessions. See the Summer Sessions section of this bulletin for information.
College in High School (CHS) Program
The College in High School Program offers qualified high school students throughout Western Pennsylvania the opportunity to earn University of Pittsburgh credits on their own high school campuses. Participating schools now offer approved University of Pittsburgh courses in chemistry, communications, computer science, French, Latin, mathematics, statistics, and English composition. The courses are taught by experienced teachers who have been certified through the appropriate University of Pittsburgh departments. All University regulations governing course registration, withdrawal, resignation, and tuition payment are enforced.
Students’ grades are based on their performance on University examinations and recorded on University transcripts. Although the CHS program cannot govern the transfer credit policies of other institutions, the vast majority of CHS students receive advanced standing, elective credits, or both as a result of their successful participation in the program. For more information, contact the College in High School office in B-4 Thaw Hall.
Academic Integrity
As members of the University of Pittsburgh community, A&S students are expected to meet their obligation to exhibit honesty and to respect the ethical standards of the University community and of their chosen field of study in carrying out academic assignments. A&S students are therefore expected to familiarize themselves with the published rules and regulations governing academic integrity. For specific information, see Student Rights and Responsibilities.
Arts and Sciences maintains an Academic Integrity Board, consisting of both faculty and students, for adjudication of grievances from faculty about student behavior and from students about faculty behavior. For more information, contact the A&S office, 140 Thackeray Hall.
Grading Systems
The following section gives details on the way the University’s grading system is used in Arts and Sciences. For detailed information on the University’s grading system, see Grading and Records.
A&S offers both the University’s standard letter-grade option and the Satisfactory/Audit (S/N) option for students enrolled in most A&S courses. Students must select the S/N option by the deadline in any given term by completing a Grade Option/Audit Request form in the A&S office, 140 Thackeray Hall. Deadlines are printed each term in the Course Descriptions newspaper and the University Schedule of Classes. Note: There are some formal limitations to the student’s choice of grading systems, so students should check with an academic advisor before deciding to take a course S/N.
An overview of the University grading system is provided in the front section of this bulletin. The following gives details on how some grades in the University’s grading system are administered within A&S:
Audit (N Grade)
Students may choose to take a CAS course on an audit basis and receive an N grade on the transcript rather than a letter grade. Students who wish to audit a course must register for the course as usual and must then process a Grade Option/Audit Request form in the A&S office by the deadline. Deadlines are printed in the Course Descriptions newspaper each term. An audit grade does not count for credit toward graduation.
G Grades
The G grade is given only when students who have been attending a course and making regular progress are prevented by circumstances beyond their control from completing the course after it is too late to withdraw.
Students assigned a G grade must complete the course’s requirements by the next fall or spring term in residence (or, in the case of students who are not in attendance the following term, within one calendar year). Otherwise, the privilege of completing the course is withdrawn, and the credits are lost.
I Grades
The I grade indicates that the work of the course for which it is awarded has not been completed due to the nature of the course, clinical work, or incomplete research. It is to be awarded only to students who have been doing the regular work of the course but who need more time than the term allows to complete the course work. That is, the extenuating circumstances ought to arise from the nature of the course work rather than from the student’s personal difficulties (in which case a G grade is the appropriate one; see above). The student should complete the course requirements within one calendar year after the I grade is given.
Academic Honors
Outstanding students in A&S have the opportunity to be recognized for their academic achievement in several ways:
Dean’s List
Early each term, A&S students whose grades in the preceding term indicate outstanding academic achievement are recognized on the Dean’s List. To be placed on the Dean’s List, a student must have earned at least 12 credits (not including courses taken on the Satisfactory/Audit option) with a term QPA of at least 3.50 and no grade lower than a C.
Graduation Honors
Those members of an A&S graduating class who have attained an outstanding scholastic record and have taken at least 60 letter-graded credits while a resident in A&S are graduated with honors. See Graduation with Honors section for other specific requirements.
Departmental Honors
Many departments offer an honors major. Successful completion of the honors major as well as normal graduation requirements leads to the awarding of the bachelor’s degree with departmental honors. For detailed information, contact individual departments or see the departmental academic program information in this bulletin.
Phi Beta Kappa
The Phi Beta Kappa Society is the national honorary society for students in the liberal arts and sciences. Founded in 1776, the society has chapters only at the leading academic institutions in the United States. The University of Pittsburgh chapter was established in 1953 by charter from the United Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Membership in the society is regarded by many as the most prestigious honor that can be conferred upon students majoring in one of the liberal arts and sciences.
Candidates for membership are usually in their final term of study for a bachelor’s degree. They must have received a QPA of at least 3.50 in courses that lead to both a broad and a deep understanding of liberal studies. The requirements for eligibility somewhat parallel those for a bachelor’s degree from Arts and Sciences but are more specific with respect to what courses may or may not be counted toward achieving candidacy. Membership is awarded by election by the active members of the chapter at the University of Pittsburgh, who also take into account the breadth of the interests of the candidates and their reputations in the community.
A detailed listing of the requirements for eligibility may be found in the A&S Advising Center, 252 Thackeray Hall.
Probation, Suspension, Dismissal
A&S systematically monitors students’ academic progress. Students in A&S are required to maintain a cumulative QPA of 2.00 or above for each term of enrollment. Any student who has a cumulative QPA below 2.00 will automatically be placed on academic probation. Students on probation who still have a cumulative QPA below 2.00 after their next term of enrollment will be subject to suspension or dismissal. After being suspended, students are not eligible to re-enroll for one calendar year. Following suspension, students are required to apply for reinstatement at the A&S office. Students returning from academic suspension are reinstated on academic probation. Reinstated students are reviewed after each subsequent term of enrollment. If their cumulative QPA remains below 2.00, they will be subject to dismissal. Dismissed students are not eligible for reinstatement. Note: Probationary and suspended students are not eligible to earn credits at another institution toward an A&S degree.
In addition to maintaining a QPA of 2.00 or above, students are required to fulfill their algebra and English placement (Intensive Workshop in Composition, Workshop in Composition, or Seminar in Composition and Composition Tutorial) requirements within the first year of enrollment and Seminar in Composition within the first two years of enrollment. Students who do not complete these courses on schedule will be subject to suspension or dismissal. See the section on A&S Skills Requirements.
Probation and Eligibility for Financial Aid
The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (OAFA) monitors financial aid eligibility. Students on probation should contact OAFA in Alumni Hall at 412-624-7488 for more information.
Credit System
The following section details Arts and Sciences’ rules regarding allowable credits and courses for students earning a degree in A&S:
Advanced Placement (AP) Credits
See Allowable Credits (Credit and Course Limitations).
Career Development and Noncredit Courses
Career development courses offered by the College of General Studies (numbered in the 6000s) and noncredit courses (numbered in the 4000s) may not be counted for credit toward a degree in A&S.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Testing
A&S does not accept CLEP general examination credits.
Courses Taken Elsewhere
A&S students in good academic standing (cumulative QPA of at
least 2.00) may attend a summer or special session of another
accredited institution in order to supplement their program, provided
they receive prior approval from the A&S office. Students
should bring a bulletin from the school they wish to attend, with
the appropriate course descriptions, to the A&S office. Students
will not receive credit for courses taken without advance approval.
Upper-class students (60 or more credits) may not take courses
at two-year schools. Courses taken elsewhere are subject to the
18 non-A&S credit limitation and may not be a repeat of any
course taken (passed or failed) before. A maximum of two courses
(no more than 8 credits) may be taken in a single period of enrollment
elsewhere.
Credit by Examination
Each test for credit by examination must be arranged with the
department teaching the course for which credit is desired. The
examination must be in a specific course offered by the School
of Arts and Sciences. Departments set their own policies as to
the specific courses for which students may request credit by
examination, the time and type of examination, and the number
of courses among those required for the major for which credit
may be earned by examination. Normally, the examinations are administered
during the first three weeks of the term.
Students wishing to earn credit by examination should first consult
with the department in which the course is given and then obtain
the requisite form from the A&S office. There is a $10 per
credit fee payable to the Student Payment Center once the student
obtains the form from the A&S office. This fee is nonrefundable.
Credit by examination is open to all students. Questions should
be directed to the A&S office.
Departmental Credits
No more than 60 credits may be taken in one department, and normally no more than 40 in a single department are considered desirable in a well-balanced program.
Duplication of Course Content
Except as noted in the Course Descriptions newspaper, a particular course may be taken for credit only once. Students also may not earn graduation credit for courses that substantially duplicate the content of courses taken previously. For example, credit cannot be earned for the following:
- Both a regular version of a course and an honors version of that course.
- Courses that are cross listed with a course the student has already taken.
- Courses taken under a new number if already taken under an old number.
- Certain specific courses that duplicate material and for which additional credit cannot be earned. The list of these courses is available in the A&S office.
English Language Institute Courses
The following courses from the English Language Institute do
not count toward an A&S degree: 0004, 0005, and 0006. LING
0007, 0008, and 0009 courses count toward the A&S degree but
are not counted toward a linguistics major.
Enrollment in Graduate Courses
A&S students with sufficient preparation are encouraged to
take advantage of the rich variety of graduate courses offered
by the School of Arts and Sciences. Credits earned in graduate
courses may be used toward the A&S degree. Students should
consult with the instructor of a course before registering.
Independent Study, Directed Research, Directed Reading, Internships, and Undergraduate Teaching
A&S students may count a total of 24 credits of independent
study, directed reading, directed research, undergraduate teaching,
and internships among the 120 credits required for a degree. Ordinarily,
no more than six credits may be earned in any term in a single
directed reading, directed research, or internship. Under certain
conditions, students in good standing may register for a block
of 15 credits of independent study. These credits are to be earned
for work done within one academic term. A student may register
for a 15-credit independent study term only once during his or
her college career.
Agreement forms for independent study, directed research, directed
reading, and internships, as well as specific information about
eligibility, procedures, and guidelines, are available from major
advisors and from the A&S office. For information about A&S
internships, students should call 412-624-5428.
International Baccalaureate
A&S recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher-Level Examinations and may grant advanced standing and/or credit for various fields for scores on the Higher-Level Examinations, which range from five to seven. Advanced standing is determined individually by subject according to departmental policy. Students should send the results of their IB examinations directly to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. No credit will be given for Subsidiary-Level Examinations.
Lower-Level Courses
Credit cannot be earned for courses taken after more advanced course work in the same field has been successfully passed with a C or higher if that advanced course work presumes the competence acquired in the more elementary courses. For example, credit cannot be earned for an algebra course taken after the successful completion of a calculus course.
Non-A&S Courses
A student may take no more than 18 credits of the 120 required
for graduation in other schools of the University. This rule does
not apply to graduate courses offered by the School of Arts and
Sciences. Restrictions on non-A&S courses apply also to courses
taken by cross registration. The student who has doubts about
the status of any course should check with the A&S office
before registering.
Normal Credit Load
Any program in excess of 17 credits per term requires the recommendation
of an A&S academic advisor and approval of the A&S office.
For more information about credit loads, see Registration.
Physical Education
Students are not required to take any courses in physical education,
but they are strongly urged to do so. Up to four credits of courses
offered by the School of Education's Department of Health, Physical,
and Recreation Education may be counted toward an A&S degree.
Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)
Credits earned in military science (MILSC, Army ROTC), or naval science (Navy ROTC through cross registration at Carnegie Mellon University [CMU]) are not accepted toward an A&S degree with the following exceptions: AFROTC 0001, 0002, 0003, and 0004 and MILSC 0012, 0022, 0032, and 0042 may count toward graduation in lieu of physical education and recreation courses.
Special Note about Transfer Students/Transfer Credits
Previous course work for transfer students is evaluated by the
A&S office with respect to A&S skills and general education
requirements. Before initial registration, transfer students receive
an Undergraduate Degree Requirement Evaluation indicating which
requirements are already satisfied and which ones must be completed
in A&S. Transfer students may be required to complete one or more
placement tests to determine if some requirements have been met.
Courses from other colleges and universities are evaluated according to the following guidelines:
- Courses must be passed with a grade of C or better and must be earned at an institution accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association. Courses that have reasonable counterparts in the A&S curriculum are eligible for transfer. Non-A&S credit is granted when there is no comparable course in A&S, but there is an equivalent course in another undergraduate school at the University of Pittsburgh. Only 18 non-A&S credits will count toward an A&S degree. When requested, students are responsible for supplying descriptions for courses taken elsewhere.
- A maximum of 60 credits can be accepted from accredited community colleges and two-year junior colleges. A maximum of 90 credits can be accepted from accredited four-year institutions. At least 50 percent of the credits required in an A&S major must be earned while enrolled in A&S.
- The number of credits granted for a given course cannot exceed the number awarded for the course on the transcript of the school where the course was taken or the number earned for the corresponding course in A&S. Credits earned on the quarter system will be converted into semester credits. A quarter credit is equal to two-thirds of a semester credit (e.g., five quarter-system credits equal three semester credits, and three quarter-system credits equal two semester credits).
- A&S accepts credits, but not grades, for transfer. Consequently, any courses that are accepted for transfer will be used as credit toward graduation, but will not be calculated into the student’s QPA at the University of Pittsburgh.
Please contact the A&S Office of Student Records for information about transfer credit evaluation. Please note: All transfer credits are subject to re-evaluation when a student transfers from one school to another within the University of Pittsburgh.
Statute of Limitations
All of the credits required for a degree, whether earned in residence or transferred from another institution, must have been earned within 12 years prior to the date on which the degree is awarded. However, when given evidence that the previous courses still provide adequate preparation for courses yet to be taken and still represent a reasonable part of the total academic program, the A&S office may waive the limitation. In such cases, the waiver is for a specific period during which the program must be completed.
University External Studies Program (UESP)
A&S students may take a maximum of two UESP courses toward the A&S degree. For more information about UESP courses, see External Studies in the College of General Studies section.
Adding and Dropping Courses
Generally, students enrolled in A&S are not required to have
their academic advisor sign their add/drop forms. However, Student
Support Services (SSS) students and student athletes must see
an academic advisor before processing an add/drop. Additionally,
all freshmen are strongly urged to consult an academic advisor
before adding or dropping a course. See Adding and Dropping Courses
for more information.
Withdrawal from Courses
Freshmen are required to see an academic advisor in A&S before
withdrawing from any course. In addition, any student considering
withdrawing from a basic skills course must first see an assistant
dean.
A&S Advising
Academic advising in A&S is divided roughly into two halves:
the freshman/sophomore years and the junior/senior years. Most
A&S freshmen and sophomores, including new transfer students,
are assigned to advisors in the A&S Advising Center, 252 Thackeray
Hall. Students admitted to A&S through the student support
services program are assigned to advisors in the academic support
center office. (See Academic Support Center section for contact
information.) All freshman/sophomore-level advisors have been
specifically trained to work with beginning college students.
They are familiar with and ready to discuss all A&S requirements,
regulations, procedures, and academic majors and programs, as
well as University-wide sources of support and assistance. In
addition to answering questions and discussing academic plans,
options, opportunities, course selection, and academic-related
problems/issues (e.g., whether or not to add, drop, or withdraw
from a course), advisors must sign students' registration forms
before they can be processed.
A&S students who have not declared a major must see an academic
advisor at least twice each term by appointment: once to review
their progress, to discuss their academic plans and concerns,
and to begin thinking about the next term; and a second time to
actually select and register for their next term's courses. The
first of these two meetings is scheduled at group sessions held
the third week of September and January. Each student is responsible
for arranging meetings with his or her advisor each term. A&S
students traditionally declare their majors officially near the
end of their sophomore year and are then assigned to an advisor
in the department of their major. Departmental advisors have the
more sophisticated information and in-depth knowledge to advise
juniors and seniors in the intricacies of their major and their
postgraduation plans.
Contact Information
