Program Descriptions

A detailed description of each major offered by CGS is given below. All CGS students must fulfill the general degree requirements listed above as well as the specific requirements for fulfilling each major listed below.

Administration of Justice

In American society, the justice system is a central social institution. Its effects on individuals and social groups give it a pivotal role in a changing society. The administration of justice program, offering courses taught by faculty from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, is an upper-division undergraduate course of interdisciplinary study in the liberal arts and sciences that leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. The major goal of this baccalaureate program is to develop students’ understanding of the evolution, theory, structure, functioning, and processes of change in the total system of criminal justice in our society. It is designed so that administration of justice majors may develop competence in one of three specialized areas:

• Adult and juvenile corrections
• Law enforcement
• Forensics

Of the minimum total of 120 credits required for the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in administration of justice, 30 credits (10 courses) must come in courses that satisfy the major requirements. An outline of these major requirements follows:

Core Requirements: 12 credits (four courses)

Area of Specialization: 9 credits (three courses)

Choose one of the three areas of specialization. All courses listed under a given area are required.

Adult and Juvenile Corrections

Law Enforcement Practice

Forensics

Major Electives: 9 credits (three courses)

Other related courses are offered by the disciplines of anthropology, legal studies, political science, psychology, public service, and sociology. Check with a CGS academic consultant for approved courses from these disciplines to satisfy the major’s elective requirements.

Minor requirements: Students interested in a minor, rather than a major, in administration of justice should check with their academic consultant. For CGS students, the minor consists of professional elective course work. For School of Arts and Sciences (A&S) students, the minor consists of non-A&S elective course work. For the minor, students must complete five courses (15 credits) with at least three courses from the University of Pittsburgh. A 2.0 average is required in the minor. Minor courses include ADMJ 0500 Introduction to Administration of Justice, ADMJ 1400 Introduction to Criminal Law, and 9 credits of administration of justice electives.

Dental Hygiene

Opportunities for healthcare professionals are becoming available as a result of the changes in healthcare delivery formats. To prepare dental hygiene graduates for employment opportunities created by these changes, the University of Pittsburgh’s College of General Studies and the School of Dental Medicine have developed a course of study that leads to a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene. This degree is intended for those students who have graduated from accredited dental hygiene programs with a certificate or associate’s degree. (See School of Dental Medicine listings in this bulletin for information on the dental hygiene certificate program.) The Bachelor of Science degree enhances the already completed professional training and provides important exposure to the liberal arts. The combination of basic sciences, clinical experiences, and liberal arts strengthens the career opportunities for dental hygienists in business, sales, dental hygiene education, and research.

A distinct advantage of the Bachelor of Science degree is that hygienists can practice their profession following receipt of their certificate in dental hygiene and be employed while completing the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. Class schedules can be tailored to work schedules. Classes are available in the evening, during the day, on Saturday, and through external studies, which require only three Saturday workshops while using specially developed course materials. Attendance can be on a full-time or part-time basis.

The following requirements must be met by students seeking admission to the Bachelor of Science program:

• Successful completion of a program in dental hygiene accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (such as the certificate program detailed above),
• Submission of an official copy of a dental hygiene program transcript as well as transcripts from all other colleges attended,
• Licensure to practice dental hygiene in at least one state or eligibility for licensure in Pennsylvania, and
• A minimum grade point average of 2.25 on a 4.00 scale.

The following program requirements must be met to receive the Bachelor of Science degree:

• Completion of a minimum of 120 credits; of this total, a minimum of 30 credits must be at the junior/senior (1000) level. The courses must be completed within five years of enrolling in the program.
• Individuals who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 1996 or later can apply 82 credits from their Dental Hygiene Program toward the 120 credits required for the bachelor of science degree. The following areas make up the remaining 38 credits:

• English composition or writing—6 credits
• Mathematics—3 credits
• Humanities—6 credits
• Social sciences—3 credits
• Literature—3 credits
• History—3 credits
• International perspective—6 credits
• Electives—8 credits

Six credits must be taken from among the following Dental Hygiene Program core courses:

Education Area Courses

Research Area Courses

Health Management Area Courses

• Individuals who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh Dental Hygiene Program in 1995 or earlier or from any other college or university can transfer many of their professional and liberal arts credits toward the bachelor’s degree. The number of credits transferred is determined by an individual review of each applicant’s academic credentials. Interested individuals should contact the College of General Studies dental hygiene academic consultant at 412-624-6600.

Refer to the College of General Studies’ Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree sheet for specific information about applicable courses. Check with an advisor before registering. Requirements are subject to change.

Health Services

The health services major is an interdisciplinary course of study designed to prepare students to work in the healthcare field. Courses focus on the structure of the healthcare industry, including its institutions, personnel, financing, and regulatory controls, and provide students with communication and management skills.

Students may pursue one of two tracks:

• Managing Health Services Programs and Projects gives students key administrative and business skills, with an emphasis on grant and research project management.
• Community Health Assessment provides an understanding of the physical, social, and behavioral factors influencing health.

A minimum total of 120 credits is required for the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in health services. Of this total, the major consists of 3 credits of prerequisite courses and 33 credits of core and specialization courses. The remaining credits for the degree are outlined on the Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree sheet which may be obtained at the CGS information display on the fourth floor of the Cathedral of Learning, or at www.solutions.pitt.edu.

This major has a computer competency requirement: Students may take one of the following three computer courses:

Health Field Core: 15 credits

Specialization Tracks: 18 credits

Students take a total of six courses from one of the two tracks.

TRACK 1: MANAGING HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

Required, choose two:

Electives, choose four:

TRACK 2: COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT

Required, choose two:

Electives, choose four:

Health Information Management

Students who wish to pursue the Bachelor of Science degree in health information management may complete the 60-credit prerequisite program in CGS and then apply for transfer to the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS). For more information concerning this program and admission criteria, see the SHRS information sheet in the CGS lobby, or view the SHRS Web site: www.shrs.pitt.edu.

Humanities Area

Humanities area is a liberal arts major that students customize to meet their interests and career goals with a focus on the humanities. Of the minimum total of 120 credits required for the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in humanities, 36 credits (approximately 12 courses) must come from courses that satisfy the major requirements. To satisfy those requirements, students choose from a variety of courses that must be humanities-related and concentrated in three areas from the following list of disciplines:

• Africana studies (courses must be humanities-related)
• Classics
• Communication
• English literature
• English writing
• Foreign language (literature courses)
• History of art and architecture
• Music
• Philosophy
• Religious studies (courses must be humanities-related)
• Studio arts
• Theatre arts

Students must adhere to the following requirements as they take courses for the humanities area major:

• At least five courses must be taken from one discipline of concentration listed above and at least three courses from the other two disciplines of concentration.
• At least one half of the major courses must be at the 1000 level.
• All courses selected for the humanities area major must be approved by an academic consultant.

School of Education Certification Programs: The College of General Studies and the School of Education have collaborated on a curriculum under the humanities area program that incorporates all of the prerequisite course work needed for admission into the teacher certification program in comprehensive English education. This option may be used by students interested in the professional year or the Master of Arts in teaching programs offered in the School of Education. Completion of the prerequisites for the School of Education does not guarantee acceptance to their programs. See an academic consultant for specific requirements.

Legal Studies

The legal studies major is an interdisciplinary course of study that combines the theories and methods of several social science disciplines and law. While not designed as a prelaw program, the major seeks to develop an understanding of the nature, content, and operation of American law and legal institutions.

Of the minimum total of 120 credits required for the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in legal studies, 30 credits (10 courses) are in courses that satisfy the major requirements. An outline of these major requirements follows.

Core Requirements: 6 credits (two courses)

Legal Studies Electives: 18 credits (choose six courses)

Outside Electives: 6 credits (choose two courses)

The final degree requirement is completion of 6 credits (two courses) from a list of approved electives outside legal studies. The following represents approved elective courses from various disciplines:

Minor requirements: Students interested in a minor, rather than a major, in legal studies should check with their academic consultant. For the minor, students must complete five courses (15 credits) with at least three courses from the University of Pittsburgh. A 2.0 average is required in the minor. Minor courses include LEGLST 0080 Introduction to Legal Studies and 12 credits of legal studies electives.

Liberal Studies

The College of General Studies and the School of Education have collaborated on the liberal studies curriculum that incorporates all of the prerequisite course work needed for admission into the teacher certification programs in early childhood and elementary education. These options may be used by students interested in the professional year or the Master of Arts in teaching programs offered in the School of Education. Completion of the prerequisites for the School of Education does not guarantee acceptance to their programs. See an academic consultant for specific requirements.

Media and Professional Communications

The Media and Professional Communications major is designed to meet the needs and interests of persons engaged in or aspiring to careers that employ competency in communicating in business, government, or through print or electronic media. This new major features a dual emphasis on providing students with a rigorous education in the theories of mass media process, history, and ethics, as well as the opportunity to specialize in one of three professional practice areas: Corporate/Community Relations, Writing for the Professions, or Digital Media. The three tracks are designed to strengthen both the knowledge base and proficiencies of students pursuing careers in communications fields, such as print, television, radio, film, new media, or corporate/organizational communications. This program will also benefit students pursuing careers in a variety of industries in which communication with internal and external publics is critical. A minimum of 120 credits is required for this major.

Prerequisite courses for all three tracks: 12 credits (four courses)

TRACK 1: Corporate/Community Relations: 24 credits (eight courses)

Required courses: 9 credits

Electives: 12 credits (choose four courses)

Internship/Research: 3 credits (choose one course)

TRACK 2: Writing for the Professions: 24 credits (eight courses)

Required courses: 6 credits

Electives: 15 credits (choose five courses)

Internship/Portfolio: 3 credits (choose one course)

TRACK 3: Digital Media: 24 credits (eight courses)

Completion of two prerequisite courses is required before registration for Pittsburgh Filmmakers courses will be permitted.

Required courses: 9 credits

Electives: 12 credits (choose four courses)

Internship/Research: 3 credits (choose one course)

Media Communications

Admission to this major will not be available after summer term 2005. Students admitted to the major may follow the curriculum below or the curriculum for the Media and Professional Communications major.

The media communications major is designed to meet the needs and interests of persons engaged in or aspiring to careers that employ competency in communicating in business, in government, or through print or other media, such as newspapers and magazines, television, and radio. While journalism is included, this major is more broadly conceived than many programs elsewhere bearing that designation, addressing not only a medium, but also the social context and value system of communications. Heavy emphasis is given to writing capabilities. The major consists of courses taken primarily from the communication and English departments.

A minimum total of 120 credits is required for the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in media communications. Of this total, students must take 30 credits (approximately 10 courses) to satisfy the major requirements and 21 related credits (seven courses) as listed below. Note: A grade of C or higher is required in English composition and writing courses.

Prerequisite Courses: 9 credits (three courses)

Core Courses: 18 credits (six courses)
Choose two courses from communication, two from English writing, and the remaining two from either area.

Specialization Courses: 12 credits (four courses)

Choose one from this list of English writing courses:

And choose one from this list of courses:

And choose two from:

Any English writing courses listed in the core or specialization not used to meet those requirements.

Related Field: 12 credits (four courses)

Students pursuing this major are required to have an approved focus of 12 credits in a related field such as history, history of art and architecture, political science, studio arts, literature, theatre, psychology, etc.

Natural Sciences Area

Natural sciences area is a liberal arts major students customize to meet their interests and career goals with a focus on the sciences. Of the minimum total of 120 credits required for the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in the natural sciences area, 36 credits (approximately 12 courses) must come in courses that satisfy the major requirements. To satisfy those requirements, students choose from a variety of courses that must be natural sciences related and concentrated in three areas from the following list of disciplines:

• Anthropology (natural sciences-related course)
• Astronomy
• Biological sciences
• Chemistry
• Computer science (only courses numbered 0401 and above)
• Geology and planetary science
• History and philosophy of science
• Mathematics (only courses numbered 0220 and above)
• Neuroscience
• Physics
• Psychology (natural sciences-related course)
• Statistics

Students must adhere to the following requirements as they take courses for the natural sciences area major:

• At least five courses must be taken from one discipline of concentration listed above and at least three courses from the other two disciplines of concentration.
• All courses selected for the natural sciences major must be approved by an academic consultant.

School of Education Certification Programs: The College of General Studies and the School of Education have collaborated on a curriculum under the natural sciences program that incorporates all of the prerequisite course work needed for admission into the teacher certification programs in earth and space science and general science education. These options may be used by students interested in the professional year or the Master of Arts in teaching programs offered in the School of Education. Completion of the prerequisites for the School of Education does not guarantee acceptance to their programs. See an academic consultant for specific requirements.

Pre-Medicine Option: This natural science option incorporates the coursework needed for admission to most medical and dental programs. Completion does not guarantee acceptance into graduate study. Contact CGS for additional details and requirements.

Public Service

The undergraduate major in public service is offered by the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) through CGS. It is designed to prepare students for a broad range of careers that are focused on the resolution of public problems or the delivery of public services. These careers range from those in the local government and community arena to the metropolitan region and state arena to national and international settings. Potential employers include state, local, and federal governments; nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations at the local, regional, national, or international level; private firms engaged in working with government; and private corporations with an active public service culture. The major serves students who are interested in public issues as concerned and interested citizens and prepares students for a wide range of graduate programs related to public policy and management.

The public service major adds professional dimension to various arts and science majors including political science, anthropology, economics, urban studies, and sociology. A minimum total of 120 credits is required for the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in public service. Of this total, students must take 33 credits (11 courses) in public service, one course in statistics, and 6 credits (two courses) from a related field: political science, economics, psychology, sociology, or another department approved by an academic consultant. The remaining credits required for the degree are outlined on the Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree sheet available at the CGS information display on the fourth floor of the Cathedral of Learning.

Core Courses: 15 credits (five courses)

Specialization Areas: 18 credits (six course)

Choose one of the three specialization areas below.

Public Administration Specialization

Nonprofit Management Specialization

Self-Designed Specialization

Courses that meet the special program needs of the student may be selected from any course offered in public service or any other department. The self-designed specialization must be approved by the departmental advisor.

Public Service Electives

Required Supporting Course Work

Students are required to take a course in statistics (STAT 0200 Basic Applied Statistics or an equivalent course) and two courses from a related department such as economics, political science, psychology, sociology, or another department approved by an academic consultant.

Transfer Credit Agreement

A transfer credit agreement has been established between the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) and the public service program at the University of Pittsburgh. The agreement gives a course-by-course outline of the associate’s degree program and the equivalent course or requirement fulfilled for CGS. Courses transfer if graded C or better. For a copy of the transfer agreement, contact CGS.

Graduate School Option

Students with a GPA of 3.50 or better planning to pursue graduate work may want to consider the graduate school option for early admission to their graduate program. GSPIA offers an early admission option for public service majors in CGS. Contact CGS for details.

Minor Requirements

Students interested in a minor, rather than a major, in public service should check with their academic consultant. For CGS students, the minor would be professional elective course work. For College of Arts and Sciences students, the minor would be non-CAS elective course work. For the minor, students must complete five courses (15 credits) with at least three courses from the University of Pittsburgh. A 2.0 average is required in the minor.

Minor courses:

Requirements are subject to change. Check with an academic consultant before registering.

Self-Design Major

The purpose of the self-design major is to enable highly motivated, nontraditional students who, for compelling professional or academic reasons, wish to pursue a program of studies other than the established majors available in the College of General Studies. The self-design major must be multidisciplinary, including courses from more than two departments or schools. It must have the same academic quality as existing CGS majors, and it must be substantially different from existing CGS majors.

A minimum total of 120 credits are required for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree with a major in Self-Design. Of this total, the major consists of at least 36 credits (12 approved courses). Eighteen (18) of the 36 approved credits that constitute the central theme must be at the 1000 level. The remaining credits for the degree are outlined on the "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" sheet.

A CGS faculty committee grants approval for all Self-Design major proposals. Students considering this alternative should schedule an appointment with a CGS advisor.

Guidelines for Preparing Proposals

1. Faculty Sponsorship and Advisor Responsibilities

a. The major will be designed in consultation with one or more University of Pittsburgh faculty members.

b. In special cases where the student has research or applied interests for which there are few available courses, the faculty member(s) may agree to serve on a continuing basis in an advisory capacity, directing independent studies or an undergraduate thesis. Faculty sponsorship is terminated when the student changes to another major or completes requirements for graduation.

c. CGS advisors will monitor the progress toward the degree for the student.

2. Student Contract

a. After consulting with a CGS advisor, the student will identify a faculty sponsor to provide advice on the academic plan of study. A student who requests guidance in identifying a sponsor (and those students pursuing option “b” above) will be assisted by the CGS faculty committee.

b. The student must submit a written proposal to the CGS faculty committee outlining the purpose, rationale, and courses in the self-designed major. Such a proposal will contain:

Title Page

1. Title of proposed major and degree sought (B.S., B.A.)
2. Student Contact Information
3. Name, department, and contact information for faculty sponsors.
4. Signature of approval by faculty member(s).

Content of Proposal

1. A clear statement of purpose and rationale for the major must be made. Include the scope of the program of studies and relevance of the courses proposed.
2. List the courses, course numbers, titles, and number of credits.
3. A minimum of 36 credits (12 courses) in the central theme is required, with 18 of the 36 approved credits at the 1000 level.

3. Proposal Approval

The CGS Faculty Committee grants final approval of the major in a letter to the faculty sponsor, the Associate Dean of CGS, and the student. Any changes to the major must have approval from the Associate Dean.

Social Sciences Area

Social sciences area is a liberal arts major students can customize to meet their interests and career goals with a focus on the social sciences. Of the minimum total of 120 credits required for the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in social sciences area, 36 credits (approximately 12 courses) must come in courses that satisfy the major requirements. To satisfy those requirements, students choose from a variety of courses that must be social sciences related and concentrated in three areas from the following list of disciplines:

• Africana studies (social sciences-related courses)
• Anthropology (social sciences-related courses)
• Economics
• History
• Jewish studies
• Legal studies
• Political science
• Psychology (social sciences-related courses)
• Religious studies (social sciences-related courses)
• Sociology

Students must adhere to the following requirements as they take courses for the social sciences area major:

• At least five courses must be taken from one discipline of concentration listed above and at least three courses from the other two disciplines of concentration.
• At least one half of the major courses must be at the 1000-level.
• All courses selected for the social sciences area major must be approved by an academic consultant.

Certificate Programs

Eleven certificate programs are offered through CGS. The certificates are designed to enhance the student's educational background and employment potential. The programs and their total credit requirements appear below:

• Accounting - 25 credits
• Communication - 24 credits
• Community Health Assessment - 18 credits
• Corporate/Community Relations - 18 credits
• Digital Media - 18 credits
• Information System Design - 18 credits
• Managing Health Services Programs and Projects - 18 credits
• Nonprofit Management - 18 credits
• Women's Studies - 18 credits
• Writing - 18 credits
• Writing for the Professions - 18 credits

Additional information on certificate programs is available in the CGS lobby, 4th floor, Cathedral of Learning or at the CGS website: www.solutions.pitt.edu