Welcome to The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS)
The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) offers educational programs leading to a baccalaureate degree in the following areas:
- Athletic Training
- Communication Science
- Emergency Medicine
- Health Information Management
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Nutrition Science
- Rehabilitation Science
SHRS also offers a Coordinated BS-MS (accelerated) program in Nutrition and Dietetics.
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.
Through the undergraduate program in Rehabilitation Science, SHRS offers three undergraduate certificate programs in the following areas:
- Assistive Technology in Rehabilitation
- Pathokinesiology in Rehabilitation
- Psycho-Social Issues in Rehabilitation and Personal Care
The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences and shares a close affiliation with the world-class University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). The medical center comprises a variety of hospitals and clinical facilities that affords students a wealth of opportunities for professional experience.
The SHRS faculty base their teaching upon research studies, clinical service, and participation in their respective professional associations. Faculty research and service typically occurs through multi-disciplinary collaboration in diverse health care and research environments. Consequently, both entry-level and advanced students are exposed to state-of-the-art curricula, which are continually reviewed from the perspective of new research findings, technological developments, changing public policy and accepted clinical and management practice.
Our students are educated and trained to question the basis of current practice, and to challenge prevailing models and assumptions. The entry-level curricula reflect the importance of effective team participation in an inter-disciplinary and rapidly changing environment. Emphasis is given to the student’s development of analytical problem solving skills and human relations skills required for effective clinical and supervisory practice. The student is confronted with the transition between a professional commitment to providing high quality care and service, while recognizing the effects of competitive pressures and cost constraints upon the health care organization.
Philosophy of Undergraduate Education
The primary objective of our entry-level professional programs is to educate knowledgeable, skilled, and ethically responsible practitioners, committed to their respective professions and to the high standards of health care and rehabilitation services.
The primary objective of our pre-professional programs is to provide students with an excellent preparation for entry-level professional health care educational programs that are offered at the graduate level, either at the University of Pittsburgh or other universities.
Admission Information
Contact Information
University of Pittsburgh
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Office of Admissions
4020 Forbes Tower
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-383-6558
admissions@shrs.pitt.edu
www.shrs.pitt.edu
Admissions Policy
Admission to most SHRS undergraduate programs is on a competitive basis as class sizes are limited. Students are strongly encouraged to complete as many prerequisites as possible prior to applying and to apply by the application deadlines published by the individual departments. Applications will be evaluated and qualified applicants will be admitted until classes are filled. Visit SHRS Programs and Course Offerings for individual department and program admission policies.
Admission Requirements
General admission requirements for the SHRS baccalaureate degree programs include a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.500 based on 4.000 (a 3.0 is required for accelerated programs) and successful completion of a minimum of 60 college-level credits, which includes specific prerequisite courses. If letter grading is available, all prerequisite courses must be taken for a letter grade, and a minimum grade of C- is required. (A minimum grade of C is required for all credits transferred from other institutions). SHRS also recommends prior study in a second (foreign) language and prior completion of a college-level computer science course.
30 of the 60 credits required for admission must be from four basic content areas, with minimum credits in each of the four areas as listed in the table below. These 30 credits must consist of courses which are equivalent to those taken by students in the first two years of a four year liberal arts or science degree. Courses from two-year colleges are acceptable if they meet this standard.
| Content Area |
Minimum Required Credits |
Examples of courses |
| Natural Sciences/Psychology (Introductory basic science or psychology courses) |
6 |
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, Neuroscience, etc. |
| Humanities/Social Sciences |
6 |
Foreign language, English literature, Economics, History, Philosophy, etc. |
| Oral and Written Communication |
6 |
Public Speaking, English Composition, Intensive Writing Course, etc. |
| Mathematics/Statistics / Computer Science |
4 |
Algebra, Calculus, Introduction to Statistics, Computer Programming, etc. |
| Total from all four Content Areas must equal 30 credits |
Students with questions about identifying specific courses that will satisfy the prerequisites for our undergraduate program should contact the SHRS Admissions Office at admissions@shrs.pitt.edu or 412-383-6558.
Application Procedures
Freshman application is made through the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. SHRS is an upper-division school and does not admit students to its undergraduate programs at the freshman level. Therefore, students must first be admitted to another school at the University of Pittsburgh or to another institution. (See Pittsburgh campus Freshman Admissions section of this catalog for more information.)
Transfer students who have previously enrolled at a college or university other than the University of Pittsburgh, including former University of Pittsburgh students who have since earned college credits at another institution and now wish to return to the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences must complete a University of Pittsburgh transfer application, submit an application fee of $45 to the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid and complete the supplemental information required for SHRS. (See Transfer Student Admissions section of this catalog for more information.)
International applicants must complete the International Undergraduate Student application and the supplemental information required for SHRS. (See International Undergraduate Student Admissions section of this catalog for more information.)
University of Pittsburgh students applying to the Athletic Training, Communication Science, Coordinated BS-MS in Nutrition and Dietetics, Emergency Medicine, Health Information Management, Nutrition Science, and Rehabilitation Science programs must complete the SHRS Apply Yourself application. An application fee is not required of current Pitt students applying to the SHRS undergraduate programs. The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD) is no longer accepting students.
The following information is required as part of the application process:
- Essay: See individual program admission pages on SHRS website, for specific essay requirements. This essay should be no longer than two pages.
- The Athletic Training, Emergency Medicine, Health Information Management, Nutrition Science and Rehabilitation Science programs require 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 a student’s academic, professional, and interpersonal abilities. This recommendation can be submitted electronically through the online application by the applicant’s reference or by mailing a hard copy letter to the SHRS admissions office accompanied by the appropriate recommendation form as provided in the downloadable forms and recommendation section of the application. A letter of recommendation is not required for the Communication Science program. Three letters of recommendation are required for the Coordinated BS-MS in Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Transcripts: University of Pittsburgh students are not required to submit University of Pittsburgh transcripts. However, we do require transcripts from all other colleges and universites where credit was earned. If transcripts have already been provided to the University of Pittsburgh applicants may request copies from the Student Records Office of their current school. Transfer applicants must submit official high school transcriptsas well as transcripts from all college and universites attended to the Office of Admission and Financial Aid. 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.
- While not required, a resume is highly encouraged.
University of Pittsburgh students applying from the University of Pittsburgh in Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown and Titusville should follow the same guidelines as stated above for students at the University of Pittsburgh. A Relocation Form should only be submitted to the regional campuses if a student is admitted to a program at SHRS to facilitate the transfer of student records.
Advanced Standing on Admission
Students enter SHRS as juniors with 60 advanced standing credits. (Exception is the Emergency Medicine Senior Transfer option for paramedics and currently serving military applicants. These students are granted 90 advanced standing credits and admitted as seniors.)
Students are expected to take all core courses required by their program at SHRS; however, students with more than 60 credits of undergraduate coursework completed at a four year academic institution may be granted up to 30 additional credits pending approval of the Program Director. The Program Director must:
- review and approve these additional credits
- indicate additional classes/credits on the student’s Plan of Study, and
- submit to the Director of Student Services, Registrar a request to accept additional credits
- all required academic work for a degree in SHRS, including courses for which advanced- standing credit has been granted, must be completed within ten (10) consecutive calendar years. Departments have the discretion to lessen this number for specific coursework deemed integral to the course of study in a particular discipline
See Allowable Credits section of this catalog for additional information about advanced standing.
Admission Status
Students are admitted to SHRS on one of the following statuses: full, conditional or non-degree.
- Full 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. At the discretion of the Department Chair students may to be admitted to an SHRS undergraduate program with a maximum of two courses of prerequisite work remaining to be taken in their designated program. Any outstanding prerequisite work taken while enrolled in an SHRS undergraduate program must be completed by the end of the fall term of the senior year.
- Non-degree status is granted to those who enroll at SHRS to take courses for credit without reference to a degree
Reinstatement
Reinstatement is not guaranteed. Students who have been dismissed from SHRS for academic reasons or who have not enrolled at SHRS for three consecutive terms may apply for reinstatement. To request reinstatement a student must initiate the request via a letter to the department chair. This letter must be submitted at least three months prior to the beginning of the term for which the student is requesting reinstatement. The faculty within the student’s academic program will review the request for reinstatement. The review will be conducted with consideration given to the following criteria:
- A period of one year must have elapsed from the time the student is dismissed to the time in which he/she is reinstated
- Demonstration of academic success since leaving the program
- Demonstration of personal and/or professional development since leaving the program
- Space available within the program of study
Financial Information
Tuition and Fee Rates
Tuition and fee rates are available on the Financial Information page, in the University Catalog. And the tuition chart is online at Undergraduate Tuition & Mandatory Fees.
Fulltime students
Undergraduate students registered for 12 to 18 credits in the Fall and Spring Terms are regarded as full-time students, and are assessed the current undergraduate “flat” tuition rate for their academic center.
Undergraduate students registered for fewer than 12 credits are considered part-time, and are billed on a per-credit basis.
Students will be charged per credit for each credit exceeding the maximum full-time credit limit.
Summer Term: All students are billed on a per-credit basis.
Residency/Reduced Tuition
Students who reside in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania may be eligible for reduced tuition through state appropriations.
Eligibility is determined by criteria outlined in the University of Pittsburgh Guidelines for Determining Eligibility for Reduced Tuition Rates, available online at http://payments.pitt.edu/pa-tuition-rate-eligibility/
Additional Fees
Lab Fees: Lab courses may incur an additional fee to cover laboratory expenses. These fees will be charged to the student directly and will appear on the invoice generated by Student Accounts in addition to tuition and other fees each semester.
Liability Insurance: Students enrolled in a clinical education or practicum must carry liability insurance. Liability insurance is required for SHRS students and will automatically be included on the tuition bill.
Financial Obligation of Students
The University of Pittsburgh has the right to withhold services if a student defaults on any financial obligation until repayment arrangements have been made that are satisfactory to the office or department to which the debt is owed.
Scholarships, Grants and Financial Aid
If you are interested in applying for loans, scholarships, grants, or work study, you should call, write or visit the University of Pittsburgh, Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, Alumni Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, 412-624-PITT, https://oafa.pitt.edu/ See also the SHRS website financial information page.
SHRS Scholarships and Awards
General information on scholarship and awards can be found at: SHRS Financial Information Page on our website. Contact individual departments for information on scholarships and awards specific to your area of study.
SHRS Academic Regulations
Academic Integrity Policy
Students have the responsibility to be honest and to conduct themselves in an ethical manner while pursuing academic studies. Students have the right to be treated by faculty in a fair and conscientious manner in accordance with the ethical standards generally recognized within the academic community (as well as those recognized within the profession). Should a student be accused of a breach of academic integrity or have questions regarding faculty responsibilities, procedural safeguards including provisions of due process have been designed to protect student rights. These may be found in SHRS Guidelines on Academic Integrity: Student and Faculty Obligations and Hearing Procedures.
Minimum Academic Standard
In addition to the University-wide regulations and standards detailed in the section on General Academic Regulations, each student in SHRS is expected to be familiar with these school-specific regulations and academic Standards:
- It is the student’s responsibility to review her/his academic standing, to identify undergraduate program requirements and prerequisites for intended undergraduate program(s) and to monitor their completion.
- All required and prerequisite coursework must be taken for a grade, when letter grade option is available.
- Students must receive a C- or better in each required course and SHRS elective course to earn credit.
- For non-SHRS, non-required coursework, students must earn a grade of D or better (C required for transfer credits).
- All Pitt grades will still appear on the transcript and be calculated into the GPA unless the student repeats the course. However, credits from courses in which student has earned unacceptable grades will not be counted toward graduation.
- Students who receive a grade below a C- in a required course must repeat that course and attain a grade of C- or better.
- Students will not be permitted to register for a course until they attain a C- or better in its prerequisite.
- Failure to receive an acceptable grade after the second repeat of a required course may result in the student being dismissed from the program and SHRS.
Advising
Academic and faculty advisors for SHRS undergraduate students are assigned by the Program Directors. Students are notified of the name of their advisor by their Department.
Change of Advisor
If either the student or his or her assigned advisor prefers, the student can choose another advisor. The student must obtain a Change of Academic Advisor form, located on the SHRS website under forms, complete the form and secure the required signatures, and return the form to the Office of Student Services. As a general rule, students who have more than 50% of the credits required for graduation should not initiate change of advisor procedures.
More information on Advisor roles and responsibilities can be found in the SHRS Undergraduate Handbook
Plan of Study
Every student in SHRS must have a Plan of Study, signed by academic/faculty advisor, on file with Student Services by the end of the first semester. Any revisions to the Plan of Study must be approved by the academic/faculty advisor or Department Chair and submitted to Student Services.
To be certified for graduation, students must have successfully completed all courses outlined in their final Plan of Study as well as any other requirements for the degree. A final Plan of Study must be on file in Student Services 4019 Forbes Tower.
Allowable Credits
Some SHRS programs may allow students to earn particular course credits by successful completion of the following:
Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Credits
See https://oafa.pitt.edu/apply/ap-ib-credit/ for credits and course equivalencies currently granted by the University of Pittsburgh for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate examinations.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
SHRS does NOT accept CLEP general examination credits.
Credit by Course Examination
The following regulations govern this procedure:
- The individual department shall determine specific courses open to examination
- A student may not earn credit by examination if s/he has previously taken the course
- Student may obtain the form, Credit by Course Examination, from the Office of Student Services (4019 Forbes Tower)
- Enrolled students must apply for examination during the term preceding the term in which the course is scheduled
- Newly admitted students may apply and take the examination early in the term in which the course is taught
The Credit by Course Examination form and a check or money order for the appropriate fee must be processed in the Cashier’s Office, G-7 Thackeray Hall, for validation prior to taking the examination. Upon passing the examination, the department will submit the Credit by Course Examination form to Student Services. Students will receive advanced standing credit for the course, which may be applied towards graduation. If a student fails the exam, neither a failing grade nor credits will be posted on the transcript. An exemption examination may be taken only once per course. The faculty of each Department will determine the number of courses that can be exempted by students enrolled in that academic program.
Online Courses
The acceptance of online coursework is at the discretion of the department to which the student is applying. All online coursework must be taken at a regionally accredited institution.
Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)
A total of four (4) ROTC credits earned by students will be accepted for purposes of admission and graduation. Grades for ROTC courses will be included in calculating the student’s GPA.
Transfer Credit Policy
At the time of application coursework completed outside the University of Pittsburgh is evaluated by the SHRS Admissions Office to determine if it meets University and SHRS policy required for transfer.
- A maximum of 60 credits can be transferred into the University of Pittsburgh from a two-year degree program; and a maximum of 90 from a four-year college/university
- Courses must be passed with a grade of C or better and must be earned at an appropriately accredited institution
- Courses must have reasonable equivalents at the University of Pittsburgh to be eligible for transfer. When requested, students are responsible for supplying descriptions for courses taken elsewhere
- 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 at the University of Pittsburgh
- 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)
- SHRS 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 GPA at the University of Pittsburgh
- Contact the SHRS Admissions Office at 412-383-6558 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.
Transfer Students Credit Evaluation
Upon application, transfer students will receive a formal credit evaluation. Following admission, transfer students will receive formal notification from SHRS indicating which requirements have been satisfied and if any prerequisite coursework or credits are outstanding.
Current SHRS Students taking courses off campus for transfer credit
Current SHRS students in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of at least 2.00), including students admitted to SHRS who need to complete prerequisites prior to starting their program, may attend another accredited institution in order to complete their degree requirements, provided they receive prior approval from the SHRS Dean’s office. Students will be required to fill out an approval form and provide appropriate course descriptions. Students will not receive credit for courses taken without advance approval. SHRS students may not enroll in courses outside the University of Pittsburgh in the semester they are graduating from SHRS.
Independent Study
The independent study allows the student to pursue independent academic work for credit. The independent study must be supervised by an SHRS approved faculty member. To register for an independent study, the student must:
- identify and develop an independent study project with independent study supervisor
- complete the Independent Study form (Found on the SHRS website)
- have Independent Study form approved and signed by the IS supervisor, academic/faculty advisor, and Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies
- copy Independent Study form as necessary
- submit an Independent Study form, Enrollment form, and have your advisor send Student Services an approval email to receive a permission number
- enroll online for the independent study course
Clinical Education and Directed Practice
Clinical learning experience is an integral and essential part of SHRS undergraduate entry level professional programs. All students in these programs are required to participate in clinical education. Participation is optional but recommended for students in pre-professional programs. The following is required for all SHRS undergraduate clinical education:
- all clinical education sites must have current contracts with the University of Pittsburgh
- each program’s clinical education coordinator will assign students to their clinical education site
- student must use an Enrollment Form to register for appropriate clinical education and submit other forms as directed by clinical education coordinator and listed below
- student must provide proof of HIPAA certification with registration
- student must provide proof of Blood Borne Pathogen certification with registration
- students are required to carry personal health insurance
- student must provide proof of having undergone a physical exam and blood work as well as proof of vaccinations
- list of exam and vaccination requirements and required form will be provided by the clinical education coordinator
Some SHRS programs require that students complete clinical education at facilities internal or external to the University and may require completion of: 1) Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance; 2) Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check; 3) FBI Criminal Record Check to determine whether the student is qualified to participate in clinical education. If these are deemed to be required and the student has not already done so, he/she should immediately start the process of obtaining these three clearances and background checks.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has posted information on how to obtain these clearances and background checks here: http://www.dhs.state.pa.us/findaform/childabusehistoryclearanceforms/S001087.
Additional requirements may also include a drug screen, CPR training, attending orientation sessions, compliance with dress code, and personal transportation. Each program’s clinical education coordinator will advise students of additional program or site-specific requirements and instructions on how to submit required documentation to verify completion of all requirements.
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 responsibility of the student. Any student who misses clinical education time for any reason must meet with his/her clinical education coordinator to discuss any needed make-up time. See individual program for specific details regarding clinical education.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
All SHRS students participating in clinical education or field experience must complete HIPAA certification training prior to beginning at the clinical/field site. No clinical contact in a “covered entity” will be allowed before certification is completed. (Student should see individual department information regarding additional HIPAA certification requirements.)
Procedure for completing HIPAA certification: Go to http://cme.hs.pitt.edu. Look for UPMC HIPAA Security Awareness Training for Physicians (formerly RPF Module 15) and HIPAA Physicians Privacy Awareness Training by UPMC (formerly RPF Module 8). Complete the UPMC HIPAA Security Awareness Training for Physicians and HIPAA Physicians Privacy Awareness Training by UPMC. Complete the quizzes. Print certificates, complete all information, sign them, and turn them in to your department.
Blood Borne Pathogen Training and Certification
All SHRS students who will be going into a clinical setting must complete Blood Borne Pathogen (BBP) training and certification annually. This certification must be completed prior to the beginning of the term in which the clinical setting will begin. No clinical placement will be allowed before certification is completed.
Procedure for completing online BBP training and certification: Go to http://cme.hs.pitt.edu. Look for Blood Borne Pathogen Training (formerly RPF Module 9). Complete Blood Borne Pathogens Training. Complete the quiz. Print certificate, complete all information, sign it, and turn it in to your department.
Dual Degree Option
Students may pursue dual degrees within SHRS or between SHRS and another school at the University. SHRS follows the University policy concerning dual degrees.
- the student must complete 150 credits accepted by the University
- the student must complete all requirements necessary to complete each degree
- the student must receive both degrees simultaneously
- the student must be admitted and enrolled in SHRS as his/her primary academic center for half the terms necessary to complete both degrees, typically this is 4-5 semesters
- students must contact SHRS Admissions Office, 4021 Forbes Tower, to be admitted prior to the midpoint of their studies
Grading Policy
All SHRS undergraduate programs adhere to the University’s grading system and grading policies for graduate students. Please refer to the Office of the University Registrar on Grades or the University Catalog on Grading and Records
Course Grading
The method of evaluation and grading is the prerogative of the course instructor and is based on the course objectives and expectations. SHRS faculty have the option of issuing “+” or “-” grades. SHRS faculty have the option of assigning letter grades or HSU evaluations, as printed in the course catalog and determined at student’s enrollment. Students will be apprised of the evaluation procedure by the instructor at the beginning of each course. It is the student’s responsibility to request clarification of any evaluation or grading policy.
SHRS (G) Grade Policy
The G grade signifies unfinished course work due to extenuating personal circumstances. Students assigned G grades are required to complete course requirements no later than one year after the term or session in which the course was taken.
Once the deadline has passed, the G grade will be changed automatically to a (NG) - No Grade. The NG grade will remain on the record and the student will be required to re-register for the course if it is needed to fulfill requirements for graduation.
Action required by the student and faculty member for a “G” grade:
- The student, instructor and advisor are to fill out a Completion Agreement of G Grade Credits Form (the form and the SHRS G grade Policy and instructions can be found on the SHRS website)
- A copy of this agreement will need to be submitted to Student Services, no later than the end of the add/drop period for the following term. If the following term is the summer term, then the add/drop deadline date is that of the whole summer term.
Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC) grading option
Prerequisite and required courses must be taken for a letter grade when available, and a student must earn a C- or better (C for transfer credits). Students planning to apply to SHRS are strongly encouraged to consult their advisor whenever considering the S/NC grading option to make certain the course is not required for the degree being sought in SHRS.
Dean’s List for SHRS
The SHRS Dean’s List is compiled upon completion of each fall and spring term. The criteria used to determine eligibility for the Dean’s List is as follows:
- full-time student status for the term
- minimum GPA of 3.500 for the term
- minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000 (total Pitt)
Enrollment Status
A student must be registered for at least one credit in a twelve (12) month period from the time of admission until the degree is granted in order to maintain active status. Those students who fail to observe this rule will be placed on inactive status and will have to seek formal readmission in order to continue in the program. If active status is not maintained, the student is not permitted to use University facilities or receive counseling or active supervision by a faculty member, advisor, or committee.
Undergraduate students cannot enroll for more than (18) units without the dean’s approval. Only an advisor or the University Registrar’s Office can enroll you after you receive approval for the additional unit(s)
Undergraduate students registered for 12 to 18 credits in the Fall and Spring Terms are regarded as full-time students.
Students cannot enroll in courses that meet at the same time
More Information on the enrollment process can be found in the SHRS Undergraduate Handbook.
Enrollment in Graduate Courses
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. The student must obtain written permission from the school of proposed graduate study that the courses may count when and if the student is admitted into the graduate degree program. This privilege should not be granted if the proposed total program exceeds a normal full-time load. Although these credits will appear on the undergraduate transcript, they will not count toward fulfilling undergraduate degree requirements. They will be posted as advanced standing credits on the graduate transcript.
Extended Drop Period
Under special circumstances, undergraduate students may be eligible to drop a course in the third week of the fall or spring semester. Students must meet all of the following criteria to drop a course during the extended drop period:
Students must meet all of the following criteria to drop a course during the extended drop period (Only Fall & Spring term):
- Must be an Undergraduate student and the course you are dropping must be an Undergraduate course.
- Students must remain in full-time status after dropping the course(s).
- Students must review the proposed drop with their academic advisor.
If the student’s advisor finds that the student is eligible, the advisor must provide permission to drop via email to Chazz Williams at chw65@pitt.edu in SHRS Student Services. Students do not have access to drop classes during the extended period.
- The email request must include all student and course information. (Students name, PeopleSoft ID #, Subject, number, section, credits) process the drop(s).
Monitored Withdrawal
After the add/drop period has ended, students may withdraw from a course that they no longer wish to attend by completing a Monitored Withdrawal Request form in the office of the school offering the course. Students must process the Monitored Withdrawal Request form within the first nine weeks of the term in the fall and spring. Because summer sessions vary in length, students should check the University’s Academic Calendar for those deadlines. Students should check with the school offering the course for the last day to submit a Monitored Withdrawal Request form. The grade W will appear on the student’s grade report and transcript. There is no financial adjustment to students’ tuition or fee obligations involved in withdrawing from courses, but withdrawing may jeopardize satisfactory academic progress, financial aid, and assistantships or fellowships.
The form must be signed by the instructor of the course and be returned to the Director of Student Services, Registrar, 4024 Forbes Tower within the first nine weeks of the term in the fall and spring.
Late Withdrawl procedure
Procedure for an Appeal for Late Withdrawal
- After the Monitored Withdrawal deadline has passed, students may appeal to withdraw from a course by submitting an Appeal for Late Withdrawal. Form can be found on the SHRS website, under current students/forms.
- All appeals for late withdrawal must be for non-academic reasons, i.e. medical or family emergencies. If you are trying to withdraw without extenuating circumstances, your appeal will be denied.
- Appeals must be submitted to the Dean’s Office of the school offering the course, regardless of the student’s home school.
- Appeals for Late Withdrawal from SHRS courses should be submitted to 4024 Forbes Tower, to the Registrar, Kellie Beach
- The appeal requires information on the class, including class number, catalog/course number, subject, and course title. This information can be found in your Student Center/PeopleSoft.
- The signature of the instructor-or an email from the instructor indicating the date of last attendance, grade earned, and acknowledgement of your withdrawal-is required. You must print and attach copies of the emails.
- Attach a typed statement explaining the extenuating circumstances which you feel merit consideration of withdrawal beyond the deadline. Please provide relevant documentation, such as certification from a doctor, hospital receipts, an obituary, etc.
- Please address the documentation and the letter to SHRS, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Kevin Conley
- Please include your PeopleSoft ID and your University of Pittsburgh e-mail address on each submitted document.
- Please sign and date each document.
- You will be notified of the Associate Dean’s decision via your student email account.
- Appeals for late withdrawal must be submitted before the end of the 13th week of the semester. After the 13th week, students can only appeal to withdraw from the entire semester.
- If your request is approved and you accept the grade of “W” there is no tuition adjustment for withdrawing from the course.
Repetition of Courses
Consult your dean’s office for the proper procedure of repeating a class and for information on how this will affect your grades and the calculation of your Grade Point Average (GPA). When you repeat a class, you must officially enroll and pay for the class again. University policy prohibits any student from attending a class without being officially enrolled for that class. A repeated course, has a notation appearing underneath the previous course taken designating that it is excluded from the GPA. The original course and grade will always remain on your record/transcript.
Students are only permitted to repeat a course twice.
NOTE: Any grade earned in the repeated course will be recorded on the academic transcript, even if it is lower than the original grade.
- 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. Withdrawal (W), Repeat (R), and Audit/Non-Credit (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 seeking to repeat other non-SHRS (prerequisites, electives, etc.) courses will be permitted to do so at the discretion of the program director.
Statute of Limitations on Allowable Coursework
All required academic work for a degree in SHRS, including courses for which advanced- standing credit has been granted, must be completed within ten (10) consecutive calendar years. Departments have the discretion to lessen this number for specific coursework deemed integral to the course of study in a particular discipline.
Resigning from the University for a Specific Term
If students decide to drop all of their courses after the add/drop period has ended and before 60 percent of the term or session has been completed, they must resign from the University for that term. Official resignation from the University requires students to contact the Student Appeals Office. Students have several options. They may resign in person, by mail, or by calling 412-624-7585, where students may leave a message 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. An R grade will appear on the student’s academic transcript. Tuition is prorated from the date of the student’s notification to the Student Appeals Office of the student’s desire to resign, unless 60 percent of the term has been completed, in which case there is no refund.
After the 60 percent point of the term or session has passed, students who wish to terminate their registration may process a withdrawal from all classes only with the permission of their academic dean. If the reason for withdrawal is medical or psychological in nature, the academic dean may consult with the director of the Student Health Service prior to making a determination. There is no financial adjustment associated with this procedure, which results in the assignment of W grades for the courses.
Please visit the Student Payment center resignation page on the University of Pittsburgh website for more information.
Leave of Absence
Under special conditions, Undergraduate students may be granted one leave of absence. All requests for a leave of absence need to be put in writing to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, using the SHRS Request for Leave of Absence from an Undergraduate Program form. The length and rationale for the leave of absence must be approved by the Associate Dean. If approved, the time of the leave shall not count against the total time allowed for the degree (statute of Limitations) being sought by the student.
To request of leave of absence, you must complete the SHRS Request for Leave of Absence from and Undergraduate Program form, which can be found on the SHRS website under current students/forms. This form must be submitted it to Student Services on the 4th floor of Forbes Tower for approval.
Note: If the reason for your leave is medical in nature, a formal note from a Doctor must be included with this form.
Academic Probation and Dismissal Policy
Students who have completed at least 12 credits and whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.000 will be placed on academic probation and will receive written notification of this status. At this point it is the student’s responsibility to meet with his or her advisor.
To be removed from academic probation, the student will need to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.000 within his or her next two terms of study. Failure to do so may subject the student to recommendation for immediate dismissal from the program by the Department Chair, in collaboration with the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
Students who fail to demonstrate progress toward meeting graduation requirements in a timely manner may be placed on academic probation or recommended for dismissal fro the program by the Department Chair in collaboration with that Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies. SHRS reserves the right to terminate a student at any time for academic or other reasons.
Dismissal from the program is at the discretion of the SHRS Dean. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event it is not mathematically possible for a student to remediate their cumulative program GPA within their next two terms of study the student may be immediately dismissed.
A student may appeal their dismissal with the University of Pittsburgh Provost office.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree from the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences are as follows:
- satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120 approved credits (including advanced standing)
- minimum of 30 SHRS credits taken once admitted and enrolled in SHRS department or program
- minimum cumulative GPA 2.000
- the GPA will be calculated as a composite of all courses taken at the University of Pittsburgh and counting toward completion of the degree
- completion of all requirements for the program in which student has enrolled
- no outstanding D, F, or G grades in a required course
- updated and approved Plan of Study on file in Student Services, 4019 Forbes Tower
- student must be considered an “active student” at time of graduation; s/he must have been registered for at least one credit at the University of Pittsburgh within the last three terms or sessions
- students may not enroll in courses outside the University of Pittsburgh in the semester they are graduating
- An application for graduation must be filed in the SHRS Office of Student Services, based on the deadlines determined for that term. Email notification of theses deadlines will be sent to students in the prior term. The graduation application is available on the SHRS website under forms.
A student with outstanding financial obligations to the University is not eligible to receive the diploma, official academic transcripts, or any certification of completion of the academic program.
Graduation with Honors
A baccalaureate degree student attaining an outstanding scholastic record will be graduated with University honors if a minimum of 60 letter-graded credits have been earned at the University of Pittsburgh. The GPA used for the awarding of honors at graduation will be calculated as a composite of courses taken at the University of Pittsburgh and counting toward completion of the degree. The following recognition of academic standing with honors applies:
SHRS Student Organizations
The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences has student organizations for undergraduate students. Visit http://www.shrs.pitt.edu/studentgroups/ for more information.
Ombudsperson
SHRS has designated a person within SHRS to be the Ombudsperson.
The Ombudsperson is a person who handles complaints, serves as a mediator, and a spokesperson for the rights of a particular individual or group. The Ombudsperson in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) will be a neutral contact person (Non-faculty) for students with whom they can engage in informal discussions to express concerns about conflicts and other issues that may arise during the course of their education that they believe are difficult to address with their academic department.
The Ombudsperson for SHRS is Kellie Beach, Director of Student Services, and Registrar. She can be reached at kbeach@pitt.edu to make an appointment. More information on the role of the Ombudsperson for SHRS can be found on the SHRS website under the Orientation page.
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty
SHRS Faculty
Program and Course Offerings
Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition
Department of Communication Science and Disorders (CSD)
Emergency Medicine Program
Department of Health Information Management
Program in Rehabilitation Science
