Allowable Credits (Credit and Course Limitations)

There are certain limitations on credits, other than those earned as part of regular undergraduate courses taken at the University, that may be applied toward a degree. Those limitations are detailed below.

Advanced Standing Credits

Each school determines whether and under what circumstances the advanced standing credits listed below will be awarded toward a University of Pittsburgh degree or certificate offered by the school. Contact the individual schools for details.

Transfer Credit

Credit may be earned at other appropriately accredited institutions and accepted for transfer to the University of Pittsburgh, subject to University policy and individual school requirements.

Advanced Placement

Credits may be earned toward a University of Pittsburgh degree or certificate through standardized examinations such as the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Occupational Competency, Excelsior College Examination Program, and Advanced Placement (AP) Exams. In addition, some schools give credit for the International Baccalaureate Higher-Level Examinations. Credit is given for the following AP Exam scores:

Advanced Placement Credit (effective August 2015)

• Students will have to check with the department to determine credit or waiver.
• Students wishing to take German language courses must still take the German Placement Exam at their orientation session.

Credit by Examination

In some cases, students may earn credits toward a University of Pittsburgh degree or certificate by passing a course examination without registering for the course. Contact the individual department or school for information, as each sets its own policies as to the specific courses for which students may request credit by examination.Career Development Courses

Noncredit, career development courses are not applicable to the bachelor’s degree but may be included among the requirements for certain professional certificates.

Cooperative Programs

The University has established some arrangements with industries that permit students to rotate four-month terms between the workplace and the classroom. These are paid positions related to the student’s field of study. These programs are administered by the Swanson School of Engineering and are available to any student with a science-related major. The experience normally starts in the sophomore or junior year. Students should contact their school or department to determine the maximum number of credits that may be earned toward their degree requirements through cooperative programs. Call 412-624-9826 for more information.

Duplication of Course Content

Students may not earn credit for courses that substantially duplicate the content of other courses for which they have already received credit.

Directed Reading and Research, Independent Study, Internships

Some schools offer individually designed study other than regular courses. Students are limited by the individual schools as to how many such independent study, directed reading, directed research, and internship credits can be counted among the required credits for the degree. Requirements and procedures may also differ. Contact school for details.

Directed Reading

The student undertakes a specified course of study comparable to a regular course under the direct supervision of a faculty member.

Directed Research

The student pursues a defined research project on campus under the guidance of a faculty member.

Independent Study

Independent study involves an independent program of study, research, or creative activity designed under specified conditions and is usually conducted off campus with less immediate direction by the sponsoring faculty member.

Internships

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

English Language Institute Courses

Credit for certain English Language Institute courses may be applied toward the undergraduate degree. See school for details.

Enrollment in Graduate Courses

Undergraduate students with sufficient preparation are permitted to enroll in graduate courses, and credits earned may be counted toward the undergraduate degree following procedures determined by each school. Credits earned in graduate courses taken by an undergraduate student typically cannot be counted subsequently toward a graduate degree. Consult the appropriate graduate or professional school bulletin for rules governing transfer credits for graduate-level courses taken by an undergraduate student.

PittOnline (formerly External Studies)

The PittOnline Program offers most courses to students in a Web-based environment. Most course materials can be accessed through CourseWeb, the University’s course management system. Web courses feature Web-based instruction and interaction. Students interact with their instructors and other students through the class Web site. Students complete the course requirements within one term and move through the course materials as a cohort. Hybrid courses combine Web-based interaction and face-to-face instruction. Students are required to attend scheduled workshops and participate in online discussions and activities.

Self-paced courses utilize a flexible format where students move through assigned course materials at their own pace. Workshops and Web-based activities are features of some courses. The course syllabus provides more information about workshops and Web-based activities for these courses. Self-paced courses without CourseWeb are indicated with a SPW designation.

For additional information on PittOnline courses, contact the College of General Studies at 412-624-7210.

Hybrid Courses

All hybrid/blended courses must provide 50% or more of the instruction in a face-to-face modality. For a three credit course this would amount to 22.5 hours of face-to-face contact. The percentage of face-to-face (in-classroom) hours and the percentage of online hours must be stipulated in the course syllabus so that the expectations are clear to students.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Credits

Students may elect to participate in either the Air Force ROTC or Army ROTC Programs at the University of Pittsburgh or the Navy ROTC Program at Carnegie Mellon University. Contact individual schools to determine which credits earned in ROTC courses may be applied toward a degree. (For more information on ROTC, see the Special Academic Opportunities section of this bulletin.)