University Honors College

The University Honors College (UHC), through a diverse portfolio of formal and informal programs, cultivates and enhances interdisciplinary research and crosscutting collaborations, supports student engagement, and offers personalized educational experiences locally and globally. All students are welcome to take advantage of the opportunities available through the UHC.

Contact Information

University of Pittsburgh
University Honors College
3600 Cathedral of Learning
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-6880
www.honorscollege.pitt.edu

Admission Requirements

Although UHC opportunities are open to all students, some may choose to be admitted into one of three programs in order to earn a formal credential from the UHC: the Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil) Degree, the jointly-conferred Honors Degree, and the Honors Distinction.

Credentials

Students have the option to earn one of these three formal credentials from the UHC:

The Bachelor of Philosophy  is a research-based degree, requiring a rigorous curriculum and independent research under the guidance of a faculty mentor culminating in a thesis defense before a committee of faculty members, including an external examiner from another institution. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a degree/diploma jointly-conferred by the UHC and their primary school/college of admission.

The Honors Degree  consists of a structured program of curricular and co-curricular activities that provides an enhanced academic experience which includes opportunities for interdisciplinary study for students at the University of Pittsburgh. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a degree/diploma jointly-conferred by the UHC and their primary school/college of admission.

The Honors Distinction  consists of a structured program of curricular and co-curricular activities that provides an enhanced academic experience which includes opportunities for interdisciplinary study for students at the University of Pittsburgh. The Honors Distinction offers a lighter credit load than the Honors Degree, which may be appealing to transfer students or those in highly structured, credit-intensive programs. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a notation on their final transcript.

Special Opportunities

Politics and Philosophy Major

Politics and Philosophy, BA  is an interdisciplinary major in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and is advised through the UHC. It provides students with training in the conceptual, empirical, and normative foundations of various fields of public policy. It enhances understanding of the moral and political complexities of public life and offers preparation in both theory and practice to students interested in pursuing careers in social and public affairs, including law.

Research and Creative Fellowships

The UHC offers a range of fellowships available to students in any academic discipline. Students identify a Pitt faculty mentor and develop a project in collaboration with them. Many of the UHC fellowships involve regular meetings of the fellows in which they share their research with other students, creating an interdisciplinary learning environment.

National Scholarships

Scholar Mentors in the UHC work closely with students to identify scholarships relevant to their academic and personal goals and explore the steps to become competitive applicants for these awards. National scholarship advising can help students attain a broader perspective and refined understanding of their personal, academic, and professional goals; strengthen their writing skills through the creation and revision of personal statements and grant proposals; and develop the resourcefulness to identify opportunities to conduct meaningful research and/or incorporate service and international experiences into their educational plan.

Global and Experiential Opportunities

The UHC strives to instill a global perspective in students through engagement in scholarship as part of study abroad or study away programs. Students may choose to complete short- or long-term global honors programs, which includes a portfolio of abroadSELECT programs for highly motivated students.

Community Engagement Opportunities

Through community engagement, the UHC encourages students to use their academic talents to make lasting impacts in the community. Through research, internships, or programs such our Scholar Communities, students investigate vital issues alongside more than 100 local, national, and international partners.

Honors Housing

Honors Housing is unique in that it connects highly motivated students from across schools and majors in communities that are shaped by their shared academic, cultural, and personal interests. The UHC offers honors housing for first-year students in Sutherland Hall and upperclass students in the Forbes Craig Apartments and Brackenridge Hall.