Special Academic Opportunities

The University of Pittsburgh makes many special academic opportunities available to all of the University’s undergraduate students. These opportunities provide students with ways to augment their education and experience with expanded study programs both on campus and off campus, in both University and professional settings.

Area of Concentration (Sub-Plan)

An area of concentration is an approved educational experience that results in concentrated training in or knowledge of a particular area within the discipline of a degree program. For more information about specific areas of concentration, see individual school sections.

Certificate Programs

Students may broaden their educational experience by electing to take an academic interdisciplinary certificate program in the areas listed below. The certificate may partially fulfill the degree requirements of the student’s school. The requirements for each certificate vary, and students should contact the certificate program director. For more information about these certificate programs, see their individual listings in the school or center section identified in parentheses.

• African Studies (UCIS)
• Afro-Latin American and Afro-Latinx Studies (A&S)
• American Sign Language (A&S)
• Asian Studies (UCIS)
• Assistive Technology in Rehabilitation (SHRS)
• Bioethics (SPH)
• Central European Studies (UCIS)
• Children’s Literature (A&S)
• Civil Engineering and Architectural Studies (ENGR)
• Communication (CGS)
• Community Health Assessment (CGS)
• Computational Linguistics (A&S)
• Conceptual Foundations of Medicine (A&S)
• Corporate/Community Relations (CGS)
• Culinary Management (CBA)
• Cybersecurity in Emerging Engineering Systems (ENGR)
• Dental Hygiene (DEN)
• Digital Media (CGS)
• Digital Studies and Methods (A&S)
• Disability Studies (CGS)
• Emergency Medicine in Rehabilitation (SHRS)
• Engineering Data Analytics (ENGR)
• Engineering for Humanity (ENGR)
• Engineering Simulation in Design (ENGR)
• English Writing (CGS)
• European Union Studies (UCIS)
• Foundations of AI for Business (CBA)
• Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies (A&S) (CGS)
• Geographic Information Systems (A&S)
• German Language (A&S)
• Global Health (UCIS)
• Global Studies (UCIS)
• Health Humanities (A&S)
• Health Systems Engineering (ENGR)
• History and Philosophy of Science (A&S)
• Human Rights and Social Justice (UCIS)
• Information System Design (CGS)
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CBA)
• Innovation, Product Design, and Entrepreneurship (ENGR)
• International Business (CBA)
• International Engineering Studies (ENGR)
• Jewish Studies (A&S)
• Latin American Studies (UCIS)
• Leadership (CGS)
• Leadership and Ethics (CBA)
• Managing Health Services Programs and Projects (CGS)
• Medieval and Renaissance Studies (A&S)
• Mediterranean Studies (UCIS)
• Music Theatre (A&S)
• NanoScience and Engineering (A&S) (ENGR)
• National Preparedness and Homeland Security (CGS)
• Nonprofit Management (CGS, SPIA)
• Nuclear Engineering (ENGR)
• Pathokinesiology in Rehabilitation (SHRS)
• Photonics (A&S)
• Psycho-Social Issues in Rehabilitation (SHRS)
• Public and Professional Writing (A&S)
• Public Communication of Science and Technology (A&S)
• Quantum Computing and Quantum Information (A&S)
• Russian and East European Studies (UCIS)
• Sport Studies (A&S)
• Sports Management (CBA)
• Supply Chain Management (CBA) (ENGR)
• Sustainability (A&S) (ENGR)
• Television and Broadcast Arts (A&S)
• Transatlantic Studies (UCIS)
• Transnational Asia (UCIS)
• West European Studies (UCIS)
• Writing for the Professions (CGS)

Abbreviations are as follows:

Cooperative Programs

The University has established some arrangements with industry that permit students to rotate four-month terms between the workplace and the classroom. These programs are administered by the Swanson School of Engineering and available to engineering, computer science, and engineering technology students. The experience normally starts in the sophomore or junior year. For more information, go to https://www.engineering.pitt.edu/student/programs/coop/coop/.

Cross Registration

Cross-college and cross-university registration is a program designed to provide enriched educational opportunities for undergraduates in any of the following participating Pittsburgh-area institutions: Carlow University, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, Community College of Allegheny County, Duquesne University, La Roche College, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Point Park University, Robert Morris University, and the University of Pittsburgh. For requirements and limitations, see the Cross-Registration  section of this catalog or visit https://pche-pa.org/.

Double And Joint Degrees

Students may simultaneously pursue more than one undergraduate degree (e.g., a BA and a BS within Arts and Sciences, or an undergraduate degree in the Swanson School of Engineering and in Arts and Sciences). Students must be admitted to both schools offering the degrees and fulfill the degree requirements of both schools. For the double degree (whether within or between schools), the student must complete not only the requirements for both degrees, but also a minimum of 30 credits beyond what is normally required for the primary degree (e.g., a student earning two A&S degrees would need at least 150 credits, rather than the usual 120; a student earning an A&S degree as the primary degree and a degree from another University of Pittsburgh school as the secondary degree would need at least 150 credits). Students must maintain a 2.00 GPA in all courses. Check with the individual school for other specific requirements that apply.

Graduate And Professional School Opportunities

Graduate school provides students with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and qualifications in areas of academic and professional interest. All students can take advantage of being at a major research and graduate institution by exploring the many possibilities for graduate study that exist at the University. For information about specific programs, see the Graduate and Professional Studies Catalog.

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. See the Graduate Catalog - Regulations Governing Graduate Study.

Some schools offer accelerated admission into certain graduate and professional schools through a combined program leading to both a bachelor’s and graduate or professional degree. The participating undergraduate schools and their early admissions graduate school partners are listed below:

• BSBA to MBA, both from School of Business
• BSBA to MS in Accounting, both from School of Business
• BSBA from School of Business to Law JD from the School of Law
• BA or BS from Pitt-Bradford to Law JD from the School of Law
• BA or BS from School of Arts & Sciences to Law JD from School of Law
• BS in Statistics to MA or MS in Statistics, both from School of Arts & Sciences
• BA, BS, or BSPH from School of Arts and Sciences, College of General Studies, School of Computing and Information, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, or School of Public Health to MS or MSPH from School of Public Health.
• BA or BS from the School of Arts & Sciences or College of General Studies to MPIA, MPA, or MID from School of Public and International Affairs
• BS in Information Science to MSIS in Information Science, both from School of Computing and Information
• BS in Computer Science to MS in Computer Science, both from the School of Computing and Information
• BS in Rehabilitation Science with concentration in Athletic Training to MS in Athletic Training, both from School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
• BS in Nutrition Science to MS in Nutrition and Dietetics, both from the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
• BS in Combined Applied Studies in Education to MEd in Early Childhood and Special Education, both from School of Education
• BSE in Bioengineering to MS in Bioengineering, both from School of Engineering
• BSE in Chemical & Petroleum Engineering to MS in Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, both from School of Engineering
• BSE in Civil & Environmental Engineering to MS in Civil & Environmental Engineering, both from School of Engineering
• BSE in Electrical & Computer Engineering to MS in Electrical & Computer Engineering, both from School of Engineering
• BSE in Industrial Engineering to MS in Industrial Engineering, both from School of Engineering
• BSE in Mechanical Engineering to MS in Mechanical Engineering, both from School of Engineering
• BSE in Materials Science Engineering to MS in Materials Science Engineering, both from School of Engineering
• BSE in Sustainability Engineering to MS in Sustainability Engineering, both from School of Engineering

Honors College And Honors Courses

The David C. Frederick Honors College (FHC) seeks to meet the special academic and cocurricular needs of the University’s most able and motivated undergraduate students. The David C. Frederick Honors College offers a variety of carefully designed courses from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, along with special advising opportunities for an academic community of motivated students, and a special baccalaureate degree in any undergraduate school of the University. See the David C. Frederick Honors College  section of this catalog for more information. In addition, some schools and departments offer an honors major. Students should see their school for more information on this opportunity.

Internships

Some schools provide internship experiences appropriate to the student’s academic discipline. An internship is a supervised, work-related experience, either on a volunteer or compensated basis. 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.

Minors (Plans)

A minor provides an option for a student obtaining a degree in a particular discipline to attain knowledge of another discipline. Students may earn minors in schools other than the school in which they are enrolled. After the student lists the official minor on his or her graduation application, the minor appears on the student’s academic record and official transcript when the degree is awarded. (See the Academic Programs  section of this catalog for available minors.)

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)

ROTC is an educational program designed to provide full-time students an opportunity to become military officers while completing a Bachelor’s or a graduate degree. Students may elect to participate in either the Air Force or Army ROTC program at the University of Pittsburgh or the Naval ROTC program at Carnegie Mellon University. Students in the Air Force program have the option of completing a two or a four-year program. Students in the Army ROTC Program and Naval ROTC programs have the option of completing a two, three, or four-year program. Completion of the Air Force ROTC program leads to a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Completion of the Army ROTC program leads to a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, the Army National Guard, or the U.S. Army Reserve. Completion of the Navy ROTC program leads to a commission as an Officer in the Navy or Marine Corps. All three programs offer monthly stipends, a book allance and tuition scholarships. Call 412-624-6396 or see http://www.afrotc.pitt.edu/ for more information on the Air Force ROTC program, 412-624-6197 or see www.rotc.pitt.edu for more information on the Army ROTC program, and 412-268-5109 or http://www.cmu.edu/nrotc for more information on the Navy ROTC program.

Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to add an international dimension to their undergraduate education through study abroad. Programs of study exist in almost every corner of the world and will fulfill requirements for almost any field of study. Second language proficiency is not a requirement, as most programs offer courses taught in English. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Interested students should come to the Study Abroad Office in 802 William Pitt Union to discover their many options. Call 412-648-7413 to schedule an Essentials of Study Abroad Session or explore www.abroad.pitt.edu. The Engineering Study Abroad Office is in B-80G Benedum, and the College of Business Administration Study Abroad Office is in 2514 Sennott Square.

Summer Sessions

The University offers a large selection of courses in a variety of compressed sessions throughout the summer. Current students can register through their school. Several summer sessions are offered, see the Academic Calendar .

During the summer term and summer sessions, graduate students are billed on a per-credit basis except for students enrolled in a full-time program that charges a flat rate per term for fall, spring, and summer. See Financial Information .