Regulations Governing Graduate Study at the University of Pittsburgh

Note for AY 2026-27: The Graduate Catalog and several Office of the Provost Academic Regulations are undergoing a multiyear review and update process. Differences may exist between the Academic Regulations referenced on this page and statements found in individual School or Program Catalog pages. The Office of the Provost has approved a limited number of School- and Program-specific exceptions. Unless a School or Program Catalog page notes an explicit approval by the Office of the Provost, the Academic Regulations listed on this page supersede any conflicting statements in School or Program Catalog pages.

Responsibility

Each department or school with a graduate program is expected to: (1) establish and maintain a high quality graduate program appropriate for its discipline and in accord with the regulations established by the University Council on Graduate Study; (2) provide each graduate student with a copy of the regulations concerning graduate study and the requirements for advanced degrees; and (3) designate a faculty member (or a committee) to advise each graduate student concerning all aspects of the graduate program and provide for a thesis or dissertation adviser and the appropriate committees.

Each graduate student is expected to become familiar with the general regulations concerning graduate study and with the specific regulations of his or her major department of graduate study and to accept responsibility for the completion of degree requirements as prescribed.

Any program desiring an exception to these academic regulations must receive approval from the Office of the Provost.

Introduction

Academic policies and regulations establish the shared framework that makes graduate study at the University of Pittsburgh clear, fair, and navigable across all of the University’s graduate and professional programs. This resource is designed to help graduate students, faculty, staff, and advisors find the regulations and policies most relevant to graduate study at the University of Pittsburgh, organized thematically and linked to their authoritative sources.

This index is maintained by the Office of the Provost, which is responsible for its organization, interpretation, and ongoing revision.

The regulations and policies collected here originate from several sources, reflecting the University’s administrative structure:

• University-wide policies are promulgated by the Office of Policy Development and Management.
• Academic regulations governing instruction, grading, and student academic progress are issued by the Office of the Provost.
• Student conduct standards are established and administered by the Division of Student Affairs.
• School-specific requirements - such as detailed graduation requirements, program prerequisites, and school-level academic standards - are maintained within individual schools and documented in each school’s section of this Catalog.

These regulations apply to all graduate and professional students at the University of Pittsburgh. Unless an academic program has a documented exception on file with the Office of the Provost, the regulations in this index govern.

If you have questions about a specific policy or regulation, the office or unit listed as the source is the appropriate first point of contact.

Admissions 

• Application for Admission

Information about admissions to all graduate and professional programs must be clearly defined and easily accessible via the school’s website as well as the Graduate Catalog. The applicant is expected to:

• Complete the online application and submit the application fee through the online payment system. The application fee is required of all applicants, unless waived by the program, and is non-refundable. It does not apply toward the payment of tuition.
• Provide a copy of the transcript of all undergraduate and graduate schools attended. An official transcript with degree posted must be sent prior to enrollment in the graduate program.  
• Submit any additional material required by the department or school and, if available, other evidence of academic and personal qualifications for graduate study. These materials may include any or all of the following: scores achieved on standardized examinations accepted by the University of Pittsburgh such as, but not limited to, the Graduate Record Examination, letters of recommendation, term papers written during previous study, evidence of relevant work/life experience, evidence of motivation for graduate study, and a statement of career objectives. 
• Arrange for a personal interview if requested by the department or school. Interviews may take place virtually or in person at the School’s discretion.

No action should be taken on an application for admission to graduate study until the department or school has received: (1) the completed application form; (2) the application fee; (3) unofficial transcripts of all work done in undergraduate and graduate schools; and (4) supporting materials as required by the department or school. (Under the Admission Status section below, see Special Status for circumstances in which a student may be granted temporary admission.)

Each department or school has the responsibility to establish deadline dates both for receipt of application for admission and for application for fellowships, scholarships, or other forms of aid and to notify prospective applicants of these dates. A department or school may limit admission to a specific term only or may allow admission in any of the three terms. Each department or school is obligated both to act promptly on completed applications, if submitted on or before the established deadline date, and to give a thorough and fair review of each completed application. It is at the school’s discretion as to whether applications received after the deadline will be reviewed.

Decisions regarding admission should be based on an overall evaluation of all the credentials submitted by the candidate, and be in accord with the availability of faculty, facilities, and student support necessary to meet the applicant’s expressed academic and research needs and interests. Applicants should be notified promptly of decisions concerning their applications. Many departments or programs have a limited number of places available. In cases where the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants should be judged competitively.

If a department or school so approves, a student may defer admission for one year without having to complete any additional applications. If approved, the student is sent a new admission letter for the new term of matriculation. Additional coursework taken during the deferred year and a new affidavit of financial support should also accompany any financial aid request. The deferral of admission is independent of financial aid.

Officially, admission may be granted or denied only by the dean of the school, and the issuance of visa documents may be granted or denied for non-academic reasons only by the Office of International Services. Registration is permitted only after admission is granted.

• Changing Graduate Programs

A student already admitted to graduate study and desiring to change a major department of graduate study must file an application for such a change in the office of the dean of the school the student wishes to enter. The application for admission to the new program should be evaluated in the same manner as an application from a new student.

• Admission Status

Acceptable students are admitted to graduate study in a specific department or school with “full,” “provisional,” or “special” graduate status depending on their qualifications and objectives. The qualifications described below represent the minimum standards of the University. These may be made more stringent or specific at the option of the department or school.

Full Graduate Status: For admission to full graduate status, an applicant must be a graduate of an accredited U.S. college or university and must be considered qualified for advanced study by the department or school. International applicants must meet the admissions guidelines described under “International Students”. Qualification for advanced study normally is demonstrated by a B average (a grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better in the total undergraduate program. If students with less than a B average present alternative evidence (such as completion of an advanced degree or successful relevant work experience) of superior ability, they may be considered for full graduate status on the recommendation of the department of proposed graduate study. Only students with full graduate status may be considered for the award of an advanced degree. 
Provisional Graduate Status: Applicants who are graduates of a recognized college or university, but who do not qualify for admission to full graduate status because of deficiencies in either their undergraduate course program or their scholastic achievement, may be considered for provisional graduate status if strong supporting evidence of their ability to complete a graduate program is provided. Courses taken to remove deficiencies do not contribute toward completion of graduate degree requirements. Transfer from provisional to full graduate status is initiated and recommended by the department and is possible only after removal of deficiencies and other conditions noted at the time of admission and satisfactory progress in graduate work. 
Special Status: Students may be granted temporary admission as “special status” under the following circumstances:

• Individuals who are seeking advanced degrees but who are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required credentials for admission may be granted temporary admission provided they present acceptable evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study. Regular admission must be accomplished within the first term of registration. 

• Individuals not seeking an advanced degree but with specific qualifications for one or more courses, including courses required for licensing or certification, may register for such courses subject to review by the department and the dean. Schools providing such an opportunity may specify the number of credits or courses for which an individual may enroll while in this status and should also clearly specify the limitations on transfer of such credits toward a graduate degree if the individual is subsequently admitted to a graduate degree program.

• International Students

The University of Pittsburgh welcomes applications from students in other countries. International students are expected to apply the same way as domestic applicants and provide the same supporting documentation with two additional requirements:

• An international degree (or combination of degrees) must be equivalent to a four-year bachelor’s degree earned in the U.S. It is at the school’s discretion to require a formal evaluation of the international credentials by a third party such as World Education Services. Certified translations must accompany credentials which are not in English. 
• Each international applicant must provide clear evidence of proficiency in English. (See the English Language Proficiency section below.) The Office of International Services (OIS) will issue, as appropriate, the Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant “F-1” Student Status or Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor “J-1” Status.   

The University reserves the right, even after the arrival and enrollment of a student from another country, to require, at his or her own expense, individual curricular adjustments whenever particular deficiencies or needs are found. This could include enrollment without credit in additional course work in English as a foreign language or in courses prerequisite to his or her regular course of study. New students from abroad should be encouraged to use the services of OIS to help them in their adjustment to the United States and to facilitate their total educational experience.

• English Language Proficiency

Graduate students must possess sufficient knowledge of English to study without being hindered by language problems, to understand lectures, and to participate successfully in class discussion. The determination that the applicant has sufficient proficiency is made by the admitting department or school, subject to University-wide minimum standards determined by the University Council on Graduate Study. The University’s full policy on Assessment for English Language Proficiency for Admission can be found here: https://www.policy.pitt.edu/ac-07-assessment-english-language-proficiency-admission-formerly-09-02-01. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Provost or Provost’s delegate after review of the entire record and consultation with the Office of International Services.

In keeping with the University policy on Certification of English Language Fluency for Teaching, students who are not native speakers of English and are appointed as teaching assistants or teaching fellows are required to take a test of their spoken English upon arrival. Individuals are given non-teaching assignments and are required to take special course work until they attain passing scores. An unsatisfactory score at the time of reappointment is sufficient cause for nonrenewal.

• Admission Decisions

When a program has completed its evaluation of the credentials of an applicant, they should be notified as to whether they are academically qualified for admission. The letter to the applicant must state that the applicant will receive either a visa document or further instructions from the Office of International Services. In all cases, a duplicate copy of the letter of admission and award of financial aid, if any, must be sent to the Office of International Services as must copies of all rejection letters.

• Readmission

A student who has not registered for at least one credit during a 12-month period will be transferred automatically to inactive status and must file an application for readmission to graduate study (and pay the application fee) before being permitted to register again. While on inactive status, a student is not eligible to use University facilities and should not expect to receive counseling by the faculty or active supervision by his/her adviser and committee. Readmission is not automatic, nor does it necessarily reinstate the student in the academic status enjoyed prior to becoming inactive. When readmitted, the student must be prepared to demonstrate proper preparation to meet all current admission and degree requirements.

• Early Admissions and Accelerated Pathway Programs

Exceptionally able undergraduate University of Pittsburgh students may be admitted to full graduate status as outlined under Early Admissions Programs.

Accelerated Bachelors/Graduate (for example, “4+1”) programs allow students to complete two sequential degrees on an accelerated timeline per regulations.

Registration

The Office of the Provost publishes the University of Pittsburgh Academic Calendar, which establishes the dates for registration. These dates also appear in the Schedule of Classes for each term, which is available online through the Office of the Registrar.

• Registering for Classes

After being admitted to a graduate program, students may register for classes during the enrollment period. The enrollment period for a term or session is published in the University’s Academic Calendar. Students registering for the first time are advised to complete the enrollment process well before the beginning of the term. More information may be found at www.registrar.pitt.edu/enrollment.

All graduate students are expected to be registered in accordance with the program of study they are carrying. Students are required to follow the registration process outlined by their school, and they must adhere to registration deadlines.

Students pursuing two independent degrees or a degree and a certificate simultaneously will have one indicated as the primary academic program with the other as a secondary academic program during the registration process. Students are billed at the tuition rate of the primary academic program. Generally, a certificate program should be listed as a secondary academic program.

After the start of classes, registration is permitted for new and continuing students only with the written approval of the dean in unusual circumstances. Students must be registered in the term in which they take preliminary and comprehensive examinations. Students must also be registered for the term in which they graduate; see AC 56 for exceptions. 

The University reserves the right to change registration procedures. Current registration procedures are published each term in the Schedule of Classes. 

Most students have the ability to utilize self-service enrollment tools available through PeopleSoft/HighPoint CX. Continuing students with the ability to utilize self-service enrollment will be assigned an enrollment appointment during the first two weeks of the enrollment period.

Once students have enrolled, they may view their class schedules online via PeopleSoft/HighPoint CX. For additional registration information, visit the Office of the University Registrar website: www.registrar.pitt.edu.

A student must be officially admitted, readmitted, or reinstated to the University before he or she may register for courses.

• Student registration and enrollment are managed by the Office of the University Registrar in conjunction with the Schools and Colleges. Policies and Regulations governing registration and enrollment include the following:

  • Registration Status (AC 56) - This policy establishes the criteria used to determine registration status, including full-time/part-time and active/inactive status. This policy includes information about graduate student registration while working toward graduation. International students may have additional registration and enrollment requirements. Information can be found on the Office of International Services Resources page.
  • Registration and Add/Drop (AC 54) - This policy establishes the responsibilities and regulations regarding the Registration and Add/Drop processes and applies to all campuses of the University. 
  • Fees and Tuition (AC 30) - This policy establishes that tuition and mandatory fees are approved by the Board of Trustees and other fees and deposits are approved by the Office of the Provost. Some mandatory fees may not be applicable to all campuses; however, if assessed, the rate must be consistent with the current approved rates established at all campuses.
  • Maximum Credits Per Term (AC 30) - No student is permitted to register for more than 15 graduate credits without written permission from the dean of the academic center in which the student is pursuing a degree. Graduate students who register for more than 15 credits will be billed for each additional credit that exceeds their full-time tuition rate. Individual schools and departments may restrict the maximum program of any or all of their graduate students.
  • Termination of Registration (AC 67) - This policy establishes Termination of Registration, a process that allows students to drop all their courses during the Add/Drop period, after which time a student resignation is required. It includes the resulting grade assignments, and academic and nonacademic financial adjustments associated with a Termination of Registration by the resignation process. This policy also documents administrative termination of registration resulting from disciplinary sanctions. 
  • Cross Registration via the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) - Cross registration is a program through the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) that provides an opportunity for enriched educational programs by permitting students to attend courses at any of ten participating colleges and universities. 
  • Full-Time and Part-Time Study - Definitions of tuition categories and limits on the number of credits for which a student can register each term.
  • Registration for Full-Time Dissertation Study Course: Students so enrolled are assessed a special tuition fee but are still responsible for paying the full-time computer and network, security/transportation, wellness, and activity fees. Students must consult with the dean’s office of their school for permission to register for full-time dissertation study.
  • Course Withdrawal: This policy establishes regulations for course withdrawal and assignment of the Withdrawal (W) grade. This section also covers resigning from the University for a Specific Term and the Monitored Withdrawal process.
  • Registration of Undergraduate Students for Graduate Courses: Undergraduate students with sufficient preparation are permitted to enroll in graduate courses 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 in the Credential Overlap regulation.

Undergraduate students who need fewer than 30 credits to complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree and who intend to continue study toward an advanced degree may be permitted during their final year to register for graduate courses which 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.

• Specific resources related to registration and enrollment deadlines and processes include: 

  • The Office of the University Registrar maintains an Enrollment Resources website with information and tutorials related to registration, add/drop, withdrawal, and resignation.
  • The Enrollment Calendar is made up of important dates surrounding enrollment/registration into classes at the University of Pittsburgh.

• Required Training for All Graduate and Professional Students

Any graduate or professional student enrolled in a graduate program requiring more than 10 credits of in-person instruction or in any other graduate program designated by the Provost is required to complete training in the recognition, prevention and reporting of sexual misconduct, harassment and sexual violence (often known as Title IX training). The Title IX training program created by Pitt’s Office of Institutional Engagement and Well-being  satisfies this requirement. Under some circumstances, students may be allowed to complete special versions of the training designed to meet their specific needs. Requests for alternative training should be submitted to the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies. An approved version of the training must be completed in the student’s first semester at the University.

Advising

The quality of education that graduate students receive is greatly enhanced with Graduate Student Mentoring. Students are encouraged to consult with the individual school for school-specific advising services.

Faculty members are responsible for advising students concerning their programs and specific course selections each term. If a student is pursuing two independent degrees or a degree and a certificate simultaneously, they should meet with advisers in both the primary and secondary academic programs. Students are required to follow the registration process outlined by their school, and they must adhere to registration deadlines. Students pursuing two degrees or a degree and a certificate simultaneously must list one as the primary academic program and may list the other as a secondary academic program during the registration process. Students are billed at the tuition rate of the primary academic program. It is recommended that such students meet with advisers in both the primary and secondary academic programs. Generally, a certificate program should be listed as a secondary academic program.

Students registering for the first time should be advised to complete registration well before the beginning of the term. After the start of classes, registration is permitted for new and continuing students only with the written approval of the dean in unusual circumstances.

No person should expect to receive guidance and direction from members of the Graduate Faculty unless they are registered in accordance with the program of study they are carrying.

Allowable Credits

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

• Advanced Standing Credit - This regulation establishes the criteria for the acceptance of advanced standing credits, which are credits toward a University of Pittsburgh degree or credential through mechanisms other than credits earned through course registration at the University. This includes transfer credit, standardized test credit, credit by course examination, and credit for educational experiences in the armed services.
• Course Repeat - This regulation places limitations upon when students can earn credit for repeated or similar courses.
• Credential Overlap - This regulation establishes guidelines for credit overlaps occurring between multiple degrees or credentials being pursued at the University of Pittsburgh. Covers students who pursue two independent graduate degrees simultaneously in two different schools within the University or two different departments within the same school. This includes Dual, Joint, and Cooperative Programs.
• Course Work Acceptable as Graduate Credit -A substantial proportion of courses acceptable toward a graduate degree should be designed explicitly for graduate students. Introductory graduate level (master’s level) courses are numbered 2000-2999, those at an advanced graduate level (doctoral level) are numbered 3000-3999. To be eligible for a master’s degree, a student must have completed at least 30 credits at the graduate level with at least an average grade of B (3.00). A doctoral student must complete additional graduate level courses as determined by his or her department or school. No lower-level undergraduate course (numbered 0001-0999 or 7000-7999) may be applied toward a graduate degree.
• At least four courses (12 credits) or one-half the master’s degree program, whichever is greater, must be at the graduate-level (the 2000 or 3000 series) and must be completed with an average grade of B (3.00). Additionally, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires that master’s degrees include a minimum of 30 semester credit hours beyond the baccalaureate level. The Commonwealth requires that a first professional degree, except those for the preparation of professional educators, must require the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 60 semester credit hours or 90 quarter credit hours for admission to the degree program and the satisfactory completion of a total minimum of 150 semester credit hours for the program.

Grading

Student grades are processed by Dean’s Offices in conjunction with the Office of the University Registrar. Policies and Regulations governing grading and student records include the following:

• Grade Changes - This regulation establishes the responsibilities and regulations regarding the grade change process.
• Grade Point Average - This regulation establishes the University Cumulative Quality Point Average (QPA) and Grade Point Average (GPA).
• University Grading - This establishes the official University grades and symbols, including any corresponding grade points and definitions.

Records 

An academic transcript serves as a permanent record of a student’s academic progress. The transcript is a cumulative record of the student’s GPA, as well as a record of the department, title, and grade for each course in which the student has enrolled and summary advanced standing information.

• Information on requesting and verifying transcripts can be found on the Office of the University Registrar Transcripts & Verification page.
• The academic record is not an official University transcript, but a document containing a student’s complete University of Pittsburgh academic history. In addition to the information provided on the transcript, the academic record may display additional course details, certain academic events, and detailed advanced standing/placement/transfer credit information. Students can view a copy of their academic record in the Student Center at my.pitt.edu.

Academic Standing and Satisfactory Academic Progress

While enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, students are expected to meet certain cumulative GPA standards and maintain progress towards their degree. The University of Pittsburgh makes use of multiple levels of academic standing to identify students at risk of jeopardizing successful completion of their degree and to provide multiple opportunities for intervention and coaching towards successful completion.

Note: While different from academic standing, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) may impact the financial aid eligibility of students.

This is described in more detail in the following regulations:

• Academic Standing for Graduate and Professional Students: This regulation establishes the criteria for determining academic standing for graduate and professional students, and includes Academic Notice, Academic Program Change, and Academic Dismissal. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Office of the Provost and posted in the University Catalog.
• Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (AC 31) - This policy establishes Satisfactory Academic Progress for students used in determining financial aid eligibility. It applies to most aid programs at the University of Pittsburgh. If a financial aid program has eligibility criteria that differ from this policy, then refer to the specific requirements of that program. The Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements for individual academic programs are separate from this policy.

Questions about the effect of unsatisfactory academic standing on financial aid should be directed to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.

Statute of Limitations

The purpose of the statute of limitations is to ensure that a graduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh represents mastery of current knowledge in the field of study. Individual schools within the University may adopt policies that are more, but not less, stringent than those stated here.

All requirements for MA and MS degrees must be completed within a period of four consecutive calendar years from the student’s initial registration for graduate study; all requirements for professional master’s degrees, in five years. Dual degrees and joint degrees that require course work in excess of 50 credit hours may be granted a longer statute of limitations by the University Council on Graduate Study.

From the student’s initial registration for graduate study, all requirements for the PhD degree must be completed within a period of ten years or eight years if the student has received credit for a master’s degree appropriate to the field of study. Programs for professional doctoral degrees, for which the majority of candidates pursue part-time study while working full time within their chosen disciplines, may be granted a longer statute of limitations by the schools offering the degrees.

Under exceptional circumstances, a candidate for an advanced degree may apply for an extension of the statute of limitations. The request must be approved by the department or departmental committee (master’s or doctoral) and submitted to the dean for final action. Requests for an extension of the statute of limitations must be accompanied by a departmental assessment of the work required of the student to complete the degree as well as documented evidence of the extenuating circumstances leading to the requested extension. Students who request an extension of the statute of limitations must demonstrate proper preparation for the completion of all current degree requirements.

Under special conditions, graduate students may be granted one leave of absence. A maximum leave of two years may be granted to doctoral students or one year to master’s students. The length and rationale for the leave of absence must be stated in advance, recommended to the dean by the department, and approved by the dean. If approved, the time of the leave shall not count against the total time allowed for the degree being sought by the student. Readmission following an approved leave of absence is a formality.

Regulations Pertaining to Master of Arts and Master of Science Degrees

The Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) degree programs provide an introduction to scholarly activities and research and often serve as preparation for teaching careers. These degrees are awarded for the completion of a coherent program designed to assure the mastery of specified knowledge and skills, rather than a random accumulation of a certain number of courses. The overall form and content of the student’s program of study is the responsibility of the faculty of the department. To carry out this responsibility, each student must be assigned a major advisor, who, in consultation with the student, plans a program of study and research in accordance with school and departmental guidelines. 

Master of Arts (MA) degrees are awarded for completion of graduate programs in various departments within the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, and the School of Public and International Affairs; the Master of Science (MS) degree is offered in departments within the School of Arts and Sciences, the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, the School of Dental Medicine, the School of Education, the John A. Swanson School of Engineering, the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, the School of Medicine, the School of Public Health, the School of Pharmacy, and the School of Social Work. Some of the MA or MS degrees offered are specified as being “in” a particular discipline; e.g., Master of Science in Chemical Engineering.

• Programs of Study

Some master’s programs may include approved areas of concentration or minors. Areas of concentration define and describe the student’s training and expertise within the broader discipline. Minors represent significant course work completed in an area related to the student’s specialty. Such areas of concentration or minors are added to the transcript upon the granting of the degree. 

The requirement of proficiency in second languages is at the discretion of individual departments or schools. 

Master’s degrees are conferred only on those students who have completed all course requirements with at least a 3.00 GPA. 

Departments or programs are expected to provide students with a copy of school and departmental regulations appropriate for their programs. Students are expected to become familiar with these and to satisfy all prescribed degree requirements and/or maintain current and accurate web sites covering this information. Students are expected to become familiar with these and to satisfy all prescribed degree requirements.

• Credit Requirements

The Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees normally require the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 credits of graduate study approved by the department or school. No Master of Arts or Master of Science degree program may require fewer than 24 course credits. See Advanced Standing Credits for full policy.

• Comprehensive Examination

MA or MS degrees are conferred only upon those students who, in one or more comprehensive examination or the equivalent, show that they have mastered the general field of their graduate study. Each department or similar unit is responsible for specifying the content and procedure for administration of the comprehensive examination and will specify for each candidate the field of his or her examination, which may vary from student to student. Whenever a program substitutes an equivalent requirement for the comprehensive examination, the department or program should notify the University Council on Graduate Study and describe the substitution. 

Students on special or provisional status are not eligible to take a comprehensive examination. These examinations must be taken at least one month prior to the last day of the term in which the degree is to be granted. The results must be reported promptly to the office of the dean but no later than the last day of the term in which the examination is administered. A student who is unable to complete all degree requirements within a two-year period after passing the comprehensive examination may be re-examined at the discretion of the department, program director, or dean. 

• Thesis Option

The requirement of a thesis or its equivalent is at the discretion of individual departments, programs, or schools. If a thesis is submitted, its form must be in accord with specifications stipulated in the Electronic Theses and Dissertation Format Guidelines. The thesis examining committee will consist of at least three members of the faculty recommended by the major adviser and approved by the department chair or program director. The final oral examination in defense of the master’s thesis is conducted by the thesis committee, and a report of this examination signed by all members of the committee must be filed in the office of the dean.

After the examination, the approved ETD must be deposited to the ETD Online System where it will be reviewed by the ETD Student Services Staff in the dean’s office of the student’s school. A receipt for the ETD processing/microfilming fees and any necessary paperwork must be submitted to the appropriate ETD Student Services Staff in the Office of the Dean. 

• Non-thesis Option

It is usual for a program to require additional course work if a thesis is not required. 

For the Master of Arts degree, each student must describe one or more substantial intellectual experience(s) or accomplishment(s) acceptably in writing. In programs in which a master’s thesis is optional, the student must satisfy this requirement by submitting a paper (or papers), as designated by the major department, and must demonstrate competence in using the methods of scholarship. 

For a Master of Science degree, a paper or research project is usually required.

Regulations Pertaining to Professional Master’s Degrees

The University of Pittsburgh, through its professional schools, offers the following master’s degrees in professional fields of study: Master of Business Administration, Master of Dental Science, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Education, Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, Master of Health Administration, Master of Health Promotion and Education, Master of Science in Information Science, Master of International Business, Master of International Development, Master of Law, Master of Library and Information Science, Master of Applied Mathematics (MA and MS), Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, Master of Public and International Affairs, Master of Public Policy and Management, Master of Social Work, Master of Arts in Teaching, and Master of Science in Telecommunications. 

The professional master’s degree programs are generally similar to those for the MA and MS except that they emphasize instruction in professional affairs and practice and serve as preparation for careers in the professions. 

• Programs of Study

The professional master’s degree programs are generally similar to those for the MA and MS except that they emphasize instruction in professional affairs and practice and serve as preparation for careers in the professions. Professional master’s degrees are conferred upon those students who demonstrate comprehensive mastery of their general field of study. The program of study should be a coherent program designed to assure the mastery of specified knowledge and skills, rather than a random accumulation of a certain number of courses. The overall form and content of the student’s program of study is the responsibility of the student’s department or school. To carry out this responsibility, each student must be assigned a major adviser, who, in consultation with the student, plans a program of study and research in accordance with school and departmental guidelines. 

Master’s degrees are conferred only on those students who have completed all course requirements with at least a 3.00 GPA. 

Most professional master’s degree programs provide opportunities for theoretical studies and practical applications. Students are expected to acquire professional skills through course work, projects, internships, practica, and/or research papers as part of demonstrating their comprehensive mastery of their field of study. 

Requirements vary from program to program. Departments provide students with a copy of school and departmental regulations or maintain current and accurate Web sites appropriate for their programs. Students are expected to become familiar with these and to satisfy all prescribed degree requirements. 

Professional master’s degrees are conferred upon those students who demonstrate comprehensive mastery of the general field of study. This includes: (a) satisfactory completion of all course requirements and (b) other performances that indicate comprehensive mastery such as examinations, internships, research projects, theses, and practica. These requirements vary from school to school; students should refer to the specific requirements of their program. 

Most professional master’s degree programs provide opportunities for theoretical studies and practical applications. Students are expected to acquire professional skills through course work, projects, internships, practica, and/or research papers as part of demonstrating their comprehensive mastery of their field of study. 

• Credit Requirements

The professional master’s degrees require the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 credits of graduate study approved by the department. See Advanced Standing Credits for full policy.

• Additional Requirements

Most professional master’s degree programs provide opportunities for theoretical studies and practical applications. Students are expected to acquire professional skills through course work, projects, internships, practica, and/or research papers. 

• Student Assessment 

Professional master’s degrees are conferred upon those students who demonstrate comprehensive mastery of the general field of study. This includes: a) satisfactory completion of all course requirements and b) other performances which indicate comprehensive mastery such as examinations, internships, research projects, theses, practica, and so forth. These requirements vary from program to program.

Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Degrees

While the regulations governing doctoral study in this section represent University-wide policy, students should check the School section of this catalog and with their advisor for any expansions of or exceptions to these rules. 

• Doctor of Philosophy Degree 

Doctor of Philosophy degrees are awarded for completion of graduate programs in various departments within the School of Arts and Sciences, the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, the School of Dental Medicine, the School of Education, the John A. Swanson School of Engineering, the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, the School of Computing and Information, the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, the School of Pharmacy, the School of Public Health, the School of Public and International Affairs, and the School of Social Work.

• Admission to Doctoral Study

In some doctoral programs, the requirements for admission to graduate study and for admission to doctoral study are identical, while other programs require the completion of a master’s degree or its equivalent as a prerequisite for admission to doctoral study. Admission to doctoral study does not include any implication concerning “admission to candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy degree.” 

Normally, only one major department of graduate study is permitted for the PhD degree. However, a few formal interdisciplinary programs and, under some circumstances, some independently designed interdisciplinary doctoral programs are available (see Interdisciplinary Doctoral Programs).

• Programs of Study

All PhD programs offered at the University of Pittsburgh should provide a coherent series of courses, seminars, and discussions designed to develop in the student a mature understanding of the content, methods, theories, and values of a field of knowledge and its relation to other fields. Each program should train the student in the methods of independent research appropriate to the discipline and provide an adviser and a committee to guide the student in an extended investigation of an original and independent research project of significance in the field. 

The overall form and content of each student’s program is the responsibility of the Graduate Faculty of the department or program. To carry out this responsibility, departments or programs must ensure that each student has a major adviser who, in consultation with the student, plans a program of study and research in accord with school and departmental guidelines. The adviser may prescribe additional courses both within and outside the department or program that are essential and/or appropriate to the student’s program. 

Some doctoral programs may include approved areas of concentration used to define and describe the students’ training and expertise within the broader discipline. Such an area of concentration is added to the transcript upon the granting of the degree. 

Doctoral level courses are numbered in the 3000 series, but courses numbered in the 2000 series may also be appropriate for doctoral study. Normally, courses numbered below 2000 do not meet the minimum requirements for doctoral study, although they may be taken to supplement a doctoral program. 

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 in courses to be eligible to take the preliminary and comprehensive examinations as well as to be graduated. 

The requirement of proficiency in the use of foreign languages or other tools of research is at the discretion of individual departments or schools. 

Departments or programs are expected to provide students with a copy of school and departmental regulations appropriate for their program and, in turn, students are expected to become familiar with these and to satisfy all prescribed degree requirements.

• Credit Requirements

The minimum 72 credit requirement for the PhD degree is met by six terms of registration as a graduate student for 12 or more credits per term or the equivalent number of credits in a reduced load. If the school requires completion of its master’s degree program prior to admission into its doctoral program, at least four terms of registration for 12 or more credits per term or the equivalent number of credits in a reduced load are required as a minimum for the PhD degree. No more than 30 credits may be accepted for a master’s degree awarded by another institution to meet the minimum credit requirement. In recognition of graduate study beyond the master’s degree successfully completed elsewhere. (See Advanced Standing Credits)  

Graduate students already enrolled may, when approved in advance by their department or programs and the dean, spend a term or more at another graduate institution to obtain training or experience not available at the University of Pittsburgh and transfer those credits toward the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of Pittsburgh. In all cases, at least three terms, or 36 credits, of full-time doctoral study or the equivalent in part-time study must be successfully completed at the University of Pittsburgh. 

Students must register each term for the number of credits of course work, independent study, or research equivalent to the anticipated use of faculty time and University facilities. A student who has not registered for at least one credit during a 12-month period will be transferred automatically to inactive status and must file an application for readmission to graduate study (and pay the application fee) before being permitted to register again.

• Residency Requirement

Students seeking the PhD degree are required to engage in a minimum of one term of full-time doctoral study, which excludes any other employment except as approved by their departments or programs.

• Preliminary Evaluation

The preliminary evaluation should be designed to assess the breadth of the student’s knowledge of the discipline, the student’s achievement during the first year of graduate study, and the potential to apply research methods independently. The form and nature of the evaluation should be approved at the school level and described in the school bulletin. It should be conducted at approximately the end of the first year of full-time graduate study. The evaluation is used to identify those students who may be expected to complete a doctoral program successfully and also to reveal areas of weakness in the student’s preparation. Evaluation results must be reported promptly to the dean’s office, but no later than the last day of the term in which the evaluation occurs. A student on provisional, inactive, or special status or on probation is not eligible to take the preliminary evaluation.

• Comprehensive Examination 

The Comprehensive Examination should be designed to assess the student’s mastery of the general field of doctoral study, the student’s acquisition of both depth and breadth in the area of specialization within the general field, and the ability to use the research methods of the discipline. In some programs, the comprehensive examination is combined with the overview or prospectus meeting. It should be administered at approximately the time of the completion of the formal course requirements and should be passed at least eight months before the scheduling of the final oral examination and dissertation defense. In no case may the comprehensive examination be taken in the same term in which the student is graduated. Examination results must be reported promptly to the dean’s office but no later than the last day of the term in which the examination is administered. A student who is unable to complete all degree requirements within a five-year period after passing the comprehensive examination may be re-examined at the discretion of the department, program, or school. A student on provisional, inactive, or special status or on probation is not eligible to take the program comprehensive examination.

• Doctoral Committee 

Before admission to candidacy for the PhD degree, the student’s major adviser proposes for the approval of the doctoral program director and the dean a committee of four or more persons, including at least one from another department in the University of Pittsburgh or from an appropriate graduate program at another academic institution, to serve as the doctoral committee. The majority of the committee, including the major adviser, must be full or adjunct members of the Graduate Faculty. This committee must review and approve the proposed research project before the student may be admitted to candidacy. A published Graduate Faculty Membership Roster is updated weekly. 

This doctoral committee has the responsibility to advise the student during the progress of the candidate’s research and has the authority to require high quality research and/or the rewriting of any portion or all of the dissertation. It conducts the final oral examination and determines whether the dissertation meets acceptable standards. 

Meetings of the doctoral candidate and his/her dissertation committee must occur at least annually from the time the student gains Admission to Doctoral Candidacy. During these meetings, the committee should assess the student’s progress toward degree and discuss objectives for the following year and a timetable for completing degree requirements. It is the responsibility of the dean of each school to determine a mechanism for monitoring the occurrence of these annual reviews. 

The membership of the doctoral committee may be changed whenever it is appropriate or necessary, subject to the approval of the department chair or program director and the dean. 

When a doctoral committee member leaves the University, he or she must be replaced unless the dissertation is almost complete or the member has an essential role on the committee. In the latter case, the dean’s approval should be obtained. When the chair of a committee leaves and cannot be conveniently replaced, a co-chair must be appointed from within the department, and the restructured committee requires the approval of the department chair or director of the school’s doctoral program and the dean. If the defense takes place within a few months of the chair’s departure, the requirement of the co-chair is usually waived. 

A retired faculty member may remain as a member or chair of a committee if he or she is spending considerable time in Pittsburgh or its vicinity and is still professionally active. Retired faculty who meet these criteria may also be appointed as a member or as a co-chair (but not chair) of a newly-formed committee. Retired faculty who leave the Pittsburgh area and/or do not remain professionally active should be replaced on committees and the revised committee approved by the department chair or the school’s director of doctoral programs and the dean.

• Overview or Prospectus Meeting 

Each student must prepare a dissertation proposal for presentation to the doctoral committee at a formal dissertation overview or prospectus meeting. The overview requires the student to carefully formulate a plan and permits the doctoral committee members to provide guidance in shaping the conceptualization and methodology of that plan. The doctoral committee must unanimously approve the dissertation topic and research plan before the student may be admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree. Approval of the proposal does not imply either the acceptance of a dissertation prepared in accord with the proposal or the restriction of the dissertation to this original proposal. The student is responsible for ensuring that all appropriate regulatory approvals are obtained for the proposed research. For example, if the research proposed in the overview or prospectus involves human subjects, that proposed research must be approved by the University Institutional Review Board (IRB) before it may be carried out.

• Admission to Candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree 

Admission to candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy degree constitutes a promotion of the student to the most advanced stage of graduate study and provides formal approval to devote essentially exclusive attention to the research and the writing of the dissertation. To qualify for admission to candidacy, students must be in full graduate status, have satisfied the requirement of the preliminary evaluation, have completed formal course work with a minimum grade point average of 3.00, have passed the comprehensive examination, and have received approval of the proposed subject and plan of the dissertation from the doctoral committee following an overview or prospectus meeting of the committee. In some schools, admission to candidacy is a prerequisite to registration for dissertation credits. Students are informed of admission to candidacy by written notification from the dean, who also states the approved doctoral committee’s composition.

• Registering for Full-Time Dissertation Study Course

Doctoral students who have completed all credit requirements for the degree, including any minimum dissertation credit requirements, and are working full-time on their dissertations may register for Full-Time Dissertation Study Course, which carries no credits or letter grade but provides students full-time status. Students so enrolled are assessed a special tuition fee but are still responsible for the full-time computer and network, security/transportation, student health, and activity fees. Students must consult with the dean’s office of their school for permission to register for full-time dissertation study. 

• Dissertation and Abstract 

Each student must write a dissertation that presents the results of a research project carried out by the student. An appropriate research project involves a substantive piece of original and independent research grounded in an appropriate body of literature. It is relevant to an identifiable field as it is currently practiced. It presents a hypothesis tested by data and analysis and provides a significant contribution or advancement in that field. It is the responsibility of the student’s doctoral committee to evaluate the dissertation in these terms and to recommend the awarding of the doctoral degree only if the dissertation is judged to demonstrate these qualities. 

Characteristics which a dissertation should demonstrate are: the establishment of a historical context for the presentation of an innovative and creative approach to the problem analysis and solution; a clear understanding of the problem area as revealed by analysis and synthesis of a broad literature base; a well-defined research design; clarity in composition and careful documentation; results of sufficient merit to be published in refereed journals or to form the basis of a book or monograph; sufficient detail so that other scholars can build on it in subsequent work; the preparation of the author to assume a position within the profession. 

If the dissertation is the result of a collaborative research effort, the project should be structured in such a way that the student’s dissertation results from one, clearly identified piece of work in which the student has supplied the unquestionably major effort. The contributions of the student and the other collaborators must be clearly identified. 

Published articles authored by the student and based on research conducted for the dissertation study may be included in the dissertation, if the student’s department and school have a written policy that this is acceptable. In any case, the published work must be logically connected and integrated into the dissertation in a coherent manner, and sufficient detail must be presented to satisfy the characteristics of a dissertation. The student should be the sole or primary author of the published work. If the published articles were co-authored, the contribution of the student must be clearly delineated in the introduction so the committee can ascertain that the student’s own work satisfies the requirements of a dissertation. Instructions on incorporating articles into the dissertation are provided in the Format Guidelines for Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Preparation at the University of Pittsburgh. The ETD Format Guidelines gives instructions on incorporating articles into the dissertation. 

Candidates for the doctoral degree must provide a suitable number of copies of the dissertation, as determined by the doctoral committee and school policy, for review and use during the final oral examination. The general format of the dissertation and the abstract is determined by the Office of the Provost and is set forth in the Format Guidelines for Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Preparation at the University of Pittsburgh. Specific instructions should be available in the office of the dean of the school. After the final oral examination is successfully completed, the candidate must electronically submit the approved complete dissertation and abstract in final form. The candidate must submit a dissertation approval form, the required agreement with University Microfilms Inc. for the publication of the dissertation on microfilm and for the publication of the abstract in Dissertation Abstracts, and any appropriate fees to the designated student services representative in the dean’s office of the candidate’s school. 

The general format of the dissertation and the abstract is determined by the Office of the Provost and is set forth in the ETD Format Guidelines. Specific instructions should be available in the office of the dean of the school. After the final oral examination is successfully completed, the candidate must deposit the approved ETD to the ETD Online System where it will be reviewed by the ETD Student Services Staff in the dean’s office of the student’s school. At least two additional copies of the dissertation abstract, a receipt for payment of the dissertation processing/microfilm fees and any necessary paperwork must be submitted to the appropriate ETD Student Services Staff in the office of the dean of the student’s school. The candidate is also required to execute an agreement with ProQuest Information and Learning for the publication of the dissertation on microform and in an electronic format and submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Forms are available in the dean’s office). Students should check with their school for any additional supporting documents and/or requirements. 

• Publication of Theses and Dissertations

All theses and dissertations submitted at the University of Pittsburgh must be submitted electronically. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) are theses or dissertations prepared as text-based PDF files that can contain non-text elements such as multimedia, sound, video, and hypertext links.

All ETDs are made publicly available on the University Library System’s online catalog. Students may choose to restrict access to the ETD to University of Pittsburgh IP addresses for a maximum period of five years. After five years, the ETD will automatically become fully accessible. Full access to the ETD may be withheld for a maximum of one year if a patent application has been filed and the student receives appropriate approval from the Provost’s Office.

All doctoral candidates are required to execute an agreement with ProQuest/University Microfilms Inc. for the publication of the dissertation in the ProQuest/UMI repository.

Any thesis or dissertation may be published, either by the University or through an outside agency, provided due credit is given to the University. No form of publication, however, shall relieve the student of his or her responsibility for supplying the electronic thesis or dissertation to the University Library System.

Advisors should exercise responsibility in approving research topics that will not endanger long-term research projects or the safety or welfare of informants. Dependent upon the circumstances and the research point at which the danger is recognized, the provost’s office may authorize a delay in publication of a dissertation for up to a maximum of one calendar year. Similarly, a publication may be withheld for a maximum of one year, if required, for filing a patent application.

• Language of the Doctoral Dissertation 

The language in which doctoral dissertations are written shall normally be English. Exceptions may be granted by the student’s dean with the approval of the dissertation adviser and committee, but only for sound reasons of scholarship. Permission shall never be granted on the ground of inadequate command of English. 

• Final Oral Examination 

The final oral examination in defense of the doctoral dissertation is conducted by the doctoral committee and need not be confined to materials in and related to the dissertation. Any member of the Graduate Faculty of the University may attend and participate in the examination. The date, place, and time of the examination should be published well in advance in in The Pitt News or Pittwire. Other qualified individuals may be invited by the committee to participate in the examination. Only members of the doctoral committee may be present during the final deliberations and may vote on the passing of the candidate. A report of this examination, signed by all the members of the doctoral committee, must be sent to the dean. If the decision of the committee is not unanimous, the case is referred to the dean for resolution. The chair of the doctoral committee should ensure that the dissertation is in final form before requesting signatures of the members of the committee. 

• Interdisciplinary Doctoral Programs 

A student may be admitted into one of two types of interdisciplinary doctoral programs: 

• Generic Programs, which are ongoing, formally structured, and approved doctoral programs, admission into which follows the same procedures as those of departmental programs; and, 
• Individualized Programs, which are specially designed to permit an exceptionally able student who has earned a master’s degree or the equivalent to pursue an interdisciplinary doctoral program structured to satisfy his or her unique goals. Such students should apply to the dean of the school if the departments involved in the proposed program are organized within one school or to the Provost if the departments are organized within more than one school. The student must satisfy the admission requirements of each of the departments or schools involved in the proposed program. If the request is approved, the dean or the Provost, in consultation with the departments concerned, will designate five members from these departments to serve as an advisory committee. After these advisers meet with the student, a chief adviser is selected to assume responsibility for general guidance to the student. These advisers continue their responsibility until the student is admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree and may, if it is appropriate, continue as the doctoral committee for this student. ​

• Other Research Doctoral Degrees

The University of Pittsburgh also offers the research doctoral degrees which are not PhD degrees. 

These doctoral degree programs are similar to those for the PhD in the degree of rigor required, the minimum total credit requirements and permissible transfer credits, requirements for the successful completion of a preliminary evaluation and a comprehensive examination, admission to doctoral candidacy, nomination of a doctoral committee, preparation of the dissertation and abstract, publication of the dissertation, and successful completion of the final oral examination. These doctoral dissertations are usually based on an in-depth research project by the student and are intended to permit the student to apply relevant theory and knowledge as well as demonstrate skills in analysis of a major problem and to contribute to the improvement of practice in the student’s area of specialization. 

• Professional Doctoral Degrees 

The University of Pittsburgh also offers professional doctoral degree programs for practitioners. These programs provide a coherent curriculum designed to impart the mastery of a substantial and complex body of knowledge that will serve as preparation for leadership and excellence in the practice of the profession. If the program is an accredited program, the standards of the accrediting body for a professional doctorate must be met. The University of Pittsburgh also offers professional doctoral degree programs which, provide a coherent curriculum designed to impart the mastery of a substantial and complex body of knowledge that will serve as preparation for leadership and excellence in the practice of the profession. The curriculum should contain a research component to achieve the goal for the research competence of the graduate. Students should deliver a report based on research that demonstrates both mastery of their subject matter and a high level of communication skills. The curriculum should contain an internship, a practicum, or a clinical component. Each experience should have associated with it clear goals and objectives, a statement of what skills the student should master, a statement of how those skills will be assessed objectively by the academic program and what steps the program will take in response to those assessments. In addition, the program should have an objective way to evaluate the site where internships and/or clinical rotations take place and assure the expertise of those responsible for administering training and instruction. If the program is an accredited program, the standards of the accrediting body for a professional doctorate must be met.

• Admission to Professional Doctoral Study

The minimum admission requirements must be the same as for all graduate programs at the University of Pittsburgh. In addition, the student must have completed a defined set of prerequisites so that all students will enter with required basic knowledge. A student must attain a 3.00 GPA in order to maintain good standing and be graduated

• Programs of Study

The curriculum should contain a research component to achieve the goal for the research competence of the graduate. Students should deliver a report based on research that demonstrates both mastery of their subject matter and a high level of communication skills. The curriculum should contain an internship, a practicum, or a clinical component. Each experience should have associated with it clear goals and objectives, a statement of what skills the student should master, a statement of how those skills will be assessed objectively by the academic program and what steps the program will take in response to those assessments. In addition, the program should have an objective way to evaluate the site where internships and/or clinical rotations take place and assure the expertise of those responsible for administering training and instruction.

• Credit Requirements

To attain the depth of knowledge and experience required by someone earning a professional doctorate, a minimum of 72 credits must be required. To attain the depth of knowledge and experience required by someone earning a doctorate, a minimum nine semesters of full-time study is required. Of this, no more than one-third should be internships or clinical work. A comprehensive examination will be used to assess the student’s mastery of a substantial and complex body of knowledge.

Regulations Pertaining to Certificates and Micro-credentials

Graduate Certificate and Graduate Micro-Credential programs are coherent sets of courses and related work specifically designed to provide depth of understanding (via a certificate) or awareness (via a micro-credential) in a particular area. For students enrolled in a graduate degree program at the University of Pittsburgh, the pursuit and awarding of a given certificate or micro-credential allows for an explicit recognition of a specific set of skills or educational experiences that may not be readily apparent through the conferring of a given graduate degree. Students not concurrently enrolled in a graduate degree program at the University of Pittsburgh can also apply for admission into some graduate certificate and micro-credential programs. Students seeking enrollment into graduate certificates and micro-credential programs must hold a baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree and be subject to admission requirements as outlined and governed by the academic unit(s) offering the certificate or micro-credential.

• Graduate Certificates

Graduate certificates are intended to provide depth of understanding in a given topic or area. A graduate certificate requires the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 10 credits, of which at least nine (9) credits are at the graduate level. Graduate certificates may include additional requirements for non-course educational activities such as workshops, projects, or other milestones. Transfer credits from other universities may be applied toward a University of Pittsburgh graduate certificate, but at least ten (10) Pitt credits must be earned towards the certificate. The certificate courses may be comprised from one academic unit or multiple academic units. At the discretion of the academic unit, graduate certificates may be offered to currently enrolled students or to students not concurrently enrolled in other graduate or professional programs at the University. Such students seeking enrollment into graduate certificates programs must hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree and be subject to admission requirements as outlined and governed by the academic unit granting the certificate.

At the discretion of the individual academic unit(s) offering the certificate, students successfully completing courses in a graduate certificate program may apply some or all of those credits to a graduate degree program if the student meets all admission requirements for that program.

The awarding of a graduate certificate will be annotated on the official transcript of students who successfully meet the requirements as set forth by the academic unit (s) offering the graduate certificate. It is the responsibility of the academic unit offering the graduate certificate to track student progress and certify completion with the University Registrar’s Office. The University Registrar’s Office will not send a diploma for a graduate certificate. The issuing School(s) may develop and distribute a paper certificate following guidelines found at: https://www.provost.pitt.edu/standards-issuing-physical-certificates.

• Graduate Micro-Credentials

Graduate micro-credentials are intended to indicate familiarity with a given topic or area and require the satisfactory completion of at least four and at most nine credits. Graduate micro- credentials may include additional requirements for non-course educational activities such as workshops, projects, or other milestones. The micro-credential courses may be comprised from one academic unit or multiple academic units and are intended to be flexible and adaptive to changing demands. At the discretion of the academic unit, graduate micro-credentials may be offered to currently enrolled students seeking a graduate degree or to students who intend to pursue only a micro-credential. Students enrolled exclusively to seek micro-credential must hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree and are subject to admission requirements as outlined and governed by the academic unit(s) offering the micro-credential.

At the discretion of the individual academic unit(s) offering the micro-credential, students successfully completing courses in a graduate micro-credential may apply some or all of those credits to an appropriate graduate certificate or degree if the student meets all admission requirements for that program.

The awarding of a graduate micro-credential will be annotated on the official transcript of students who successfully meet the requirements as set forth by the academic unit (s) offering the graduate micro-credential. It is the responsibility of the academic unit offering the graduate micro-credential to track student progress and certify completion with the University Registrar’s Office. The University Registrar’s Office will not send a diploma for a graduate micro-credentials. The issuing School(s) may develop and distribute a paper micro-credential certificate following guidelines found at: https://www.provost.pitt.edu/standards-issuing-physical-certificates.

Other Policies

• Graduate Programs Offered in Off-Campus and Distance Learning Programs

The academic standards set forth in the Regulations Governing Graduate Study apply to graduate programs offered in off-campus locations and offered via electronic communication. Admission criteria should be the same as those used by a school for its on-campus programs.

• Editorial Assistance

A student preparing a dissertation or other written work as part of academic requirements may, when appropriate, use the assistance of professional editors, provided that (1) he or she receives the approval of the research adviser or professor of the course in which written work is being submitted; (2) that editorial assistance provided be limited to use of language and not to subject matter, content or meaning; and (3) that all editorial assistance be described and acknowledged in the report.

• Application for Graduation

Each candidate for graduation must file an official Application for Graduation in the office of the dean early in the term in which graduation is expected. Students are required to be registered for at least one credit or full-time dissertation study at the University in the 12-month period before graduation. Students must file an application for graduation through the online graduation application. Each school establishes its own deadline by which students must apply for graduation. Students should check with their dean’s office for the deadline. As noted above, students must be active. In exceptional circumstances, students who complete all the degree requirements at the end of a term but graduate in the next term may petition the dean of the school for a waiver of this registration requirement. The requirement that a student be on active status cannot be waived.

Prior to the end of the term in which they are graduated, all doctoral candidates must submit to the office of the dean a completed Survey of Earned Doctorates Awarded in the United States.

• Certification for Graduation

The Graduate Faculty of the department or program evaluates the performance of the student. If that performance is satisfactory, a report should be submitted to the dean certifying that the candidate has satisfactorily completed all departmental requirements for a graduate degree. The dean, after confirming that the overall school and University requirements have been met, certifies the candidate for graduation.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

The information that follows summarizes several key University-wide policies affecting graduate students, but students are also responsible for being cognizant of those University, school, and departmental regulations relevant to their programs of study. 

• 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 Guidelines on Academic Integrity: Student and Faculty Obligations and Hearing Procedures here. 
• AO 10 Access to and Use of University Computing Resources: This policy governs who may access and use computing resources provided by the University of Pittsburgh.
• FERPA: The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, provides students’ rights of access to their education records, as well as limited control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from their education records. The University’s commitment to safeguard student privacy and comply with the regulations is reflected in Policy AC 04 and Procedure AC 04.
• Pitt Promise: A Commitment to Civility: The University of Pittsburgh is committed to the advancement of learning and service to society. This is best accomplished in an atmosphere of mutual respect and civility, self-restraint, concern for others, and academic integrity. The Pitt Promise outlines common principles that contribute to a civil campus environment.
• Human Research Subjects: Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) (RI 10 Intellectual Property Policy)
• RI 07 Research Integrity Policy
• Student Code of Conduct: The Student Code of Conduct is an outline of the nonacademic rights and responsibilities of University students. The code defines offenses by and against students.

Statements of Compliance

• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for VA Educational Beneficiaries - 38 US Code Section 3675(b)

This policy applies to students who are VA beneficiaries and is intended to prevent the submission of VA-claims (“certifications”) for those students who are suspended. 

•  In this instance, VA beneficiaries are defined as students receiving VA educational benefits under Chapter-30, Chapter-33, Chapter-35 and Chapter-1606, Title 38 U.S. Code. 
• Students placed on academic probation at the end of the term may be certified for VA educational benefits for the subsequent term. If the student does not meet satisfactory academic progress in that subsequent term-defined as attaining a cumulative GPA at or above 2.00 for full-time students or attaining a cumulative GPA at or above 2.00  after attempting 12 additional credits for part-time students-the university will immediately suspend further VA certifications on behalf of the student.  
• Students returning from one calendar year of suspension must re-apply for admission to the university. If accepted, those students may be certified for VA educational benefits. 

Certification of Chapter-31 students will be at the discretion of the student’s VA vocational rehabilitation counselor.

• VA Educational Beneficiaries - 38 US Code Section 3679(e) 

As a matter of policy, the University of Pittsburgh allows students identified as covered individuals* to attend and participate in all course(s) of education for any given term in which the student has been certified for VA educational benefits. This policy includes those circumstances in which VA payment(s) for student tuition and fees is late or delayed for up to 90 days after date of certification. The University retains the right to impose late fees upon those students who incur or retain an outstanding balance beyond the amount of expected VA tuition & fee payment for the term.

It is school policy to request all beneficiaries of VA educational benefits-including covered individuals*-provide the following documentation as part of certification process: 

• VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Statement of Benefits as printed from the VA.gov website 

Completion of a certification request form (in hard-copy or on-line), which includes biographical information necessary for submission in the VA’s IT system of record-VA-Once.

Failure to provide such documentation will result in the delay of any VA claim or certification. *Note:  VA defines a Covered Individual as any individual who is entitled to VA educational assistance under the VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program (38 U.S. Code Chapter 31) or the VA’s Post-9/11 GI Bill® (38 U.S. Code Chapter 33). 

(“GI Bill®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.) 

• Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 - Section 1018 

In accordance with the ”Responsible Education Mitigating Options and Technical Extensions Act” or the “REMOTE Act” of 2021 to Section 1018 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315)., the University of Pittsburgh provides a College Financing Plan (formerly known as Financial Aid Shopping Sheet) to every student who completes a FAFSA application including all VA beneficiaries. 

Per Veterans Benefits Administration notification, “Isakson and Roe, Section 1018 Changes, dated June 13, 2022: The REMOTE Act affords the opportunity for schools to use the College Financing Plan (CFP), available through the U.S. Department of Education as a means to satisfy the requirements of section 3679(f). An Educational Training Institution that utilizes this form is providing sufficient consumer information, will be exempt from all section 3679(f) requirements, and does not need to apply for a waiver. An Educational Training Institution does not need to be participating in Federal Title IV Federal Student Aid to utilize the CFP to satisfy the requirements of section 3679(f).

Definitions

• Graduate/Professional programs: all programs of study leading to a research or professional master’s degree, a research or professional doctoral degree, a graduate certificate, or a graduate micro-credential.
• Advanced degrees: all master’s and doctoral degrees awarded upon completion of graduate/professional degree programs as defined above. Graduate micro-credentials and certificates are not considered advanced degrees.
• Dual, Joint, and Cooperative programs:  A student may pursue an academic course of study which stipulates completion of all or most of the requirements of two distinct academic degree programs, administered by two or more schools or campuses within the University, for which two degrees are awarded.
• Accelerated programs  
• Distance Education
• Schools: academic units of the University headed by deans, having their own teaching staffs, and offering instructional programs leading to degrees.
• Graduate Faculty: members of the various schools who have been recognized and approved as qualified: (1), (2) to serve on examining committees for advanced degrees, and (3) to advise graduate students and direct their research. 
• Graduate/Professional student: a student who is enrolled in a graduate program as defined above