Individual academic programs may be governed by other definitions related to distance education that are required by their accrediting bodies. However, schools and units must follow the university’s definitions for institutional reporting.
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.
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 they may register for courses.
Registration Status
This policy establishes the criteria used to determine registration status, including full-time/part-time and active/inactive status.
Please visit Registration Status for the full policy.
International students may have additional registration and enrollment requirements. Information can be found on the Office of International Services Resources page.
Registration Add/Drop
This policy establishes the responsibilities and regulations regarding the Registration and Add/Drop processes and applies to all campuses of the University.
Please visit Registration Add/Drop for full policy.
Fees and Tuition
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.
Please visit Fees and Tuition for full policy.
Maximum Credits per Term
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
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.
Please visit Termination of Registration for full policy.
Cross Registering 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: Carlow University, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, Community College of Allegheny County, Duquesne University, LaRoche University, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Point Park University, Robert Morris University, and the University of Pittsburgh.
Please vist PCHE Cross Registration for more information.
Full-time and Part-time Study
Please visit Part-time and Full-time Enrollment for detailed information.
Registration for Full-time Dissertation Study Course (FTDR 3999 )
This policy establishes the requirements for registration in the “Full-Time Dissertation Study” course.
Please visit Registration for the “Full-Time Dissertation Study” Course for full policy.
Course Withdrawal
This policy establishes regulations for course withdrawal and assignment of the Withdrawal (W) grade.
Please visit Course Withdrawal for full policy.
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 School of Public Health considers effective academic advising an essential component of educating students. Departments have the primary responsibility for identifying and assigning to each student a major advisor, who, in consultation with the student, plans a program of study and research in accord with school and departmental guidelines. Departments are expected to provide students with a copy of school and departmental regulations appropriate for their program, and students are expected to become familiar with University, school, and department regulations concerning graduate study and to accept responsibility for the completion of all degree requirements.
The student’s academic advisor is to direct and assist the student in the selection of classes and the conduct of research. Waivers from program requirements are processed at the program level, and waivers from school requirements by the Office of Student Affairs provided the student has met CEPH competencies. The Application for Graduation is processed through the Pitt Public Health Office of Student Affairs after clearance has been received from the academic advisor. A student will be certified for graduation only after the academic advisor has confirmed that all degree requirements have been met.
For students required to take preliminary, comprehensive, or defense examinations, the academic advisor, in consultation with the student, designates faculty members to act as the examining committee.
Each doctoral student is required to complete an Independent Development Plan per year and to submit it to his/her advisor. A suggested template is provided.
Each doctoral student, together with the student’s doctoral committee, is responsible for assuring accomplishment of all elements of the student’s course of studies, including the core requirements, the research tools requirement, course work in the field of specialization, advanced standing, the qualifying and comprehensive examinations, and the dissertation overview and its final oral defense.
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
Advanced Standing Credits
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. Any exceptions to this regulation must be approved by the Office of the Provost and posted in the University Catalog.
Please visit Advanced Standing Credits for full policy.
Course Repeat
This document establishes regulations on course repeats. All schools and regional campuses are required to adhere to this regulation. Any exceptions to this regulation must be approved by the Office of the Provost and posted in the University Catalog.
Credential Overlap
This regulation establishes guidelines for credit overlaps occurring between multiple degrees or credentials being pursued at the University of Pittsburgh. All schools and regional campuses are required to adhere to this regulation. Any exceptions to this regulation must be approved by the Office of the Provost and posted in the University Catalog.
Coursework 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
Grade Changes
This policy establishes the responsibilities and regulations regarding the grade change process.
Please visit Grade Changes for full policy.
Quality Point Average (QPA) and Grade Point Average (GPA)
This policy establishes the University Cumulative Quality Point Average (QPA) and Grade Point Average (GPA).
Please visit University Cumulative Quality Point Average (QPA) and Grade Point Average (GPA) for full policy.
University Grading
This establishes the official University grades and symbols, including any corresponding grade points and definitions.
Please visit University Grading for full policy.
Incomplete (I) Grade
This document establishes regulations regarding submitting and resolving an Incomplete (I) for a class. Any exceptions to this regulation must be approved by the Office of the Provost and posted in the University Catalog.
Students are responsible for being honest and behaving ethically while pursuing academic studies. All individuals (students, faculty, post-doctoral researchers, and staff) at Pitt Public Health abide by the University’s policy on academic integrity as well as the Pitt Public Health academic integrity procedures.
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.
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.
The University of Pittsburgh is committed to the success of its students and has guidelines in place to connect students with the appropriate resources at the earliest sign of academic difficulty. Students’ academic standing is maintained and monitored each term by the school, department or program in which the student is enrolled. Schools must provide graduate students with a written description of the implementation of this policy.
Note: While different from academic standing, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) may impact the financial aid eligibility of students.
Please visit Academic Standing for Graduate and Professional Students for full policy.
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress
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.
Please visit Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress for full policy.
