The School of Education’s mission is to create and disseminate knowledge that improves teaching and learning and to develop and implement effective programs for the preparation of education professionals who will enhance both the practice and outcomes of education. For general information, see www.education.pitt.edu.
The School of Education is organized into four academic departments:
- Department of Administrative and Policy Studies
- Department of Health and Physical Activity
- Department of Instruction and Learning
- Department of Psychology in Education
Undergraduate degree programs are offered in the Department of Health and Physical Activity (HPA) and the Department of Psychology in Education (PSYED). HPA offers the baccalaureate program in health and physical activity with specializations in exercise science and wellness; PSYED offers the baccalaureate program in applied developmental psychology.
Teacher certification programs are offered in the Department of Instruction and Learning at the graduate level only. No teacher certification programs are offered in the other three departments.
Undergraduate students interested in obtaining teacher certification at the University of Pittsburgh after they have earned their baccalaureate degrees are encouraged to contact the pre-admissions advisors in the School of Education early in their undergraduate programs in order to obtain information about the teacher certification programs available and the requirements of those programs. Admission for teacher certification study requires that applicants have completed liberal studies distribution requirements in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, as well as course work in an academic major field or content area. Additionally, applicants to the Professional Year (PY) Program are expected to have completed preprofessional education courses (e.g., courses emphasizing human development and learning, the study of schools and society, and an introduction to the teaching seminar in the intended certification area). The number of credits and specific courses required vary by type and area of certification. Note, however, that all applicants to both the PY Program and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program must have at least 6 credits or the equivalent in college-level mathematics, at least 3 credits or the equivalent in college-level English composition, and at least 3 credits or the equivalent in college-level American and/or British literature. For admission to teacher certification programs in the Department of Instruction and Learning, all students must have taken and passed the Praxis I Series of Tests, which includes reading, mathematics, and writing. As a point of general information, most students admitted to the PY and MAT programs have undergraduate grade point averages (GPAs) of at least 3.0. Specific information may be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services, 5500 Wesley W. Posvar Hall, 412-648-2230, soeinfo@pitt.edu.
Admissions
The School of Education does not admit students to its undergraduate programs at the freshman level. Therefore, students must first be admitted to another school at the University of Pittsburgh or to another institution.
If an applicant to a School of Education undergraduate program is currently a University of Pittsburgh student, the applicant should contact the dean’s office of the school to which the applicant has been admitted and request an Undergraduate Academic Program Change form. After completion of this form, all records will be transferred to the School of Education, Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services, 5500 Wesley W. Posvar Hall, for review.
If an applicant to a School of Education undergraduate program is transferring from another institution, the applicant should contact the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, Alumni Hall, for a Transfer Application. (See Transfer Student Admissions section of this bulletin for more information.)
To be admitted into a Minor program in the School of Education a student must do the following:
Advising
Each student admitted to an undergraduate program in the School of Education is assigned an advisor.
Dean’s List
Early each term, students whose grades in the previous grading period indicate outstanding achievement are recognized in the Dean’s List.
Full-time students (those enrolled in 12 or more credits) who earned 12 credits in the preceding term (not including courses taken on the Satisfactory/Audit option) with a term GPA of at least 3.50 and no grade lower than a C are placed on the Dean’s List.
Part-time students (those enrolled in fewer than 12 credits) who have earned 12 credits in the SOE in previous terms (not including courses taken on the Satisfactory/Audit option) with a QPA of at least 3.50 and no grade lower than a C are placed on the Dean’s List.
Part-time students are evaluated for Dean’s List recognition by determining if 12 credits of letter-graded coursework have been completed since the last Dean’s List recognition. If 12 credits have been completed, the GPA for the terms in which the last 12 credits were completed is used to assess the Dean’s List eligibility.
Degree Requirements
The undergraduate degree in the School of Education requires the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120 credits of approved undergraduate study. Undergraduate degrees are conferred only on those students who have completed all courses required for the degree with a GPA of at least 2.50.
Students in the School of Education must complete at least 60 credits in courses offered at the University of Pittsburgh. They must be enrolled in the School of Education during the term the degree is awarded. Students who begin their study at the regional campuses must apply to relocate to the Pittsburgh campus for at least the last 60 credits.
Probation and Dismissal
All students enrolled in undergraduate programs in the School of Education are required to maintain a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.50. The cumulative GPA is based on all course work taken after enrollment at the University of Pittsburgh. A student is automatically placed on academic probation when the cumulative GPA, exclusive of transfer credits, falls below 2.50.
Only letter grades with GPA values will be used to compute and determine academic probation status. While on probation students are limited to registering only for courses in which a letter grade is given. To be removed from probation status, a student must achieve a 3.00 GPA in 9 credits or more. A student can only be placed on academic probation status once during their program of study. Students placed on academic probation status will receive notification in the form of a letter from the School of Education, and they will be recommended to seek guidance from their academic advisor.
Ordinarily, students are required to terminate study after two terms on probation if there is no improvement in the quality of their work. A student placed on academic probation status more than once is also required to terminate study. A student who does not meet the GPA or credit requirements will be dismissed from the School of Education, unless serious extenuating circumstances exist. The request for continuation must include a recommendation made by the Department Chair (or designated faculty member) and the academic advisor, with the recommendation approved by the Dean of the school.
School of Education Course Offerings
www.education.pitt.edu
School of Education Faculty
www.education.pitt.edu/faculty
Program and Course Offerings
