The University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) is a nationally renowned leader in the field of health care education, research and clinical practice preparation. With 14 different disciplines related to health and rehabilitative care, SHRS shapes future generations of health care professionals-therapists, counselors, advocates, scientists, providers and practitioners-trained to serve the needs of all people regardless of background, levels of health or mobility. We are built on a legacy of academic excellence and innovation and fueled by passionate educators and researchers, allowing us to meet the health care and rehabilitation needs of today and drive meaningful change in the future. Learn how bold moves SHRS. #BoldMovesSHRS

SHRS Vision, Mission and Values

Established in 1969 as a health sciences school of the University of Pittsburgh, SHRS stands on its solid reputation as an international leader in rehabilitation and disabilities education, research and community service, improving the lives and independence of all people with a focus on people at risk for or having chronic conditions or disabilities and those who have traditionally been underserved and underrepresented. 

Our Vision

To be a catalyst for a world free of barriers and disparities that allows all people, regardless of health, to have opportunities to participate in life to the fullest; to be accomplished through education, research, and service.

Our Mission

To advance health, rehabilitation and reintegration service delivery through teaching, research and professional service.

We advance our Mission and pursue our Vision by:

• Providing an unparalleled environment for education and training
• Supporting an inter-professional approach to research to address challenges of people with acute and chronic conditions and disabilities.
• Collaborating with local, national and international partners to address and improve integration of rehabilitation services in health care delivery systems, community engagement and models of care.

Our Values

• Advocacy - for those less fortunate or with limited access seeking greater independence
• Excellence - in all endeavors and facets of our work
• Inclusion - in student, faculty and staff composition, recruitment, retention and advancement with a major focus on inclusion of all people regardless of race, culture, gender, age, ethnicity, socio-economic experience, ability, disability, religion, gender identity and expression or sexual orientation
• Innovation - in teaching and educational curricula, research, technology and product development
• Integrity - through uncompromising adherence to ethical principles, truthfulness, dignity and respect in all that we do
• Service - to all, including the disabilities community, in regard to rehabilitation and health services with a commitment to social responsibility

Philosophy of Graduate Education

The faculty of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) believes that it has a major responsibility in graduate education to broaden the perspectives and awareness of students in the health professions toward high standards of scholarship and recognition of its relevance to technological and human needs.

Graduate programs provide depth in a substantial area of the student’s profession and foster critical thinking through a variety of scholarly and creative activities, thereby generating an atmosphere of scientific inquiry. These substantive areas include knowledge of the scientific basis for the development of advanced clinical expertise within the professions represented in the school. An equally important function is to encourage health professionals to be sensitive to the needs of the human beings they are serving and to adapt their methods to the changing social, economic and technological environments in which they practice.

Accordingly, these professionals should develop the capacity to perform newly emerging and expanding roles of roles of advanced clinical services, research, teaching, and administration in the health care systems, advancing the frontiers of their particular field of expertise.

On the assumption that the accumulation and mastery of basic factual knowledge have been accomplished, graduate education focuses on synthesis and integration to allow for new systemic insights into the application and extension of that knowledge. The linkage of various educational experiences with research projects enhances problem­ solving skills. Through interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary didactic, clinical and research experiences, individual professional identity is fostered, while the ability to function both on an independent and collaborative level with colleagues from other disciplines is enhanced.

Contact Information

University of Pittsburgh
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
4028 Forbes Tower
PIttsburgh, PA 15260
412-383-6565
412-383-6535 (FAX)
https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/about/contact-us

Programs and Certificates

Accelerated Programs

• Athletic Training, Accelerated MS
• Dietitian Nutritionist, Accelerated MS

Master’s Programs

• Athletic Training (MS)
• Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS)
• Health Informatics (MS)
• Master of Rehabilitation Technology (MRT)
• Neuromuscular Physical Therapy (MS)
• Nutrition and Dietetics (MS)
• Occupational Therapy (MS)
• Physician Assistant Studies (MS)
• Physician Assistant Studies Hybrid (MS)
• Prosthetics & Orthotics (MS)
• Speech-Language Pathology (MA/MS)
• Sports Medicine (MS)
• Sports Science (MS)

Doctoral Programs

• Doctor of Audiology (AuD)
• Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)
• Doctor of Clinical Science in Occupational Therapy (CScD)
• Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)/Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering (PhD)
• Doctor of Physician Assistant Studies (DPAS) 
• Communication Science and Disorders (PhD)
• Rehabilitation Science (PhD)

Certificate Programs

• Advanced Practice Certificate in Implementation of Evidence in Clinical Practice
• Health Data Analytics
• Health Information Cybersecurity
• Leadership in Health Informatics
• Revenue Cycle Management

Admission 

SHRS is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment to create a more equitable health care system by welcoming applicants of all abilities/disabilities, religions, marital statuses, familial statuses, sexes, ages, sexual orientations, veteran statuses, national origins, all ethnic and racial backgrounds, genetic information, and gender identities and expressions.

Each program at SHRS has specific admission requirements. Please visit the SHRS Program and Course Offerings section of this catalog for detailed information.

Application Procedures

Application portals vary by program. Please visit the SHRS Program and Course Offerings section of this catalog for detailed information.

Admission Status

Full Status: The student has been admitted into a SHRS degree program. To maintain full graduate status, the student must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000 (based on 4.000) in their graduate study. Students whose cumulative GPA drops below a 3.000 while in the program will be placed on academic probation (please see the Academic Probation policy in this catalog).

Students enrolled in accelerated programs must maintain a 3.000 minimum GPA to progress from the undergraduate to graduate portion of their program.

Conditional Status: Individuals who are seeking advanced degrees but who are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required credentials for admission may be granted conditional admission at the discretion of the Program Director, provided they present acceptable evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study. Regular admission must be accomplished within the first term of registration.

Non-Degree Status: Applicants who do not wish to enroll in a degree program may apply for admission as non-degree students to take one or more courses of particular interest if written permission is obtained from the course instructor. Non-degree students are permitted to take a total of six (6) credits. A non-degree student wishing to register for more than 6 credits must receive approval from the Department Chair/Program Director. Information concerning such requests should be directed first to the Director of Admissions, 6054 Forbes Tower, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 or via email at admissions@shrs.pitt.edu.

Deferral of Admission

Requests to defer admission must be submitted by the student, in writing, BEFORE the start of the first term of admission. If approved, the student must pay the tuition deposit (if required) which will be held by Student Financials and applied to their account, if enrolled. If they do not enroll, the deposit is forfeited.

Request for Readmission

In each of the circumstances below, the student will be discontinued from PeopleSoft and must initiate reinstatement to rejoin the program by contacting their program director.  Reinstatement is not guaranteed, and the program director may require a student to formally reapply. Tuition deposits will not be refunded after the start of the term.

• If a student begins their 1st term and then drops all courses BEFORE the add/drop deadline.
• If a student begins their 1st term and then requests to withdraw from all classes AFTER the add/drop deadline and before 60% of the term has passed, the student would need to go through the Student Appeals office Tuition Adjustments Student Payment Center and their tuition will be prorated based on the last day of attendance.

• In extenuating circumstances, at the discretion of the Department Chair and the Associate Dean, a student could request a late drop of the enrollment after the add/drop deadline which would remove the courses from their transcript and their bill.

Financial Information

Tuition and Fee Rates

Tuition and fee rates are available on the Financial Information   page in the University Catalog and the tuition chart is on-line at Tuition Rates - Pennsylvania Residents  , Tuition Rates - Out-of-State Residents  . 

Full Tuition

Graduate students registered for 9 to 15 credits in the Fall and Spring Terms are regarded as full-time students and are assessed the current graduate “flat” tuition rate for their academic center. Students will be charged per credit for each credit exceeding the maximum full-time credit limit.

Summer Term

All students are billed on a per-credit basis (except for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program).

Residency/Reduced Tuition

Students who reside in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania may be eligible for reduced tuition through state appropriations.

Eligibility is determined by criteria outlined in the University of Pittsburgh Guidelines for Determining Eligibility for Reduced Tuition Rates, available on-line at http://payments.pitt.edu/pa-tuition-rate-eligibility.

Lab Fees: Lab courses may incur an additional fee to cover laboratory expenses. These fees will be charged to the student directly and will appear on the invoice generated by Student Accounts in addition to tuition and other fees each semester.

Financial Obligation of Students

The University of Pittsburgh has the right to withhold services if a student defaults on any financial obligation until repayment arrangements have been made that are satisfactory to the office or department to which the debt is owed.

Scholarships, Grants and Financial Aid

If you are interested in applying for loans, scholarships, grants, or work study, you should call or visit the University of Pittsburgh Financial Wellness Center, 139 University Place, Thackeray Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, 412-624-PITT. The website for information is: Completing Graduate Financial Aid

SHRS Scholarships and Awards

General information on scholarship and awards can be found at: SHRS Financial Information Page. Information on merit, individual department and school wide scholarships and awards can be found at: Schoolwide Scholarships.
 

Contact individual departments for information on scholarships and awards specific to your area of study.

SHRS Academic Regulations

Minimum Academic Standard

In addition to the University-wide regulations and standards detailed in the section on General Academic Regulations, each student in SHRS is expected to be familiar with these school-specific regulations and academic standards:

• It is the student’s responsibility to review her/his academic standing, to identify graduate program requirements and prerequisites for intended graduate program(s) and to monitor their completion.

• All required and prerequisite coursework must be taken for a grade, when letter grade option is available, unless approved by the Department Chair/Program Director.

• Students must receive a grade of C or better in all courses required by their program curriculum.

• Students who receive a grade below a C in a required course must repeat that course and attain a grade of C or better to graduate. (Note: University regulations state that a student may repeat any course in which a grade of B- or lower is received if an authorization to repeat the course is given by the student’s adviser/faculty. If authorization to repeat the course is not given, the student may face dismissal from the program.)

• Students will not be permitted to register for a course until they attain a C or better in its prerequisites.

• Failure to receive an acceptable grade after the second opportunity to complete a required course may result in the student being dismissed from the program and SHRS.

Allowable Credits

Transfer Credits

The completion of requirements for advanced degrees must be satisfied through registration at the Oakland Campus of the University of Pittsburgh. Graduate students already enrolled may, when approved in advance by their Department Chair 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 such instances, neither the University nor any of its components are responsible for providing any financial assistance to the graduate student.

Transcripts certifying graduate courses completed at another institution prior to admission to the University of Pittsburgh should be submitted at the time of application and will be evaluated for acceptability as transfer credits early in the student’s graduate career by the advisor and Department Chair.

For Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees, no more than six (6) credits may be transferred. The Office of Student Affairs will enter the transfer credits on the student’s transcript. Grades (and quality points) are not recorded for credits accepted by transfer.

For Professional master’s degrees, no more than one-third of the total number of required credits may be granted to a student as transfer credit for work done at another accredited graduate institution.

For Doctor of Philosophy up to 30 credits taken at the graduate level (2000 & 3000 level courses) toward a master’s degree may be transferred. In all cases, at least 36 credits must be completed as a PhD student at the University of Pittsburgh. No Undergraduate credits (1000 level course) may be applied towards the doctoral degree. All transfer credits must be submitted to and approved by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.

Transfer credits will not be accepted for courses in which a grade lower than B (GPA= 3.000), or its equivalent, has been received. No credit is granted toward an advanced degree for work completed in extension courses, correspondence courses, or in the off­ campus center or another institution unless those credits are approved for the equivalent graduate degrees at the institution, and provided that the institution has an accredited program.

Advising

Master and Clinical Doctorates

Master’s students are assigned an advisor who must be a member of the SHRS faculty holding a regular, research, clinical, or adjunct appointment, and having at least a master’s degree. The director of the program to which the student has been accepted selects advisors for SHRS graduate students. Students are notified of their advisor after their enrollment. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the advisor to schedule an initial meeting.

Doctor of Philosophy

PhD students are assigned an academic advisor in the student’s main area of specialization. The academic advisor and student will plan course work and other experiences to enable the student to meet program requirements and her/his academic goals.

Change of Advisor

If either the student or his or her assigned advisor prefers, the student can choose another advisor. The student must obtain a Change of Advisor form, located on the SHRS website under forms. The student must complete the form and secure the required signatures and return the form to the Office of Student Services. As a general rule, students who have more than 50% of the credits required for graduation should not initiate a change of advisor procedure.

Plan of Study

Every student in SHRS must have a Plan of Study, signed by an academic faculty advisor. Any revisions to the Plan of Study must be approved by the academic/faculty advisor or Department Chair.

To be certified for graduation, students must have successfully completed all courses outlined in their final Plan of Study as well as any other requirements for the degree. A final Plan of Study will be submitted to Student Services by the department administrator in the graduating term.

Internships

An internship is a period of supervised, planned, practical experience providing an opportunity to apply previously learned skills or theories designed to complement the didactic phase of the academic program. The internship may be primarily clinical, teaching, or administrative in nature. Many programs require internship experiences, coordinated by the student’s advisor or an identified Clinical Coordinator, who provides oversight regarding internship objectives and activities, administrative and contractual relationships with the site, and ensures that students meet all SHRS and site criteria.

Clinical Internships

Clinical learning experiences are an integral part of SHRS professional programs. Clinical learning experiences provide the student with the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a supervised environment to develop clinical skills and judgment.

Clinical Education

Clinical learning experiences are an integral part of SHRS professional programs. Clinical learning experiences provide the student with the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a supervised environment to develop clinical skills and judgment.

Independent Study - HRS 2999 or CSD 2990

Independent Study provides an opportunity for the student to complete an intense, self-designed project with faculty supervision in an area of special interest. A maximum of six (6) independent study credits may be accepted toward meeting degree requirements for the program.

Thesis and Non-Thesis Options and Procedures

Thesis Option

A thesis is a written report of an investigative study conducted by the student during their graduate program. The completion of a thesis requires that the student has the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct a valid study and that the thesis project is the investigation of a research question appropriate to their focus of study. The thesis is usually a concluding experience in Master of Science programs and completed under the guidance of a research mentor.

Completion of a thesis may be required for specific graduate programs within SHRS. Students should refer to the specific program requirements to determine if a thesis is required for completion of their program. Thesis credits can be obtained in the following courses: HRS 2924, HRS 2925, and CSD 2000. Students should refer to their program requirements for specific guidelines for completing the thesis, the minimum number of thesis credits required, and for required courses.

Non-Thesis Option

Many SHRS graduate programs provide a non-thesis option as an alternative to completing a thesis. The non-thesis option is program-specific and reflects the culminating assignment to demonstrate the student’s mastery of their area of study. Some programs require the student to complete the non-thesis option while others may give the student the opportunity to choose between completing a thesis or the non-thesis option. Students should refer to their home program/department for specific information on the non-thesis option.

Scholarly Paper

As part of the non-thesis option for a Master of Science degree, some programs/departments may require a scholarly paper. A scholarly paper is of publishable quality in a focused area.

Examples of scholarly papers include but are not limited to substantial reviews of the literature on a particular topic, development of health care policies, or development of evidence-based treatment procedures. Students who complete this option must register for HRS 2926 Scholarly Paper for 1-6 credits depending on the requirements of their plan of study.

Comprehensive Examination

Comprehensive Examinations are required for many graduate programs in SHRS. Successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination is needed for the student to demonstrate mastery of their field of graduate study. Each individual department/program will specify the content and procedure for the scheduling, administration, and grading of the Comprehensive Examination. Please refer to individual program descriptions or handbooks for details of Comprehensive Examinations for each program.

Enrollment Status

Graduate students cannot enroll for more than (15) units without the Dean’s approval. Only an advisor or the University Registrar’s Office can enroll you after you receive approval for the additional unit(s). Graduate students registered for 9 to 15 credits in the Fall and Spring Terms are regarded as full-time students. Students cannot enroll in courses that meet at the same time.

Active Status

Graduate students are required to register for at least 1 credit in the fall and spring terms. PhD students who have completed their course work and have successfully passed their dissertation proposal must be enrolled in dissertation credits or FTDI (Full time Dissertation Study) in the fall and spring terms to maintain active status.

Inactive Status

A student who has not registered for at least 1 credit or for full-time dissertation study during a 12- month period will be transferred automatically to inactive status. Inactive students cannot apply to graduate or take Preliminary or Comprehensive Examinations. 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 their advisor and committee.

Monitored Withdrawal

After the add/drop period has ended, students may withdraw from a course that they no longer wish to attend by completing a Monitored Withdrawal Request form in the office of the school offering the course. Students must process the Monitored Withdrawal Request form within the first nine weeks of the term in the fall and spring.

Because summer sessions vary in length, students should check the University’s Academic Calendar for those deadlines. Students should check with the school offering the course for the last day to submit a Monitored Withdrawal Request form. The grade W will appear on the student’s grade report and transcript. There is no financial adjustment to students’ tuition or fee obligations involved in withdrawing from courses, but withdrawing may jeopardize satisfactory academic progress, financial aid, and assistantships or fellowships.

The form must be signed by the instructor of the course and be returned to the Director of Student Services, Registrar, within the first nine weeks of the term in the fall and spring.

Late Withdrawal Procedure

Procedure for an Appeal for Late Withdrawal

• After the Monitored Withdrawal deadline has passed, students may appeal to withdraw from a course by submitting an Appeal for Late Withdrawal. The form can be found on the SHRS Student Life website, in the Forms tab.
• All appeals for late withdrawal must be for non-academic reasons, i.e., medical or family emergencies. If you are trying to withdraw without extenuating circumstances, your appeal will be denied.
• Appeals must be submitted to the Dean’s Office of the school offering the course, regardless of the student’s home school.
• Appeals for Late Withdrawal from SHRS courses should be submitted to the SHRS Registrar.
• You will be notified of the Associate Dean’s decision via your student email account. Appeals for late withdrawal must be submitted before the end of the 13th week of the semester.
• After the 13th week, students can only appeal to withdraw from the entire semester.
• If your request is approved and you accept the grade of “W” there is no tuition adjustment for withdrawing from the course.

Repetition of Courses

Consult your academic advisor for the proper procedure of repeating a class and for information on how this will affect your grades and the calculation of your Grade Point Average (GPA). When you repeat a class, you must officially enroll and pay for the class again.

University policy prohibits any student from attending a class without being officially enrolled for that class. A repeated course has a notation appearing underneath the previous course taken designating that it is excluded from the GPA. The original course and grade will always remain on your record/transcript.

Graduate Students are only permitted to repeat a course once.

• Note: Any grade earned in the repeated course will be recorded on the academic transcript, even if it is lower than the original grade.
• A sequence course may not be repeated for credit if the student passes a higher sequence course with a C or better grade.
• A student may not enroll in the same course at another institution and have that grade replace the original grade earned at the University.
• The original course and grade remain on the transcript; however, the grade and credits originally earned are not counted in the calculation of the GPA.
• The grade earned by repeating a course is used instead of the grade originally earned. Withdrawal (W), Repeat (R), and Audit/Non-Credit (N) grades reported for the repeated course will not be identified as a course repeat, and therefore the original grade earned will continue to be counted in the GPA.
• Incomplete grades (G and I) are not identified as repeated courses until the coursework is completed.
• Students seeking to repeat other non-SHRS (prerequisites, electives, etc.) courses will be permitted to do so at the discretion of the program director.

Statute of Limitations on Allowable Coursework

Masters

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. 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 professional masters within five years (includes both full time and part time students). 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.

PHD/Doctoral

From the student’s initial registration for graduate study, all requirements for the PhD degree must be completed within a period of 10 years or within eight years if the student has received transfer credits. 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 or school. 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.

Extension

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 Associate Dean of Graduate Studies 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.

Resigning from the University for a Specific Term

If students decide to drop all their courses after the add/drop period has ended and before 60 percent of the term or session has been completed, they must resign from the University for that term. Official resignation from the University requires students to contact the Student Appeals Office. Students have several options. They may resign in person, by mail, or by calling 412-624-7585, where students may leave a message 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. An R grade will appear on the student’s academic transcript. Tuition is prorated from the date of the student’s notification to the Student Appeals Office of the student’s desire to resign, unless 60 percent of the term has been completed, in which case there is no refund.

After the 60 percent point of the term or session has passed, students who wish to terminate their registration may process a withdrawal from all classes only with the permission of their academic dean. If the reason for withdrawal is medical or psychological in nature, the academic dean may consult with the director of the Student Health Service prior to making a determination. There is no financial adjustment associated with this procedure, which results in the assignment of W grades for the courses.

Please visit the Student Payment center resignation page on the University of Pittsburgh website for more information.

Leave of Absence

Under special conditions, a leave of absence is available for students who are enrolled in the second term or later of their program.

• To request a LOA, the student, along with their advisor, must complete the SHRS Request for Leave of Absence - Graduate Program form, which can be found on the SHRS Student Life website, in the Forms tab. This form must be submitted to Student Services for approval.
• The length and rationale for the leave of absence must be approved by the Associate Dean. If approved, the time of the leave shall not count against the total time allowed for the degree (statute of Limitations) being sought by the student.
• If a student requests a leave for up to 1 year, and they are auto discontinued from PeopleSoft due to 3 consecutive terms of no enrollment, they will automatically be readmitted by the Admissions office to return.
• If the reason for the leave is medical in nature, a formal note from a doctor must be included with the request.

Reinstatement is not guaranteed. Students who have been dismissed from SHRS for academic reasons or who have not enrolled at SHRS for three consecutive terms must request reinstatement by contacting their program director.

Failure to Communicate

Students should stay in regular communication with their academic advisor and faculty members. SHRS defines Failure to Communicate as not responding to two (2) requests for communication with faculty or staff or failure to attend one (1) required meeting with faculty or staff.

If the student is enrolled in the term and fails to communicate,

• They will be assigned the grade earned in the course.  
• Student grades will be assigned based on performance in the course, including failing grades for any missed assignments, at the instructor’s discretion.
  • If the course is a required course for degree completion, the student will need to repeat the course.

If a student is NOT enrolled in the current term or drops all courses by the term’s add/drop deadline and has NOT done A or B below, they will be subject to dismissal from the program.

1. communicated with their advisor or department the reason for withdrawing, or
2. has not requested a leave of absence by the add/drop deadline and fails to communicate

To facilitate regular communication, students are strongly encouraged to:

• Check their Pitt email regularly.
• Inform their academic advisor, faculty, or department chair of difficulties that may impact their academic standing.
• Seek help as needed.
• Make and keep regular advising/registration appointments with their academic advisor.

Grading Policy

All SHRS graduate programs adhere to the University’s grading system and grading policies for graduate students. Please refer to the Office of the University Registrar on Grades or the University Catalog on Grading and Records

SHRS Policy and Procedure for G and I Grades

All SHRS graduate programs adhere to the University’s grading system and grading policies for graduate students. Please refer to the Office of the University Registrar on Grades or the University Catalog on Grading and Records

SHRS (G) Grade Policy

The G grade signifies unfinished course work due to extenuating personal circumstances. Students assigned G grades are required to complete course requirements no later than one year after the term or session in which the course was taken.

A student should not request or be given a G grade if, in actuality, they need to repeat the course. The G grade should only be given if they had an extenuating circumstance (medical issue, family issue, etc.) that did not allow them to complete coursework.

If a G grade is not changed by the next term add/drop deadline (Summer term included) the instructor will submit an online G grade form which will include objectives to be completed and expected date of completion. This form will be sent to the student to review and agree to, and a completed form will be placed in the student’s file when the work is completed, and the grade is changed.

Completing the work by the Date of Completion:

When the work is completed, the instructor will enter an online grade change to update the grade on the student record.

Not completing the work by the Date of Completion for an G grade:

• If the date of completion agreed upon is prior to the one-year deadline and the work is NOT completed by that date, the instructor reserves the right to change the grade to the grade earned.
  • If the grade earned is a failing grade the student will be required to re-register for the course if it is needed to fulfill requirements for graduation.
• If the date of completion is the one-year deadline and the work is NOT completed by that date, the G grade will automatically change to NG and will no longer appear as “in progress” on a student record.
  • The NG grade will remain on the record and the student will be required to re-register for the course if it is needed to fulfill requirements for graduation.

The I grade indicates that the work of the course for which it is awarded has not been completed due to the nature of the course, clinical work, or incomplete research work in individual guidance courses or seminars. It is to be awarded only to students who have been doing the regular work of the course but who need more time than the term allows to complete the course work. That is, if extenuating circumstances ought to arise from the nature of the course work rather than from the student’s personal difficulties (in which case a G grade is appropriate; see above).

• The coursework must be completed no later than the end of the next consecutive term (Summer term included). Any exceptions will need to be approved by the SHRS Registrar.

Not completing the work by the Date of Completion for an I grade:

If the work is not completed by the Date of Completion, the instructor reserves the right to change the grade to the grade earned.

• If the grade earned is a failing grade the student will be required to re-register for the course if it is needed to fulfill requirements for graduation.
• If the course is no longer needed to fulfill requirements for graduation and I grade will remain on the transcript.

Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC) grading option

Prerequisite and required courses must be taken for a letter grade when available, and a student must earn a B or better.

Academic Probation and Dismissal Policy

• Graduate students who have completed at least 9 credits and whose cumulative GPA falls below a 3.000 will be placed on academic probation and/or suspension and will receive written notification of this status. At this point it is the student’s responsibility to meet with his or her advisor.
• To be removed from academic probation, the student will need to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.000 within his or her next two terms of study. Failure to do so may subject the student to recommendation for immediate dismissal from the program by the Department Chair, in collaboration with the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.
• Students who fail to demonstrate progress toward meeting graduation requirements in a timely manner may be placed on academic probation or recommended for dismissal from the program by the Department Chair, in collaboration with the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. SHRS reserves the right to terminate a student at any time for academic or other reasons.
• Dismissal from the program is at the discretion of the SHRS Dean. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event it is not mathematically possible for a student to remediate their cumulative program GPA within their next two terms of study the student may be immediately dismissed.
• A student may appeal their dismissal with the University of Pittsburgh Provost office.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation requirements for a graduate degree from SHRS are as follows:

• Satisfactory completion of required credits
• Minimum cumulative GPA 3.000
• GPA will be calculated as a composite of all courses taken at the University of Pittsburgh and counting toward completion of the degree
• Completion of all requirements for the program in which student has enrolled
• No outstanding D, F, G or I grade in a required course
• Updated and approved Plan of Study on file in Student Services
• A student must be considered an “active student” at the time of graduation; they must have been registered for at least one credit at the University of Pittsburgh within the last three terms or sessions.
• Students may not enroll in courses outside the University of Pittsburgh in the semester they are graduating.
• An application for graduation must be submitted by the student in PeopleSoft the term prior to the graduation term. A student with outstanding financial obligations to the University is not eligible to receive the diploma, official academic transcripts, or any certification of completion of the academic program.

Credits Required

The number of credits required for the master’s degree varies among the departments within SHRS, but all departments require at least 30 credits. Many departments offer a variety of emphases. Individual departments should be contacted for the number of credits and Plan of Study specific to that department and focus.

SHRS Student Organizations

The SHRS Graduate and Professional Student Organization (SHRS GPSO) is a member of the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG) of the University of Pittsburgh. All full- time and part-time graduate students of SHRS who have active status, as defined by the school, and who are in good standing, as defined by the University, are members of the SHRS GPSG. Further information on becoming active in this organization can be obtained by sending an email to: shrssab@shrs.pitt.edu.

Ombudsperson

The Ombudsperson assists students with resolving conflicts and issues that arise in the course of their education and training that they believe have not or cannot be addressed within their academic department. The Ombudsperson can help mediate conflicts and provides information about institutional policies related to the student’s issues, including the University’s grievance procedures. The Ombudsperson directs students to further resources on campus as appropriate. The Ombudsperson in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) will be a neutral contact person (non-faculty) for students with whom they can engage in informal discussions.

The Ombudsperson for SHRS is Jessica Maguire, Executive Director of Student Affairs. She can be reached maguire@pitt.edu to make an appointment. More information on the Ombudsperson’s role for SHRS can be found on the SHRS website.

SHRS Faculty

SHRS Faculty  

SHRS Programs and Course Offerings

Programs

• Online Master of Arts Degree Program in Speech-Language Pathology, MA