International Engineering Studies Certificate

International Engineering Studies

An innovative International Engineering Certificate Program has been created for those students who wish to enhance their degree program with an education abroad experience.

Students in the Swanson School of Engineering may earn a certificate in International Engineering Studies (IES) by completing a minimum set of requirements that include an approved, educational international experience and associated cultural enrichment and language studies.  The certificate will indicate the country and language in which the IES program was completed.

In order to earn the IES certificate the student must formally apply to and be accepted into the IES program.  Application forms may be obtained from the Office of Engineering International Programs.  The application must include a plan for completing the requirements for a certificate.  The plan must specify all relevant coursework to be completed at the University of Pittsburgh as well as the activities and site of the international experience.  The international program must be formally approved by the student’s advisor and the IES Faculty Committee.

In order to earn the certificate, the student must complete at least four of the five requirements listed below:

1. Language Training:  A minimum of either one term-long course at the intermediate level in the local language on-site during the study abroad program, or two term-long intermediate level courses at the University of Pittsburgh (defined as third semester level or higher).  A summer language school program at the study abroad site could be used to satisfy this requirement.

2. Local Culture:  A minimum of one term-long course on-site during a study abroad experience.  Acceptable areas are broadly defined to include subjects such as fine arts, history, literature etc., and should focus on the culture local to the study abroad program.

3. Culture Requirement at Pitt:  An upper division course at the University of Pittsburgh which will serve as a complement to Requirement 2.

4. Academic Courses in Engineering:  A minimum of two term-long courses on-site during the study abroad experience.  The courses must satisfy graduation requirements for specific courses in the student’s major department or program.

5. Work Experience / Internship:  Equivalent of 1 term spent in engineering-related work in the overseas location.  A co-op rotation or an internship may be used to satisfy this requirement.

NOTE:  If the international experience is in an English speaking country, the first requirement is waived and the student must complete three of the remaining four requirements.  The courses taken as part of requirements 1, 2 and 3 may be used to satisfy part of the student’s humanities and social science requirements as long as the courses are on the approved list of such courses for the Swanson School of Engineering and focus on the local culture of the country of interest.

The certificate will indicate the country and language in which the IES Program was completed, and the certificate appears on the student’s transcript upon graduation. Please contact Dr. Kristine Lalley, Director of the Office of Engineering International Programs at krl33@pitt.edu or by calling (412) 624-3489 for additional information.