Honors Distinction

Return to: University Honors College

The Honors Distinction consists of a structured program of curricular and co-curricular activities that provides an enhanced academic experience which includes opportunities for interdisciplinary study for students at the University of Pittsburgh. The Honors Distinction offers a lighter credit load than the Honors Degree  , which may be appealing to transfer students or those in highly structured, credit-intensive programs. 

The Honors Distinction requires 12 credits to be completed upon graduation. Of these 12 credits, a minimum of 9 credits of University Honors College approved academic credits and a minimum of 3 experiential course are required. The 9 academic credits may include courses with the University Honors College course attribute value (honors courses); courses with the Civic Learning course attribute value; graduate-level courses; courses which are used to fulfill the following (including courses which do not have the University Honors College attribute): Leadership and Ethics Certificate ; Conceptual Foundations of Medicine Certificate ; Engineering for Humanity Certificate ; Engineering Science ; Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Minor ; Global Health Certificate ; Pitt Business Honors Program; Politics and Philosophy, BA ; Public Communication of Science and Technology Certificate  ; Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainability ; and any additional course work beyond those used for the 3 credit experiential course work requirement. The 3 experiential credits may include courses with the Civic Learning + Engagement course attribute value, as well as academic research, independent study, study abroad, internships, or co-op programs, all of which require completed credits to appear on the transcript. If the course used to fulfill the experiential course work requirement did not have the High Impact Practices Course Value Attribute of Capstone Course, students must complete this additional requirement by completing an additional course with the High Impact Practices Course attribute value of Capstone Course or a capstone experience through the Honors Outside the Classroom Curriculum. In addition to the curricular requirements, students are required to complete the Honors Outside the Classroom Curriculum that provides non-credit enhanced experiences for honors students. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 upon graduation is required for completion of the Honors Distinction program. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a notation on their final transcript.

*On October 5th & 28th, 2021 the Honors Distinction was updated.