2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Bachelor of Philosophy
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The Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil) Degree is a research-based degree, requiring a rigorous curriculum and independent research under the guidance of a faculty mentor culminating in a thesis defense before a committee of faculty members, including an external examiner from another institution.
The BPhil Degree combines General Degree Requirements for an individually approved Program of Study with Special Degree Requirements for in-depth independent scholarship that culminates in a thesis. Through the BPhil, undergraduate students any time after their first year at Pitt can begin research and scholarly work toward a rigorous baccalaureate degree in a manner usually reserved for the graduate level (the Special Degree Requirements). Simultaneously, the BPhil degree includes an element of intellectual scope in the expectation that students have a challenging academic program in the course work for their majors, minors, and/or certificates (the General Degree Requirements).
General Degree Requirements
The General Degree Requirement is met through an approved Program of Study demonstrating that the student has exceeded the requirements for a standard undergraduate departmental degree. It is expected that a student’s curriculum will reflect the breadth and depth. It is incumbent upon each candidate to demonstrate the scholarly merits of the proposed curriculum as it relates to their own work through a Program of Study narrative submitted as part of their application.
To meet the General Degree Requirement, BPhil Degree candidates must:
- Complete the degree requirements (e.g., major requirements) of their primary school/college of admission (Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Swanson School of Engineering, School of Nursing, College of Business Administration, School of Computing and Information, etc.)
- Complete a Program of Study approved by the David C. Frederick Honors College
- Maintain a 3.50 cumulative GPA
Special Degree Requirements
The Special Degree Requirement is met through the preparation and defense of a thesis. There will be an individualized examination conducted by an Examining Committee no later than during the candidate’s last term at the University of Pittsburgh. One member of the Examining Committee must be from outside the University of Pittsburgh.
To meet the Special Degree Requirement, BPhil Degree candidates must:
- Select a thesis advisor from the faculty in their major department of study
- Submit a synopsis of the proposed research, the Thesis Prospectus (which has been accepted by the thesis advisor) to the David C. Frederick Honors College
- Be evaluated by the Examining Committee; this evaluation consists of a public presentation and discussion of the thesis or project, followed by a private oral examination conducted by the Examining Committee, similar to a graduate-level defense
Upon successful completion of the BPhil Degree program, students receive a degree/diploma jointly-conferred by the David C. Frederick Honors College and their primary school/college of admission.
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Admissions Requirements
Applications for admission to BPhil Degree candidacy are accepted on a rolling basis but must be submitted by students prior to beginning their last semester of enrollment. Students should apply for BPhil Degree candidacy once they have identified a faculty member willing to serve as the project’s thesis advisor. It is recommended, although not required, to apply for BPhil Degree candidacy prior to conducting the actual research for the thesis. The application requires students to provide a narrative of their Program of Study (General Degree Requirement) and Thesis Prospectus (Special Degree Requirement), along with biographical information, resume, and Pitt transcript.
Total Credits
The Frederick Honors College does not require students to complete additional credits for the BPhil degree, although the International and Area Studies, BPHIL does have addiional requirements for BPhil Degree candidates in their programs; students should contact the appropriate program advisor in the University Center for International Studies to discuss additional course work which may be required.
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