Undergraduate Academic Credentials
Pitt is a leader in international education. Regardless of undergraduate major or course of study, students can pursue a variety of options that will enhance their degrees and prepare them for the global workplace. Options range from a transcription notation to regional or thematic certificates to the Bachelor of Philosophy degree.
Students can learn about these options through informal conversations at the Global Hub or during formal sessions with a Pitt Global advisor. Doing so early will help to optimize opportunities to study abroad or at home, meet general education and foreign language credit requirements, attend internationally-themed events, and learn about scholarships available through Pitt Study Abroad and the Nationality Rooms. See below for individual opportunities and more information.
Courses
- Five Asian studies courses are required. Grades for courses must be a C minimum. Certificate requirements may met with general education credits, and courses from study abroad or transfer credit (B grade minimum).
- Four courses must be taken in at least two departments outside the major
- One course must be taken in the major department. If the major department does not offer Asian-focused courses (eg chemistry or English), the course must be taken in a third department.
Language Requirements
- A student must complete two years of college-level study (four semesters) of an Asian language. Pitt offers Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Arabic, Turkish, Persian, and Vietnamese. Heritage and native speakers must demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency, and may be exempt from this requirement.
Study Abroad
- Strongly encouraged
Courses
- 8 Asia-related courses (24)
- (only two courses from the second major can overlap with the BPhil)
- 1 Methodology (3)
- 1 Directed study for thesis writing (3)
Language Requirements
- 6 semesters in a language relevant to region of study
Study Abroad
- Required (exceptions may be made)
Courses
- 8 Europe-related courses (24)
- 1 Methodology (3)
- 1 Directed study for thesis writing (3)
Language Requirements
- 6 semesters in a language relevant to region of study
Study Abroad
- Required (exceptions may be made)
Courses
- 7 Global concentration (21)
- 1 Intro to Global Studies (3)
- 1 Methodology (3)
- 1 Capstone (3)
Language Requirements
- 6 college semesters of language study of one language other than English or demonstrated equivalent proficiency
Study Abroad
- Required
Courses
- 8 Latin American-related courses (24)(only two courses from the second major can overlap with the BPhil)
- 1 Methodology (3)
- 1 Capstone (3)
Language Requirements
- 6 semesters in a language relevant to region of study
Study Abroad
- Required
Courses
- 8 Russia, East Europe, or Eurasia-related courses (24 credits)
- 1 Methodology Course (3 credits)
- 1 Directed Study for Thesis Writing (3 credits)
Language Requirements
- 6 semesters or the equivalent proficiency in a language relevant to region of study
Study Abroad
- Required (exceptions may be made)
Courses
- 6 courses from at least three different departments (18 credits)
- Capstone project
Language Requirements
- 4 semesters of one or more of the following:
- An official EU language (excluding English)
Study Abroad
- Highly encouraged
Courses
- Introduction to Global Health (3 credits)
- 2 Core Course (6 credits)
- 3 Elective (9 credits)
- Digital Portfolio
Language Requirements
- No language required
Study Abroad
- Highly encouraged
Courses
- 5 global concentration (15 credits)
- Intro to Global Studies (3 credits)
- Successful submission of online student portfolio
Language Requirements
- 4 semesters of college level language study or demonstrated equivalent proficiency
Study Abroad
- Highly encouraged but not required
Courses
- 2 Latin American courses in major dept. (10 credits)
- 5 Latin courses in at least two departments (15 credits)
- 1 interdisciplinary paper and complete e-portfolio
Language Requirements
- 6 semesters of one or more of the following:
- Spanish or Portuguese (equivalent proficiency proven via examination)
Study Abroad
- Required, at least 4 weeks duration
Courses
- 1 Latin American course in major department (5)
- 4 Latin courses in at least two departments (12)
Language Requirements
- 4 semesters of one or more of the following:
- *Spanish or Portuguese (equivalent proficiency proven via examination)
Study Abroad
- Highly encouraged
Courses
- 5 courses from at least three different departments (15 credits)
- Capstone project
Language Requirements
- 4 semesters of one or more of the following:
- French
- Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian
- Spanish
- Italian
- Portuguese
- Turkish
- Modern or Ancient Greek
- Hebrew
- Arabic (Levantine, Maghrebi, and Egyptian/Central)
Study Abroad
- Highly encouraged
Courses
- 4 courses from at least three different departments (12 credits)
- Digital Portfolio
Language Requirements
- One year (two semesters) of coursework, or demonstration of equivalent proficiency, in any European or Eurasian language. The same language classes (or AP credits) used to fulfill the general education requirement may be used here as well.
Study Abroad
- Highly encouraged
Courses
- 5 courses from at least three different departments (15 credits)
- Digital Portfolio
Language Requirements
- 4 semesters or the equivalent proficiency in a language spoken in the former Soviet Union or Central and Eastern Europe, including modern Greek, Turkish, and Persian
Study Abroad
- Highly encouraged
Courses
- 5 courses from at least three different departments (15 credits)
- Capstone project
Language Requirements
- 4 semesters of one or more of the following:
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Italian
- Portuguese
- Irish Gaelic
- Modern Greek
- Swedish
- Hungarian
- Polish
- Slovak
Study Abroad
- Highly encouraged
Courses
- Interdisciplinary understanding of transnational Asia can help build an understanding of broad trends and ideas from many different perspectives. When students apply for a Transnational Asia Certificate, they will work together with the Asian Studies Center advisor to choose an appropriate theme and will, over the course of their remaining semesters take a minimum of five courses (15 credits) approved by the Asian Studies Academic Advisor to fit around the theme. Some popular themes include: Asian Diaspora Studies (including Asian American Studies), Asian Public Health, Transnational Asian Popular Culture, Transnational Supply Chains, and many others. Required courses for the Asian Studies certificate may overlap with Gen. Ed. requirements and with courses taken on study abroad.
- Students must take courses in a total of three different departments. At least one course (3 credits) should be in the student’s major, unless their major does not include a course appropriate to their certificate theme, in which case a course from a different department can count towards this requirement.
Language Requirements
- This certificate allows students to fulfill their language requirement in two ways:
- Equivalent proficiency to one year of an Asian language, and one year of another, thematically related language.
- Equivalent proficiency to two years of a single Asian language. Students can work with the Asian Studies advisor to determine language proficiency.
Study Abroad
- Strongly encouraged
Courses
- 5 courses from at least three different departments (15 credits)
- Capstone project
Language Requirements
- 4 semesters of one or more of the following:
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Italian
- Portuguese
- Irish Gaelic
- Modern Greek
- Swedish
Study Abroad
- Highly encouraged
Pitt Global Certificates
The certificate is a formal credential that fits into the academic spectrum between a major and a minor. Pitt Global certificates focus on particular world areas or trans-regional themes and can often be earned without extra tuition cost or an increase in overall course load.
BPhil
Undergraduate students also have the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Philosophy in International Studies (BPhil), a highly-regarded degree that is offered in conjunction with the University Honors College. In addition to coursework, language study, and a study abroad/away experience, BPhil recipients write and defend a thesis based on their independent research.
Global Distinction
The Global Distinction is a new Pitt credential that supports your growth in learning more about the world inside and outside the classroom.
By completing course work across disciplines and participating in global activities and experiences at home or abroad, you can earn official recognition for your work. The credential also brings milestone rewards and, upon completion, a personal Global Distinction URL for use on your résumé and networking sites.
Read about the Global Distinction for undergraduate students.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
In addition to the BPhil degree, Pitt undergraduate students can attend specialized symposia, participate in research seminars and field trips, and plan independent research projects at home or abroad. Learn more.