Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Graduate programs in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) are designed to prepare students for careers in research and teaching in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences responsive to the evolving needs of the private and public sectors of society as well as to the particular interests of academia.

FAS Graduate Studies has final approval over all admissions to graduate study in FAS and overall student appointments as Teaching Assistants, Teaching Fellows, Graduate Student Assistants, FAS Fellows, and Graduate Student Researchers, as well as responsibility for processing all related tuition scholarships. It reviews and records the academic progress of graduate students, including the passing of comprehensive examinations, admissions to doctoral candidacy, and final oral examinations. It verifies the completion of theses and dissertations, and certifies all graduate degrees awarded in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Contact Information

Questions regarding admissions, teaching and research appointments, and programs of study should be addressed first to the individual graduate department or program. Questions regarding registration, tuition scholarships for Teaching or Research Assistants, and graduate status should be addressed to:

FAS Graduate Studies

Student Services

5141 Sennott Square

Phone: (412) 624-6094

Fax: (412) 624-6855

E-mail: fasgrad@pitt.edu

Web site: http://www.fas.pitt.edu/

Admissions

Students applying for admission should proceed as follows:

1. Call or write for application forms and descriptive material to the department of intended graduate study, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Interested applicants are also encouraged to go to the Arts and Sciences graduate page at http://www.pitt.edu /~fasgrad/ and visit the Web pages of their departments of interest. Students often have the option to apply online.
   
   
2. Return the completed application forms to the appropriate department with a check or money order (not cash) payable to the University of Pittsburgh for the application fee stated on the application form. If applying online, students may choose to pay the application fee by credit card. The fee is $40. The application fee is required of all applicants; it is non-refundable and does not apply toward the payment of tuition. In exceptional cases, the application fee may be deferred (but not waived) at the discretion of the department. If the fee is deferred, and the student is admitted and accepts admission, the fee is due prior to registration.
   
   
3. No action will be taken on a request for admission to graduate study until the applicant has filed (1) the completed application; (2) the application fee; and (3) up-to-date, certified transcripts of work done in all undergraduate and graduate schools.
   
   As stated on the application form, three letters of recommendation from persons who can evaluate the applicant's qualifications for graduate school should be sent directly to the proposed major department.
   
   Submission of scores on the Aptitude Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is strongly recommended, particularly for those desiring financial assistance. This test is required by a majority of departments and encouraged by others. In addition, some departments may require the submission of scores on the Advanced Test of the GRE, a statement of career objectives, and/or a term paper or other sample of the applicant's written work. (For more information about the GRE, applicants should contact their undergraduate school's placement office.)
   
   Decisions regarding admission are based upon the above credentials, grade point averages, and the availability of faculty and facilities to meet the applicant's expressed academic or research needs and interests. In most departments or programs there is limited space available, so not all qualified applicants can be admitted. In such cases, applicants will be judged competitively.
   
   
4. Students applying for fellowships and assistantships should file their applications at the earliest possible date. Applicants interested only in admission may be considered up to the deadline dates, but postponing application entails the risk that available spaces will be filled. The application deadline for the Fall Term is August 1; for the Spring Term, December 1; for the Summer Term, April 1. Individual departments may impose earlier deadlines. Registration is permitted only after admission is granted.

Deferred Admission

Admission to graduate study is valid for the academic year. If a department so approves, a student may defer admission for one year without having to complete any additional applications. If approved, the student is sent a new admission letter. Additional course work taken during the deferred year and a new affidavit of financial support should also accompany any financial aid request. The deferral of admission is independent of financial aid.

Transferring Between FAS Departments

A student desiring to change a major department of graduate study in FAS must file an application for admission in the department of intended graduate study. Applications for transfer will be evaluated in the same way as applications for admission to the designated department. An application fee is not required.

Admission of International Students

Before reading the FAS-specific details below, see Graduate Admissions of International Students section for a complete overview of University admissions requirements, including TOEFL scores, for students from other countries.

Requests for application forms should be directed to the department in which the student wishes to enroll. Applications may be downloaded at the FAS Web site, or students may apply online using applications available at department Web sites. All applicants should take note of specific departmental requirements, in addition to those required of all international students. FAS Graduate Studies, Student Services in 5141 Sennott Square, or the department will determine whether or not an applicant has sufficient proficiency in English.

International Student Application Deadlines and Application Fee

The deadlines for submitting a completed application and financial aid form are determined by the individual departments, but the following are the final dates for international students applying for the corresponding terms:

The application fee for all students is $40 U.S. The fee must be submitted in the form of a check or money order made payable to the University of Pittsburgh or may be paid using a credit card by students applying online.

Admission Status

For an overview of the requirements for the three admission statuses—full, provisional, and special—see Admissions Status of this bulletin. In addition to those general requirements, FAS also has specific regulations adherent to each status as detailed below.

Full Graduate Status

Only students in full graduate status may undergo preliminary evaluations, take comprehensive examinations, be advanced to degree candidacy, or receive teaching assistantships or fellowships.

Provisional Graduate Status

Transfer from provisional to full graduate status is possible only upon formal recommendation of the student's department and after:

(a) removal of deficiencies noted at the time of admission, with A or B grades, and/or

(b) completion of four courses (12 credits) for which graduate credit is earned with at least a 3.00 average

Special Status

A special status student who takes courses while not seeking an advanced degree may transfer up to four courses (12 credits) taken while on special status to a degree program if the student is subsequently admitted into one, and if the department recommends the transfer. A transferred course must carry a grade of B or better.

Those special status students who earn graduate credits while on temporary admission may apply those credits toward degree requirements.

Early Admission Program

Exceptionally able students in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) of the University of Pittsburgh (QPA of 3.50 or above) with strong letters of recommendation from faculty in the department to which they are applying may be admitted to full graduate status in a department in FAS. At the time of admission, students must have completed 96 credits toward the baccalaureate degree, the final 30 of
which must have been taken in CAS, and must have satisfied the general education requirement, foreign language requirement (if any), and academic major requirements (as certified by CAS). For additional information regarding requirements for the completion of the baccalaureate degree, see the CAS section in the University of Pittsburgh Undergraduate Bulletin.

Inactive Status/Readmission

For detailed information on what constitutes inactive registration status and requirements for readmission to active status, please see Registration Status and Readmission, respectively.

Applications for readmission to FAS should be received according to the following schedule:

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance for graduate students is provided in the form of teaching and research appointments, fellowships, traineeships, tuition scholarships, and loans. Application for financial aid should be made on the regular Application for Admission to Graduate Study form except in special cases as noted below. All applications for financial assistance are reviewed at the departmental level and awards are made to the extent of available funds. Admission to graduate study does not carry any implications concerning the award of financial aid. Only students with full graduate status are eligible for teaching assistantships and fellowships.

Information concerning nationally competitive grants and fellowships can be obtained from FAS Graduate Studies, Student Services in 5141 Sennott Square. For general information on financial assistance above and beyond the FAS-specific information detailed below, including loans and University-wide scholarships, see Financial Aid section.

Teaching and Research Appointments

Each year about 665 graduate students receive teaching appointments in departments offering graduate degrees in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences to assist in undergraduate instruction in the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of General Studies. In addition to financial support and medical coverage, these appointments provide teaching experience and further professional development.

In recognition of academic merit, the University offers Teaching Assistants, Teaching Fellows, Graduate Student Assistants, and Graduate Student Researchers full or proportional tuition scholarships, and students are required to register for the number of credits proportional to appointment. If appointed in the Summer Term, students should register for a minimum of three credits (or full-time dissertation study, if eligible), unless additional registration is needed for academic purposes.

Information regarding TA/TF/GSA/GSR policies is available at FAS Graduate Studies, Student Services in 5141 Sennott Square. For further information on these positions and general descriptions of each appointment's job requirements, see Teaching and Research Appointments of this bulletin.

Teaching Assistants (TA)

For completion of services requiring approximately 20 hours per week, a TA receives a salary of $11,520 (2000-2001) for two terms. Two-term TAs who want to receive their salary spread out across three terms should contact their department immediately.

Teaching Fellows (TF)

For teaching services, requiring about 20 hours per week, a TF receives a salary of $12,985 (2002-2003) for two terms. Two-term TFs who want to receive their salary spread out across three terms should contact their department immediately.

Graduate Student Assistants (GSA)

A few graduate student assistantships are available in FAS. A GSA usually assists a faculty member in library research, editorial duties, or similar academic tasks. For such services, requiring about 20 hours per week, a GSA receives $9,400 (2000-2001) for two terms.

Graduate Student Researchers (GSR)

The GSRs work under the direct supervision of and are appointed by the principal investigator (or associate) of a funded research project. Their stipends are determined by the terms of the grant within guidelines set by the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research. For 1999-2000, the stipends range from $4,500 to $5,785 per term.

Fellowships and Traineeships

The following are fellowships and traineeships available to students in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Andrew Mellon Fellowships:
About 48 Andrew Mellon Fellowships are awarded each year to graduate students who are enrolled in programs leading to the PhD degree or who are applying for admission to such programs.

This award provides a stipend of $14,500 (2000-2001) and a full tuition scholarship for two terms. Awardees may elect to receive the stipend over a period of either two or three terms. They may elect to participate in the medical insurance plan available to TA/TF/GSAs and GSRs, but must pay the premium costs themselves through payroll deduction.

Application forms are available in November in FAS Graduate Studies, Student Services, 5141 Sennott Square, and along with supporting documents, they should be returned by January 15 according to the directions on the application form. Awards are announced by March 1.

Awards are made on an annual basis, and they may be renewed one time except by first-year students who are current Mellon Fellows. An awardee who wishes a renewal must file a new application form with supporting material, including progress made while holding a Mellon Fellowship. Transcripts from other institutions submitted previously need not be resubmitted. Awardees will be evaluated on overall merit and on progress made toward the PhD during their fellowship year.

Nancy Anderson Memorial Fellowship in English Literature:
This fellowship is awarded annually by the Department of English to an outstanding new or continuing graduate student. The award includes a stipend and a partial tuition scholarship.

Anna Margaret and Mary Sloan Fellowships in Philosophy or Psychology:
A fellowship of approximately $6,700 is available annually under the terms of the Anna Margaret and Mary Sloan Fellowship Fund to a woman who is engaged in full-time study in Philosophy or Psychology. A full tuition scholarship for two terms accompanies this award. Applications and supporting credentials must be received in 5141 Sennott Square by March 15; the award will be announced on April 15.

Carolyn Chambers Memorial Fellowship:
This fellowship is awarded annually to an advanced graduate student pursuing the PhD degree in English or History who shows potential for an outstanding career in teaching and scholarship. The award is a four-month fellowship, to be held either in the Fall or Spring Term and consists of a stipend of approximately $5,400 and a full-tuition scholarship for one term.

Chancellor's Fellowship in Chinese Studies:
A fellowship, renewable up to three years, is awarded annually to an outstanding PhD candidate specializing in Chinese studies. The award includes both tuition scholarship and stipend of $10,780 covering two terms of graduate study. Students applying for or admitted to PhD candidacy in any department are eligible for this award. Applicants should have completed at least two years of Chinese language study or the equivalent by the inception of the award period. Application forms are available from the Asian Studies Program, 4E05 Posvar Hall. Applications are due by January 15.

Daniel Fellowships:
Each year the Zaccheus Daniel Foundation awards several fellowships to qualified students enrolled in a PhD program in astronomy. In order to be a recipient of the fellowship, the candidate must be a full-time student and must be recommended by the department. Interested students should address their application for a Daniel Fellowship to the Zaccheus Daniel Foundation, c/o the Department of Physics and Astronomy; University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh, PA 15260.

Equal Opportunity Professional Education Program:
This program provides financial assistance for graduates of Cheyney and Lincoln Universities who are attending professional and graduate schools at the University of Pittsburgh. The program's tuition scholarships support the Commonwealth's commitment to achieve the goals of equal opportunity for all Pennsylvanians. Information can be obtained in the Office of Affirmative Action, 901 William Pitt Union.

FAS Fellowships:
Approximately 50 FAS Fellowships are allocated to FAS departments by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies as recruitment tools for their graduate programs. They carry a stipend of $13,200 (2000-2001) and tuition support for two terms. Awardees may elect to participate in the medical insurance plan available to TA/TF/GSRs, but must pay the premium costs themselves through payroll deduction. Departments may use these funds as enhancements for other forms of financial support they control to attract students with particularly strong academic records to their graduate programs.

FAS/Provost Development Fellowships and K. Leroy Irvis Fellowships:
This program provides highly qualified incoming students from under-represented groups in academia with a stipend equivalent to a teaching assistantship plus a tuition scholarship for one or two years, during which time the student will engage in a collaborative research project with a faculty mentor. This award is contingent on the guarantee that the student's graduate department will provide full funding for an additional two years, should the student meet the academic standards established by the department. These fellowships are designed to offer students from under-represented groups a combination of research and teaching experience under close faculty supervision for a total of three or four years in order to integrate minority students into the professoriate. Approximately 14 students a year will be funded as FAS/Provost Development Fellows or K. Leroy Irvis Fellows. The six candidates with the strongest academic records will be designated as K. Leroy Irvis Fellows. For more information, contact the department of interest for graduate study. Applications for funding are to be submitted by the department chair to the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies, 5141 Sennott Square.

Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships (FLAS):
Each year the U.S. Department of Education awards to the University a limited number of FLAS Fellowships for students working in the language and Area Studies programs under the University Center for International Studies or who are enrolled in a graduate department and whose work is focused on the world areas of Asia, Latin America, or Russia and Eastern Europe. Descriptions of the programs and information about the fellowships can be obtained by writing to the respective area Program Director, University Center for International Studies, Suite 4G Posvar Hall.

Graduate Tuition Scholarships:
Each term a few graduate tuition scholarships are awarded to advanced graduate students by the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research on the recommendation of individual departments. Scholarships are granted on the basis of the applicant's scholastic ability and need. Application forms are available in FAS Graduate Studies, Office of the Associate Dean, 5141 Sennott Square.

Japan Iron and Steel Federation Fellowship in Japanese Studies:
The Japan Council of the Asian Studies Program awards a fellowship of $11,000 plus tuition annually to an outstanding graduate student of Japanese studies who enrolls in a social science or humanities department. Applicants must have completed at least two years of Japanese language study or the equivalent by the inception of the award period. Application forms are available from the Asian Studies Program, 4E38 Posvar Hall. Applications and supporting credentials must be received by February 1.

Lillian B. Lawler Scholarships/Fellowships:
A gift from the Lillian B. Lawler estate makes it possible to offer two predoctoral fellowships/scholarships of $14,500 (2000-2001) to graduate students in the foreign language, Classics, English, or History departments. Priority is given to students in need of financial assistance. The amount of the award will be indicated on the application. Application forms can be obtained from FAS Graduate Studies, Student Services; 5141 Sennott Square; University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh, PA 15260. The deadline is January 15.

Robert S. Marshall Memorial Fellowship in Classics:
Fellowships of $14,500 (2000-2001) are occasionally awarded by the Department of Classics from the Robert S. Marshall Memorial Fund. Graduate tuition scholarships for two terms accompany these awards. Applications and supporting credentials must be received by the Chair, Department of Classics, by February 1. The awards are announced by April 1.

Ivy McManus Memorial Scholarship in Biological Sciences:
A scholarship of $2,000 is awarded annually to an outstanding woman who has completed her first year of graduate study. Contact the Department of Biological Sciences; University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh, PA 15260, for more information or an application.

Mellon Fellowships in Humanistic Studies:
The University of Pittsburgh participates in this fellowship program administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. Undergraduate students in the humanities may apply directly to that foundation for graduate fellowships. Please call (800) 899-9963 for more information or application materials.

National Science Foundation Fellowships:
The University of Pittsburgh participates in the programs of the National Science Foundation. Students who have completed fewer than 20 graduate semester hours are eligible to apply directly to the National Science Foundation for graduate fellowships. Interested students should call the National Science Foundation at (703) 306-1694 or send E-mail to grfp@nsf.gov for more information or application materials.

Provost's Development Fund:
This program is intended to provide financial support and development opportunities for women, minorities, and disadvantaged students pursuing the doctorate or a professional degree that would qualify them for an academic or administrative appointment. Financial assistance will be made available on the basis of need and merit. Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is enrolled in or admitted to a graduate program is eligible. Ideally, the candidate should be in the advanced stages of the PhD program so that support for one year would complete the program. Applications are available in the Office of the Provost, 801 Cathedral of Learning; and in FAS Graduate Studies, Office of the Associate Dean, 5141 Sennott Square.

Provost's Humanities Fellowships:
Two fellowships of $14,500 (2000-2001) each are awarded annually to graduate students of high academic merit pursuing work in the humanities. This award provides a full tuition scholarship for two terms. Awardees may elect to receive the stipend over a period of either two or three terms. Preference is given to entering first-year students. Application forms are available in September in 5141 Sennott Square. Deadline for application is January 15.

United States-Japan Industry and Technology Management Training Program:
The Asian Studies Program administers a new management training program in Japanese language and culture for scientists and engineers. Funded by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, it will award fellowship support for the program to students in the sciences and engineering to enable them to do intensive or regular study of the Japanese language and culture, followed by internship support for them to work in Japan for a year. Previous Japanese language training is not a prerequisite. For more information, please contact the program's Project Director either by mail or fax: Asian Studies Program, University Center for International Studies, 4E05 Posvar Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. The fax number is (412) 648-2199.

University of Bonn Exchange Fellowships:
The University Center for International Studies administers a yearly exchange program with the University of Bonn in Germany. Graduating seniors and graduate students from any department at the University of Pittsburgh are eligible to apply. The grant pays living expenses only, but candidates are eligible to apply for the Fulbright Travel Grant for transportation costs. For application and further information regarding deadlines contact the Study Abroad Office, 802 William Pitt Union.

Mary E. Warga Predoctoral Fellowship:
The Chemistry Department and the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pittsburgh offer a predoctoral fellowship for an entering female graduate student. The Warga Fellowship will be awarded on a competitive basis, with all qualified female applicants who are U.S. citizens being automatically entered into the pool.

The fellowship provides a two-term stipend totaling $16,000 (2000-2001) with the third term supported by teaching or research, if needed. It also provides a full tuition scholarship and $2,000 supplemental funds to be used for travel, research, and other professional expenses over the first four years of graduate study in the department. The stipend and scholarship are renewable for a second year contingent upon satisfactory graduate performance. Additional supplemental funds may be provided by the department.

Academic Standards

In addition to those University-wide regulations and standards detailed in the section on General Academic Regulations, beginning on page of this bulletin, each student in FAS is expected to be familiar with these school-specific regulations and academic standards:

Credits and Grade Points
Courses for which G, I, N, R, or W is recorded and courses numbered below 1000 (0-0999) do not contribute either credits or grade points toward graduation. When a course is repeated, only the last grade and credits are used to calculate QPA.

Students must achieve the minimum QPA established by their departments, in no case less than 3.00, in order to be eligible to retain teaching assistantships or fellowships, to undergo the preliminary evaluations, to take comprehensive examinations, to be admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree, and to graduate.

Independent study and individual thesis and dissertation research must be graded using the S/N option 2 and thus are not used in the calculation of the QPA required for continuation in good academic standing.

Academic Probation and Dismissal
A graduate student who fails to maintain an overall QPA of 3.00 or to make satisfactory progress in a degree program is subject to dismissal from graduate study at the University. When the overall QPA of a student falls below 3.00, the student is automatically placed on academic probation; is not eligible for a teaching assistantship, fellowship, or participation in the department comprehensive examination; and is subject to dismissal at the end of the following term. The department should so warn the student in writing.

In addition, any student who is not making satisfactory progress toward the completion of an advanced degree (completion of an acceptable number of required courses and/or research each term or year) may be placed on academic probation by the department. The student must be informed in writing of this action by the department. Normally, one term will be granted in which to correct the deficiency.

A student whose performance on a preliminary or comprehensive examination is judged to be inadequate may be subject to dismissal at the end of the term.

Withdrawal from Courses
Students may add or drop courses before the end of the add/drop period. A student who wishes to withdraw from an individual course after the add/drop period must complete a Monitored Withdrawal form available from the dean of the school offering the course, obtain the signature of the instructor, and return the completed form to the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies, 5141 Sennott Square. A W grade will then be issued.

Students may terminate their registration in all classes by informing the Office of the Registrar of their intent to do so prior to the end of the add/drop period for the term. Students registered for courses scheduled to begin after the end of the add/drop period for the term may terminate their registration by informing the Office of the Registrar of their intent to do so at any time prior to the first scheduled meeting day of the class. A student who stops attending a course and does not initiate the withdrawal or resignation procedures may be assigned an F grade.

Repetition of Courses
A student may repeat any course in which a grade of B- or lower is received if authorization is given by the student's department. When a graduate student repeats a course in which the subject matter has not changed, only the last grade received is counted in computing the grade point average. A Course Repeat form must be filed with FAS Graduate Studies, Student Services, 5141 Sennott Square, to initiate proper computing of the grade point average.

Grade Changes
A grade given by an instructor for completed work will not be changed unless an error has been made in reporting or recording the grade. (Re-examination or extra work may not be used as a basis for a change of grade.) A Grade Change Request form must be filed with FAS Graduate Studies, Student Services, 5141 Sennott Square, and approved by the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies.

Independent Study
Students who are using University facilities to an extent greater than represented by their formal course load (and those students required by a fellowship or other appointment to be full-time students) are required to register for an appropriate number of additional credits of Independent Study to reflect their correct status. All graduate study not under the direct supervision of a specific faculty member is, by definition, Independent Study, course number 2990 in each program. This includes study for preliminary evaluations, comprehensive and overview examinations, the preparation of research proposals, etc. Only the S/N Grade Option may be used in a 2990 course.

Directed Study
Registration for Directed Study is limited to students in good academic standing and normally beyond their first year of graduate study who wish to study or carry out a project in an area not available in a formal course. The work must be under the direct supervision of a faculty member who has approved the proposed work in advance of registration. A brief description of the work should be recorded in the student's file in the department. Either a letter grade or the S/N option may be used to evaluate the quality of work performed by the student, and both the credits and the grade points (if any) will be used in determining the academic standing of the student.

Transfer Credits
Students may transfer credits earned at another accredited institution in an approved degree-granting graduate program toward the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of Pittsburgh. Students requesting advanced-standing credits by transfer should indicate this within the first year of graduate study and provide official transcripts. The department evaluates each applicant's credentials and indicates to the student at the time of admission its recommendation to the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies concerning advanced-standing credit. Students requesting transfer credits from international graduate programs must submit their request to the Office of International Services (708 WPU) before their department can evaluate the credits for transfer. Students admitted with special or provisional status cannot transfer credits until full status has been granted. Graduate students already enrolled, when approved in advance by their department and the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies, may spend a term or more at another graduate institution to obtain training or experience not available at the University of Pittsburgh and may transfer those credits toward the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of Pittsburgh.

A maximum of six credits may be accepted by transfer toward the requirements for the master's degree. A maximum of 24 credits may be transferred toward the requirements for the PhD degree for course work at the master's level earned in another approved graduate school. A student who transfers 24 credits due to completion of a master's degree at another institution is not eligible to earn a master's degree in that discipline at the University of Pittsburgh. If a student has completed relevant graduate work beyond the master's level at another institution, up to 12 additional credits may be accepted for transfer. (No more than 36 credits can be accepted for transfer from all other graduate institutions.) Acceptance of credits by transfer from other graduate schools does not relieve the student from the requirement to register at the University of Pittsburgh and satisfactorily complete a minimum of 18 credits for a master's degree and a minimum of 36 credits for a PhD degree.

For further detail on University requirements on transfer credits, see Acceptance of Transfer Credits.

Registration of Undergraduate Students for Graduate Credit
A University of Pittsburgh undergraduate student who needs fewer than 15 credits to complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree and who intends to continue study toward an advanced degree in FAS may be permitted, during his/her final term, to register for one or two courses at the 2000 level for credit toward a graduate degree. The student must obtain written permission from an FAS department admissions officer that the course may count when and if the student is admitted into the degree program. This privilege should not be granted if the proposed total course program exceeds a normal full-time load or if the courses are required for the undergraduate degree. When the student registers for graduate study at the University, these graduate credits and grades may be transferred to the graduate transcript upon recommendation of the department and approval by the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies. No more than six credits can be transferred in this manner.

Statute of Limitations and Leaves of Absence
All regulations regarding the statute of limitations for completion of degree requirements and leaves of absence are detailed under Statute of Limitation/Leaves of Absence of this bulletin. Variations and additions to those rules within FAS are as follows:

Requirements for the master's degree should be completed within a period of four consecutive calendar years from the student's initial registration for graduate study. Some departments may have a more stringent statute of limitations for completion of master's or doctoral degrees. There is also a strictly enforced seven-calendar-year limit on the PhD comprehensive examination for students entering graduate study programs in Fall 1999 or later. (Ten-year limits on PhD comprehensive examinations apply for students enrolled prior to Fall 1999.) If the student has not completed all requirements for the degree within that limit, the comprehensive examination must be retaken.

Under exceptional circumstances a candidate for an advanced degree may apply for an extension of the statute of limitations. Applications-available in the department or in FAS Graduate Studies, Student Services (5141 Sennott Square)-must state the reason for the delay, provide evidence of continuing progress toward the completion of the degree, and include a plan and proposed date for completion. The request must be approved by the chair of the student's doctoral or master's committee and the department chair or director of graduate studies and be submitted to the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies for final action. Each student who requests an extension of the statute of limitations must be able to demonstrate proper preparation for the completion of all current degree requirements. There is no extension on the seven-year limit for the PhD comprehensive examination.

Under special conditions, graduate students may be granted a leave of absence. Only one leave of absence can be obtained by a student during his/her graduate career. Readmission following an approved leave of absence is a formality.

Advising and Placement

Advising and placement services in FAS graduate programs are conducted within the various departments and programs. Students should consult department handbooks, their departmental advisor, their departmental director of graduate studies, their departmental graduate secretary, and/or chair for details. The FAS Graduate Studies Office makes every effort to keep advising and placement in the forefront of departmental concerns. All departments are responsible, with FAS oversight, for implementing policies and practices consistent with the University's in Elements of Good Academic Advising, found on the University's Web pages at http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/advising.html. Unresolved problems relating to the advising of graduate students at the department level can be taken to the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies and Research in FAS Graduate Studies, Student Services, 5141 Sennott Square.

FAS Degree Requirements

The general requirements for the master's degrees and doctoral degrees are detailed under Regulations Pertaining to Master of Arts and Master of Science Degrees, Regulations Pertaining to Professional Master's Degrees (including the MFA), and Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Degrees. For further FAS-specific requirements, see below. Once the University-wide requirements and the FAS Degree Requirements below have been reviewed, see the relevant departmental description for more specific detail.

Requirements for the MA, MS, and MFA Degrees

The minimum requirement for the Master of Art and Master of Science degrees is 24 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree. Furthermore, the MFA, as a professional degree, requires a minimum of 30 credits. Not more than six credits may be granted toward the completion of the requirements for a master's degree for work completed at another accredited graduate institution. Most programs require more than this minimum.

Credit Requirements
In addition to the general credit requirements detailed under MA and MS Requirements at the front of this bulletin, the following requirements must be satisfied:

• All courses from the 2000 or 3000 series must be completed with an average grade of B (3.00)
• Registration for research or independent study cannot be included among the minimum of 12 credits that must be taken from the 2000 or 3000 series

Foreign Language Requirement
The requirement of proficiency in foreign languages is at the discretion of individual departments.

Comprehensive Examination
Whenever a program substitutes an equivalent requirement for the comprehensive examination, the department or program must obtain prior approval from the FAS Graduate Council and notify the University Council on Graduate Study and describe the situation. Students on inactive, special, or provisional status, or who have a QPA less than 3.00, are not eligible to take the comprehensive examination. See Comprehensive Examination under Regulations Pertaining to Master of Arts and Master of Science Degrees for further detail on requirements for comprehensive exams.

Thesis
The requirement of a thesis or its equivalent is at the discretion of individual departments. If a thesis is submitted, its form must be in accord with specifications available from the Style and Form Manual and approved by the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies. A report of the final oral examination in defense of the master's thesis must be filed in 5141 Sennott Square. For further information on thesis requirements, including the make up of the thesis committee, see Thesis Option under Regulations Pertaining to Master of Art and Master of Science Degrees.

Application for Graduation
Each candidate for graduation must file an official Application for Graduation in 5141 Sennott Square, early in the term in which graduation is expected. (See the Academic Calendar for deadline dates.) See Graduation for further details on graduation and graduation requirements.

Graduation Certification
The faculty of the department evaluates the performance in course work and on comprehensive examinations. If the candidate's performance is satisfactory and all degree requirements have been met, a letter must be submitted to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, on behalf of the department, certifying that the candidate has completed all requirements for a master's degree and indicating whether or not the candidate is recommended to proceed to doctoral study.

Requirements for the PhD Degree

An overview of the University requirements for the PhD degree is presented in Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Degrees. FAS-specific requirements are detailed below.

Credit Requirements
The minimum requirement for the PhD degree of 72 credits may be earned in formal course work, directed study, independent study, and/or thesis and dissertation research.

Course Requirements
No course numbered below 1000 may be applied toward a graduate degree.

Students must achieve the minimum QPA established by their departments, in no case less than 3.00, to be eligible to undergo the preliminary examination, to take the comprehensive examination, to be admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree, and to be graduated.

Foreign Language and/or Other Tools of Research
The requirement of proficiency in the use of foreign languages or other tools of research is at the discretion of individual departments. The foreign language departments have the capacity to evaluate foreign language proficiency and will be available to so certify.

Preliminary Examination
The nature of the preliminary examination/evaluation and the time when it is conducted are determined by each department. In some programs, the preliminary doctoral exam/evaluation may be combined with a master's comprehensive examination. See Preliminary Evaluation under Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Study for further detail on regulations pertaining to the exam.

Comprehensive Examination
Comprehensive examination results must be reported promptly to FAS Graduate Studies, Student Services (5141 Sennott Square), and no later than the last day of the term in which the examination is administered. See Comprehensive Examination under Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Study for further detail on regulations regarding the exam.

Doctoral Committee
Upon the successful completion of the comprehensive examination, the student and his/her advisor should propose a doctoral committee for approval by the Department Chair. The doctoral committee shall consist of at least three Graduate Faculty members from the student's department of graduate study, including the graduate advisor, and one Graduate Faculty member from another department of the University or from another university. (A list of the University's Graduate Faculty is available online at http://www.ba.pitt.edu/irweb/gradfac/homepg.htm.) If a member of the Graduate Faculty from another university is selected, she or he must be approved in advance by the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies. This person should be selected on the basis of contributions he or she can make by virtue of the particular areas of scholarly interest or expertise relevant to the dissertation topic. In addition, a scholar with special competence in the area of research of the dissertation may be appointed as an official member of the doctoral committee. A request for approval of a member from another university should include a cover letter stating the justification for the appointment and a current curriculum vitae. Many departments require a committee of five members.

For further detail on the committee's duties, see Doctoral Committee under Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Study.

Admission to Candidacy for the PhD Degree
After completion of the overview, the student should, in consultation with his/her major advisor, file the application for admission to candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Students are informed of admission to candidacy by written notification from the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies. When the topic has been accepted and the proposed doctoral committee has been approved by the Department Chair and the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies, the student will be informed of admission to candidacy and of the membership of the doctoral committee. For a listing of requirements for admission to candidacy, see Admission to Candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree.

Admission to candidacy must be at least eight months before the defense of the dissertation in order to provide an opportunity for the members of the doctoral committee to review, criticize, and monitor the proposed research.

Meetings of the doctoral candidate and his/her dissertation committee must occur at least annually from the time the student gains admission to doctoral candidacy. A record of such meetings must be maintained in the student's file in the department.

Dissertation
See Dissertation and Abstract for an overview of requirements and form for the dissertation and abstract. In addition, students in FAS should note that photocopies of journal articles may be used only in the appendix and only if necessary.

Language of the Doctoral Dissertation

The language in which doctoral dissertations are written shall normally be English. Exceptions may be granted for graduate students in foreign language departments but only for sound reasons of scholarship. Permission shall never be granted on the grounds of inadequate command of English. A student who wishes to write a dissertation in a foreign language shall apply formally to his/her department chair for permission. The application must be approved by the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies at the time of admission to candidacy. For approval, the following requirements must have been met:

1. The application must be recommended for approval by the department.
2. All members of the doctoral committee must have an adequate command of the language.
3. The student must have demonstrated full proficiency in English to the satisfaction of the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies.

Dissertation abstracts shall in any case be in English. The final oral examination must be conducted in English.

Final Oral Examination

Students preparing to take their final oral examination in defense of their dissertation should refer to Final Oral Examination under Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Degrees for details on the exam. Expansions on and additions to that information are given below.

Each candidate for a doctoral degree must provide a suitable number of copies of the dissertation, as designated by his/her doctoral committee, for review and use during the final oral examination.

One copy of the dissertation must be submitted to each member of the doctoral committee at least two weeks before the date set for the final oral examination. All members of the doctoral committee must attend the examination; exceptions can be made only with the permission of the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies. At least four weeks before the final examination, the chair of the doctoral committee must provide the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies with a typewritten notice, listing the title of the dissertation and the time and place for its defense, for announcement in the University Times. A report of this examination and a report on approval of the dissertation, signed by all members of the doctoral committee, must be sent to the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies for approval. The report on the approval of the dissertation may be signed concurrently with or subsequently to the report of the final oral examination. If the decision of the committee is not unanimous, the case is referred to the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies for resolution.

When the examination is completed, the candidate must deposit with the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies one copy of the approved complete dissertation plus three copies of an abstract of the dissertation signed by the dissertation advisor. These documents must have been prepared for publication in accord with instructions furnished by FAS Graduate Studies, Student Services (5141 Sennott Square). Each candidate must execute an agreement with University Microfilms International for the publication of the dissertation on microfilm and for publication of the abstract in Dissertation Abstracts; respond to the Survey of Earned Doctorates; and present a Thesis/Binding Microfilm Fees Receipt when the dissertation is deposited in 322 Thackeray Hall.

Multiple Degree Options

Students in FAS have several options for dual- and joint-degrees that may be pursued as detailed below. Students also may pursue two independent degree programs simultaneously, either in two departments within FAS or in a department within FAS and a department in another school at the University. For information on pursuing two independent degrees simultaneously, see Two Independent Degree Programs Simultaneously under Special Academic Opportunities.

Dual-Degree Programs
FAS dual-degree programs are available only in mathematics and computer science. For further details, contact one of those departments and see Cooperative-, Dual-, and Joint-Degree Programs on page 30.

Joint-Degree Programs
There are three joint-degree programs involving FAS:

1. The MD/PhD program offers selected students an opportunity to earn MD and PhD degrees simultaneously from the School of Medicine and certain departments in FAS. Interested applicants should contact the MD/PhD program at M211 Scaife Hall, (412) 648-2324 for further information.
2. The MBA/MA in Area Studies program provides students who are admitted to the MBA program in the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business an opportunity to earn a joint MA in Area Studies with foci in Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, Russian and East European Studies, or West European Studies. Interested students should contact the International Business Center, 355 Mervis Hall, (412) 648-1509 for further information.
3. The JD/MA program offers selected students the opportunity to earn the JD and the interdisciplinary MA degree in Bioethics. Interested students should see the Bioethics section of this bulletin or call the School of Law at (412) 648-1415.

In both the dual- and joint-degree programs, students must be admitted to both academic programs offering the degrees and must be graduated from both degree programs at the same time. For further details, see Cooperative-, Dual-, and Joint-Degree Programs.

Certificate Programs
A variety of interdisciplinary programs leading to completion of a certificate may be pursued by students working toward a master's degree or doctorate in FAS. Program descriptions are outlined under the relevant program.

Department and Program Descriptions

The minimal requirements established by the Graduate Faculty of the University, as described under General Academic Regulations, and any additional requirements of FAS Graduate Studies described under FAS Degree Requirements, should be read in conjunction with specific departmental and program requirements.

Courses numbered from 1000 to 1999, inclusive, are primarily advanced undergraduate courses, but under appropriate circumstances they may be taken for graduate credit. All courses numbered 2000 and above are open only to graduate students unless special permission is granted.

Descriptions of graduate courses offered in a particular term in departments of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences are given in the Course Descriptions issued each term just prior to registration. Copies can be obtained in departmental offices and in 140 Thackeray Hall.