University of Pittsburgh

university of pittsburgh accreditation

University of Pittsburgh Degree Programs Available

The University of Pittsburgh appears in our ranking of 100 Affordable Public Schools With High 40-Year ROIs.

Earning a college degree offers many benefits. Not only do college graduates earn higher salaries than those who simply have a high school diploma, but they also report being more satisfied in their career and are less likely to be unemployed. The University of Pittsburgh offers several interesting degree options, some available completely online.

The University of Pittsburgh offers degrees in 11 different colleges and schools. These include:

  • College of Business Administration
  • College of General Studies
  • Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
  • School of Computing and Information
  • School of Education
  • School of Health and Rehabilitation Services
  • School of Nursing
  • School of Pharmacy
  • School of Social Work
  • Swanson School of Engineering

Many programs require prerequisite courses that are offered by the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences with students transferring to their specific college of study in their junior year.

The College of Arts and Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Mathematics that is available on all campuses. The program provides an excellent base for a career as an actuary, building a strong foundation in science, engineering, and finance. Students are trained in classic mathematics and are exposed to ideas on the cutting edge of current research. They use the latest technological tools and participate in numerous research projects under the supervision of faculty. Courses required may include Linear Algebra, Applied Mathematics, Numerical Methods, and Statistics.

The School of Education offers a Master in Education with a concentration in Elementary Education that is available both on campus and online. The program must be completed within five years of starting but most complete it within two years. It requires 36 credits and is designed for those who wish to meet the needs of diverse learners in their classrooms. Courses required may include Education and Society, Gender in Education, Educational and Psychological Methods as well as Race and Racism in Education and Society.

The College of General Studies offers a Certificate in Digital Media designed to provide students with the tools to create, produce, and manage content for multiple platforms. It requires 18 credits and can be completed online. Students gain an understanding of how written, audio, and visual content are used to persuade audiences. They also gain an understanding of how visual and textual communication are critical to the success of an organization. Courses required may include Mass Communication Process, Media Criticism, Media Theory as well as Integrated Writing and Design.

About University of Pittsburgh

The first classes at the University of Pittsburgh, which was then known as the Pittsburgh Academy, were held in 1787. Students attended in a log cabin located on the American frontier. As Pittsburgh grew, there became a need for an institute of higher education and, in 1819, the school was rechartered as the Western University of Pittsburgh.

A new building on Third Street in downtown Pittsburgh was constructed in 1830 but was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1845. Classes were held in the basement of a church until a new building was completed. However, that building was also destroyed in a fire in 1849, destroying records and requiring the school to cancel classes. After a third building was constructed, classes resumed in 1854.

After the Allegheny County Courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1882, the University sold its downtown property and moved to Allegheny City. The school became the University of Pittsburgh in 1908. Today, there are over 34,000 students attending the University of Pittsburgh. The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings named the University rank the school highly while Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranked the school one of the top 100 best value public colleges in the country.

University of Pittsburgh Accreditation Details

The University of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Middle States Commission. Accreditation is a peer-review process in which the University of Pittsburgh undergoes periodic evaluation to confirm they continue to offer programs of the highest quality. During that review, any areas that are determined to need improvement are addressed immediately. Accreditation also allows students to apply for and receive federal student aid. In addition to regional accreditation, programs throughout the school are accredited by the following organizations:

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
  • Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
  • Accrediting Commission on Education for Health Services Administration
  • American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, Accreditation Council
  • American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
  • American Bar Association
  • American Board of Medical Genetics
  • American Chemical Society
  • American Council on Pharmaceutical Education
  • American Dental Association
  • American Dietetic Association
  • American Library Association
  • American Nurses Association
  • American Occupational Therapy Association
  • American Physical Therapy Association
  • American Psychological Association
  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
  • Council on Education for Public Health
  • Council on Rehabilitation Education
  • Council on Social Work Education
  • Liaison Committee on Medical Education
  • National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
  • National Association of Schools of Theater
  • National Athletic Trainers Association
  • National League for Nursing

University of Pittsburgh Application Requirements

In order to apply for undergraduate degrees at the University of Pittsburgh, applicants must submit official high school transcripts as well as official SAT or ACT scores. A counselor report as well as teacher recommendations must also be provided.

Applicants for master’s programs at the University of Pittsburgh must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Applicants must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended as well as official GRE scores. They must provide three letters of recommendation, a resume and a statement of intent.

University of Pittsburgh Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition is $776 per credit hour for Pennsylvania residents and $1,360 per credit hour for non-residents. Graduate tuition is $947 per credit hour for residents and $1,630 per credit hour for non-residents. Online tuition ranges from $633 to $1,122 per credit hour regardless of residency depending on the program chosen.

Financial aid is available, and students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify. Students should complete the FAFSA regardless of income as some aid is merit-based. More than $5 million in aid is provided annually and the University provides full financial aid for approximately 55 Ph.D. students per year.

From research achievements to the quality of its academic programs, the University of Pittsburgh ranks among the best in higher education.