Academic Honors and Scholarships
In This Section:
- University Honors College (UHC)
- Honors Societies
- Scholarships, Awards, and Honors
- Graduation and Departmental Honors
University Honors College (UHC)
The University of Pittsburgh Honors College (UHC) offers unique courses, special degrees, and supplemental advising to highly motivated students who have been invited to participate in UHC when they applied as a freshman. UHC does not have a formal membership, and students throughout campus can take honors courses by requesting special permission. For more information see www.honorscollege.pitt.edu.
Honors Societies
Outstanding School of Arts and Sciences students are recognized for their academic achievement. Working hard and doing well in their studies will not only earn students high honors at Pitt, but in their future endeavors, as well. School of Arts and Sciences departmental clubs and academic organizations offer opportunities for leadership, fellowship, service, and scholarship. In addition to the honorary societies listed on the Student Life Web site, students can view a complete listing of all clubs and academic organizations through the online database of the Student Organization Resource Center.
Golden Key International Honor Society
Golden Key International Honor Society is an academic honor society that recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement and excellence among college students from all academic disciplines. It provides campus and community service opportunities enabling personal growth and leadership development as well as interaction with university faculty and administrators to develop and maintain high standards of education. Golden Key rewards its members through scholarship and award programs, and members access exclusive career opportunities and assistance through Golden Key's partnerships with businesses and graduate programs.
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
The mission of National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) is to honor and to inspire academic excellence and engaged citizenship for a lifetime. NSCS recognizes outstanding academic achievement and provides opportunities for members to enhance their collegiate experience. Benefits of membership include recognition, networking and career resources, the opportunity to apply for scholarships, leadership development, and social and service activities on campus.
The School of Arts and Sciences bestows numerous prizes and awards annually to Arts and Sciences students for outstanding academic performance. The Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies sends eligible candidates invitations to apply for the scholarships. Criteria for eligibility for Arts and Sciences scholarships include completion of 50-90 credits, no more than 30 advanced standing credits, and a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Some departments give awards to outstanding students in their discipline. Please check with your department for information about departmental prizes and awards, including eligibility criteria.
Early each term, School of Arts and Sciences students whose grades in the preceding term indicate outstanding academic achievement are recognized on the Dean's List. To earn a space on the Dean's List, a student must have completed at least 12 credits (not including courses taken on the Satisfactory/No Credit option) with a term GPA of at least 3.50, and no grade lower than a C.
4.00—Dean's Stars
Students who earn a 4.00 are eligible for a $50 Book Center gift certificate, courtesy of the Office of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies. Students receive a letter of recognition and a gift certificate sent to their mailing address, approximately eight weeks after the term in which they earned a 4.0.
Sophomore Honor Student Reception
Each year, the School of Arts and Sciences associate dean's office hosts a reception to honor sophomores who have earned 30 or more credits and maintained a GPA of 3.50 or higher. Honorees receive an invitation to the reception in the mail from the associate dean's office, and each student receives individual recognition in the form of a certificate.
Graduation and Department Honors
Those members of a graduating class who have attained an outstanding scholastic record and have taken at least 60 letter-grade credits while enrolled in the School of Arts and Sciences graduate with honors. There are three levels of honors, depending on a student's GPA: cum laude (3.25), magna cum laude (3.5), and summa cum laude (3.75).
Many departments offer an Honors distinction in their majors. Successful completion of Honors major requirements as well as normal graduation requirements leads to the awarding of the bachelor's degree with departmental honors. For detailed information about your major's honors requirements, please contact your academic advisor.